Ponytailgate: What does Key have to hide?

Written By: - Date published: 1:41 pm, August 19th, 2015 - 59 comments
Categories: john key - Tags: ,

emmerson-ponytail

To add to all of John Key’s other problems Ponytailgate has resurfaced.

Paul McMahon, chair of the Spreydon-Heathcote Community Board chair, asked the Prime Minister’s office for details of all contact that had occurred between Key and Rachel Glucina concerning Amanda Bailey.  The office refused and the Ombudsman was asked to intervene.

From Stuff:

Prime minister John Key is under investigation for refusing to release correspondence with a gossip columnist over Ponytailgate.

Chief Ombudsman Dame Beverley Wakem stepped in after his office declined to make public conversations or messages with former New Zealand Herald writer Rachel Glucina over Auckland’s Cafe Rosie.

Wakem will probe the decision not to release any record of contact with Glucina, the cafe’s owners or its employees.

 

If it can be shown that there was any coordination of efforts between Key’s office and Glucina over Ponytailgate there will be significant political damage caused.

After Bailey’s distress came to light in May, Key was adamant he had “absolutely no part to play” in the newspaper interview. Under questioning from the Greens in Parliament he confirmed he had no contact with Glucina’s Pink PR company, but would not answer questions about personal contact with the columnist.

In refusing McMahon’s request, it is likely his office argued against the release of correspondence with journalists, and will maintain that stance during the Ombudsman inquiry.

Of course refusing to deny that contact occurred leaves open the impression that some sort of contact between Key’s office and [Rachel Glucina] did occur.  What will be most interesting is the timing of the contact.

59 comments on “Ponytailgate: What does Key have to hide? ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Stephen Dickson 1
    19 August 2015 at 1:49 pm

    Odds on he got in touch with her himself trying to smooth it over. After all it wouldn’t do for he fetishes to be revealed.
    #LiarKey

  2. Detrie 2
    19 August 2015 at 2:04 pm

    Lies and half-truths are what this man is all about, using his position and spin to avoid answering questions in parliament or otherwise. Why do we expect anything else? Fortunately even some national voters are realising the PM is a liability to the country and his office. But, better the devil you know (and distrust) than say Judith Collins…

  3. Editractor 3
    19 August 2015 at 2:41 pm

    Should the last para say “between Key’s office and Glucina”? At this point some form of contact between Key’s office and Amanda Bailey has been established, no?

    • AmaKiwi 3.1
      19 August 2015 at 11:08 pm

      Let’s see how many characters John Key can be.

      1. Prime Minister, the (Less Than) Honorable John Key
      2. The Office of the Prime Minister.
      3. The “I don’t use whips and chains” now out-of-the-closet hair fetishist.
      4. The multimillionaire whose secret family trusts would make your eyes water.
      5. Good mates with Cameron Slater, Mike Hosking, and no one I would want to be associated with.
      6. The politician who, in question time, can never remember an inconvenient fact.
      7. The campaigner whose promises evaporate after the election.
      8.
      9.
      10.

  4. dukeofurl 4
    19 August 2015 at 2:42 pm

    Hon JOHN KEY: I certainly would describe my style as open and transparent.

    Does the Prime Minister stand by his statement that “the Pike River underground coalmine near Greymouth was an example of modern mining practices that had minimal impact on the landscape” ( This was in 2009)

    http://www.parliament.nz/en-nz/pb/business/qoa/49HansQ_20091013_00000001/1-prime-minister%E2%80%94statements

    • Lanthanide 4.1
      19 August 2015 at 4:46 pm

      Don’t see why he wouldn’t stand by that statement, because it demonstrably did have minimal impact on the landscape. Which is a completely separate point as to whether it was an example of modern mining practice when it comes to health and safety.

      In fact, the desire to have minimal impact on the landscape is part of what made the mine so dangerous – it had only one proper access point, not two as it should have; one of the ventilation systems was (stupidly) considered to be the alternative access point.

