Priorities?

Written By: - Date published: 7:54 pm, October 3rd, 2021 - 16 comments
Categories: climate change, covid-19, disaster, Environment, Politics, science - Tags: , ,

Covid-19 is sucking up a lot of oxygen of Government and of the NZ public. It is hard to think of other things when the number of news cases goes up & down like a yo-yo and in a synchronous way our hopes for relaxing of Alert Levels.

This pandemic has laid bare many issues and problems in NZ whilst others have been pushed into the background. Scientists, researchers, and vaccinologists, immunologists & epidemiologists in particular, have called for more funding from Government to better deal with this pandemic and better prepare for what’s coming next.

However, cancer patients have not stopped having cancer – tumours don’t stop growing because of Covid-19 – RSV reared its ugly head, again, and mental health is taken a battering too. To name just a few other issues that deserve our attention (and funding!) and would be more of a priority under normal circumstances.

However, this is the new normal and even when we finally get back to Level 1 it won’t be the same as before.

Prioritising doesn’t necessarily mean falling into binary choices, but in practice it does certainly feel that way and in some cases it does become a binary choice & decision although the PR departments usually prefer to call it ‘deferral’. Deferral often leads to cancellation, preferably when it is more opportune and the people are distracted.

This near-singular focus of politics and economics on Covid-19 can easily lead to an attention deficit and a vacuum of political debate on other pressing issues. Some can easily fill a political vacuum in the Opposition, like moths attracted to a flame. The press, as always, likes to blow things up beyond real proportions. Such is the nature of the beast.

The public seems more interested in balls, booze & burgers. We all have our own priorities and personal choices to make. Especially small businesses struggle for survival no matter what Government is trying to do to help. Life is tough for some (many).

The public’s ire is easily raised under these circumstances. Be it about people flouting the rules and jet-setting to Wanaka or the more orchestrated attack on James Shaw going overseas to some kind of conference called COP26. His main two sins, in addition to his mortal sin of being a Green MP and Co-Leader of the Green Party, are the thousands of carbon miles he’ll generate and the thousands of MIQ places he’ll be occupying and taking away from others who need and deserve it more. I’m exaggerating the latter, of course, but you’ll get the gist – when you crucify someone it helps to use big nails.

The good news is that this present pandemic is not likely to wipe out the human race. Phew! Luckily, we do have other ‘options’ to achieve this, if we want: 1) a nuclear holocaust followed by a nuclear winter; 2) climate change caused by anthropogenic emission.

Nobody knows what will happen, not even science-fiction writers, but what could a nuclear winter look like? Some kind of post-human dystopian Jurassic Park or Planet of the Apes or more like a post-nuclear spring where wildlife seems to flourish without human interference like Chernobyl? Life without humans? It might be shattering a few fragile egos but we’ll get over it, eventually, when we’re gone. Similar questions could be asked about the aftermath and fallout of climate change. Prevention is better than cure.

One of the best ways of dealing with the stresses caused by enhanced uncertainties about the future is getting back to nature, be it gardening or a walk in the park or on the beach. It is a real shame that people who live in the Waitakere Ranges have been banned from entering this magnificent protected Regional Park in Auckland with many of the tracks still being sealed and fenced off to the public.

For years, the fight against Kauri dieback was underfunded, like much of scientific research in NZ that operates on the smell of an oily rag and the goodwill and stubborn dedication of researchers and students, and we’re still not out of the woods [pun intended].

Some may argue that people come before trees in the priority rankings. Be this as it may, the world would not come to an end if Kauri goes extinct. Apparently, every day species across the world go extinct. It is a natural process, isn’t it, called evolution? And evolution is a good thing, isn’t it? Arguably, the world is not the same without Kauri. Science may be able to bring back extinct species in the future, right? Maybe, or maybe some smoke too much of their own dope or have watched too many Hollywood movies.

