Prophylactic ignorance

Written By: - Date published: 7:23 am, September 19th, 2012 - 60 comments
Categories: accountability, john banks, john key - Tags: , ,

Notice how the only people who “believe” John Banks are the ones who haven’t (and won’t) read the police report?

Key:

But Prime Minister John Key is clinging onto Mr Banks – a crucial vote that keeps him in power. In fact, Mr Key refuses to even read the 126-page police report on the investigation. …

ACT:

The Act Party board is standing by leader John Banks, despite damning evidence in a police report into donations from Kim Dotcom and SkyCity in his 2010 mayoral campaign.

Act president Chris Simmons said Mr Banks still had the board’s confidence but did not say whether he hoped Mr Banks would stand again in 2014. He said he had not read the police report…

I wish I had coined the phrase “prohylactic ignorance” – I didn’t it was Gordon Campbell – because it is perfect. The only way Key can even pretend to “believe” Banks is to deliberately avoid the reality that everyone knows exists. It’s as slippery as a snake in wet grass, it’s “Keyvasive”, it’s pathetic. What a farce this government has become.

60 comments on “Prophylactic ignorance ”

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  1. Uturn 1
    19 September 2012 at 8:06 am

    It’s inconceivable that a PM wouldn’t read a police report on a mattter concerning the stability of his government. It would be counter to strategy and sound information security. If Key hasn’t literally sat down with a cup of tea and read it, then he has certainly been briefed in detail about it’s contents and plans will already be in place to meet the likely Banks outcome. All it takes is one good interviewer to tease out the obvious.

    • RedLogix 1.1
      19 September 2012 at 8:12 am

      In fact Key is almost certainly lying about NOT having read it … and at the very least is well informed of it’s contents.

      • Lightly 1.1.1
        19 September 2012 at 8:28 am

        David Shearer: What details of the report of the police investigation into John Banks led him to comment “I think he did exactly what he’d always said, which was comply with the law.”?

        Rt Hon JOHN KEY: That is my reading of the police report.

        http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QOA/6/e/a/50HansQ_20120731_00000001-1-Hon-John-Banks-Donations-to-Member-s-Political.htm

        31st July 2012

        • r0b 1.1.1.1
          19 September 2012 at 8:35 am

          Well found.

        • CnrJoe 1.1.1.2
          19 September 2012 at 8:43 am

          well spotted sir!

        • Kotahi Tāne Huna 1.1.1.3
          19 September 2012 at 8:48 am

          That still gives Slippery a fair amount of wriggle room.

          He can claim that when he said “my reading of it” he meant it in the sense of his understanding of it. There’s no doubt he should now be forced to answer the question though, so that the camera can focus relentlessly on his bored, shifty eyes.

          • Uturn 1.1.1.3.1
            19 September 2012 at 9:00 am

            Yeah I thought that too, however, “reading” and “understanding” aren’t special technical terms. It would be a hard sell. They might get a day or two delay out of it. But there’s also one more problem in trying for a word interpretation angle. In the final line, he openly admits that he can override the Cabinet Manual if it suits him; the only “test” of ethics is whether it pleases him or not. An attitude like that doesn’t bother to hide itself behind subtlties.

            A PM doing whatever to get what they want, and admitting it, is not new to NZ. During this last term, the idea of extra privileges for the powerful has been pushed out even further and is gaining popular support. I’d be quite interested to see how the National support base have shifted their discretionary limits. Measuring outrage by Lefty standards is not much use in this matter.

          • Mary 1.1.1.3.2
            19 September 2012 at 10:20 am

            Yes, on his dead looking shark eyes.

        • bbfloyd 1.1.1.4
          19 September 2012 at 10:08 am

          hang on a minute…… Did he say “that is my reading of the report”? I thought he was adamant that he hadn’t read it?? So he DID read the police report? or not?

          Is it just my impression, or has johnny sparkles been telling straight out lies to parliament, the news media, and the country?

          Isn’t that grounds for a privileges inquiry….?

    • Majella 1.2
      19 September 2012 at 9:48 am

      “One good interviewer” – so NOT Shane Taurima then..! Kim Hill? Chris Laidlaw? Where’s David Axel or Ian Johnstone when you need them?

  2. vto 2
    19 September 2012 at 8:38 am

    .
    Can’t trust the man at the top.

    Can’t trust anyone.

    Don’t trust anyone. What the fuck am i doing back in so-called civilization again. What a hole.

  3. ianmac 3
    19 September 2012 at 8:38 am

    “I did not have sexual intercourse ….”
    “I have not read………”
    But he has no doubt had it read to him or given extracts to read. Then he can truthfully say, “I have not read….”

  4. MikeG 4
    19 September 2012 at 8:41 am

    The National Party’s chief blogger is strangely quiet on this issue – it would seem that he can’t even bring himself to defend the (non)actions of Key.

  5. In Vino Veritas 5
    19 September 2012 at 8:49 am

    Let us remember Darren Hughes. Police say “insufficient evidence to prosecute”. Mallard says “he’s cleared his name”. Goff says “he has integrity”. Then there is always Helen Clark.

    And there is also the small matter of context. Banks was not an elected offical at the time of the alleged misdemeanours. However, Hughes? Clark?

    Labour Party will take the super sized hypocrisy, with a side of dishonesty and a drink of blind stupidity.

    • MikeG 5.1
      19 September 2012 at 9:00 am

      Just remember that Key promised higher standards. We are yet to see them.

    • ak 5.2
      19 September 2012 at 9:07 am

      Thanks Vino. “They did it too sir” is the most cast-iron admission of guilt possible. In this case it also drags your golden boy down into the the same synthetic gutter you created for the examples you give. Well done.

