Politicians should be allowed to have families

Written By: - Date published: 9:45 am, September 5th, 2018 - 74 comments
Categories: child welfare, jacinda ardern, labour, Politics, sexism, Simon Bridges, the praiseworthy and the pitiful - Tags:

Over the years I have employed a number of mothers in my lawfirm. They inevitably have one requirement, flexibility so they can manage child care arrangements. Flexible working hours, an understanding that on occasions a child’s illness is going to take priority and that during school holidays they may have a greater desire to take time off are their basic expectations.

I have always been happy to comply. And there is no downside as far as I am concerned. The mothers I have employed have invariably been very organised, focussed and willing to go that extra distance in getting the work done.

Which is why the media beat up about Jacinda Ardern’s shortened visit to the Pacific Islands Forum being held at Nauru is so strange and, dare I say it, somewhat misogynistic.

Let us put things into perspective. By going late Jacinda:

  1. Gets to make sure Neve is fed.
  2. Misses the leader’s dinner.
  3. Attends Parliament.
  4. Still attends the business aspect of the forum and gets to talk about refugees.
  5. Causes working mums everywhere who know what it is like to celebrate that a work-family life balance is possible even in the most demanding of jobs.

And the downside?

  1. $80,000 in fuel although to be fair the planes need to fly a certain amount anyway and it may be that the actual cost, in terms of overall extra spend is zero.

There is a subtext to the criticism of Jacinda and that is that politics should be the preserve of people without personal distractions so that they can completely immerse themselves in the job.

I can think of nothing worse than to have leaders that are completely removed from ordinary day to day life.

And there is a further subtext that someone else, presumably Bridges, could do the job better.

Jacinda is streets and streets ahead of all of her challengers for the top job in terms of her competence and her compassion.  And she has a young child.

It just goes to show that women can do anything.

74 comments on “Politicians should be allowed to have families ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Michelle 1
    5 September 2018 at 10:10 am

    Bloody hypocrites the last government wasted so much of our taxes on their pet projects and where was the scrutiny from our media then. The current debacle with soiman 10 bridges big spending and why isn’t our media asking why he spent so much of our taxes just shows he doesn’t care despite his party claiming to be so fiscally responsible and yet their (gnats) sense of entitlement is still very much there.

    • Anne 1.1
      5 September 2018 at 10:21 am

      Yep. It’s all part of the ‘born to rule’ syndrome which afflicts 95% of the Nat. Caucus and their supporters. They can’t accept defeat because they have never known what it is like to struggle. Everything in life was handed to them on a platter, and little in life was truly earned.

      They hate Jacinda with such a passion they are willing to drag out every dirty trick in the book to destroy her. We are only at the start of the process.

      • Reality 1.1.1
        5 September 2018 at 10:29 am

        Anne, Nats can’t seem to stand it that we have a PM who has so many great qualities (which so many of them are lacking). Just watch how people flock around Jacinda and want to connect with her. Would I want a hug from Soimon? No thanks.

      • Wayne 1.1.2
        5 September 2018 at 10:45 am

        As far as I am aware the National Party caucus hasn’t made anything of the extra trip. I suspect they understand flexibility is required in these circumstances. Part and parcel of having a young PM.
        Most of the criticism seems to be on talkback radio.
        Also much of the comment is that the RNZAF should pick up the sick woman in Bali, since they have aeromedical transport capability. The 757’s were expensively equiped for this role.

        • Reality 1.1.2.1
          5 September 2018 at 10:54 am

          While the situation of the very sick woman in Bali is hugely concerning for her family, I wonder why she chose not to disclose her pre-existing condition. If one can afford an overseas holiday, one should also pay up for appropriate travel insurance. Thought Nats believed in personal responsibility.

          • Naki man 1.1.2.1.1
            5 September 2018 at 1:59 pm

            The lady did have travel insurance and i am sure she would have paid for a policy in good faith believing she was covered. I know a few people, myself included who were told they had medical cover only to find the company would not pay out. You just don’t know until you try to make a claim then its to late.

