Prwoperty rwights!

Written By: - Date published: 7:36 pm, May 13th, 2013 - 130 comments
Categories: capitalism, Economy - Tags:

Over at Kiwiblog David Farrar’s having a big cry about the Greens indicating they’d legislate against the dodgy contract this government has struck with Sky city. To David, the property rights conveyed by contract law are paramount above all other rights. Including the rights of the people of a sovereign nation to have their government to exercise their will.

We’ve seen this tactic play out for a long time – right wing governments privatising goods and services away from the public good. They’ll often step all over human rights as they do so – both big time (think Pinochet’s murderous regime) and small time (such as Paula Bennett’s disregard of the privacy of beneficiaries). Then they start crying about property rights and invoking the might of international capital if anyone suggests changing back.

Well I can understand how every political party supporter wants to see their party’s legacy intact forever and ever, but David is being a little bit precious with his scaremongering. Let’s put it this way, David, your Thatcherite ideals have had a bloody good run in this country. By my count your lot have had their way for nearly thirty years.

But you need to understand that this time is coming to a close. There is no longer an opposition that is willing to maintain this consensus and there’s no taste left for it in the electorate at large. And, at some stage, whether it be 2014 or 2017, things are going to change.

And by my reckoning they’ll stay changed for at least another thirty years – that’s roughly how long these things seem to go. So David, I suggest you calm down a little (and you too Phil O’Reilly) and start getting used to the fact that we’re all swinging back to the centre from the far right. It’s about bloody time.

130 comments on “Prwoperty rwights! ”

  1. QoT 1

    I love how when Opposition parties make clear public statements about policy options, it’s “sabotage”. When it’s Farrar’s mates flogging off the people’s infrastructure because they really suck at creating actual wealth and “need” more profitable things to invest it, it’s “good financial management” or whatever words to that effect.

    • karol 1.1

      Yes. NAct supporters are usually aggressively attacking the opposition parties for (in their view) having no policies.

      The full on moves to corporate dictatorship exposed by this dirty Sky City deal, have got me very angry. This is what corporate dictatorship looks like.

      • Enough is Enough 1.1.1

        Warning:

        Please refrain from reading any further down this thread.

        It descends into something far worse than the sewer.

        Ps not a response to you Karol, just getting this in near the top

        • Tom Gould 1.1.1.1

          Frankly, I’m tired of Farrar turning up in the media as some sort of independent commentator when he is clearly an arch-Tory and is paid by the Tories. Credibility zero. Integrity zero. Hypocrisy max.

          • Rodel 1.1.1.1.1

            It does surprise and disappoint me that RNZ and others present him this way. Surely they know who he works for.

    • ghostrider888 1.2

      “we” were discussing last evening how all the corporate forces came to bear on the NZPower proposal; pretty blatent “opposition”

  2. “Over at Kiwiblog David Farrar’s having a big cry about the Greens”

    That’s because he takes the coin from his masters purse and earns it word for word for word.
    His type are the first to run.

    • Tim 2.1

      “His type are the first to run.”

      Is that a typo? I’d have said his Hype are the first to run.

      They’re all having a fucking big cry about the Greens – if only because they realise they’ve probably overdone the goodwill the Lektrit has given them, and probably even overspent their political capital. (Pardon the offensive terminology)

      I’m really hoping they (the Keystone Coppers, the MSM, the Farrars, the absolute lot of ’em) stick to their respective agendas: The – MSM (where growing numbers are finding it hard to take them seriously); The National Party (and affiliates) – where its becoming increasingly obvious to a growing number of the ‘all’ that they are basically self-serving (not unlike previous oppositions however – but never underestimate the desire of a Lektrit to throw the buggers out when they realise there’s a same shit-different stink at play); Nenny Statism; a long overdue realisation by Sleepy Hobbits that one faction stands for ‘corporate welfare’, whereas the other stands for ‘Social/Public/Voting-People/Mum-in Dead Vestas/JoeAvridge Welfare. (I.e. those that actually HAVE a vote – we’re not yet at the stage where corporations and the limited liability get a vote in the nature of a person – but I’m sure it woudn’t be that far off on Planet Koi).
      I’m not saying we (Hobbits awake, Koiwois, et al) but NAct are quite obviously running scared.
      IT’s a bugger dear ole Aaron has gone – I wonder whether he’s ekshly got the balls to go ferral.

      There’s all this fear and loathing going on by those trying to (for example) justify the Sky deal – and most other shonkey shit the money trader has had a hand in.

      Joyce, Key, and ALL his minions can scream foul as much as they like. They can even try their best to lock future democratically elected governments in to regimes that attempt to ensure their will.

      Any new gubbamint, and one with balls, duly elected, and with a mandate has various means to unravel the likes of Key’s ideological imperative.
      It could be done (abiding by whatever ‘deals they strike’) – unless the beneficiaries of such deals are prepared to forgo any semblance of being within democratically elected sovereign territory.