Once Kauri disappear, the ecosystems are likely to change as well, over time. They’re already under threat of invasion by invasive non-endogenous species (AKA pests) that can easily become dominant. The spread of dominant species in NZ ecosystems is not too different from the spread of the Delta variant of Covid-19 across the world. It is natural evolution, helped a little by us hominoids, so it must be ok then.

There are some interesting parallels between the fightback against Kauri dieback and the response to Covid-19. Some (many) didn’t take things too seriously and some flouted the rules and got charged after several warnings. The (social) psychology has striking similarities too, but was obviously not spearheaded by Dr Ashley Bloomfield and Jacinda Ardern and there is a wee difference in money allocated in the Government Budget. Because priorities.

Getting buy-in to prevent the spread of kauri dieback is not unlike the government’s calls for co-operation in curbing Covid-19, Luitgard says. “We often refer to Covid because we have similar issues. We realise it’s partly communication; people have different values, different beliefs. Sometimes it comes down to communication through signage that is not effective.”

Indeed, the Māori way of viewing things is to see the inter-relationships, i.e. the links rather than the nodes of networks. An integrated way of mātauranga Māori and Western science and of seeing both together could be the way forward. As with most things, where there’s a will, there’s a way. This begs just one question.

16 comments on “Priorities? ”

  1. Another question is how to encourage more of this:

    I have only twenty acres,’ replied the old man; ‘I and my children cultivate them; and our labour preserves us from three great evils: weariness, vice, and want.’ Candide, on his way home, reflected deeply on what the old man had said. ‘This honest Turk,’ he said to Pangloss and Martin, ‘seems to be in a far better place than kings…. I also know,” said Candide, “that we must cultivate our garden.’

    https://www.theschooloflife.com/thebookoflife/cultivate-own-garden-voltaire/

  2. gsays 2

    Good observations, Incignito.

    I heartily endorse the connection with nature, no matter what form it takes. There is no need for grand or picturesque vista. Simply abide with the sparrows, the gorse, the activity going on In the grass.

    Nature is largely chaos and is the antidote for order. We have an imposition of excess order in our lives, especially in Auckland.

  3. Patricia Bremner 3

    Thank you Incognito. A thought provoking piece. It made me look at my priorities, how I have responded and the effects on our family.

    Entitlement to travel each year to visit our youngest son on the Gold Coast, and other family in NSW came to a screaming halt. Our carbon footprint reduced.

    MSM Facebook and Skype became avenues for keeping in touch. Family pivoting to work from home.

    The fear for family affected by the virus.(they recovered well as they had been vaccinated).

    The effects on mental health.

    One pleasant family member has always appeared rather insular and self sufficient. An island around which life eddied He found after lock down and several weeks working from home he needed to contact family and friends on a regular basis He was missing the casual human interactions and outings with work mates quite badly. He has since joined two online clubs, chess and a discussion of current events group. His best friend has adopted him into his family bubble. He has attended to his physical health with more regular walks. He is a happier man who has gone on a special diet, which has led to the loss over the year of 30 kilos, leading to asthma control, no eczema, and loss of high blood pressure. He said covid made him evaluate his whole approach to people and life.

    I have become more fearful, as I had minor myocarditis after my second vaccine. Rare but frightening effect of heart palpitations shortness of breath and sharp stabbing chest pains now and then. This lasted about 4 days, and eased to just needing extra asthma medication for two weeks. I would not want covid, as a struggle to breathe when I had Polio at age 6 and the resulting "iron lung machine' is indelibly imprinted on my psyche.

    Although family in Australia listen to Jacinda Ardern and our health people for their advice, they are very nervous in the face of "opening up". We have all learned a great deal about co-morbidities.

    But you are right about the burgers!! After a moan about their current area of NSW being in lock down again, in the next breath, they were meeting another couple for a coffee and a burger lunch!! Different interpretations of Lock down.