            • dukeofurl 1.1.2.1.1.1
              5 September 2018 at 4:18 pm

              “The Balinese hospital today confirmed Mrs Hartley purchased insurance with Cover-More Travel Insurance through Air New Zealand but Mrs Hartley did not disclose her pre-existing bowel condition before …..”

              Doesnt sound like it was something obscure and unrelated if she did have a pre existing ‘twisted bowl condition’ , as something like that you would be very aware of.

        • Ross 1.1.2.2
          5 September 2018 at 12:51 pm

          Wayne

          Can you recall John Key’s government rescuing sick people from overseas hospitals? I must confess no cases spring to mind. Of course if governments were to intervene every time an uninsured or under-insured person was crook overseas, they’d be kept pretty busy. And those on the Right would be screaming Personal Responsibility.

        • Anne 1.1.2.3
          5 September 2018 at 5:51 pm

          I was actually replying to Michelle Wayne .

          Also, the post was about the media beat-up . Doesn’t mention National.

  2. Reality 2
    5 September 2018 at 10:17 am

    How good to read something rational and balanced. It seems it is those ranting blokes looking for a headline who are criticising Jacinda. Tracy Watkins’ column today was fair and reasonable. Sometimes she surprises.

    • D'Esterre 2.1
      5 September 2018 at 2:14 pm

      Reality: “Tracy Watkins’ column today was fair and reasonable. ”

      Crikey. Was it? I generally pass on her stuff because usually it’s exactly the opposite. Now I’ll have to go read it.

    • D'Esterre 2.2
      5 September 2018 at 2:27 pm

      Reality: I’ve just read Tracy Watkins’ article: begob, you’re right. Fair and reasonable about sums it up. Yay for her! Maybe I’ll cut her some slack and read her opinions more frequently in the future.

  3. Sanctuary 3
    5 September 2018 at 10:24 am

    Who is driving this “controversy”?

    Barry Soper (over 50, white, male, well off, conservative)
    Mike Hoskings (over 50, white, male, well off, conservative)
    Duncan Garner ( (pushing 50, white, male, well off, conservative)
    Leighton Smith (over 150, white, male, well off, conservative)

    I see a pattern…

    • AB 3.1
      5 September 2018 at 11:10 am

      Yep. These days my default position is to always support young, left-wing women because they are the opposite of who has caused our current malaise.

    • Michelle 3.2
      5 September 2018 at 11:50 am

      What does this say about white conservative rich males ? what do they have in common apart from being a bunch of self serving wayne kerrs that have far too much to say .

    • D'Esterre 3.3
      5 September 2018 at 2:31 pm

      Sanctuary: “Barry Soper (over 50, white, male, well off, conservative)
      Mike Hoskings (over 50, white, male, well off, conservative)
      Duncan Garner ( (pushing 50, white, male, well off, conservative)
      Leighton Smith (over 150, white, male, well off, conservative)”

      I wouldn’t want a hug from any of them, either…..

    • the other pat 3.4
      5 September 2018 at 3:01 pm

      that fuckwit Garner makes me want to reach thru the screen and drown the fucker in his coffee….the right wing garbage he spouts goes beyond a “news” programme and today that reporter Tova whatsherface was just as bad…..its worse than clic bait.

      • dukeofurl 3.4.1
        5 September 2018 at 4:10 pm

        It is clickbait.

        Apparently any phone polls ( which are premium txt services so bring in money) with the word ‘Jacinda’ and anything else have a massive response relative to their ratings.
        Their ratings are miniscule anyway (1.8%)

        • NZJester 3.4.1.1
          5 September 2018 at 8:08 pm

          You have phone poles through a premium TXT service and they will always have a Rich National Voter bias. How many Labour voters do you know who can afford to waste money regularly on TXT polls for a TV show?

        • Ken 3.4.1.2
          5 September 2018 at 10:24 pm

          Self selection polls are meaningless.

