Out with the old – in with the old

Written By: - Date published: 10:18 am, December 12th, 2016 - 110 comments
Categories: bill english, john key, leadership, national - Tags: ,

So today Key’s 8 long years draw to a close. More than enough has been written on his legacy of nothing, I’m not going to add to it. Bye John, out with the old.

And in with the old. Shortly the Nats will anoint the chosen one, Bill English. A pre-failed leader. Mr 21%. The greedy double dipper. The boring, conservative choice for a boring conservative party.

Given the tail-wind from Key it’s likely that Bill will do better this time than last. Time will tell whether he does well enough to get the Nats another term. For the sake of the country, particularly the poor and vulnerable, the environment, and the future, I certainly hope not.

Time for a change. Time for a government that is realistic about the challenges that we face, that can plan for a future beyond the three year electoral cycle, and that has the interests of all New Zealanders at heart. Gentle reader, if you are not already working for the leftie / liberal / progressive party of your choice – why not? The time to start is now, or we will get more of the same old same old.

110 comments on “Out with the old – in with the old ”

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  1. Carolyn_nth 1
    12 December 2016 at 10:26 am

    Gordon Campbell on the new team:

    Bling and Pulla”

    Things will be just the same, but really, really different! Its so exciting! Bill English is from the South and I’m from the North! How great a team is that? And can I tell you again how awesomely talented all my colleagues are? Yikes. I have a feeling we’re going to get very tired of the chirpy chops ebullience of our new deputy Prime Minister in a very short period of time. Grumpy, less charitable thoughts do come to mind. As in… is someone, anyone on the new team going to ensure that Nick Smith and Murray McCully are shot at dawn this week, and replaced by people even more awesome than they are?

    Now that the charade of a contest for the National Party leadership is over – the pre-arranged succession had about as much drama as the upcoming transition from Queen Elizabeth to Prince Charles – attention will shift once again this week to the minor placings.

  2. EE 2
    12 December 2016 at 10:37 am

    I’ve read a lot of commentary on Key’s style over substance, legacy of nothing.
    What about his oversight of NZ spy agencies and the increase of mass surveillance…
    Isn’t that going to be historically remarkable?

    • Carolyn_nth 2.1
      12 December 2016 at 10:43 am

      It’s a variation on 2 track politics: a lot of public superficial style; behind the scenes a whittling away of democratic processes, the rise in the surveillance state, and the remnants of the social security state.

    • tracey 2.2
      12 December 2016 at 11:05 am

      By remarkable do you mean it was bad under his leadership, then when the fire got hot, he ran away and gave it to Finlayson, and under Finlayson some light has been shone on it?

      Also interesting to observe the big brave journos all suddenly saying he has achieved bugger all and been bland and , and , and AFTER he resigned.

      Sir John Key in new Years Honours. He lies that it doesn’t matter to him.

      • b waghorn 2.2.1
        12 December 2016 at 12:10 pm

        ”Also interesting to observe the big brave journos all suddenly saying he has achieved bugger all and been bland and , and , and AFTER he resigned.”

        yes its had me shaking my head gutless toads,

        • tracey 2.2.1.1
          12 December 2016 at 2:58 pm

          But Audrey is back in puppet mode drooling over Bill’s first press conference, so normal transmission resumed.

  3. One Anonymous Bloke 3
    12 December 2016 at 10:44 am

    Apparently there’s one significant difference between the old and the old: the right to choose abortion.

    …and this…

    He voted against the legalisation of same sex marriage. He voted against civil unions. He voted against prostitution law reform. He voted for a 2005 bill that sought to clarify that marriage should only be between men and women.

    • Sabine 3.1
      12 December 2016 at 11:33 am

      well he is a righteous Christian and is very concerned about morality.

      • michelle 3.1.1
        12 December 2016 at 11:52 am

        If he is concerned about morality how come his policies aren’t morally fair or fiscally right English has been kicking the poor in the guts for 8 years while selling our assets and now I hear him talking about social services that he gutted. And still holding fast to a tax cut bribe of 20 bucks a week wow Bill you will have to do better than that mate if you want to win the next election.