      (Hint – one simple way is via a Sovereign Nation-State’s right to raise taxes – something someone elsewhere on this site has alluded to). IT could also be done in a way that the defenders of democratic principles couldn’t possibly object to its implementation.

      What side do you want to be on Mr Key?
      (Awe, yea, but Nah, I’m comfortable going forward).

      My only concern is that the current opposition ‘leadership’ (and I use that word with reservation), doesn’t have the balls or readiness to implement the necessary at short notice – as was the case when Muldoon was about to fall. I sincerely hope they have a plan – logistical and strategic.

    • Paul 2.2

      Maybe if the Greens win, people like Farrar and will decide to leave New Zealand and inflict their odious world views on others.

    • Ennui 2.3

      Let me tell you, Cassius, you yourself are much condemned to have an itching palm, To sell and mart your offices for gold to undeservers.

  3. vto 3

    Farrar’s point on this is the ultimate in hypocrisy….. and uselessness…..

    This far right government is legislating to overturn not just a contract of an earlier government but an entire law, The Gambling Whatsitsname Act 2003.

    And yep, the right’s entire philosophy around business and investment has been proved impotent. Example, having to give the NZX people a government-owned business so they having something worthwhile to invest in. Pathetic pussies.

    I mean, if the business world was as good as government in creating wealth it would have created its own electricity companies. They’ve had 30 years or more to do so. The bloody “assets” (i.e. the dams) are all valued up in these things so no cry about having to build such a big thing. (exactly like the dairy industry – also on the tit of government)

    But they haven’t. New Zealand business has not created any of the serious wealth on the NZX, they just leach off it. Leach off the government, like big sookie cry babies who need nanny government to hold their widdle hand.

    They are by any measure more bludging than the biggest beneficiary in the land.

    Bwoody bwudging business sqwealing my pwoperty wights, my pwroperty wights, they bwoody make me thick.

    • Tim 3.1

      I’m glad you characterise this bugger’s muddle that’s called a government as “far right”.

      Everywhere, it’s referred to as ‘centre right’, yet if you actually look at the incremental (but very consistent) changes, it’d be the closest thing to a fascist government I’ve ever come across in 50 years.

      • karol 3.1.1

        Yep.

      • Myrlock 3.1.2

        The closest thing to fascist government i have ever come across.

      • Paul 3.1.3

        The people defining it as centre right as extreme right.

      • SpaceMonkey 3.1.4

        Agreed!

        • Tim 3.1.4.1

          Many on here (the last time I made the comment that this gubbamint was the closest thing to fascism I’ve ever seen) disagreed, arguing that the Nationalist element was missing.
          What I reckon they fail to realise is that there IS an ultra-nationalism at play. That nationalism is simply “corporate nationalism” – or “the Corporate Nation”. Funny (strange funny) really in that its disciples are usually those that object to the concepts of a Maori Nation, or The Nation of Islam – collective affinities and cultures that can exist within geographic spaces – often legally defined entities called States. I often despair about the Middle East situation and what is described as a 2 state solution. What they really mean is a 2 nation solution with (or without) a single state.
          Even more depressing is that, just like the last wave of fascism, citizenry failed to wake up till well after it had bitten them in the bum.
          Apathy is the Corporate Nation’s greatest friend.

      • Populuxe1 3.1.5

        Why? Were you in a coma for the Muldoon years? No, the current crop of Nats, wheile many loathesome things, aren’t Far Right, not by any stretch of the imagination. The American Democrats are Far RIght compared to National (even with ACT in tow).

    • Murray Olsen 3.2

      Can’t argue with such cogently expressed sentiment.

  4. Anne 4

    Love your title IB. Says it all. He’s always reminded me of a spoilt brat.

  5. Alanz 5

    I’m waiting for the other David, apparently the leader of a major opposition party, to speak out.

  6. Wayne 6

    Irish Bill,

    Legislating against a specific agreement, without compensation (as opposed to say increasing taxes, increasing social provision, implementing Power Co, expanding KiwiSaver or a host of similar things) is not a centre position. It is a far left position. Actually quite similar to Venezuela or Argentina.

    And I might add I thought that the comparison of Power Co to North Korea was not tenable. It seemed to me to be a quite conventional social democratic position and would not really surprise other nations like us, or the capital markets. It would be simply priced in, as indeed it was.

    I guess that is why Labour has not immediately endorsed the Greens view. They will know the risk to New Zealand’s reputation.

    • vto 6.1

      “Legislating against a specific agreement, without compensation (as opposed to say increasing taxes, increasing social provision, implementing Power Co, expanding KiwiSaver or a host of similar things) is not a centre position. It is a far left position. Actually quite similar to Venezuela or Argentina.”