      • D'Esterre 3.4.2
        6 September 2018 at 11:54 am

        the other pat: “that fuckwit Garner makes me want to reach thru the screen and drown the fucker in his coffee”

        Heh! Now why didn’t I think of that?

    • Ed 3.5
      5 September 2018 at 4:27 pm

      There are other similarities…..

    • Patricia 3.6
      5 September 2018 at 10:25 pm

      And all the white male journalists seem to be experts on lactation – offering advice on alternative methods of feeding baby Neve.

      • D'Esterre 3.6.1
        6 September 2018 at 12:01 pm

        Patricia: “And all the white male journalists seem to be experts on lactation….”

        Amazing, innit? Now we know whom to go to for advice.

  4. marty mars 4
    5 September 2018 at 10:32 am

    Nobodies with nothing to say. So envious of virtue because they sold out many years ago and now, hollowed as dead cabbage tree trunks, they warn us inadvertently of what we could become if we really let ourselves go.

  5. Kevin 5
    5 September 2018 at 10:41 am

    $30 Million wasted on Key’s pet Flag project and now they get their panties in a bunch over $80,000.

    • chris73 5.1
      5 September 2018 at 11:24 am

      https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/106462506/crown-may-be-getting-more-in-dividends-now-than-before-electricity-company-sales

      ‘Critics warned of a loss of control as well as dividends going to private hands, but ultimately the sales went ahead, raising around $4.7 billion from share sales, below the original $5b-$7b target.’

      Thanks to Labour NZ lost a helluva lot more than 30 million

      • Kevin 5.1.1
        5 September 2018 at 12:20 pm

        Even more reason not to sell then Chris if you are not going to get what you want.

        Would you sell an asset for less than what it is worth?

        • chris73 5.1.1.1
          5 September 2018 at 12:29 pm

          The sale was always going ahead so Labours actions, the same party that previously sold off a huge amount more than National, caused NZ to have an estimated loss of between 300 and 2.3 billion

          Bravo Labour bravo

          In answer to your other question, yes I would if it meant I would get more in dividends, as appears to be the case here

          I would do this because I’d still have more money coming in from the dividends plus I’d have the money I got from selling which could then be reinvested in other areas and finally as I’d still hold 51% I’d be the majority owner

          • Ed 5.1.1.1.1
            5 September 2018 at 4:29 pm

            Supporting the death cult of capitalism, I see

          • dukeofurl 5.1.1.1.2
            5 September 2018 at 6:46 pm

            Caused what Loss ?

            Rushing to sell large number of shares in a short time is a no no. All the electricity generators almost at once ?

            Anyway plenty of big share issues doent go well. Its called ‘the market’ for a reason.

            Not to foget the Collapse of Solid Energy due to poor use of massive dividend payouts. They got zero for that business

            Not to forget Bluff smelter closure threat
            “Also cluttering the picture at around that time was the threat of closure of the aluminium smelter at Tiwai Point. Meridian, which was the next power company to be floated in October 2013, was directly affected as the supplier of electricity to the smelter.”

            That required some crony capitalism to keep the Smelter going and maintain the power prices
            https://www.interest.co.nz/opinion/74219/almost-year-after-last-official-state-asset-sale-david-hargreaves-has-look-how

      • Gabby 5.1.2
        5 September 2018 at 1:13 pm

        So we’re being gouged on our power bills are we chrissy?

    • the other pat 5.2
      5 September 2018 at 3:03 pm

      just playing devils advocate here…..but you all complained about bridges spending 100,000…..

      • dukeofurl 5.2.1
        5 September 2018 at 4:30 pm

        Bridges spent $100k on his own personality agenda. Plus he was mostly meeting the party faithfull- who no doubt were expected to pay for the privilege- as a sort of Cabinet Club when you arent in Cabinet.