      • In Vino Veritas 5.2.1
        19 September 2012 at 9:36 am

        Ak, you mistake me for someone defending Banks. All I am doing is pointing out that the same people lambasting Banks now, are those who have refused, on multiple occasions, to react with the same vigour when it has been one of theirs that stepped out of line.

        • Te Reo Putake 5.2.1.1
          19 September 2012 at 9:41 am

          Except the example you gave was pretty poor, given that Hughes stood down in advance of the police ruling. Wanna try again?

        • RedLogix 5.2.1.2
          19 September 2012 at 9:42 am

          In all the cases you mention the politicians involved were stood down pretty promptly once it was clear that a real investigation was underway.

          But it’s nice to see you acknowledge that Key is vigorously defending a Minister whom you implicitly agree is guilty as sin. So are you defending John Key as well?

          And are you arguing that the Opposition should remain silent here? That when they see corruption and lies that they should have nothing to say?

        • Dr Terry 5.2.1.3
          19 September 2012 at 11:15 am

          VV Would that not be perfectly natural? What’s the problem?

    • framu 5.3
      19 September 2012 at 9:08 am

      but he was an elected official, a member of govt no less, when he claimed a position that is completely at odds with the findings of the police investigation

      remember there were two issues – one of which the evidence shows he is likely guilty of, but cant be prosecuted for due to time limitation

      waht the hell happened to higher standards of conduct and the rights sainted “personal responsibility”?

    • Te Reo Putake 5.4
      19 September 2012 at 9:08 am

      Actually, Key’s problem is not what Banks did when he was a mayoral candidate, IVV. It’s the now apparent fact that Banks (a cabinet Minister) lied to Key (a Prime Minister) earlier this year when he said he didn’t know who the donations were from.
       
      Key promised higher standards from his cabinet, now he is reduced to the Sargeant Shultz defense ( I know nuzzink …nuzzink!).

    • RedLogix 5.5
      19 September 2012 at 9:14 am

      @vino

      The main reason why the Police chose not to prosecute was that there was a time limitation that had expired.

      But if you want to go ahead and argue that Banks had no idea who those donations came from and that he is perfectly innocent … please go right ahead and make the case for us.

      • In Vino Veritas 5.5.1
        19 September 2012 at 9:53 am

        Red, you could try this, straight from the report:

        39. Police concluded that this would satisfy the requirement of “False” in respect to The Return, but believe that the circumstances do not reach the Evidential Sufficency Test (assessed against the Prosecution Guidelines) in the Police cannot prove that Mr BANKS knowingly signed The Return in respect to Section 134 (1) of the Act.

        and also:

        Conclusions

        41. The allegations do not meet the evidential threshold in respect to Section 134 (a) of the Local Electoral Act 2001.

        Yup, that pretty much sums it up. The fact that the statute of limitations excluded the possibility of prosection is also backed up by the fact that that the Police say they couldnt prove that Banks was guilty. I’m sure Red, that you will argue that he is guilty until proven innocent. Since Socialists like their law that way.

        • RedLogix 5.5.1.1
          19 September 2012 at 9:55 am

          So you are arguing that Banks was completely unaware of where those donations came from?

          • In Vino Veritas 5.5.1.1.1
            19 September 2012 at 10:36 am

            No Red, I am arguing that the Police could not undertake a successful prosecution because there was not enough evidence to prove Banks guilty. Therefore I argue that in the eyes of the law, he is innocent. Action should not be taken against people just because the likes of you, and your politically motivated friends say it should be.

            • RedLogix 5.5.1.1.1.1
              19 September 2012 at 12:25 pm

              But you failed to answer the question. Do you believe that Banks was unaware of where those two $25k donations came from?

              I’m quite aware that Banks has not been prosecuted. But no Minister holds onto his/her warrant until after a successful prosecution has been made… claiming that ‘in the eyes of the law’ he is innocent is a totally untenable defense.

        • Pascal's bookie 5.5.1.2
          19 September 2012 at 10:12 am

          hahaha.

          You quote 39 and 41, but not 40.

          tell us about 134(2)

          • In Vino Veritas 5.5.1.2.1
            19 September 2012 at 10:33 am

            I believe I mentioned 40 in closing Pascal. Having read the report, the Police say in 40 that ‘elements” of 134 (2) were met, not saying whether they were referring to 134(2) (a) or (b). Bottom line, they didnt have enough evidence to prove his guilt. It would appear Pascal, that you are another “guilty until proven innocent” man.

            • Colonial Viper 5.5.1.2.1.1
              19 September 2012 at 10:43 am

              Bottom line, they didnt have enough evidence to prove his guilt.

              Your words, not theirs. My read is that they would have pressed charges to have it tested in court, had it been within the 6 month limit.

            • Pascal's bookie 5.5.1.2.1.2
              19 September 2012 at 10:46 am

              You should read 40 again.

              they say that “the elements” of 134(2) are met. That would be both of them. They then say that they cannot charge because of the statute of limitations.

              The bottom line is that there is plenty of evidence that Banks has lied to the public and the PM about the extent of his dealings with Dot Com, and that the return was false, and that the PM is actively trying to avoid getting confirmation of those things.

    • Craig Glen Eden 5.6
      19 September 2012 at 10:28 am

      Banks was a candidate and is required to abide by electoral law. I think you have been drinking from that cup of stuidity that you so quickly accused others of sipping.

      • In Vino Veritas 5.6.1
        19 September 2012 at 10:41 am

        I remember you Craig, from a good long time ago, and you made baseless, factually incorrect statements even then, and I see nothing has changed. The only person drinking from a cup of stupidity is you. Read my posts. The police said the allegations do not meet the evidentiary threshold, Banks cannot be proven guilty and therefore he is innocent in law. Therefore he abided by Electoral Law.