      So by your brainless logic, legislating FOR a specific agreement is actually a far right position, which is exactly what people have been saying about this government for a long time. That it is like a Chile or a USA.

      ffs

      • Ed 6.1.1

        I think the Labour Party and the Greens are playing this one very well. Some needed to hear that the deal will be dealt to – others need to hear that this will not be done in a way that costs us a lot of money – or just as valuable in terms of reputation risk. As others have pointed out, there are other ways of achieving the objective, but there is no point in talking them through before the current deal is clearer and cannot be changed. Even a foreshortened parliamentary process will give opportunities for the stupidity of this policy to be clearly spelled out.

      • Populuxe1 6.1.2

        It’s no more absurd than characterising Fonterra as a socialist collective.

        • Colonial Viper 6.1.2.1

          it’s a capitalist suppliers collective. And a very effective, profitable one.

        • vto 6.1.2.2

          .

          it’s a collective pop, that’s the point about fonterra

          it is obviously worth replicating over all the new zealand landscape, not just the farming landscape

    • karol 6.2

      “the risk to New Zealand’s reputation” with whom?

      I can’t say I’m proud to be in a country that does such a dirty deal, enabling money laundering, and not creating anything productive or useful to the majority of Kiwis, while leeching off some of the most vulnerable.

      Would only that this government would put so much effort into building the affordable housing that so many low income Kiwis need now?

      I can’t tell you how disgusted I am with this deal.

      Not proud to be an Aucklander right now, either.

      • thatguynz 6.2.1

        +1 Hear hear. I gave up being a proud New Zealander in a political or economic sense quite some time ago. Our government was subjugated and nobody seemed to give a damn (and the vast majority still don’t).. If anyone believes that they serve us, the people then I have an igloo to sell you in Hawaii..

        What “representative democracy” had turned into in New Zealand is an unadulterated disgrace and quite frankly is simply disgusting.

        • Grantoc 6.2.1.1

          Your sanctimonious hysteria is laughable.

          If you really believe that “representative democracy ….. is an unadulterated disgrace and quite frankly disgusting” in NZ etc etc ; there is a solution – you could go and find your Green/Socialist paradise elsewhere.

          Maybe North Korea fits the bill? They even call themselves the Democratic Republic of North Korea. Tailor made for you.

          • Colonial Viper 6.2.1.1.1

            You speak of sanctimonious hysteria in your first paragraph.

            And finish with North Korea in your last.

            The irony (stupidity) I can’t decide which.

          • One Anonymous Knucklehead 6.2.1.1.2

            Grantoc, you tinpot wanker, where do you get off telling NZ citizens to leave the country? What a piece of trash.

            • Grantoc 6.2.1.1.2.1

              Well, you are living proof my point Knucklehead.

              No rational well argued counter argument from you. Simply a hysterical torrent of abuse when a point of view is expressed that you disagree with.

              How can you be taken seriously?

              Cheers

              [lprent: Perhaps if you’d made an effort and made an “rational well argued” argument that was more than the ravings of a complete fuckwit irrelevantly raving about North Korea, you’d actually get a counter argument. At present I have you pegged as a simple flame troll. Read the policy and consider that you just got your second warning.

              And please stop waving your dick around – that is something you could do on Whaleoil with the other people whose brain resides in a shrivelled pale blue phallus. ]

              • One Anonymous Knucklehead

                To merit a counter-argument you’d need to have made an argument in the first place, instead of telling people to leave the country like some sort of frustrated meter maid.

                I’m quite happy with the way my comment expresses my contempt for you, thanks.

    • IrishBill 6.3

      Legislating against a specific agreement, without compensation (as opposed to say increasing taxes, increasing social provision, implementing Power Co, expanding KiwiSaver or a host of similar things) is not a centre position. It is a far left position. Actually quite similar to Venezuela or Argentina.

      And that, Wayne, is the exactly the argument we’ve heard from the right again and again. The problem is, you can’t have a centrist social democratic mixed economy when everything has been locked into a neoliberal paradigm by a series of contractual arrangements. Unless you bust those arrangements.

      Like David, you’re suffering from a failure of imagination – just because you believe in the ultimate sanctity of contract doesn’t make it a natural fact. Indeed, you should have considered the long-term implications of your actions when you (and other right-wing governments) tried to use that notion to lock in unpopular and divisive economic policies.

      I guess that is why Labour has not immediately endorsed the Greens view. They will know the risk to New Zealand’s reputation.

      OMG. Are you saying we might slip from being the second best country in the world to do business in to the 10th??? That we might find it a tiny bit harder to borrow money to fuel our housing bubble??? And all we’d get in return is some economic sovereignty and a more egalitarian society??? Well bugger me, maybe you’re right. Or maybe you’re just invoking the might of international capital to keep your legacy of economic disparity intact. You know, like I said you would.

    • Pascal's bookie 6.4

      Wayne, what seems to me to be different about this deal is that one side of it is regulatory.

      Joyce was on the radio comparing it to other contracts governments enter into, like road building, or what-have-you, but that strikes me as being different in terms of the nature of the deal.