        Ardern is on Government Business , as the PM normally goes to the annual meeting where ever in the pacific its held

  6. marty mars 6
    5 September 2018 at 10:44 am

    Nice article

    “Meanwhile, while the giants of New Zealand broadcasting lecture us on parenting, there are dads on Nauru trying to work out how to protect their children from sexual assault and self-harm.”

    https://thespinoff.co.nz/parenting/04-09-2018/disgusting-jacinda-ardern-is-doing-her-job-and-is-a-parent-how-dare-she/

    • dukeofurl 6.1
      5 September 2018 at 4:51 pm

      Some specific claims of those held on Nauru were exmained in Court

      “A Pakistani man from Peshawar told the court he feared being persecuted by the Taliban if he returned to the Pakistan city.
      The court found while there was a real possibility he would be harmed in Peshawar, he could move elsewhere in Pakistan.

      “Another Pakistani feared he would be harmed by a militant political party in Karachi because he had injured one of its senior members.
      The court found he could live in Pakistan’s Punjab province, where the party had no power.

      “The third man was a leader of a pro-monarchy group from Pakhu in Nepal who said local a Maoist group had burnt his house down.
      The court found the persecution was not condoned by the state, so the man could relocate within his country to avoid it.”
      https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/357670/australia-s-high-court-rejects-nauru-refugee-claims

  7. Corey Humm 7
    5 September 2018 at 11:18 am

    you can be a mum and a pm but sometimes you have to delegate and she should have delegated, you won’t find sympathy from the working class on this travel issue it’s a needless 100 k being spent on leaders mingling and congratulating themselves.

    I worry that the international press attention Jacinda loves to court will make a global star but like Justin Trudeau in Canada, deeply resented and unpopular and unelectable domestically.

    Our people are starving, homeless and killing themselves at the highest rates in the world and this bourgeoisie event will do bugger all to help any of that, we are constantly told that theres not enough money to fix anything well that 100 k and the hundreds of thousands that will be spent on other events and schmoozing during this term could be better spent. She has every right to do it I just don’t think she should

    • Reality 7.1
      5 September 2018 at 11:37 am

      Corey, yes NZ has problems that will be difficult to fix. But given 9 years of the previous government’s refusal/denial to even acknowledge housing/health/poverty issues, it will take years to make headway. Don’t forget Bill English rubbing his hands with glee at NZ being a low wage economy!

      And there’s nothing more certain than if our PM stayed home those same bastions of virtue and arrogance would be loudly berating her for not doing her job.

      Talkback land is full of bigots, narrow minded, ignorant and unpleasant people egged on by like-minded hosts. There are only a few exceptions.

  8. BM 8
    5 September 2018 at 11:29 am

    Lol, jaw dropping hypocrisy.

    Got to hand it to you MS you do the best troll posts.

    • mickysavage 8.1
      5 September 2018 at 11:45 am

      Let me guess. You think that I said awful things about Simon Bridges and his $80k limo bill?

      Looking through my posts I did say this:

      “The splash of information was funny. Of course the left used it. National’s born to rule inclinations were to the fore again. But the information was going to come out a couple of days later. It was no big deal.”

      And this:

      “He should have been brave and said about his tour that the cost is the cost. Or he could have been really clever and driven himself around in an electric car, just like Jacinda would do, and then make a big deal about how he was saving taxpayers money.

      Or he could have shut up and said nothing. The story would have died pretty quickly.

      Instead we have a second day of adverse media attention and comment and the wonder if this was an inside hit job on Bridges by a disaffected National MP.”

      And this:

      “I have written a couple of posts on this issue, not so much because I was so appalled at the spend, it is no different to lots of troughing that goes on every day. But I could not believe at how much effort was put into an attempt to divert attention away from the story. I mean blaming Labour for the leak without proof and then having one of the right’s spokespeople claim that Tova O’Brien was a closet leftie and out to destroy Bridges was pretty crazy stuff.

      And here we are in day five and we are still talking about Bridges’s expenses.”