        • Colonial Viper 5.6.1.1
          19 September 2012 at 10:58 am

          Wow, the police NEVER made that comment about the evidentiary threshold apart for one small part of the potential complaint. Seems you are the one making baseless, factually incorrect statements now mate.

          • In Vino Veritas 5.6.1.1.1
            19 September 2012 at 11:15 am

            read the report Viper. Its at 41, just to help you. Wow.

            • Colonial Viper 5.6.1.1.1.1
              19 September 2012 at 8:08 pm

              Technicalities mate. Looks like the only reason Banks escaped 134(2) is the statute of limitations. Do you agree?

              Banks is a bad liar, almost as bad as Key. He knew where those donations came from, as surely as he knows which side of the bed he rolls out of in the morning.

              • Pascal's bookie …
                19 September 2012 at 9:36 pm

                He’s stopped talking about 134(2) after he read section 40 of the police report wrong and completely misrepresented it. To be charitable about it.

        • Te Reo Putake 5.6.1.2
          19 September 2012 at 10:59 am

          “The police said the allegations do not meet the evidentiary threshold, Banks cannot be proven guilty and therefore he is innocent in law. Therefore he abided by Electoral Law.”
           
          The last sentence has no relationship to the first. Banks did not abide by electoral law. In fact, he deliberately broke electoral law by arranging ‘anonymous’ donations from known donors. The sad fact that he cannot be prosecuted does not change what he did or its illegality.
           
          Please note that every other candidate in the council elections that year managed to get it right, from the humblest community board applicant right up to the mayors of every other city and district in the country. But then, those candidates weren’t trying to rort the system.

          • In Vino Veritas 5.6.1.2.1
            19 September 2012 at 11:17 am

            How do you know Te Reo? Did Len Browns donations for the Mayoralty campaign come from a Trust? And if so, how do you know anything about it?

            • Kotahi Tāne Huna 5.6.1.2.1.1
              19 September 2012 at 11:48 am

              Nice attempt at diversion. The evidence shows that John Banks broke the law. He escapes through the statute of limitations. There’s no way to spin that or get people to believe your silly narrative. If you’ve got evidence that there are problems with other candidates’ returns then present it.

              This particular episode will keep on giving and giving, since, quite apart from his manifest criminality, Banks lied to the public too, repeatedly and brazenly, again as evidenced by the police report.

              Oh, and the longer the shifty, slippery, bored Prime Minister lets it drag on, the more damage the National Party will sustain 😀

              [lprent: You are getting close to the edge of what is acceptable with that “manifest criminality” comment because you are stating it as being an objective fact rather than an opinion. I realize what the police report said about the limitation period. However the police do not determine criminality (regardless how the individual police sometimes operate). That is the role of the courts. A little more care please. ]

              • In Vino Veritas …
                19 September 2012 at 12:53 pm

                Kotahi, hardly a diversion, since Te Reo claimed “every other candidate”. I asked him how he knew. And then asked another question. At no time did I say I had a problem with any other candidates return, though I think you will find that it is a fact that Len Brown ran $499K of his $582K of donations for the 2010 Mayoralty through a trust. Oh, you can read it here:
                http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10693580

                • Kotahi Tāne Huna …
                  19 September 2012 at 3:38 pm

                  IVV: Yawn. Who was it again who escaped prosecution because the statute of limitations applied? That’s right it was John Banks. What are people discussing? That’s right it’s John Banks, oh, and how he taints the National Party with every day his Ministerial warrant continues.

                  So witter on about Len Brown, the Mayor of Auckland, all you like – we’re talking about John Banks, the dodgiest MP Epsom has ever elected, and John Key, the bored and compromised Prime Minister.

                  LPrent: right you are guvnor.

                • Pascal's bookie …
                  19 September 2012 at 5:10 pm

                  think you will find that it is a fact that Len Brown ran $499K of his $582K of donations for the 2010 Mayoralty through a trust.

                  The money went through a trust, but there is nothing to suggest that the identity of the donors was known by Len Brown, as your phrasing would imply.

    • Robert M 5.7
      19 September 2012 at 10:03 pm

      He was of course the leading candidate for the Mayor of Auckland-on the citizens and ratepayers ticket,or whatever.
      The extraordinary thing about John, is why was he selected as a Nat canditdate.Why was he selected as an Act Candidate for NZ’s second richest seat. How could somebody who failed UE three times become Mayor of Auckland and be reselected as a Candidate.
      What on earth are his talents.He appears to have none,but arrogance, agression and lip and the fact for some inconcievable reason Sue Wood, Matthew Hooton etc smiled nicely on him.Why would the wet,right nats support a distant relation of Alan McCready ( an inexplicable promotion to the Marshall cabinet in 72). No 20 undoubtedly.
      Of course apparently John ran some lamb chop and red wine joints that employed a lot of waiters in the 1970’s. How much whisky and gin did Muldoon and his fellow racehorse owner Dud Mouldey sink after the laugh of making that young chubby guy John, the noted police reject an MP for the red neck and unenlightened borough of Whangarei.
      What on earth is the interest of Dot Com and his fifth size bead (‘the most beautful women, I have seen ‘)- John Banks MP for Remmers- noted connesueir of Russian dolls)- in this dull ,unintersting and very ugly Auckland MP.Why would he give him ten cents , let alone $50,000.
      I mean Eccelstone and Blair were both intelligent right wingers with attractive wives and their own children and a mutual interest in the Middle East and German politics. What an earth was the mutual interest of dot.com and John B. Champers,Matchbox 20,Pink Cangles, Political favours,payoffs for easing copyright and licensing laws, residency certificates, citizenship support letters.The Nick Smith type letter of support beyond the call of duty for a former friend and partier.
      What on earth do John and his party mates,discuss at the Act Party booze ups. There must be cake of course. Read the Basset review of the Goldsmith bio of JB.