      The government has been quite clear about the benefit of this deal being that the crown isn’t having to pony up any dosh, which just highlights how different it is to a road construction.

      Instead this deal is around the regulatory environment in which the casino expects to operate in for the thick end of half a century. It does seem problematic to me that the government is cutting a deal which, on the face of it, just exempts a company from whatever an elected government might choose to do.

      The pokies is the least of it. What if the cashless systems are used for money laundering, as they are in many other places? We will have to compensate SkyCity, who has already had issues with the, ahem, seedier parts of the economy, if we want to clean it up?

      The icing on the cake was seeing the casino boss on the TV talking about how difficult it is to deal with regulatory risk. Almost as if running a casino involves a bit of a gamble.

      Another point is that this deal pays for the convention centre via externalities. If the centre is not economic for the owner, but would be beneficial for the city, then the way to fund it should either be through a tax or ratepayer subsidy, or via finding out who the beneficiaries are of the economic growth and targeting them via a levy of some sort. This is not only clearly a case of government picking winners, but of hidden transfers.

      At the end of the day, we have gambling regulations for reasons. If those reasons are shit, then we should get rid of the regs. But if we do not want to get rid of the regulations because we think they actually serve a good purpose, then this deal is can only be seen as a corruption of those regulations in order to give wealth to selected individuals.

      In which case the risk of that corruption being messed with by a future government is a risk the casino has taken on with its eyes wide open. If they can’t afford to lose, they shouldnae fucking gamble.

    • ghostrider888 6.5

      it’s NZPower, get off the Mapp.

  7. “I’m the Queen and I can do what I bloody well like!” ~ Blackadder

    The old adage that the king can do no wrong means that if the king does do wrong then he is no longer rightfully the king, and no duty exists to obey him.

    “If a law is unjust, a man is not only right to disobey it, he is obligated to do so.” ~ Thomas Jefferson.

  8. Dv 8

    Property rights was the argument used by the slavers against abolishing slavery!!!

  9. Making fun of someone with a speech impediment.

    Real Classy guys.

    • IrishBill 9.1

      He’s got a speech impediment? I can’t say I’d noticed that – I was simply aping the tory-boy stereotype to underscore his petulance. I think you’re letting your political correctness get a wee bit carried away there, Brett.

      • Daveo 9.1.1

        INCWEASTHE?!

      • Brett Dale 9.1.2

        He was born with it, as a child, your making fun of it? What’s next, make fun of a kid with classes, because he doesnt support your ideology? make fun of a fat kid?

        Cheap shots will get you nowhere.

        • IrishBill 9.1.2.1

          There’s a certain type of rightie who seems incapable of getting the right end of the stick. Burt’s another. I think of you two as the Rosencrantz and Guildenstern of the Standard. Stoppard’s R&G, not Shakespeare’s.

          • Brett Dale 9.1.2.1.1

            If a right wing website made fun of someone’s speech impediment you would be up in arms. I also don’t get your reference. So your just blabbing to yourself.

            • IrishBill 9.1.2.1.1.1

              It may come as a shock to you, Brett, but I’m not all PC like you are. Which is why I can point out that the reason you don’t get my reference is because you’re thick.

              • If you have to explain it, its clearly not funny or clever.

                • geoff

                  If only ya mum had been a bit further off the ground when she dropped you on your head, Brett…

                • felix

                  Then you’ll be delighted to learn that Irish doesn’t have to explain it, won’t you Brett?

                • Clockie

                  If you were a bit more clever he wouldn’t have to explain it. Better still, if you had any intellectual fire in your belly (also known as curiosity) you’d go and look up the reference. Why not. It’s easy. A few key strokes away. Why stay ignorant all your life?

        • felix 9.1.2.2

          “What’s next, make fun of a kid with classes, because he doesnt support your ideology? make fun of a fat kid?”

          That’s just Farrar again, the tubby little speccy tory fuck.

          And Bwett, putting on a toffee-nosed tory-boy accent isn’t making fun of anyone’s impediment, unless you think being a toffee-nosed tory-boy is an impediment. Which I happen to think it is in many ways but I’m surprised to see you agree.

          • The Al1en 9.1.2.2.1

            “That’s just Farrar again, the tubby little speccy tory fuck.”

            My quote of the day 😆

            • ghostrider888 9.1.2.2.1.1

              Don’t let the sun go down, You and I, Long Away, on Philadelphia freedom; London, Paris, Rome…tonights the longest night!

          • Brett Dale 9.1.2.2.2

            Felix:

            Im pro choice, pro gay marriage, anti war, believe in climate change, how am i right wing?

            • felix 9.1.2.2.2.1

              I don’t know, Brett. Maybe that’s why I didn’t say anything of the sort.

            • Clockie 9.1.2.2.2.2

              You reckon that’s all there is to it Brett? Nothing else? Sure you can’t think of something else that makes up the difference between “right”and “left”??