      And this in a satirical sort of way:

      “If we were to have been asked initially for our advice we would have said to do nothing. The amounts involved were relatively small. Examples could have been provided through third parties to show that the socialists have also spent considerable amounts on travel and accommodation. And a trusted media person could have recycled the history of Shane Jones watching porn at the expense of the Crown.

      But this rather obvious course of action has not been followed and we understand that a third day of media attention has now started.”

      I was bemused by the spend and astounded at how Bridges’ handling of the issue was.

      Your claims as always are refuted 😀

      • Enough is Enough 8.1.1
        5 September 2018 at 12:11 pm

        The same media was conspicuously silent in 2010 when John Key decided to attend his son’s baseball event in the US rather than go to a military funeral in New Zealand.

        The hypocrisy between then and now is breathtaking.

        • Blazer 8.1.1.1
          5 September 2018 at 1:02 pm

          This is an example of a complete waste of money..’Mr Groser spent nearly $250,000 on international travel in the first three months of this year.

          New Zealand First MP Andrew Williams says it was a waste of taxpayers’ money and the minister “should do the honourable thing and admit the fact that he wasn’t up to the job, he couldn’t get the job”.

          Refers to Grosers WTO campaign .

          Head of state spending $80k to attend a Pacific forum pales by any comparison.

        • Ed 8.1.1.2
          5 September 2018 at 4:31 pm

          The media is owned and in many cases compromised.
          They lie for the establishment.
          That’s their role.

      • the other pat 8.1.2
        5 September 2018 at 4:04 pm

        i love the way “troll” has been used to describe so many things…..you have only to disagree with someone and you are trolling…it a bullshit way to shut discourse down in my book and by the way……”refuted” is an understatement……i nearly spat my tea out i laughed so hard!

  9. mauī 9
    5 September 2018 at 11:48 am

    Stuff’s latest opinion pieces,

    “I successfully malnourished my children so I could continue my role as CEO and earn six figures. 20 years on I’m still proud.”

    “Adoption? Should you really be parenting when you have thousands of shareholders counting on you for that rising stock price?”

  10. Siobhan 10
    5 September 2018 at 12:11 pm

    Not that I care one iota about what Jacinda does or doesn’t do, all power to her but seriously..
    “Causes working mums everywhere who know what it is like to celebrate that a work-family life balance is possible even in the most demanding of jobs.”
    ..what does that actually mean?
    You think some new mum (or dad) working as, say, a courier, or an agricultural worker, is going to be ‘celebrating’ Jacinda’s employment perks?
    Come on..this is a wind up surely!
    Either that or a Corporate Democrat level, lack of understanding of the reality of the struggling masses.

  11. JamieB 11
    5 September 2018 at 1:47 pm

    $80,000 of fuel burned off for a special flight should do wonders for our climate change emissions. Or do they not count if they’re over international waters?

  12. veutoviper 12
    5 September 2018 at 2:00 pm

    Great post mickysavage

    It has been quite fascinating to see the reactions of some. I am not a Garner fan so do not watch the AM show but heard about yesterday’s fiery session with Wendyl Nissen and Damien Broad – and they certainly put him in his place over this situation! There was no holding Wendyl back. Well worth a watch.

    https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/09/duncan-garner-clashes-with-wendyl-nissen-over-jacinda-ardern-flight-living-wage.html

    Robertson also held his ground well with Garner.

    https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/09/grant-robertson-defends-prime-minister-jacinda-ardern-s-separate-nauru-flight.html

    Totally off topic – Will be an interesting day in the House today with Tirikatene’s Member’s Bill on entrenching the Maori Seats so did a couple of long comments on OM you may be interested in.
    https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-05-09-2018/#comment-1520972 and a further one below.