  6. freedom 6
    19 September 2012 at 10:05 am

    As Mr Key enjoys semantics so much, let’s change the question
    ‘To the PM, Has anyone read the Police report to you?’

  7. marsman 7
    19 September 2012 at 10:36 am

    It may be wishful thinking but the title of this Post keeps giving me a mental image of Johnny with a ‘johnny’ stretched over his head.

  8. Herbert 8
    19 September 2012 at 10:48 am

    Did anyone mention David Garrett and offences committed while not a MP?
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Garrett_%28politician%29

  9. Fortran 9
    19 September 2012 at 2:20 pm

    The Bank’s affair has not touched the opinion polls.
    To the MSM it is a try again at their “Ambrose” moment when one of their precious accidentally left a recorder on at a ptrivate conversation, and Key took exception (to an unexceptional conversation according to the Winston release) but the “Ambrose” was one of them, and they won’t forget it – despite “Ambrose” writing a letter of apology to Key, which was
    accepted.
    Subject getting a bore with nothing better to do in Parliament, which is getting close to year end wrap up and long holiday in Hawaii.
    There are pressing points to be made to new social legislation – let the oppositions get on with that and stop buggering around with Banks, which is water off a duck’s back.

    • lprent 9.1
      19 September 2012 at 2:36 pm

      You really are a stupid politically unaware dork. That is probably because no polls have been taken through the period of maximum damage and then published.

      The OIA’s came back on about September 12th and this particular part of the saga with some definitive information only started then. Before that, it was largely supposition. After that then there has been a steadily rising firestorm (which I anticipate will continue for quite some time based on people expressing their indignation to me (usually they avoid the politically aware)).

      So there have been no polls published covering the last 7 days.

      But any way Act can’t get much lower than they already are. The story over this week has been about how Key has been too gutless to sack Banks for his perfidy of being economical with the truth with the public. Typically before this kind of screwup penetrates the polls jumping from the idiot politician to the person protecting them, it usually takes between 4 and 8 weeks. I suspect I’m going to enjoy looking at the Morgan polls towards the end of next month.

      This one has considerable traction…

      • King Kong 9.1.1
        19 September 2012 at 3:07 pm

        Why are you looking forward to the next round of polls?

        If I recall correctly on numerous occaissions you have waxed lyrical about their lack of importance and how they dont matter or is that just when Labour is getting its nose rubbed in the dirt.

        • lprent 9.1.1.1
          19 September 2012 at 5:28 pm

          Yes and no. If people are trying to divine the shape of a government from the numbers in a poll, then polls are about as useful as reading sheeps entrails to predict climate. The systematic sampling errors in how they pull their samples makes a mockery of the calculation or margins of error when looking at the voting populations.

          What they are measuring is the voting intentions of the population of people who have a landline, a listed phone number, landlines, and who certain enough of their voting intentions to be willing to answer. In other words an audience that is more affluent than the voting population (they have a landline), more conservative than the voting population (they listed their landline despite the telemarketers and they didn’t ignore calls from people with no caller id), older than the voting population (they have a listed landline and were at home to answer the phone), etc. By any stretch of statistics the population of who phone pollsters can get at is distinctly different to the voting population these days.

          BTW: For all of the distraction waffle I have seen about automated dialers and the like for doing polls, I haven’t seen any evidence that anyone with an unlisted phone number gets called for political polls. I certainly haven’t in a few decades of being unlisted, and nor has a sufficient sample of others I’ve asked. And of course trying to find someone under 30 with a listed landline in urban areas these days is like finding a dodo. Besides which, it will be cheaper to either scan the whitepages or buy a list from them than to auto-dial a analogue circuit..

          However I have also always said that the longer term trends in polls are useful and important. They won’t tell you the shape of election result. They will indicate shifts in voters opinions. That’s why whenever you see me looking at polls I look at the long-term charts like the Morgan poll produces. Which is why I saying that we’d have to wait for a number of the same poll to be able to see any trend (you need more than one data point to look for trends)…. The Morgan poll is published about every two weeks for the about the two weeks prior.

        • McFlock 9.1.1.2
          19 September 2012 at 5:42 pm

          Indeed, ’tis the trends that matter, KK.
                 
          But trends end with the last observation.
          As an exercise, look at the current morgan polls.  Now imagine the short trend if nat go up say 1.5% (i.e. margin of error). Now down 1.5%. What does that do to the trend?
               
          Much of the time when tories post links to the polls they gloat about e.g. the feb22-mar11 poll, with a last minute upswing on a down trend. So they get called on their stupidity.
             
          Basically, since the election nat have been static/leaking support slightly, while their support parties have remained pretty constant (including Maori party). Oh, and according to RM the nats lost 1 or 2% in the last week of the election campaign. If that’s survey bias rather than a real drop, all this year the nats would have had great difficulty remaining in govt in the event of a snap election. Contrast that with the trend from the previous election. 