        • garibaldi 3.1.1.1
          12 December 2016 at 12:10 pm

          It’s alright Sabine, he’s probably only going to go for the Protestants, atheists, muslims hindus, women, the poor and other minority groups!

        • Whispering Kate 3.1.1.2
          12 December 2016 at 1:15 pm

          Its okay Michelle, he more than likely goes to confession each week and will be given absolution of his sins otherwise he won’t be able to take the sacrament at Mass each Sunday. Like all faithful Catholics with a clear conscience its easy for him the following week to work on his punishing policies on the vulnerable as he knows he is forever going to be forgiven for implementing them. Always has been that way with the church, even mortal sins disclosed in the confessional are sacred and private so sure as hell all his venal sins he commits won’t keep him awake at night.

        • Gosman 3.1.1.3
          12 December 2016 at 2:44 pm

          Why is selling assets somehow immoral? I don’t believe I’ve seen anything in the Bible stating ‘Thou shalt not sell stakes in commercial enterprises owned by the State’.

          • One Anonymous Bloke 3.1.1.3.1
            12 December 2016 at 2:50 pm

            The Bible is Gosman’s guide to ethical behaviour. That explains a lot.

            • Gosman 3.1.1.3.1.1
              12 December 2016 at 2:57 pm

              Not me. I believe it was michelle who was trying to argue that English should have some sort of moral dilemma with selling assets as a result of his religious beliefs.

          • michelle 3.1.1.3.2
            12 December 2016 at 3:14 pm

            Telling porkies is that immoral Gosman what about claiming monies you are not entitled to and selling our state homes when so many people are homeless.

            • Gosman 3.1.1.3.2.1
              12 December 2016 at 3:28 pm

              If a State house is sold to housing charity how does that impact the homeless? I presume the housing charity also helps the homeless or those in housing need so overall the net social effect is neither positive nor negative.

              • Rosemary McDonald …
                12 December 2016 at 4:57 pm

                “If a State house is sold to housing charity how does that impact the homeless?”

                Funny that the charities don’t want a bar of it Gosman….

                http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/87341873/sale-of-state-houses-regrettable–salvation-army

                With only one major ‘charity’ getting involved…http://www.accessibleproperties.co.nz/about/

                which qualifies as a ‘charity’ only by the loosest of definitions.

                But don’t panic Gosman….your Buddies in the House are off to Aus, seeking willing buyers…http://www.powerhousingaustralia.com.au/

                a member of the multinational charity….http://internationalhousingpartnership.com/

              • wellfedweta …
                12 December 2016 at 8:48 pm

                Correct. It’s the same as when private investors purchase state houses and enter long term agreements with housing NZ. In my view there is no need for the government to own a single house. Not one. Capital would be freed up to, repay debt, for example.

                • crashcart …
                  12 December 2016 at 9:46 pm

                  Yea cause the market has proven to be real effective at providing social housing thus far. Shit the private market has done a shit job on housing all round.

                  That is of course what happens when you have a market where the supply can never meet demand and demand is inflated by it being a tax haven for those who set up their affairs correctly.

                  No invisable hand driving that market to the magic equalibrium. Has all the basis in reality of Blinglishes fairy god father.

                  • wellfedweta …
                    13 December 2016 at 9:26 am

                    Actually the private market does an excellent job at providing ‘social’ housing. It gives the government the flexibility to access housing where and when there is need, rather than be left holding housing stock in places or in configurations it no longer requires.

                • Paul …
                  12 December 2016 at 9:54 pm

                  There is no such thing as society, eh?
                  No point debating with folk like you. You are devout followers of the Randian cult and impervious to reason.

                  • wellfedweta …
                    13 December 2016 at 9:27 am

                    The government is part of society. Private housing providers are part of society. What is your point?