    The family dynamics are challenged as well. I reflect we are reasonably compos mentis, but role challenges have appeared. It , lock down, must be excruciating for those dealing with mentally unstable or abusive housemates or family members.

    We find it harder to be tolerant and kind. It is easier to be short and a bit angry. Yes it is about freedom, which we had in abundance but treated with cavalier casualness.

    Now we understand more, "You don't know what you've got 'till it's gone". and unlikely to return in quite the same way.

    This virus is a result of human numbers imo causing crossover between species, and has caused a new mountain of waste, as we barely scrape the surface of preventing total climate collapse. We do need to urgently visit our priorities, and own that some personal freedoms have been destructive luxuries, and a simpler life may be a happier healthier road to live, sharing food wealth and health care on our way. Putting more resources towards marginalized groups may save us all and future children.

    I marvel at the calmness of the Government advisors and the cohesion of the Parliamentary team. The complexities of balancing and meeting the demands caused by this virus is compounding many issues, and inadequacy in some areas is being laid bare as never before. Ministers are being asked to step up in a way that has not happened since World War Two. Now regions and businesses with competing interests are fighting for recognition and challenging the Government programme of elimination.

    Shrill voices and supportive stories from vested interests resonate with a portion of New Zealand who have always felt "on the outside". Now the outcome is protest by these groups, which could cause a surge of the virus before vaccination has reached helpful levels. Political weaponising of a pandemic is a dangerous road. The virus does not recognize politics. Our priorities may be dictated by emergency actions because of this.

    • Gezza 3.1

      I'm widowed & live alone, by choice. I sometimes describe myself as a happy hermit – when I'm happy. I even tend to be a bit slack on the comms with whanau.

      But in lockdowns, "meeting places" like The Standard become my main means of daily social interaction, conversation, & mental stimulation.

      • Patricia Bremner 3.1.1

        It is a good place to put ideas out there. If they are too far off the wall someone will pull me back from the brink of stupidity. I just cast my swine in front of the pearls lol Yes we all react differently. I had practice awaiting a hip op and was wheelchair bound. Wow that made me appreciate walking driving and casual coffees, then Lo.. Lock down came 6 mths later.

  4. Ad 4

    Not sure if Kauri was the right example there.

    But the point's still right.

    There's been multiple bloggers who have drawn up the list of unfinished government business that they already have underway, including (no order of prioritisation):

    – water reforms

    – RMA successor legislation

    – DHB nationalisation, nurse pay dispute, re-builds of hospitals and staff

    – climate change mitigation budgets across whole of government

    – housing shortage

    I would be amazed if more than one of them is completed this parliamentary term.

    Underneath those biggies are smaller-but-tough policy areas that aren't going away like:

    – reforming local government

    – funding transport, including replacing petrol taxes, light rail, congestion charging

    – China, Australia and defence and intelligence relationships. Rescuing the PIF.

    – counter-terrorism reform

    – reforming immigration

    – re-shaping whole large industry sectors for resilient futures eg tourism, public media

    Maybe two of that second list will get a good shove this term – no more than that.

    NZ government will take until Budget 2022 to stabilise to 90% vaccinated and get all the new regulations for successful functioning society in place.

    After that we are pretty much on the downhill run into the next election.

    • SPC 4.1

      I would add trying to organise a rescue of the WTO – Trump trashed it by not making judicial appointments and Biden is doing nothing about this.

      The UK is reliant on the WTO as hopes of a FTA with the US fade (little wonder they want in on TPP).

      It’s time to work with the UN/EU etc to end US control of the WTO if they are using their position to obstruct free trade in the rest of the world (as they move to isolation or bi-lateral deals they impose on others).

  5. Stuart Munro 5

    The kauri are indeed one cure for some of the ills of our society, but I think we need to be careful of transference when we start shifting blame to pests. In many cases, the greatest threat to indigenous life is habitat destruction, and we humans are squarely to blame for it.