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    113 articles in 48 journals by 674 contributing authors Physical science of climate change, effects Diversity of Lagged Relationships in Global Means of Surface Temperatures and Radiative Budgets for CMIP6 piControl Simulations, Tsuchida et al., Journal of Climate 10.1175/jcli-d-23-0045.1 Do abrupt cryosphere events in High Mountain Asia indicate earlier tipping ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago

  • Phone calls at Kia Kaha primary
    It is quiet reading time in Room 13! It is so quiet you can hear the Tui outside. It is so quiet you can hear the Fulton Hogan crew.It is so quiet you can hear old Mr Grant and old Mr Bradbury standing by the roadworks and counting the conesand going on ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago

  • A question of confidence is raised by the Minister of Police, but he had to be questioned by RNZ to ...
    It looks like the new ministerial press secretaries have quickly learned the art of camouflaging exactly what their ministers are saying – or, at least, of keeping the hard news  out of the headlines and/or the opening sentences of the statements they post on the home page of the governments ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • Xmas  good  cheer  for the dairy industry  as Fonterra lifts its forecast
    The big dairy co-op Fonterra  had  some Christmas  cheer to offer  its farmers this week, increasing its forecast farmgate milk price and earnings guidance for  the year after what it calls a strong start to the year. The forecast  midpoint for the 2023/24 season is up 25cs to $7.50 per ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • MICHAEL BASSETT: Modern Maori myths
    Michael Bassett writes – Many of the comments about the Coalition’s determination to wind back the dramatic Maorification of New Zealand of the last three years would have you believe the new government is engaged in a full-scale attack on Maori. In reality, all that is happening ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • Dreams of eternal sunshine at a spotless COP28
    Mary Robinson asked Al Jaber a series of very simple, direct and highly pertinent questions and he responded with a high-octane public meltdown. Photos: Getty Images / montage: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR The hygiene effects of direct sunshine are making some inroads, perhaps for the very first time, on the normalised ‘deficit ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • LINDSAY MITCHELL: Oh, the irony
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – Appointed by new Labour PM Jacinda Ardern in 2018, Cindy Kiro headed the Welfare Expert Advisory Group (WEAG) tasked with reviewing and recommending reforms to the welfare system. Kiro had been Children’s Commissioner during Helen Clark’s Labour government but returned to academia subsequently. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Transport Agencies don’t want Harbour Tunnels
    It seems even our transport agencies don’t want Labour’s harbour crossing plans. In August the previous government and Waka Kotahi announced their absurd preferred option the new harbour crossing that at the time was estimated to cost $35-45 billion. It included both road tunnels and a wiggly light rail tunnel ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    3 days ago

  • Webworm Presents: Jurassic Park on 35mm
    Hi,Paying Webworm members such as yourself keep this thing running, so as 2023 draws to close, I wanted to do two things to say a giant, loud “THANKS”. Firstly — I’m giving away 10 Mister Organ blu-rays in New Zealand, and another 10 in America. More details down below.Secondly — ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    3 days ago

  • The Prime Minister's Dream.
    Yesterday saw the State Opening of Parliament, the Speech from the Throne, and then Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s dream for Aotearoa in his first address. But first the pomp and ceremony, the arrival of the Governor General.Dame Cindy Kiro arrived on the forecourt outside of parliament to a Māori welcome. ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • National’s new MP; the proud part-Maori boy raised in a state house
    Probably not since 1975 have we seen a government take office up against such a wall of protest and complaint. That was highlighted yesterday, the day that the new Parliament was sworn in, with news that King Tuheitia has called a national hui for late January to develop a ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago

  • Climate Adam: Battlefield Earth – How War Fuels Climate Catastrophe
    This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Adam Levy. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). War, conflict and climate change are tearing apart lives across the world. But these aren't separate harms - they're intricately connected. ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • They do not speak for us, and they do not speak for the future
    These dire woeful and intolerant people have been so determinedly going about their small and petulant business, it’s hard to keep up. At the end of the new government’s first woeful week, Audrey Young took the time to count off its various acts of denigration of Te Ao Māori:Review the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • Another attack on te reo
    The new white supremacist government made attacking te reo a key part of its platform, promising to rename government agencies and force them to "communicate primarily in English" (which they already do). But today they've gone further, by trying to cut the pay of public servants who speak te reo: ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • For the record, the Beehive buzz can now be regarded as “official”
    Buzz from the Beehive The biggest buzz we bring you from the Beehive today is that the government’s official website is up and going after being out of action for more than a week. The latest press statement came  from  Education Minister  Eric Stanford, who seized on the 2022 PISA ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • Climate Change: Failed again
    There was another ETS auction this morning. and like all the other ones this year, it failed to clear - meaning that 23 million tons of carbon (15 million ordinary units plus 8 million in the cost containment reserve) went up in smoke. Or rather, they didn't. Being unsold at ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell On The Government’s Assault On Maori
    This isn’t news, but the National-led coalition is mounting a sustained assault on Treaty rights and obligations. Even so, Christopher Luxon has described yesterday’s nationwide protests by Maori as “pretty unfair.” Poor thing. In the NZ Herald, Audrey Young has compiled a useful list of the many, many ways that ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    4 days ago

  • Rising costs hit farmers hard, but  there’s more  positive news  for  them this  week 
    New Zealand’s dairy industry, the mainstay of the country’s export trade, has  been under  pressure  from rising  costs. Down on the  farm, this  has  been  hitting  hard. But there  was more positive news this week,  first   from the latest Fonterra GDT auction where  prices  rose,  and  then from  a  report ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    4 days ago

  • ROB MacCULLOCH:  Newshub and NZ Herald report misleading garbage about ACT’s van Veldon not follo...
    Rob MacCulloch writes –  In their rush to discredit the new government (which our MainStream Media regard as illegitimate and having no right to enact the democratic will of voters) the NZ Herald and Newshub are arguing ACT’s Deputy Leader Brooke van Veldon is not following Treasury advice ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Top 10 for Wednesday, December 6
    Even many young people who smoke support smokefree policies, fitting in with previous research showing the large majority of people who smoke regret starting and most want to quit. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s my pick of the top 10 news and analysis links elsewhere on the morning of Wednesday, December ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • Eleven years of work.
    Well it didn’t take six months, but the leaks have begun. Yes the good ship Coalition has inadvertently released a confidential cabinet paper into the public domain, discussing their axing of Fair Pay Agreements (FPAs).Oops.Just when you were admiring how smoothly things were going for the new government, they’ve had ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • Why we're missing out on sharply lower inflation
    A wave of new and higher fees, rates and charges will ripple out over the economy in the next 18 months as mayors, councillors, heads of department and price-setters for utilities such as gas, electricity, water and parking ramp up charges. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Just when most ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • How Did We Get Here?
    Hi,Kiwis — keep the evening of December 22nd free. I have a meetup planned, and will send out an invite over the next day or so. This sounds sort of crazy to write, but today will be Tony Stamp’s final Totally Normal column of 2023. Somehow we’ve made it to ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    4 days ago