        • Robin 3.1.1.4
          12 December 2016 at 6:52 pm

          That $20 is averaged out over everybody. So the rich will get much more than that amount and the poor will get a lot less. Just like last time

    • Cinny 3.2
      12 December 2016 at 1:19 pm

      I heard on the wireless he is going to support same sex marriage now… I wonder how his church feels about that, is he allowed to go against the church in order to push his own political agenda without any backlash? Is his local congregation and priest so stupidly star struck that their religious morals are suddenly flexible?

      Or is the new outgoing PM so simple minded he allows his own religious brainwashing to dictate political decisions that impact every citizen of NZ.

      That pisses me off, if you are going to call yourself a catholic, walk the talk or rot in hell. Cause the catholics are happy to use satan as a scape goat, so I’ll call em out on the same.

      Maybe Satan made Bill change his mind, quick off to confession and all is forgiven. FFS Dumb and dumber. Bye bye Bill you are a gone burger mark my words, tat taaa

      https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/44/03/3b/44033bc3336871f278e3cfce5d1e08d4.jpg

      • tracey 3.2.1
        12 December 2016 at 3:01 pm

        Not quite. After 2 months of backroom training he is already in Key mode. He says if the vote were today (which it isnt) he would vote for same sex marriage. No one can say his is wrong but nor will we ever know. So he gets to seem socially liberal when he is really socially conservative. See the bait and switch that 2 months training does?

        • Matthew Whitehead 3.2.1.1
          12 December 2016 at 3:43 pm

          I think a better way to put this is that he wouldn’t vote to overturn marriage equality, which is good, but like, the very least you can do.

          English will absolutely vote against progressive social policy if any future conscience votes around issues like say, trans rights, or queer homelessness, come up in Parliament.

    • JanM 3.3
      12 December 2016 at 10:02 pm

      He is a Catholic, isn’t he? He really doesn’t have much choice.

  4. Ad 4
    12 December 2016 at 10:51 am

    English is to Key what Hillary was to Obama.

    Slightly darker, more project-focussed, more about the substance than the rhetoric, more skilled in operating all parts of the machine.

    The left are very, very lucky that Key’s resignation now gives them a chance.

    I sincerely hope that the left gives all voters something really clear and strong and proud to vote for. And that they win.

    • aerobubble 4.1
      12 December 2016 at 11:05 am

      Key was a lazy distraction in a time when the NZ economy always does well, when the world economy does not, its got nothing to do with managing, the wealth of the world needs a place that works while it chokes and splurters. Free trade lets the world take over the NZ economy, its a big white flag surrender, Nz wont fail as its so rorted that in bad times the wealth centers lean off NZ. Fear good times in the Northern hemisphere, unlikelt though, Climate Change means shit on shit.

      • Gosman 4.1.1
        12 December 2016 at 2:55 pm

        What evidence do you have that the NZ economy always does well when the rest of the World isn’t doing well?

        • aerobubble 4.1.1.1
          16 December 2016 at 11:00 am

          Risk and facts. When unemployment rises in UK,US,EU, kiwis start for home. Like i said when the economy does worse overseas its should be obvious to those with knowledge about kiwi oe that there is a boost to the nz economy.

          Second. Investors like the rigged nz economy exposed without tarriffs etc, low trade borders coupled with the higher risk bonus interest rates, venture here with a lower cost from border restraints and invest with a higher rate of return.
          Which comes out of nz living better, for obvious reasons. Swiss protectionism exemplifies how to do it properly, as does swedish welfare state shows how a govt does that successfully.

          But when you have an elite who dont do govt, let markets function hands off e wheel, its no wonder the once higherest living standard decades ago is nolonger.

          You see you need both your head in the ecomonic decisiins NZ has and is making, and imagination that its more than leaving imagination to markets.

          Good govt beats markets everytime.