    It would have been nice to have a government that actually carried our country forward for the first time in my lifetime. But as it is it seems we must dig in and outlast Covid first. We'll be dead before there's social justice – and that realization is fatal to the pretense of democracy that is Blairism.

  6. Hunter Thompson II 6

    I agree, we run the risk of having Covid look like the only game in town. Other health problems carry on.

    I was many weeks in hospital in 2018 and can attest to the great work nurses do. They don't do it for the pay, either.

    Businesses who moan that they want "certainty" from the government are dreaming. Who knows how many Covid cases will appear tomorrow, and where?

  7. RedLogix 7

    Good post Incognito. Your final para reads especially well:

    An integrated way of mātauranga Māori and Western science and of seeing both together could be the way forward.

    Could I offer an extension of this idea. There are three broad categories of knowledge. observational/artesian, material/scientific and philosphical/spiritual. In our history each has had it's dominant time and place – but I would suggest that a future humanity will learn how to integrate all three in a meaningful – practical – fashion. Just a thought.

    • Ad 7.1

      Artesian? Something to do with wells?

      Or artisinal?

      • RedLogix 7.1.1

        The latter – it was 6 in the morning when I typed that. blush.

        • Gezza 7.1.1.1

          *artisinal – relating to or characteristic of an artisan

          (Thought I’d better look it up & not just assume its meaning.)

          RL said:

          “There are three broad categories of knowledge. observational/[artisanal], material/scientific and philosphical/spiritual. In our history each has had it’s dominant time and place…”
          …………………..

          Depends how you look at history, don’t you think?

          I would maintain that all three have always coexisted in the same time and place. One might only appear doninant depending on whose history one is reading. The artisans, philosophers, & the spiritual people continued to observe events from their frame of reference.

          Certainly from MY perspective, I am coming to appreciate how much mātauranga Māori embodies all three in meaningful & practical ways, but I’m someone who likes to look at issues from as many different perspectives as I can.

          Sometimes it’s a blessing being innately like this; sometimes it’s a curse. Because it makes me slow to decide matters as, where different viewpoints conflict, I sometimes agonise having to choose one over the other.

          This is where I think there can sometimes be practical difficulties trying to integrate all three modes of thinking into practical solutions.

  8. SPC 8

    Today David Parker said elimination of the trusts used by foreigners here was not a priority because there was little impact on our tax revenues.

    So much for multilateralism and being part of global solutions (how many Kiwis have money in offshore trusts …).

    • Patricia Bremner 8.1

      The Law saying the Principal had to be named and had to have one person in the Trust with a NZ address. Wow 2000 odd disappeared almost overnight. Nowhere to hide anymore. (Passed after Monseca?sp)

  9. SPC 9

    There are c10,000 Aucklanders shut out of New Zealand – given we have community spread in Auckland and no longer plan elimination – why are we not bringing those vaccinated back in via home isolation?

    These are people who would no longer in the MI queue used by others with homes in the rest of New Zealand.