  13. ankerawshark 13
    5 September 2018 at 2:03 pm

    Jamie B on that basis none of our politicians (or ourselves ) would fly anywhere. Is that how you live your lives. Jacinda has never tried to ban overseas travel by plane. She has set up a climate change ministry to come up with a plan to do so. I doubt they will ban travel on planes…………………………………………………….That was Barry Soper’s line. No one attacked Bridges on burning fuel racing around in a limo. I don’t think many on the left even attacked him about the expenditure……

  14. Enough is Enough 14
    5 September 2018 at 3:04 pm

    “Jacinda is streets and streets ahead of all of her challengers for the top job in terms of her competence and her compassion”

    I think the jury is still out on Jacinda’s competence.

    She has excellent communication skills but I often question her indecisiveness, dating right back to the captain’s call during the election campaign which she did a u turn almost immediately. We have seen that again with how she has dealt with her rogue ministers and her failure to consult on major issues.

    Coalition Management has been sound but she needs to reign in Winston and Shane and keep them on script

    • dukeofurl 14.1
      5 September 2018 at 4:02 pm

      “needs to reign in Winston and Shane and keep them on script”

      Why ? They are a separate party and wont survive if they follow the script used by national and have its MMP partners as poodles.

      Its one the conditions in the Coalition agreement
      “As provided for in the Cabinet Manual, the Parties will “agree to disagree” where
      negotiated between party leaders, and in such circumstances the Parties will be free to express alternative views publicly, and in Parliament.
      “The Labour and New Zealand First Parties agree to identify policies and roles in a way that maintains and promotes the distinct identity of each party. This will include public attribution and acknowledgement of the Party responsible for policy”

  15. feijoa 15
    5 September 2018 at 4:43 pm

    Well I certainly have sympathy for Jacinda- it isn’t easy to do the best for the baby AND do the best for your job. Her arrangements sound like she was getting the balance as right as she could- and why the hell shouldn’t she?
    These white middle age guys living in the past have no bloody idea. Their own babies may have been invisible when they were at work, but our children are always there and parents have to be on duty- and jobs have to fit around it in the 21st century. This is just how it has to work if we are going have PROPER equality.

  16. Prickles 16
    5 September 2018 at 5:41 pm

    I applaud Jacinda for managing as well as she has thus far. I am in awe of how well she handling her responsibilities with such grace and warmth.

    20 odd years ago, as a young mum living in Australia with a small child I often used Helen Clark as an example to myself of how to hold life and soul together as I developed my own business and forced myself out of bed each morning to tackle another challenging day. My daughter is now grown and living on the other side of the world as she pursues her own career and works out how she can balance it with having a child of her own. She now looks to Jacinda for inspiration – as do many of her friends in similar situations.

    My daughter and I are both very happy to have such an amazing young woman at the helm of the country.

    • Anne 16.1
      5 September 2018 at 10:32 pm

      I often used Helen Clark as an example to myself of how to hold life and soul together…

      I did the same Prickles at a time when I was going through a very rough patch. If Helen can hold it together despite all the malice that surrounded her, then I could too. She was an inspiration for many of us, just as Jacinda is to the new generation today.

      Btw, that was an eloquently put comment.

      • Prickles 16.1.1
        6 September 2018 at 6:05 pm

        Thanks Anne. My daughter met Helen Clark in London at the screening of her (Helen’s) recent film. They had their photo taken together and my daughter’s smile was a mile wide.

  17. Stuart Munro 17
    5 September 2018 at 7:19 pm

    I don’t have a problem with the second flight, but with any flights.

    Key was completely off the reservation coopting airforce transport to India, and public polling overwhelmingly suggested he should have taken ordinary commercial flights.

    Nauru is no different in principle – the purpose of our airforce is not the aggrandizement of our singularly worthless and self-serving political class, but protecting our citizens and territories and providing transport in emergencies and disasters.

    It would be a good habit to get out of – lest we go down the road of US style dysfunction.

  18. Chris T 18
    5 September 2018 at 8:55 pm

    It’s the opinion media’s job to question politicians decisions.

    Not sure why it is so offensive to everyone.

    She is a grown up. I’m sure she can handle it.

    Personally couldn’t care less whether she got the plane or not.