  5. aerobubble 5
    12 December 2016 at 10:52 am

    John Key started with SCF and ended with TPP, he noted off the bat the s.Auckland crisis and even laid claim to kiwi gfc refugees return in stadium size quanta, yet remarkable did nothing about housing and rivers. Sure he claimed the Green Labour insulation scheme, even the digital fast broadband was arguably signed off for…

    So what did Key actually do? Well dotcom got in with million dollar migrants who cant speak English, tourism rises yet no new infrastructure, well okay, the dual carriageway that should have been built fifty years ago. Now we find free trade is verticalizing industry, and dereg key lets them pollute rivers, force timber prices high, and then shock horrror with Trumps victory where mainly white rural males agree with that competing with low wages is bad and makes America lousy… …what does Key media do! declare how farmers cant find workers coz they are to lazy, wtf, the wages are artifically lowered by cheap foriegn labour!

    So what has Key done, the waikato bypass and broadband, that govts should have and would have. Its what Key hasn’t done, infrastructure, building second roads as eaethquake resilience, buulding tourism support, stoping shitty rivers…

    Key, supported from the begunning by an insipid and banal media, glowing endorsements for his leadership. Thats his only real success. I did not vote for him, not my PM, good riddens.

    • BM 5.1
      12 December 2016 at 11:01 am

      It’s what Key hasn’t done, infrastructure, building second roads as earthquake resilience, building tourism support, stopping shitty rivers…

      Read this and get a bit better informed.

      http://www.infrastructure.govt.nz/

      • tracey 5.1.1
        12 December 2016 at 11:07 am

        BM, you are not putting much stock in the “nonsense” from Treasury are you?

        • BM 5.1.1.1
          12 December 2016 at 11:16 am

          The National Infrastructure Unit

          The National Infrastructure Unit was established in 2009 to deliver the government’s objectives relating to infrastructure. The Unit is based within Treasury, and its responsibilities include:

          Formulating, and monitoring progress on, a 20-year National Infrastructure Plan (NIP);
          Establishing robust and reliable cross-government frameworks for infrastructure project appraisal and capital asset management, and monitoring the implementation and use of those frameworks

          Have a read of some of the reports, after decades of under investment NZ finally has a decent plan and road map in place that’s going to help NZ grow and develop over the next few decades,

          People will thank Key in years to come.

          • tracey 5.1.1.1.1
            12 December 2016 at 11:18 am

            You are right about a road map. I think you will find if anyone can take “credit” for it over the years it will be Mr Joyce…. John key’s Karl Rove.

          • One Anonymous Bloke 5.1.1.1.2
            12 December 2016 at 12:29 pm

            After eight long years, the Gnats finally have a plan!

            1. The market will provide.
            2. ???
            3. Profit!

            • Red 5.1.1.1.2.1
              12 December 2016 at 4:44 pm

              Stop dribbling

              • One Anonymous Bloke …
                12 December 2016 at 5:01 pm

                I’ll see if I can make the point clearer for you. After eight years, with all the resources of government, the fact that all they’ve got is a plan is pathetic, and if it’s anything like the “predator free by 2050” “plan” it will be worthless too.

          • Sacha 5.1.1.1.3
            12 December 2016 at 2:19 pm

            “People will thank Key in years to come.”

            Like most govt policy over the last 8 years I believe you will find it’s English and Joyce’s doing, not the departing frontguy.

            • michelle 5.1.1.1.3.1
              12 December 2016 at 3:27 pm

              what ever Sacha you expect us to believe Key had no part in the policy or lack of policy we have had under the gnats

              • Carolyn_nth …
                12 December 2016 at 3:48 pm

                Key definitely championed the following:

                TPP

                Extension of the surveillance state, including to draw in ideas of economic threats – began work on that soon after he became PM – brought in his mate Fletcher, etc

                Asset sales… slow & sometimes stealthy

                Undermining democratic processes – urgency, OIA obfsucation, etc

                Supporting NZ as finance centre – attracting offshore money via lax disclosure regime

                2 track dirty politics

      • aerobubble 5.1.2
        12 December 2016 at 11:10 am

        Like TPP, it worked for Kaikora.