              Clue: The things you’ve mentioned have to do with personal liberty and well being. They have very little to do with what the individual owes society in return, or what members of society owe each other. There’s a famous phrase, how does it go? Perhaps you can help me out here..

              • Thats what she said???

                • Clockie

                  As I thought, a deep and reflective thinker.

                  Honestly Brett, I can’t figure out why you bother. You’re clearly proud of being intellectually lazy and I doubt if you’ve developed an intimate relationship with very many books for grown ups. What do you get out of spouting facile rubbish when even you know that’s all it is. Has it occurred to you that you may have a malnourished brain buried deep in there somewhere and it’s really unfair not to feed it something now and again.

                • Populuxe1

                  Give up, Brett – they’re stuck on a vertical model of socialism that went out with Marx and class consciousness.

          • Grantoc 9.1.2.2.3

            The abusive intolerance and bigotry of the so called liberal left is sometimes breathtaking in its hypocracy – as extremely well demonstrated by you felix

            Actually your statement demonstrates the kind of thinking one would more typically associate with facist Germany.

            [lprent: Another day, and another fool projecting their prejudices on how others should act. Plus proving Godwin right yet again. What is the betting that he will also prove to be another fuckwit obsessed by the sexual practices of others.

            After all reading what individuals actually say and responding to them is obviously too difficult for a dipshit like Grantoc when it is so much easier to not think and to wander down the well worn paths of simple minded stupid bigotry. And I can see why. Writing in the Grantoc style sneering at myths with pompous blustering is so so much easier than dealing with actual reality.

            Anyone care to take bets on how soon this fool hits a policy problem. ]

            • Colonial Viper 9.1.2.2.3.1

              Meh don’t take the moral high ground unless you deserve it mate. And WTF do you know about “fascist Germany” Mr Godwin?

      • Tim 9.1.3

        My daughter-in-law tells me he does, and apparently it used to be so bad as to totally prevent speech. So while he’s to be admired for overcoming that impediment, it’s a shame its not put to better use.

        Ah…. I see Karol’s cracked it at 9.4 below

    • vto 9.2

      he is not acting as a someone in this setting mr dale he is acting as a puppet, a stooged stool, a paid mouthpiece working strenuously to do such things as;

      increase the number of gamblers in the country

      decrease the kiwi ownership of assets

      cut wage levels and workers conditions

      refuse increased maternity leave, all while at the same time………

      handing out $400million to dairy farmers

      dumping on democracy to hand out consents to dairy farmers

      handing out $1,700,000,000 to scf investors

      give himself taxcuts

      … on it goes….

      so he is not ‘someone’ in this context, he is part of an entity actively working / conspiring to make substantial change to people’s lives.
      i think the gloves generally come off when peoples lives are threatened like that.

      • Brett Dale 9.2.1

        Well go after, what he is doing, why take cheap shots?

      • Tim 9.2.2

        It’s also a shame he doesn’t appear to be so concerned about the ‘property rights’ of those being displaced, and under-compensated as the result of things such as RoNS on the Kapiti Coast (and presumably elsewhere). Somehow I guess he’d argue a greater good in such cases. I wish he’d try that on in this case.

    • joe90 9.3

      Speech impediment my arse – roundy boy’s simpering whine would do justice to a Dwaine B.Tinsley character.

      • Brett Dale 9.3.1

        name calling huh? Why not just call him four eyes?

        • ak 9.3.1.1

          That’s lovely Bretty, now off to bed my man, big day tomorrow, don’t want to miss Aaron Utu eh? Nigh nigh wee fella

          • Brett Dale 9.3.1.1.1

            Couldnt care less about his Aaron, just counting down the days till the very last office, not what some lazy politician who never help those in the redzone, is going to do in his final speech.

    • karol 9.4

      Farrar does have a speech disability. If I recall correctly, I thought he had dyspraxia.

      ie a problem in pronouncing words. He has said he sometimes uses his second or third choice of word when speaking as he couldn’t be certain he could pronounce his first choice correctly. It is not something to be laughed at.

      This is different from the rhotacism Irish uses in the post’s title.

      It can be the result of a difficulty with pronouncing R’s specifically, but is also an affectation historically used by Brit upper-class fops. Also, it’s associated with prolonged childhood as many children take a while to learn to pronounce their Rs.

      • Anne 9.4.1

        an affectation historically used by Brit upper-class fops.

        This reminds me of an Elizabethan party I attended many years ago. It took place in a rather shabby little castle on the outskirts of London and was full of upper class toffs who talked exactly as karol has described. They were draped over mantlepieces and sprawled in exaggerated ‘relaxed’ poses over chairs and couches and they constantly laughed loudly at precisely nothing. I kept my mouth shut for fear my Kiwi accent would send them hysterical and escaped at the first opportunity.