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  • Jacqui Van Der Kaay: Greens’ transparency missing in action
    For the last few years, the Green Party has been the party that has managed to avoid the plague of multiple scandals that have beleaguered other political parties. It appears that their luck has run out with a second scandal which, unfortunately for them, coincided with Golraz Ghahraman, the focus ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s Dawn Chorus with six newsey things at 6:46am for Saturday, March 16
    TL;DR: The six newsey things that stood out to me as of 6:46am on Saturday, March 16.Andy Foster has accidentally allowed a Labour/Green amendment to cut road user chargers for plug-in hybrid vehicles, which the Government might accept; NZ Herald Thomas Coughlan Simeon Brown has rejected a plea from Westport ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • How Did FTX Crash?
    What seemed a booming success a couple of years ago has collapsed into fraud convictions.I looked at the crash of FTX (short for ‘Futures Exchange’) in November 2022 to see whether it would impact on the financial system as a whole. Fortunately there was barely a ripple, probably because it ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    4 days ago
  • Elections in Russia and Ukraine
    Anybody following the situation in Ukraine and Russia would probably have been amused by a recent Tweet on X NATO seems to be putting in an awful lot of effort to influence what is, at least according to them, a sham election in an autocracy.When do the Ukrainians go to ...
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s six stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15
    TL;DR: Shaun Baker on Wynyard Quarter's transformation. Magdalene Taylor on the problem with smart phones. How private equity are now all over reinsurance. Dylan Cleaver on rugby and CTE. Emily Atkin on ‘Big Meat’ looking like ‘Big Oil’.Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15Photo by Jeppe Hove Jensen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Buzz from the Beehive Finance Minister Nicola Willis had plenty to say when addressing the Auckland Business Chamber on the economic growth that (she tells us) is flagging more than we thought. But the government intends to put new life into it:  We want our country to be a ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • National’s clean car tax advances
    The Transport and Infrastructure Committee has reported back on the Road User Charges (Light Electric RUC Vehicles) Amendment Bill, basicly rubberstamping it. While there was widespread support among submitters for the principle that EV and PHEV drivers should pay their fair share for the roads, they also overwhelmingly disagreed with ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Government funding bailouts
    Peter Dunne writes – This week’s government bailout – the fifth in the last eighteen months – of the financially troubled Ruapehu Alpine Lifts company would have pleased many in the central North Island ski industry. The government’s stated rationale for the $7 million funding was that it ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Two offenders, different treatments.
    See if you can spot the difference. An Iranian born female MP from a progressive party is accused of serial shoplifting. Her name is leaked to the media, which goes into a pack frenzy even before the Police launch an … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    4 days ago
  • Treaty references omitted
    Ele Ludemann writes  – The government is omitting general Treaty references from legislation : The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last Government in a bid to get greater coherence in the public service on Treaty ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • The Ghahraman Conflict
    What was that judge thinking? Peter Williams writes –  That Golriz Ghahraman and District Court Judge Maria Pecotic were once lawyer colleagues is incontrovertible. There is published evidence that they took at least one case to the Court of Appeal together. There was a report on ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 15
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Climate Scorpion – the sting is in the tail. Introducing planetary solvency. A paper via the University of Exeter’s Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.Local scoop: Kāinga Ora starts pulling out of its Auckland projects and selling land RNZ ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • The day Wellington up-zoned its future
    Wellington’s massively upzoned District Plan adds the opportunity for tens of thousands of new homes not just in the central city (such as these Webb St new builds) but also close to the CBD and public transport links. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Wellington gave itself the chance of ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Weekly Roundup 15-March-2024
    It’s Friday and we’re halfway through March Madness. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt asked how we can get better event trains and an option for grade separating Morningside Dr. On Tuesday Matt looked into ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    5 days ago
  • That Word.
    Something you might not know about me is that I’m quite a stubborn person. No, really. I don’t much care for criticism I think’s unfair or that I disagree with. Few of us do I suppose.Back when I was a drinker I’d sometimes respond defensively, even angrily. There are things ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • The Hoon around the week to March 15
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:PM Christopher Luxon said the reversal of interest deductibility for landlords was done to help renters, who ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Labour’s policy gap
    It was not so much the Labour Party but really the Chris Hipkins party yesterday at Labour’s caucus retreat in Martinborough. The former Prime Minister was more or less consistent on wealth tax, which he was at best equivocal about, and social insurance, which he was not willing to revisit. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #11 2024