  • At a glance – Has the greenhouse effect been falsified?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • New Zealaders  have  high expectations of  new  government:  now let’s see if it can deliver?
    The electorate has high expectations of the  new  government.  The question is: can  it  deliver?    Some  might  say  the  signs are not  promising. Protestors   are  already marching in the streets. The  new  Prime Minister has had  little experience of managing  very diverse politicians  in coalition. The economy he  ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    4 days ago

  • You won't believe some of the numbers you have to pull when you're a Finance Minister
    Nicola of Marsden:Yo, normies! We will fix your cost of living worries by giving you a tax cut of 150 dollars. 150! Cash money! Vote National.Various people who can read and count:Actually that's 150 over a fortnight. Not a week, which is how you usually express these things.And actually, it looks ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Pushback
    When this government came to power, it did so on an explicitly white supremacist platform. Undermining the Waitangi Tribunal, removing Māori representation in local government, over-riding the courts which had tried to make their foreshore and seabed legislation work, eradicating te reo from public life, and ultimately trying to repudiate ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago

  • Defence ministerial meeting meant Collins missed the Maori Party’s mischief-making capers in Parli...
    Buzz from the Beehive Maybe this is not the best time for our Minister of Defence to have gone overseas. Not when the Maori Party is inviting (or should that be inciting?) its followers to join a revolution in a post which promoted its protest plans with a picture of ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago

  • Threats of war have been followed by an invitation to join the revolution – now let’s see how th...
     A Maori Party post on Instagram invited party followers to ….  Tangata Whenua, Tangata Tiriti, Join the REVOLUTION! & make a stand!  Nationwide Action Day, All details in tiles swipe to see locations.  • This is our 1st hit out and tomorrow Tuesday the 5th is the opening ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Top 10 for Tuesday, December 4
    The RBNZ governor is citing high net migration and profit-led inflation as factors in the bank’s hawkish stance. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s my pick of the top 10 news and analysis links elsewhere on the morning of Tuesday, December 5, including:Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr says high net migration and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • Nicola Willis' 'show me the money' moment
    Willis has accused labour of “economic vandalism’, while Robertson described her comments as a “desperate diversion from somebody who can't make their tax package add up”. There will now be an intense focus on December 20 to see whether her hyperbole is backed up by true surprises. Photo montage: Lynn ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • CRL costs money but also provides huge benefits
    The City Rail Link has been in the headlines a bit recently so I thought I’d look at some of them. First up, yesterday the NZ Herald ran this piece about the ongoing costs of the CRL. Auckland ratepayers will be saddled with an estimated bill of $220 million each ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    5 days ago

  • And I don't want the world to see us.
    Is this the most shambolic government in the history of New Zealand? Given that parliament hasn’t even opened they’ve managed quite a list of achievements to date.The Smokefree debacle trading lives for tax cuts, the Trumpian claims of bribery in the Media, an International award for indifference, and today the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • Cooking the books
    Finance Minister Nicola Willis late yesterday stopped only slightly short of accusing her predecessor Grant Robertson of cooking the books. She complained that the Half Yearly Economic and Fiscal Update (HYEFU), due to be made public on December 20, would show “fiscal cliffs” that would amount to “billions of ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago

  • Most people don’t realize how much progress we’ve made on climate change
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections The year was 2015. ‘Uptown Funk’ with Bruno Mars was at the top of the music charts. Jurassic World was the most popular new movie in theaters. And decades of futility in international climate negotiations was about to come to an end in ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • Of Parliamentary Oaths and Clive Boonham
    As a heads-up, I am not one of those people who stay awake at night thinking about weird Culture War nonsense. At least so far as the current Maori/Constitutional arrangements go. In fact, I actually consider it the least important issue facing the day to day lives of New ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    5 days ago

  • Bearing True Allegiance?
    Strong Words: “We do not consent, we do not surrender, we do not cede, we do not submit; we, the indigenous, are rising. We do not buy into the colonial fictions this House is built upon. Te Pāti Māori pledges allegiance to our mokopuna, our whenua, and Te Tiriti o ...
    Bowalley Road
    5 days ago

  • You cannot be serious
    Some days it feels like the only thing to say is: Seriously? No, really. Seriously?OneSomeone has used their health department access to share data about vaccinations and patients, and inform the world that New Zealanders have been dying in their hundreds of thousands from the evil vaccine. This of course is pure ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • A promise kept: govt pulls the plug on Lake Onslow scheme – but this saving of $16bn is denounced...
    Buzz from the Beehive After $21.8 million was spent on investigations, the plug has been pulled on the Lake Onslow pumped-hydro electricity scheme, The scheme –  that technically could have solved New Zealand’s looming energy shortage, according to its champions – was a key part of the defeated Labour government’s ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago

  • CHRIS TROTTER: The Maori Party and Oath of Allegiance
    If those elected to the Māori Seats refuse to take them, then what possible reason could the country have for retaining them?   Chris Trotter writes – Christmas is fast approaching, which, as it does every year, means gearing up for an abstruse general knowledge question. “Who was ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • BRIAN EASTON:  Forward to 2017
    The coalition party agreements are mainly about returning to 2017 when National lost power. They show commonalities but also some serious divergencies. Brian Easton writes – The two coalition agreements – one National and ACT, the other National and New Zealand First – are more than policy documents. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Climate Change: Fossils
    When the new government promised to allow new offshore oil and gas exploration, they were warned that there would be international criticism and reputational damage. Naturally, they arrogantly denied any possibility that that would happen. And then they finally turned up at COP, to criticism from Palau, and a "fossil ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago

  • GEOFFREY MILLER:  NZ’s foreign policy resets on AUKUS, Gaza and Ukraine
    Geoffrey Miller writes – New Zealand’s international relations are under new management. And Winston Peters, the new foreign minister, is already setting a change agenda. As expected, this includes a more pro-US positioning when it comes to the Pacific – where Peters will be picking up where he ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the government’s smokefree laws debacle
    The most charitable explanation for National’s behaviour over the smokefree legislation is that they have dutifully fulfilled the wishes of the Big Tobacco lobby and then cast around – incompetently, as it turns out – for excuses that might sell this health policy U-turn to the public. The less charitable ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    6 days ago

  • Top 10 links at 10 am for Monday, December 4
    As Deb Te Kawa writes in an op-ed, the new Government seems to have immediately bought itself fights with just about everyone. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Here’s my pick of the top 10 news and analysis links elsewhere as of 10 am on Monday December 4, including:Palau’s President ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • Be Honest.
    Let’s begin today by thinking about job interviews.During my career in Software Development I must have interviewed hundreds of people, hired at least a hundred, but few stick in the memory.I remember one guy who was so laid back he was practically horizontal, leaning back in his chair until his ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • Geoffrey Miller: New Zealand’s foreign policy resets on AUKUS, Gaza and Ukraine
    New Zealand’s international relations are under new management. And Winston Peters, the new foreign minister, is already setting a change agenda. As expected, this includes a more pro-US positioning when it comes to the Pacific – where Peters will be picking up where he left off. Peters sought to align ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    6 days ago

  • Auckland rail tunnel the world’s most expensive
    Auckland’s city rail link is the most expensive rail project in the world per km, and the CRL boss has described the cost of infrastructure construction in Aotearoa as a crisis. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The 3.5 km City Rail Link (CRL) tunnel under Auckland’s CBD has cost ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • First big test coming
    The first big test of the new Government’s approach to Treaty matters is likely to be seen in the return of the Resource Management Act. RMA Minister Chris Bishop has confirmed that he intends to introduce legislation to repeal Labour’s recently passed Natural and Built Environments Act and its ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago

  • The Song of Saqua: Volume III
    Time to revisit something I haven’t covered in a while: the D&D campaign, with Saqua the aquatic half-vampire. Last seen in July: https://phuulishfellow.wordpress.com/2023/07/27/the-song-of-saqua-volume-ii/ The delay is understandable, once one realises that the interim saw our DM come down with a life-threatening medical situation. They have since survived to make ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    6 days ago

  • Chris Bishop: Smokin’
    Yes. Correct. It was an election result. And now we are the elected government. ...
    My ThinksBy boonman
    7 days ago

  • 2023 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #48
    A chronological listing of news and opinion articles posted on the Skeptical Science  Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Nov 26, 2023 thru Dec 2, 2023. Story of the Week CO2 readings from Mauna Loa show failure to combat climate change Daily atmospheric carbon dioxide data from Hawaiian volcano more ...
    Skeptical Science
    7 days ago

  • Affirmative Action.
    Affirmative Action was a key theme at this election, although I don’t recall anyone using those particular words during the campaign.They’re positive words, and the way the topic was talked about was anything but. It certainly wasn’t a campaign of saying that Affirmative Action was a good thing, but that, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    7 days ago

  • 100 days of something
    It was at the end of the Foxton straights, at the end of 1978, at 100km/h, that someone tried to grab me from behind on my Yamaha.They seemed to be yanking my backpack. My first thought was outrage. My second was: but how? Where have they come from? And my ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    7 days ago

  • Look who’s stepped up to champion Winston
    There’s no news to be gleaned from the government’s official website today  – it contains nothing more than the message about the site being under maintenance. The time this maintenance job is taking and the costs being incurred have us musing on the government’s commitment to an assault on inflation. ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 week ago

  • What's The Story?
    Don’t you sometimes wish they’d just tell the truth? No matter how abhorrent or ugly, just straight up tell us the truth?C’mon guys, what you’re doing is bad enough anyway, pretending you’re not is only adding insult to injury.Instead of all this bollocks about the Smokefree changes being to do ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago

  • The longest of weeks
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.Friday Under New Management Week in review, quiz style1. Which of these best describes Aotearoa?a. Progressive nation, proud of its egalitarian spirit and belief in a fair go b. Best little country on the planet c. ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago

  • Suggested sessions of EGU24 to submit abstracts to
    Like earlier this year, members from our team will be involved with next year's General Assembly of the European Geosciences Union (EGU). The conference will take place on premise in Vienna as well as online from April 14 to 19, 2024. The session catalog has been available since November 1 ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago

  • Under New Management
    1. Which of these best describes Aotearoa?a. Progressive nation, proud of its egalitarian spirit and belief in a fair go b. Best little country on the planet c. Under New Management 2. Which of these best describes the 100 days of action announced this week by the new government?a. Petulantb. Simplistic and wrongheaded c. ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago

  • While we wait patiently, our new Minister of Education is up and going with a 100-day action plan
    Sorry to say, the government’s official website is still out of action. When Point of Order paid its daily visit, the message was the same as it has been for the past week: Site under maintenance Beehive.govt.nz is currently under maintenance. We will be back shortly. Thank you for your ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 week ago