      Also in a desire to not impact the landscape, the access drift was an upwards sloping tunnel into the body of the mine proper. That in itself is a design in keeping with a blast furnace, where the hot air rising in the combustion chamber will draw more cold air in through the intake, which is much more efficient if the intake is upwards sloping.

      • dukeofurl 4.1.1
        19 August 2015 at 6:20 pm

        On the other side of the ranges a mine, Mt Davy with two access points closed when 3 were killed as it was too dangerous.
        The total disregard for safety led to the mine disaster in the first place.

        Apart from having minimal infrastructure at the mine entrance, this wasnt so different from historical mines in Brunner coal measures. The mine entrance is lower down in valley, the coal measures are at a higher level under the mountains.
        The Paparoa ranges and the Brunner coal measures have killed a lot of miners over time.

        The other point was about the safety and the breaches of environmental conditions which was occurring at the surface, little did we know then it was even worse at the coal face.

  5. Tanz 5
    19 August 2015 at 2:42 pm

    It will not come to anything, the police never prosecute those in power, he will be sheltered and shielded. People are not equal under our laws!!

    • Lanthanide 5.1
      19 August 2015 at 4:47 pm

      It’s not a police enquiry, and no official complaint has been laid by Bailey; those laid by McCready were refused by the court as he had no standing and no evidence other than hairsay.

      • Rodel 5.1.1
        19 August 2015 at 8:52 pm

        Lanthanide
        Someone has to respond..” no evidence other than ‘hairsay'” very droll.

        • Lanthanide 5.1.1.1
          19 August 2015 at 9:27 pm

          And yet, the truth? That’s what the court said when they dismissed his case.

      • weizguy 5.1.2
        20 August 2015 at 7:59 am

        There’s no requirement to have standing for private prosecutions.

        The two grounds under which the court can decide that a charging document will not be accepted are:
        1. Lack of evidence (hearsay/”hairsay”)
        2. Abuse of process

        The criminal justice system is about the public good. Private prosecutions serve as a check and balance, not as an opportunity for those involved to have another crack. It’s the right of any concerned citizen to attempt a prosecution where they think the state has failed.

  6. Tracey 6
    19 August 2015 at 2:46 pm

    Given that apparently most right thinking NZers think it is ok to fondle women’s hair that they do not know, how come it isn’t happening more often?

    • maui 6.1
      19 August 2015 at 2:58 pm

      No touching of men’s hair by the man himself, that’s deemed unacceptable and culturally insensitive. But women are fair game apparently..

    • HumPrac 6.2
      19 August 2015 at 4:44 pm

      I triple dare someone to go up to Key, tug his hair, and record it all in the process. Then post it on Youtube.
      In fact, lets ALL go around with cameras and tug on the hair of ALL politicians.
      Lets test how legal it really is.

  7. taxicab 7
    19 August 2015 at 4:17 pm

    He would have used one of his infamous “burnphones”

  8. les 8
    19 August 2015 at 4:56 pm

    Key is a slick salesman…as per his nic the ‘smiling assassin’ as a forex gambler.He has perfected the …’the secret of success is…sincerity…if you can fake that…you’ve got it made’!

  9. marty mars 9
    19 August 2015 at 4:57 pm

    Don’t let go of this one – this sweater is unravelling

  10. Clemgeopin 10
    19 August 2015 at 5:39 pm

    What is curious to me is that Amanda Bailey gave a very detailed account of the incident to The Daily Blog and stated how humiliated, angry and unhappy she was at Key’s despicable bulling behaviour towards her over a prolonged period even after asking him to stop. But in spite of going to the press, she did not make a police complaint and hasn’t explained why not! That seems quite strange. Or is she still considering laying a complaint? Does any one know?

    • les 10.1
      19 August 2015 at 6:00 pm

      my guess…..heres 30k to assuage your concerns…strictly confidential…all done in the best possible taste!