    Open access notables A Glimpse into the Future: The 2023 Ocean Temperature and Sea Ice Extremes in the Context of Longer-Term Climate Change, Kuhlbrodt et al., Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society: In the year 2023, we have seen extraordinary extrema in high sea surface temperature (SST) in the North Atlantic and in ...
    5 days ago
  • Melissa remains mute on media matters but has something to say (at a sporting event) about economic ...
     Buzz from the Beehive   The text reproduced above appears on a page which records all the media statements and speeches posted on the government’s official website by Melissa Lee as Minister of Media and Communications and/or by Jenny Marcroft, her Parliamentary Under-secretary.  It can be quickly analysed ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • The return of Muldoon
    For forty years, Robert Muldoon has been a dirty word in our politics. His style of government was so repulsive and authoritarian that the backlash to it helped set and entrench our constitutional norms. His pig-headedness over forcing through Think Big eventually gave us the RMA, with its participation and ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Will the rental tax cut improve life for renters or landlords?
    Bryce Edwards writes –  Is the new government reducing tax on rental properties to benefit landlords or to cut the cost of rents? That’s the big question this week, after Associate Finance Minister David Seymour announced on Sunday that the Government would be reversing the Labour Government’s removal ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: What Saudi Arabia’s rapid changes mean for New Zealand
    Saudi Arabia is rarely far from the international spotlight. The war in Gaza has brought new scrutiny to Saudi plans to normalise relations with Israel, while the fifth anniversary of the controversial killing of Jamal Khashoggi was marked shortly before the war began on October 7. And as the home ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    5 days ago
  • Racism’s double standards
    Questions need to be asked on both sides of the world Peter Williams writes –   The NRL Judiciary hands down an eight week suspension to Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu , an Auckland-born Samoan, after he calls Ezra Mam, Sydney-orn but of Aboriginal and Torres Strait ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • It’s not a tax break
    Ele Ludemann writes – Contrary to what many headlines and news stories are saying, residential landlords are not getting a tax break. The government is simply restoring to them the tax deductibility of interest they had until the previous government removed it. There is no logical reason ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • The Plastic Pig Collective and Chris' Imaginary Friends.
    I can't remember when it was goodMoments of happiness in bloomMaybe I just misunderstoodAll of the love we left behindWatching our flashbacks intertwineMemories I will never findIn spite of whatever you becomeForget that reckless thing turned onI think our lives have just begunI think our lives have just begunDoes anyone ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Who is responsible for young offenders?
    Michael Bassett writes – At first reading, a front-page story in the New Zealand Herald on 13 March was bizarre. A group of severely intellectually limited teenagers, with little understanding of the law, have been pleading to the Justice Select Committee not to pass a bill dealing with ram ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on National’s fantasy trip to La La Landlord Land
    How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is: (a) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was ...
    6 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 14
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Jonathon Porritt calling bullshit in his own blog post on mainstream climate science as ‘The New Denialism’.Local scoop: The Wellington City Council’s list of proposed changes to the IHP recommendations to be debated later today was leaked this ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • No, Prime Minister, rents don’t rise or fall with landlords’ costs
    TL;DR: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • Cartoons: ‘At least I didn’t make things awkward’
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Tom Toro Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in Playboy, the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. Related: What 10 EV lovers ...
    6 days ago
  • Solving traffic congestion with Richard Prebble
    The business section of the NZ Herald is full of opinion. Among the more opinionated of all is the ex-Minister of Transport, ex-Minister of Railways, ex MP for Auckland Central (1975-93, Labour), Wellington Central (1996-99, ACT, then list-2005), ex-leader of the ACT Party, uncle to actor Antonia, the veritable granddaddy ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    6 days ago
  • I Think I'm Done Flying Boeing
    Hi,Just quickly — I’m blown away by the stories you’ve shared with me over the last week since I put out the ‘Gary’ podcast, where I told you about the time my friend’s flatmate killed the neighbour.And you keep telling me stories — in the comments section, and in my ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • Invoking Aristotle: Of Rings of Power, Stones, and Ships
    The first season of Rings of Power was not awful. It was thoroughly underwhelming, yes, and left a lingering sense of disappointment, but it was more expensive mediocrity than catastrophe. I wrote at length about the series as it came out (see the Review section of the blog, and go ...
    6 days ago
  • Van Velden brings free-market approach to changing labour laws – but her colleagues stick to distr...
    Buzz from the Beehive Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden told Auckland Business Chamber members they were the first audience to hear her priorities as a minister in a government committed to cutting red tape and regulations. She brandished her liberalising credentials, saying Flexible labour markets are the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Why Newshub failed