  • Ministers visit Hawke’s Bay to grasp recovery needs
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon joined Cyclone Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell and Transport and Local Government Minister Simeon Brown, to meet leaders of cyclone and flood-affected regions in the Hawke’s Bay. The visit reinforced the coalition Government’s commitment to support the region and better understand its ongoing requirements, Mr Mitchell says.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • New Zealand condemns malicious cyber activity
    New Zealand has joined the UK and other partners in condemning malicious cyber activity conducted by the Russian Government, Minister Responsible for the Government Communications Security Bureau Judith Collins says. The statement follows the UK’s attribution today of malicious cyber activity impacting its domestic democratic institutions and processes, as well ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Disestablishment of Te Pūkenga begins
    The Government has begun the process of disestablishing Te Pūkenga as part of its 100-day plan, Minister for Tertiary Education and Skills Penny Simmonds says.  “I have started putting that plan into action and have met with the chair and chief Executive of Te Pūkenga to advise them of my ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Climate Change Minister to attend COP28 in Dubai
    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts will be leaving for Dubai today to attend COP28, the 28th annual UN climate summit, this week. Simon Watts says he will push for accelerated action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement, deliver New Zealand’s national statement and connect with partner countries, private sector leaders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • New Zealand to host 2024 Pacific defence meeting
    Defence Minister Judith Collins yesterday announced New Zealand will host next year’s South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting (SPDMM). “Having just returned from this year’s meeting in Nouméa, I witnessed first-hand the value of meeting with my Pacific counterparts to discuss regional security and defence matters. I welcome the opportunity to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Study shows need to remove distractions in class
    The Government is committed to lifting school achievement in the basics and that starts with removing distractions so young people can focus on their learning, Education Minister Erica Stanford says.   The 2022 PISA results released this week found that Kiwi kids ranked 5th in the world for being distracted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Minister sets expectations of Commissioner
    Today I met with Police Commissioner Andrew Coster to set out my expectations, which he has agreed to, says Police Minister Mark Mitchell. Under section 16(1) of the Policing Act 2008, the Minister can expect the Police Commissioner to deliver on the Government’s direction and priorities, as now outlined in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • New Zealand needs a strong and stable ETS
    New Zealand needs a strong and stable Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) that is well placed for the future, after emission units failed to sell for the fourth and final auction of the year, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says.  At today’s auction, 15 million New Zealand units (NZUs) – each ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • PISA results show urgent need to teach the basics
    With 2022 PISA results showing a decline in achievement, Education Minister Erica Stanford is confident that the Coalition Government’s 100-day plan for education will improve outcomes for Kiwi kids.  The 2022 PISA results show a significant decline in the performance of 15-year-old students in maths compared to 2018 and confirms ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Collins leaves for Pacific defence meeting
    Defence Minister Judith Collins today departed for New Caledonia to attend the 8th annual South Pacific Defence Ministers’ meeting (SPDMM). “This meeting is an excellent opportunity to meet face-to-face with my Pacific counterparts to discuss regional security matters and to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to the Pacific,” Judith Collins says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Working for Families gets cost of living boost
    Putting more money in the pockets of hard-working families is a priority of this Coalition Government, starting with an increase to Working for Families, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says. “We are starting our 100-day plan with a laser focus on bringing down the cost of living, because that is what ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Post-Cabinet press conference
    Most weeks, following Cabinet, the Prime Minister holds a press conference for members of the Parliamentary Press Gallery. This page contains the transcripts from those press conferences, which are supplied by Hansard to the Office of the Prime Minister. It is important to note that the transcripts have not been edited ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Lake Onslow pumped hydro scheme scrapped
    The Government has axed the $16 billion Lake Onslow pumped hydro scheme championed by the previous government, Energy Minister Simeon Brown says. “This hugely wasteful project was pouring money down the drain at a time when we need to be reining in spending and focussing on rebuilding the economy and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • NZ welcomes further pause in fighting in Gaza
    New Zealand welcomes the further one-day extension of the pause in fighting, which will allow the delivery of more urgently-needed humanitarian aid into Gaza and the release of more hostages, Foreign Minister Winston Peters said. “The human cost of the conflict is horrific, and New Zealand wants to see the violence ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Condolences on passing of Henry Kissinger
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters today expressed on behalf of the New Zealand Government his condolences to the family of former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, who has passed away at the age of 100 at his home in Connecticut. “While opinions on his legacy are varied, Secretary Kissinger was ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Backing our kids to learn the basics
    Every child deserves a world-leading education, and the Coalition Government is making that a priority as part of its 100-day plan. Education Minister Erica Stanford says that will start with banning cellphone use at school and ensuring all primary students spend one hour on reading, writing, and maths each day. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • US Business Summit Speech – Regional stability through trade
    I would like to begin by echoing the Prime Minister’s thanks to the organisers of this Summit, Fran O’Sullivan and the Auckland Business Chamber.  I want to also acknowledge the many leading exporters, sector representatives, diplomats, and other leaders we have joining us in the room. In particular, I would like ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Keynote Address to the United States Business Summit, Auckland
    Good morning. Thank you, Rosemary, for your warm introduction, and to Fran and Simon for this opportunity to make some brief comments about New Zealand’s relationship with the United States.  This is also a chance to acknowledge my colleague, Minister for Trade Todd McClay, Ambassador Tom Udall, Secretary of Foreign ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • India New Zealand Business Council Speech, India as a Strategic Priority
    Good morning, tēnā koutou and namaskar. Many thanks, Michael, for your warm welcome. I would like to acknowledge the work of the India New Zealand Business Council in facilitating today’s event and for the Council’s broader work in supporting a coordinated approach for lifting New Zealand-India relations. I want to also ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
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  • Coalition Government unveils 100-day plan
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