        Key stateshow he raised benefits… ..lol… he tax switched the poorest to remain stagnated while lower burdens on wealthier nz, then he raises family benefits effectively lower single benefitaries. Opening the gates to cheap migration forcing down wages, and housing costs up by million dollar migrates without housing infrastructure.

        yeah, infrastructure.

  6. Infused 6
    12 December 2016 at 11:08 am

    So deluded. Keep telling yourselves lies. Hope it makes you feel better

  7. Wensleydale 7
    12 December 2016 at 11:31 am

    Front page on Stuff…

    “Key Gets A Hamper”

    Stay classy Fairfax. That’s what I call cutting-edge journalism.

  8. Siobhan 8
    12 December 2016 at 11:38 am

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/320149/hnz-accused-of-meth-witch-hunt

    “Great work” from the Department run by Paula Bennett, well deserving of a promotion in this fine and fair land of New Zealand.

    In any properly run business you would get fired for such incompetence.

  9. Sam C 9
    12 December 2016 at 11:55 am

    “And in with the old. Shortly the Nats will anoint the chosen one, Bill English. A pre-failed leader. Mr 21%. The greedy double dipper. The boring, conservative choice for a boring conservative party”.

    Well if that is in fact the case, surely a Labour/Greens government is inevitable next year? I thought that would make you happy?

  11. Richard Christie 11
    12 December 2016 at 1:36 pm

    English is a climate science denier, he just won’t outrightly express it, instead talks about debate in the science etc.

    It’s manifestation of a position rooted in theology.

    Expect even less action on climate/carbon front while he holds the reins.

    • Robert Guyton 11.1
      12 December 2016 at 1:41 pm

      Bill’s a Southland farmer*. Southland farmers drive tractors and tractors need diesel. You can’t deny a Southland farmer his diesel. I learned this from Eric Roy, who told me the facts about climate change (see above).
      *opinions may vary

    • RRM 11.2
      12 December 2016 at 1:50 pm

      Good!

      NZ could shut everything down, cut its emissions down to zero, and a few DAYS’ worth of of China’s growth in emissions would replace all of that.

      Why should this country flog itself to death for nothing, on the altar of “climate change is the issue of our time”..??

      • Richard Christie 11.2.1
        12 December 2016 at 2:34 pm

        The Stupid runs deep in your reply, RRM.

        Every country can play your stupid and ultimately losing game.

        The object of collective agreements such as Kyoto and Paris is to collectively move toward emission reduction which (has been) is sabotaged by short term thinking exemplified by National party and Fed farmer’s gutting of the emissions trading scheme.

      • Robert Guyton 11.2.2
        12 December 2016 at 2:40 pm

        RRM – “NZ could shut everything down…”

        You mad, crazy greenie zealot eco-terrorist, you!

      • One Anonymous Bloke 11.2.3
        12 December 2016 at 2:42 pm

        Nek minnit – “Personal responsibility! Personal responsibility!!”

        Nice to see the lie exposed again.

    • Bearded Git 11.3
      12 December 2016 at 1:58 pm

      Not sure if that (“less action on climate change”) is possible Richard.

  12. RRM 12
    12 December 2016 at 1:44 pm

    “…Mr 21%…”

    He and Andy Little should have lots in common then eh?

    Two chumps who inherited defeated and broken parties at rock bottom.

    Bill English went on from there to become the best Minister of Finance in a lifetime, keeping all of Labour’s lefty state services funded throughout the GFC without having to raise taxes or bankrupt the country.

    It remains to be seen whether Angry “I can’t even win a backwater electorate seat” Little will go on to be the best at pretty much anything…

    • Richard Christie 12.1
      12 December 2016 at 2:41 pm

      Bill English went on from there to become the best Minister of Finance in a lifetime, keeping all of Labour’s lefty state services funded throughout the GFC without having to raise taxes or bankrupt the country.

      GFC would have been a disaster for NZ if the 5th Labour govt had taken Nat’s advice and used its surpluses to reduce taxes.