    Chris Trotter writes – TO UNDERSTAND WHY NEWSHUB FAILED, it is necessary to understand how TVNZ changed. Up until 1989, the state broadcaster had been funded by a broadcasting licence fee, collected from every citizen in possession of a television set, supplemented by a relatively modest (compared ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Māori Party on the warpath against landlords and seabed miners – let’s see if mystical creature...
    Bob Edlin writes  –  The Māori Party has been busy issuing a mix of warnings and threats as its expresses its opposition to interest deductibility for landlords and the plans of seabed miners. It remains to be seen whether they  follow the example of indigenous litigants in Australia, ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Government moves to quickly ratify the NZ-EU FTA
    "The Government is moving quickly to realise an additional $46 million in tariff savings in the EU market this season for Kiwi exporters,” Minister for Trade and Agriculture, Todd McClay says. Parliament is set, this week, to complete the final legislative processes required to bring the New Zealand – European ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 hours ago
  • Positive progress for social worker workforce
    New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    12 hours ago
  • Minister confirms reduced RUC rate for PHEVs
    Cabinet has agreed to a reduced road user charge (RUC) rate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. Owners of PHEVs will be eligible for a reduced rate of $38 per 1,000km once all light electric vehicles (EVs) move into the RUC system from 1 April.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    14 hours ago
  • Trade access to overseas markets creates jobs
    Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay, says that today’s opening of Riverland Foods manufacturing plant in Christchurch is a great example of how trade access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand.  Speaking at the official opening of this state-of-the-art pet food factory the Minister noted that exports ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    14 hours ago
  • NZ and Chinese Foreign Ministers hold official talks
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Kāinga Ora instructed to end Sustaining Tenancies
    Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber: Growth is the answer
    Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Singapore rounds out regional trip
    Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships.      “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister van Velden represents New Zealand at International Democracy Summit
    Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Insurance Council of NZ Speech, 7 March 2024, Auckland
    ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland  Acknowledgements and opening  Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho.  Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau  My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Five-year anniversary of Christchurch terror attacks
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says.  “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024
    Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024  Acknowledgements and opening  Morena, Nga Mihi Nui.  Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau  Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Early visit to Indonesia strengthens ties
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country.   “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • China Foreign Minister to visit
    Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week.  “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister opens new Auckland Rail Operations Centre
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Celebrating 10 years of Crankworx Rotorua
    The Government is proud to support the 10th edition of Crankworx Rotorua as the Crankworx World Tour returns to Rotorua from 16-24 March 2024, says Minister for Economic Development Melissa Lee.  “Over the past 10 years as Crankworx Rotorua has grown, so too have the economic and social benefits that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government delivering on tax commitments
    Legislation implementing coalition Government tax commitments and addressing long-standing tax anomalies will be progressed in Parliament next week, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The legislation is contained in an Amendment Paper to the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill issued today.  “The Amendment Paper represents ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Significant Natural Areas requirement to be suspended
    Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard has today announced that the Government has agreed to suspend the requirement for councils to comply with the Significant Natural Areas (SNA) provisions of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity for three years, while it replaces the Resource Management Act (RMA).“As it stands, SNAs ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government classifies drought conditions in Top of the South as medium-scale adverse event
    Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has classified the drought conditions in the Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts as a medium-scale adverse event, acknowledging the challenging conditions facing farmers and growers in the district. “Parts of Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts are in the grip of an intense dry spell. I know ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government partnership to tackle $332m facial eczema problem
    The Government is helping farmers eradicate the significant impact of facial eczema (FE) in pastoral animals, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced.  “A $20 million partnership jointly funded by Beef + Lamb NZ, the Government, and the primary sector will save farmers an estimated NZD$332 million per year, and aims to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • NZ, India chart path to enhanced relationship