    • Anne 10.2
      19 August 2015 at 6:04 pm

      @ Clemgeopin

      I’m picking she found the resultant publicity very stressful. She was probably on the receiving end of hate messages and her former employers double-crossed her. A very distressing experience for a young woman to go through. She was derided by some, and her story was questioned in the media. Having run the gauntlet of John Key’s harassment for that period of time and then being subjected to disbelief and humiliation, I wouldn’t be surprised if the thought of a court case was too much for her to contemplate.

      • Chooky 10.2.1
        19 August 2015 at 6:07 pm

        +100 Anne…agreed

        …and GO McMahon !( a very fine Irish name….son of a bear)

      • Weepus beard 10.2.2
        19 August 2015 at 6:14 pm

        This, and having witnessed the police response in the roast busters case the good advice, if you want your story heard, will have been; do not go to the New Zealand police with sexual harassment claims.

      • Clemgeopin 10.2.3
        19 August 2015 at 7:32 pm

        May be Anne. Wish she had laid a complaint. She has let Key off too easily.
        She might have been able to bring this whole lousy government down!

      • Ron 10.2.4
        19 August 2015 at 10:00 pm

        I wonder if she is still employed in the cafe. Anyone that drinks there know if she is working there.

        • Anne 10.2.4.1
          20 August 2015 at 3:12 pm

          No Ron. That’s my understanding anyway. She resigned (I suppose) shortly after the case went public. After what her employers did to her she could hardly continue working in their cafe.

      • AmaKiwi 10.2.5
        19 August 2015 at 11:13 pm

        Anne +1

        Much as I detest Key, I cannot imagine going through a court case on this.

        If I thought it could bring down the government, I might be prepared to make the sacrifice. I’d probably flee to Australia afterwards.

    • GregJ 10.3
      19 August 2015 at 6:50 pm

      Perhaps she just wants to stay the fuck away from the whole thing now – who wants to be subjected to the merciless attention of a prurient and puerile media who will almost certainly make her life miserable and make sure her name is dragged through the mud – and then be subjected to the type of disdain and treatment the NZ Police will show for her and then be subject to the inevitable Dirty Politics attacks of Blubber and co?

      Unless she has the martyr complex of a Joan of Arc I can’t imagine why she should subject herself to the victim blaming.

      • Anne 10.3.1
        19 August 2015 at 6:56 pm

        Spot on Gregj. That is exactly what would happen. What an indictment on NZ society that it’s allowed to happen – even encouraged.

    • Lara 10.4
      20 August 2015 at 8:14 am

      I think I’m not alone as a woman in NZ who does not trust the NZ police with a complaint of sexual harassment or any sexual offence against women. Probably against any gender actually.

      They’ve proven it with the Louise Nichols and RoastBuster cases.

      If anything ever happened to me in that realm I know that the NZ police would be an organisation that I would actively avoid.

      And while they’re doing everything they can to avoid fixing their sick culture that will continue to be my approach.

      I’m guessing Amanda Bailey has a similar impression of NZ police?

      • Clemgeopin 10.4.1
        20 August 2015 at 10:56 am

        “I’m guessing Amanda Bailey has a similar impression of NZ police?”

        We don’t know. She hasn’t said anything about it or about what transpired after her exposé.

  11. Penny Bright 11
    19 August 2015 at 6:08 pm

    Is ‘brand Key’ buggered?

    Penny Bright

    • les 11.1
      19 August 2015 at 6:13 pm

      only if the AB’s dont retain the WC.

    • Peter 11.2
      19 August 2015 at 6:30 pm

      What will really damage brand Key is the perception amongst voters that there is a viable alternative …… until that happens it’s the devil we know regardless of what perceived damage brand Key may endure.