      • Ed 9.4.2

        I have listened to Farrar often enough on the National programme in the afternoons on National Radio. He has a particualr New Zealand accent, and is inclined to be a bit precious, but I don;t think he has a noticeable speech impediment, or dispraxia. I didn’t see the title as pointing to such issues either – Farrar is a typical National person that confuses basic concepts for his own ends, and adopts a special NAct vocabulary when it suits. Perhaps I have missed the point.

        • karol 9.4.2.1

          I had noticed previously that Farrar has an unusual way of speaking. I heard him talking about his speech disability on The Panel on RNZ one afternoon when I was driving. He was paying homage to the elderly speech therapist who had helped him manage, and largely overcome, his disability in his younger days.

          He said he still sometimes avoids using words, and selects an alternative, if he can’t be sure that he will be able to pronounce them correctly. He has to practice pronouncing words he hasn’t used before/a lot, before he can be confident in using them.

          But Brett is using this as a diversion from the affected upper class speech parodied in the title – it’s something that a load of people in affect whether or not they have a speech disability – the vast majority of those posing toffs don’t have any speech disability.

    • geoff 9.5

      And he looks like the penguin! If ever there was a person whose revolting personality was matched by their physical appearance it would be David Farrar. What a scumbag!

      Are you up in arms because you’re an ugly muthafucker as well, Brett?

      If your looks matched your personality then you must resemble one of the characters from the Mos Eisley cantina.

      • Brett Dale 9.5.1

        Geoff:

        Well I do make billy bob thorton look like brad pitt and have been told I look like flea from the red hot chilli peppers.

        But what does looks have to do with what he is saying.

        Its a cheap shot to make fun of a speech impediment because you don’t like a guys politics.

        • geoff 9.5.1.1

          Cheap shot? Who fucking cares, Farrar should be shot with a ball of his own shit and dropped from a helicopter onto white island with Steven Joyce and Tony Ryall strapped to him.

          • Brett Dale 9.5.1.1.1

            Thats a slight overreaction.

            • geoff 9.5.1.1.1.1

              No, it’s a fucking great idea for stimulating the tourism industry!

              Come to NZ, drop scumbag, thieving torys from a chopper into the belching heart of an active volcano!

              I think those high net-wealth, socialist leaning, Chinese tourists would love to have a go at that.

              • Arfamo

                “Thats a slight overreaction.”

                Ok, Fair enough. Farrar should be shot with a ball of his own shit and dropped from a helicopter onto white island with Steven Joyce and Paula Bennett strapped to him. Is that about the right level of reaction?

        • felix 9.5.1.2

          Nobody made fun of his speech impediment Brett.

          If you think someone did, then point it out.

          • Brett Dale 9.5.1.2.1

            The title of this post.

            • felix 9.5.1.2.1.1

              …does not refer to a speech impediment.

              Think about it Brett. Imagine Farrar saying “Property rights”. It sounds nothing like the title of the post, does it?

              Know why?

    • tricledrown 9.6

      brett thwats wot hapens wen yu r born width a silber spoon in your mouth

  10. Paul 10

    Brave of you to read Kiwiblog.
    Dangerous to spend too long in the sewers

  11. Draco T Bastard 11

    Should anyone have the right to affect you without your say so?

    Bye, bye property rights, hello human rights.

  12. georgecom 12

    The Nats line is that they have a mandate from the last election to sell state assets. They were voted into Govt with a policy which entitles them to enact the sales.

    So, if a political party has a policy to repeal the pokies for sale deal, and gets elected, then it too has a mandate to enact its policy.

    Simple really, just apply Davids rationale to the situation and he has little to grizzle about.

    As for property rights, the Nats have breached property rights with their sale of out assets. The assets are ours and belong to us as a nation. The nats have shown little respect for our property rights as they go ahead with the first of several sales.

    Suddenly however Farrar is moaning about property right being breached. Funny how he can’t seemingly apply a logical argument across the political spectrum.

    • UpandComer 12.1

      You don’t know what property rights are. What the Greens want to do is akin to the govt legislating to come in and take your motorbike which used to belong to the post office. It’s not your property if you don’t have the right of refusal. You ‘owned’ the public power companies in the same way you ‘own’ public toilets outside your local. You derive some benefit from them, you use them, but you don’t bloody own them. Keep saying it, and it still sounds just as stupid as the first time.

      As to above posters calling this govt ‘fascist’ one thing about fascist govts is that they ignore property rights, electoral law, the general law, make legal what is/was illegal to punish their political opponents, and turn the public service into their partisan creature. That would be Labour, even without the malign influence of the Greens, who basically want to destroy the economy. I even give Labour credit that they don’t want to destroy the economy as a matter of principle even if they will through unintended consequences.

      • One Anonymous Knucklehead 12.1.1

        What nonsense! As though a regulatory environment were a piece of property to be bought and sold!

        What about the property rights of the other bidders, disadvantaged by Key’s insider trading? It’s time to send a clear message that corrupt back room deals by the National Party don’t bind Parliament.

      • Colonial Viper 12.1.2

        Without any concept of the commons, or what the “economy” actually entails, your half assed musings are barely just quarter-assed.