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has completed a successful visit to India, saying it was an important step in taking the relationship between the two countries to the next level.   “We have laid a strong foundation for the Coalition Government’s priority of enhancing New Zealand-India relations to generate significant future benefit for both countries,” says Mr Peters, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Ruapehu Alpine Lifts bailout the last, say Ministers
    Cabinet has agreed to provide $7 million to ensure the 2024 ski season can go ahead on the Whakapapa ski field in the central North Island but has told the operator Ruapehu Alpine Lifts it is the last financial support it will receive from taxpayers. Cabinet also agreed to provide ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Fresh produce price drop welcome
    Lower fruit and vegetable prices are welcome news for New Zealanders who have been doing it tough at the supermarket, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Stats NZ reported today the price of fruit and vegetables has dropped 9.3 percent in the 12 months to February 2024.  “Lower fruit and vege ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Statement to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68)
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government backs rural led catchment projects
    The coalition Government is supporting farmers to enhance land management practices by investing $3.3 million in locally led catchment groups, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. “Farmers and growers deliver significant prosperity for New Zealand and it’s vital their ongoing efforts to improve land management practices and water quality are supported,” ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber
    Good evening everyone and thank you for that lovely introduction.   Thank you also to the Honourable Simon Bridges for the invitation to address your members. Since being sworn in, this coalition Government has hit the ground running with our 100-day plan, delivering the changes that New Zealanders expect of us. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Commission’s advice on ETS settings tabled
    Recommendations from the Climate Change Commission for New Zealand on the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction and unit limit settings for the next five years have been tabled in Parliament, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “The Commission provides advice on the ETS annually. This is the third time the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government lowering building costs
    The coalition Government is beginning its fight to lower building costs and reduce red tape by exempting minor building work from paying the building levy, says Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk. “Currently, any building project worth $20,444 including GST or more is subject to the building levy which is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Trustee tax change welcomed
    Proposed changes to tax legislation to prevent the over-taxation of low-earning trusts are welcome, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The changes have been recommended by Parliament’s Finance and Expenditure Committee following consideration of submissions on the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill. “One of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister’s Ramadan message
    Assalaamu alaikum. السَّلَام عليكم In light of the holy month of Ramadan, I want to extend my warmest wishes to our Muslim community in New Zealand. Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, renewed devotion, perseverance, generosity, and forgiveness.  It’s a time to strengthen our bonds and appreciate the diversity ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister appoints new NZTA Chair
    Former Transport Minister and CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber Hon Simon Bridges has been appointed as the new Board Chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) for a three-year term, Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced today. “Simon brings extensive experience and knowledge in transport policy and governance to the role. He will ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Speech to Life Sciences Summit
    Good morning all, it is a pleasure to be here as Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology.  It is fantastic to see how connected and collaborative the life science and biotechnology industry is here in New Zealand. I would like to thank BioTechNZ and NZTech for the invitation to address ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Progress continues apace on water storage
    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says he is looking forward to the day when three key water projects in Northland are up and running, unlocking the full potential of land in the region. Mr Jones attended a community event at the site of the Otawere reservoir near Kerikeri on Friday. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government agrees to restore interest deductions
    Associate Finance Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government has agreed to restore deductibility for mortgage interest on residential investment properties. “Help is on the way for landlords and renters alike. The Government’s restoration of interest deductibility will ease pressure on rents and simplify the tax code,” says ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister to attend World Anti-Doping Agency Symposium
    Sport and Recreation Minister Chris Bishop will travel to Switzerland today to attend an Executive Committee meeting and Symposium of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Mr Bishop will then travel on to London where he will attend a series of meetings in his capacity as Infrastructure Minister. “New Zealanders believe ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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