      • upnorth 11.2.1
        19 August 2015 at 7:28 pm

        totally agree there is none – when will the left get their heads around that

        • Peter 11.2.1.1
          19 August 2015 at 8:37 pm

          … Crosby/Textor, Hosking, Henry, Armstrong, O’Sullivan etc are critical to the perception that there is no viable alternative …. they are playing a very serious game maintaining the status quo despite protests to the contrary

    • Chris 11.3
      19 August 2015 at 6:43 pm

      Nah, he’ll be fine.

  12. Penny Bright 12
    19 August 2015 at 7:04 pm

    The next political opinion polls should be fascinating?

    Penny Bright

    • upnorth 12.1
      19 August 2015 at 7:27 pm

      why? it will show winston at 12% and Little at 8%

      I suspect the door is closing on Little

      • Clemgeopin 12.1.1
        19 August 2015 at 7:53 pm

        Have you noticed that the TV media are giving more publicity for Winston and Shaw rather than going to Little, the leader of the opposition? I won’t be surprised if this is part of the subtle dirty tricks strategy from the RW and our dodgy, so called, ‘journalists’ to divide the opposition, harm Labour, marginalise Little giving him less media exposure and ultimately weaken the left’s chances.

        The bastards did their best to destroy Clark, Goff, Shearer and Cunliffe. Now it seems to be Little’s turn. But hopefully, this time the voters will see through this sort of crap and won’t let our bugger media succeed in their sinister ploy.

        • upnorth 12.1.1.1
          19 August 2015 at 8:07 pm

          I dont think their is a conspiracy theory here but he just doesnt grab headlines and doesnt know how –

          • Clemgeopin 12.1.1.1.1
            19 August 2015 at 8:23 pm

            The journalists are powerful in making or breaking a politician or a party due to the exposure they are given. It is a catch 22 situation.

            The headlines are written by the journalists, not by Little. What I am talking about is the media exposure the ‘leader of the opposition’ should be given. In a democracy, he/she, as the potential PM, should be getting a good amount of media coverage, just as the PM gets, though granted to a much lesser extent, for sure.

            I have no problem with the leaders of the other parties getting publicity/media coverage, but the leader of the opposition should be getting his proper share/major share due to the position and responsibility he/she holds.

            It is not for the journalists to play dirty and actively manipulate politics, polls, leadership etc.

            For example, take a look at this clip, when the Saudi Sheep Shit was relentlessly exposed by Labour.(Parker)
            http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/71277862/saudi-sheep-deal-broke-govts-own-rules

            Again, no problem they interviewed Shaw, but gave much less time to Parker and nothing to Little!

          • whateva next? 12.1.1.1.2
            19 August 2015 at 8:50 pm

            oh really?

  13. linda 13
    19 August 2015 at 8:21 pm

    perv key should have been nailed to the wall

  14. Mike the Savage One 14
    19 August 2015 at 8:28 pm

    We know the Prime Minister has a split personality, or at least takes liberty to exploit the fact, that he is Prime Minister at times, that he is a private citizen at times, that he is a National Party member at times, that he is a husband at times, that he is a holiday-maker at Hawaii at times.

    I can already foresee the outcome of this. The Ombudsman is not at all that much of a robust “watch dog” as some in the public still believe. Beverley Wakem has thrown out a fair few complaints under the Ombudsmen Act before, or seen no need to investigate any further, at times using bizarre explanations.

    So with our PM being an expert in split personalities with various capacities, he will most likely convince the Ombudsman, that there is no reason to investigate or to take any further action. Whatever he may do in private, in the way of correspondence between Glucina and himself, that will not be considered as “official information” or other information, that is “in the public interest”.

    So watch this space, and prepare for disappointments.

    By the way, what happened to the complaint by James Shaw, Co-leader of the Green Party, to the Chief Archivist, about John Key having deleted his text messages that he exchanged with Cameron Slater? James thought the records were public records, at least some, and needed to be kept for a certain time. It has been silent on that, and I fear, he got told there is no reason to investigate. Perhaps he can enlighten us re that complaint, which is of course another matter.