  13. Pete 13

    It doesn’t even have to be a reversal of the license. How about an increase in the casino duty? At present, it only stands at 4% . Now the Nats tell us that 15% is an entirely reasonable tax to pay on most transactions, so surely no-one, aside from the casinos, would find such a rate too objectionable.

    IANA accountant, butin 2012, Sky City paid $62 million in casino duties, and returned a total profit of $179 million before income tax. If the casino levy were at the same level as GST and all other things being equal, they would have suffered a loss of $50 million.

    Let them keep their precious license. Tax them into oblivion.

    • Lanthanide 13.1

      Yeah, I thought about that too. The clause is apparently about changes to the gambling laws. So don’t touch the gambling laws, but get them through other avenues.

      • One Anonymous Knucklehead 13.1.1

        No. The National Party and Sky City have entered into a corrupt arrangement. Annulling that arrangement will send a message that you can buy the National Party as much as you like: Parliament will not be bound by bribery and insider trading.

        • Colonial Viper 13.1.1.1

          Correct. Odious arrangements like this which disadvantage the peoples of an entire nation can be swept away as unconstitutional and illegitimate.

  14. xtasy 14

    Let David “Farrarcious” cling to his “property” or “domain rights” at his damned “Kiwiblock”(head) forum. If anyone does not sing from his songbook, one soon gets some subtle and not so subtle messages noted underneath comments, something like “demerit” points, and if he gets too uptight, he just blocks people from posting there.

    That is the mindset of a control freak of sorts, who wants to have things go his way, or the way of the party he favours, and we know which one that is.

    So property rights, and contracts binding through generations, he seems to think as being right.

    That basically could mean as much as valididating slave contracts too then, could it not? Democracy does mean something else. Well, maybe some compensation could be expected, but such matters could likely be looked at by the courts, to see what is “reasonable” and what is not.

    Having a government hand out and grant licence exptensions to a time a generation away, that is not what I consider reasonable. What about the sovereign, being the people who vote governments and representatives in and out?

    In some subtle way I see “Farrarcious” expose himself as being not so democratic after all.

    And all this now seems to depend on the man with the towering, greying hairdo, trying to be so fashionable and liberal and “sensible” again? Well, he was not damned sensible when voting for the damned draconian welfare reforms and other laws to go through Parliament. And he fiddles with stupid regulations and rules on synthetic freely available drugs, rather than perhaps show common sense and decriminalise the natural stimulant to possession of a small, acceptable amount for own use (by adults).

    Gosh, sigh, this country is sinking into the bottomless mire-pit deeper by the day, is there any hope, are there any thousands assembling in the streets to take a stand? I hear nothing, I see none, I expect none.

    Good night and sleep fast, as soon the sun rises for another day in servitude.

    • tracey 14.1

      “So property rights, and contracts binding through generations, he seems to think as being right.” Except the Treaty f Waitangi which many of his readers/posters think is outmoded and needs to go…

    • Populuxe1 14.2

      “That is the mindset of a control freak of sorts, who wants to have things go his way, or the way of the party he favours, and we know which one that is.”

      Well goodness me, that’s just about everyone here, too

  15. The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 15

    “Prwoperty rwights”.

    It’s so funny when you say it with that speech impediment. It enables us all to laugh at just how silly property rights are.

    Can you do any others? I can’t wait to hear your maori, or perhaps that little gay voice with a hiss in the end?

    • xtasy 15.1

      I am sure that there are some “others” fitting “fools” with funny names.

    • One Anonymous Knucklehead 15.2

      Do you read it as a speech impediment? I think it mimics the sort of childish whinging that passes for wingnut logic.

      • The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 15.2.1

        It’s silly to whine over property rights. These are not rights at all. I laugh every time I think about them.

        • One Anonymous Knucklehead 15.2.1.1

          Property rights? This is about insider trading and sleaze. What about the property rights of the other bidders who were unfairly and illegally disadvantaged by John Key’s corrupt business practices?

          • The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 15.2.1.1.1

            Don’t be silly. This is a brilliant plan that will make us all rich. We get every government employee to be paid one month in arrears. Then we change the rules on the day before they are paid and get all of their labour for free! If they complain, we tell them: Parliament is sovereign! Don’t you believe in democracy, you wingnuts!. [BTW, I love using the word “wingnut”, as it is both insulting and funny]. We use that money to buy everyone in New Zealand as many ponchos as they want. Ponchos are both practical and stylish.

            We can do this for, what do you reckon, at least three months?

            • One Anonymous Knucklehead 15.2.1.1.1.1

              What about the property rights of the bidders who were disadvantaged by John Key’s corrupt business practices?

              • prism

                OAK True. To prepare an offer to dd\eal takes a lot of time, expertise, and so costs large. Joyce this morning chortling about the silly Greens and Labour – well he just can’t believe how silly they are- is so mendacious.