      Instead the Nat’s borrowed against NZ’s track record of debt management. In effect the Nats did nothing positive to manage the GFC fallout. Zilch.

      Nat’s = competent fiscal management? my arse.

  13. mosa 13
    12 December 2016 at 1:45 pm

    After watching Andrew Little’s interview on Q+A on Sunday with James Shaw i think they should swap leadership roles for the campaign next year.

    Shaw comes across and performs so much better in these interviews.

    Andrew even though i respect his abilities communicating in tv interviews is not one of them.

    The leadership debates will be exciting (sarc)

    • Gosman 13.1
      12 December 2016 at 3:00 pm

      Yes but then the question would be ‘What is the point of Labour?’. In fact can someone from the left tell me what the point of Labour is again given The Greens seem to be a more effective opposition party.

      • michelle 13.1.1
        12 December 2016 at 3:31 pm

        What is the point of Act and United how many party votes did they get Gosman and yet they have managed to get policy from f.. a votes

  14. Gosman 14
    12 December 2016 at 3:03 pm

    The danger for the left here is that you lot think you’ve basically won it already and fail to actually work on becoming an alternative government in waiting.

  15. michelle 15
    12 December 2016 at 3:33 pm

    The danger for the right is they think they are always right and the main reason they were elected has now gone

    • Red 15.1
      12 December 2016 at 5:00 pm

      The danger for the left is they externalise all their issues and live in an echo chamber and then are mortified when no one buys their kool aid

  16. Ad 16
    12 December 2016 at 3:50 pm

    Amongst the volumes of Christmas gatherings I drag my self to one bar at a time, a theme I get really easy agreement on is the hollowness of the promise of New Zealand:

    We put ourselves out there to the world as this spectacular collection of all the world’s known virtues; the best to women, the best to the environment, the best to indigeous peoples, the friendliest people to deal with …

    .. and all of that true on a superficial level when compared to everyone else …

    …and yet ask all the newbies and the imports, they will tell you New Zealand is a trap;
    – you are never going to be paid well
    – you are never going to be managed well
    – you will never be able to save
    – you will never be able to afford a house
    – you are hardly ever going to work for a company of any note globally
    – you will not be treated well
    – your children will go to mediocre schools
    … and if they ever get the chance they tell their professional friends not to bother coming here because of all of the above, because it’s a trap and you can never get out especially if you have children and you really try and settle here.

    We have a moral superiority complex and are in most measures economically inferior. To me, that is the most lasting John Key’s legacies.

  17. billbrowne 17
    12 December 2016 at 5:13 pm

    It’s deja vue all over again.

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  • Will debt reduction trump abuse in care redress?

    Luxon speaks in Parliament yesterday about the Abuse in Care report. Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:PM Christopher Luxon said yesterday in tabling the Abuse in Care report in Parliament he wanted to ‘do the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Olywhites and Time Bandits

    About a decade ago I worked with a bloke called Steve. He was the grizzled veteran coder, a few years older than me, who knew where the bodies were buried - code wise. Despite his best efforts to be approachable and friendly he could be kind of gruff, through to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Why were the 1930s so hot in North America?

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Jeff Masters and Bob Henson Those who’ve trawled social media during heat waves have likely encountered a tidbit frequently used to brush aside human-caused climate change: Many U.S. states and cities had their single hottest temperature on record during the 1930s, setting incredible heat marks ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago
  • Throwback Thursday – Thinking about Expressways

    Some of the recent announcements from the government have reminded us of posts we’ve written in the past. Here’s one from early 2020. There were plenty of reactions to the government’s infrastructure announcement a few weeks ago which saw them fund a bunch of big roading projects. One of ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Thursday, July 25

    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 Thursday, July 25 are:News: Why Electric Kiwi is closing to new customers - and why it matters RNZ’s Susan EdmundsScoop: Government drops ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • The Possum: Demon or Friend?

    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
    16 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
    19 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
    23 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 ...
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    3 days ago
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