    Also, what “efforts” has the Ombudsman made in their “review” of the OIA practices by state agencies and so forth? As far as I know, some feedback was sought from the ones that face OIA requests, but has the Office of Ombudsmen actually consulted with the many requesters of information? I doubt it, which shows yet again, the “watch dog” is one with few teeth.

  15. Paul 15
    19 August 2015 at 8:55 pm

    Mike Sabin
    What does Key have to hide?

  16. hoom 16
    20 August 2015 at 12:13 am

    I seem to recall a certain senior politician making reference to some controversial legislation along the lines of ‘those with nothing to hide have nothing to fear’…

  17. adam 17
    20 August 2015 at 12:26 am

    It seem prophetic this song – especially with Key in control.

  18. sirpat 18
    20 August 2015 at 10:41 am

    as per anything with Key……….panem et circenses……………

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    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Wednesday, July 24

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Sir Don McKinnon will travel to Viet Nam this week as a Special Envoy of the Government, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.    “It is important that the Government give due recognition to the significant contributions that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made to New Zealand-Viet Nam relations,” Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Grant Illingworth KC appointed as transitional Commissioner to Royal Commission

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says newly appointed Commissioner, Grant Illingworth KC, will help deliver the report for the first phase of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons, due on 28 November 2024.  “I am pleased to announce that Mr Illingworth will commence his appointment as ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ to advance relationships with ASEAN partners

    Foreign Minister Winston Peters travels to Laos this week to participate in a series of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-led Ministerial meetings in Vientiane.    “ASEAN plays an important role in supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Mr Peters says.   “This will be our third visit to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Backing mental health services on the West Coast

    Construction of a new mental health facility at Te Nikau Grey Hospital in Greymouth is today one step closer, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “This $27 million facility shows this Government is delivering on its promise to boost mental health care and improve front line services,” Mr Doocey says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ support for sustainable Pacific fisheries

    New Zealand is committing nearly $50 million to a package supporting sustainable Pacific fisheries development over the next four years, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones announced today. “This support consisting of a range of initiatives demonstrates New Zealand’s commitment to assisting our Pacific partners ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Students’ needs at centre of new charter school adjustments

    Associate Education Minister David Seymour says proposed changes to the Education and Training Amendment Bill will ensure charter schools have more flexibility to negotiate employment agreements and are equipped with the right teaching resources. “Cabinet has agreed to progress an amendment which means unions will not be able to initiate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Commissioner replaces Health NZ Board

    In response to serious concerns around oversight, overspend and a significant deterioration in financial outlook, the Board of Health New Zealand will be replaced with a Commissioner, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti announced today.  “The previous government’s botched health reforms have created significant financial challenges at Health NZ that, without ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister to speak at Australian Space Forum

    Minister for Space and Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins will travel to Adelaide tomorrow for space and science engagements, including speaking at the Australian Space Forum.  While there she will also have meetings and visits with a focus on space, biotechnology and innovation.  “New Zealand has a thriving space ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Climate Change Minister to attend climate action meeting in China

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts will travel to China on Saturday to attend the Ministerial on Climate Action meeting held in Wuhan.  “Attending the Ministerial on Climate Action is an opportunity to advocate for New Zealand climate priorities and engage with our key partners on climate action,” Mr Watts says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Oceans and Fisheries Minister to Solomons

    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is travelling to the Solomon Islands tomorrow for meetings with his counterparts from around the Pacific supporting collective management of the region’s fisheries. The 23rd Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Committee and the 5th Regional Fisheries Ministers’ Meeting in Honiara from 23 to 26 July ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Government launches Military Style Academy Pilot

    The Government today launched the Military Style Academy Pilot at Te Au rere a te Tonga Youth Justice residence in Palmerston North, an important part of the Government’s plan to crackdown on youth crime and getting youth offenders back on track, Minister for Children, Karen Chhour said today. “On the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Nine priority bridge replacements to get underway

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