    I’m more worried about them spending 13 odd million expanding refugee facilities to cover 1500 without bothering to ask Peters whether he would allow it and putting it in the agreement.

    Did they forget?

  19. sumsuch 19
    5 September 2018 at 10:43 pm

    Well, women politicians should be allowed to have families. Males, no criticism.

    MJS had the great insight to see the sacrifice needed even by a man, if you represent the people. So many of the lefties back then were more self-full rather than selfless, hence terrible for their families. They sacrificed them, not intentionally, but that’s where the cost fell in lieu of having money.

  20. Lucy 20
    6 September 2018 at 11:21 am

    Actually I thought that Simon Bridges flitting up and down the country, away from home was disgusting! He has a wife and three children under five why do we not expect him to be at home more. He would get more respect from me if he shared more equally in the child minding. Didn’t like Bill English much but at least he did at least a good share of the child minding!

  21. sumsuch 21
    6 September 2018 at 11:15 pm

    Mebbe Ardern is lacking in the sacrifice necessary and vital to representing the people, by which I mean the powerless mostly. Yes, I think I’m right on that. Any response Jacinda.. next year .. in your State of the Nation in Murupara?

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    TL;DR: In news breaking this morning:The Ministry of Education is cutting $2 billion from its school building programme so the National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government has enough money to deliver tax cuts; The Government has quietly lowered its child poverty reduction targets to make them easier to achieve;Te Whatu Ora-Health NZ’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Weekly Roundup 26-July-2024

    Kia ora. These are some stories that caught our eye this week – as always, feel free to share yours in the comments. Our header image this week (via Eke Panuku) shows the planned upgrade for the Karanga Plaza Tidal Swimming Steps. The week in Greater Auckland On ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 day ago
  • God what a relief

    1. What's not to love about the way the Harris campaign is turning things around?a. Nothingb. Love all of itc. God what a reliefd. Not that it will be by any means easye. All of the above 2. Documents released by the Ministry of Health show Associate Health Minister Casey ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago
  • Trust In Me

    Trust in me in all you doHave the faith I have in youLove will see us through, if only you trust in meWhy don't you, you trust me?In a week that saw the release of the 3,000 page Abuse in Care report Christopher Luxon was being asked about Boot Camps. ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago
  • The Hoon around the week to July 26

    TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking about the Royal Commission Inquiry into Abuse in Care report released this week, and with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent on a UN push to not recognise carbon offset markets and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 26

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 26, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Transport: Simeon Brown announced $802.9 million in funding for 18 new trains on the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines, which ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Radical law changes needed to build road

    The northern expressway extension from Warkworth to Whangarei is likely to require radical changes to legislation if it is going to be built within the foreseeable future. The Government’s powers to purchase land, the planning process and current restrictions on road tolling are all going to need to be changed ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 day ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #30 2024

    Open access notables Could an extremely cold central European winter such as 1963 happen again despite climate change?, Sippel et al., Weather and Climate Dynamics: Here, we first show based on multiple attribution methods that a winter of similar circulation conditions to 1963 would still lead to an extreme seasonal ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago
  • First they came for the Māori

    Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedFirst they came for the doctors But I was confused by the numbers and costs So I didn't speak up Then they came for our police and nurses And I didn't think we could afford those costs anyway So I ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Join us for the weekly Hoon on YouTube Live

    Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on UnsplashWe’re back again after our mid-winter break. We’re still with the ‘new’ day of the week (Thursday rather than Friday) when we have our ‘hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm.Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Will the real PM Luxon please stand up?

    Notes: This is a free article. Abuse in Care themes are mentioned. Video is at the bottom.BackgroundYesterday’s report into Abuse in Care revealed that at least 1 in 3 of all who went through state and faith based care were abused - often horrifically. At least, because not all survivors ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • 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

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

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

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

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government’s online safety website for children and young people has reached one million page views.  “It is great to see so many young people and their families accessing the site Keep It Real Online to learn how to stay safe online, and manage ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 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
    23 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
    1 day 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

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