              • The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell

                No, One Anonymous Knucklehead, there are no such thing as property rights. Only wingnuts (gets me every time) think there are, and we all know how crazy they are.

                What we want is the government involved in the detail of every transaction going on in the country, so as to provide jobs and prosperity for all. I personally hate it when they do nothing, as it shows they do not care. On this basis they should own all parts of the economy and direct everything that is happening. Except, of course, until they do, when we will decry them for entering into such deals.

                Surely, it’s not much to ask.

                • One Anonymous Knucklehead

                  Well, the National Party was involved in this deal from go to whoa, and they trampled all over the property rights of the other bidders in a manifestly flawed process, so I’m not sure where you’re going with that.

                  • The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell

                    I hope you are not falling for that property rights, thing, One Anonymous Knucklehead. You know, I call them “Pwoperty Rwights” to indicate my disdain for the whole concept. After the always classic “wingnut”, it is my favourite expression.

                    If it is better for the people of New Zealand for the government to trample over pwroperty rwights, surely you see, it should do this.

                    That’s all the Nats have done to the other bidders, who were probably rich already anyway. Why should we care about them?

                    • One Anonymous Knucklehead

                      Why? For the same reason that we uphold property rights, which far from disdaining, I am advocating should apply equally to all, not just The National Party’s clients.

                      I note that the “property” being bought and sold in this transaction is the law, and the old adage which holds that when law is for sale the first thing to be bought will be legislators.

                    • The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell

                      I thought you were disdaining them. Especially when you said: I think it mimics the sort of childish whinging that passes for wingnut logic. I loved that bit. It cleverly used my favourite put-down (wingnut) while, at the same time, saying that pwoperty rwights (which I also hate) were illogical.

                      It was like a double-whammy of genius.

                      Give us more like that and keep ’em coming.

                    • One Anonymous Knucklehead

                      Looks like the point sailed right over your head.

                      How can this be about property when the contract is for the sale of a regulatory environment?

                      How can this be about property rights when the property rights of the other bidders are being undermined?

                      The use of the phrase “prwopety rwights” is a gesture of ridicule and contempt aimed at David Farrar, not an acknowledgement that he has a valid argument. Can you see the difference?

                      .

                    • The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell

                      When I said “keep ’em coming” I dared not hope for the skill and elan that you have subsequently displayed. You have exceeded my already high expectations. Accept my heartiest congratulations.

                      In answer to your questions:

                      1. How can this be about property when the contract is for the sale of a regulatory environment?

                      As always, you are absolutely correct. Anyone who says that a future government accepting the benefit of a $450m Convention Centre but welshing on their side of the deal, really does not understand prwoperty rwights. $450m is not, on any reasonable definition, prwoperty.

                      2. How can this be about property rights when the property rights of the other bidders are being undermined?

                      There were simply too many references to property rights in your question for me to be able to process it. Irishbill and I are agreed that there are no prwoperty rights. For anyone.

                      3. The use of the phrase “prwopety rwights” is a gesture of ridicule and contempt aimed at David Farrar, not an acknowledgement that he has a valid argument. Can you see the difference?

                      Yeah, Farrar, wanker. He thinks there are pwoperty rwights. And there aren’t.

                    • One Anonymous Knucklehead

                      Yep, you’ve got nothing. hence the attempt to distract and divert.

                    • One Anonymous Knucklehead

                      “…officials effectively worked with SkyCity for some months, giving detailed feedback and engaging in some preliminary negotiations, while the other proposers were kept on hold and given very little information”

                      Auditor General’s report.

                    • Tracey

                      It is no more an abuse of democracy (as Joyce calls it) for the greens to suggest they will reverse legislation to overturn a commercial contract thanit is for a party to use a slim majority to grant an excessive deal to a party that cannot be undone (democratically) without much financial hardship. By extending the licence so extremely Joyce has overridden the very democratic process he is squealing at the Greens about.

                      Where is the report that says Auckland needs this conference centre? Are the projections of income and what-have-you the same as for the World Cup of Rugby (ie grossly inflated). Now if sky city wants to pay for the rail loop…. that MIGHT require something thinking from a public interest point of view.

    • tracey 15.3

      “that little gay voice with a hiss in the end?” Do you mean that strong teeth sucking noise the PM made on TV3 news last night when he finished speaking???

  16. tracey 16

    It is no more an abuse of democracy (as Joyce calls it) for the greens to suggest they will reverse legislation to overturn a commercial contract thanit is for a party to use a slim majority to grant an excessive deal to a party that cannot be undone (democratically) without much financial hardship. By extending the licence so extremely Joyce has overridden the very democratic process he is squealing at the Greens about.

    Where is the report that says Auckland needs this conference centre? Are the projections of income and what-have-you the same as for the World Cup of Rugby (ie grossly inflated). Now if sky city wants to pay for the rail loop…. that MIGHT require something thinking from a public interest point of view.

  17. joe90 17

    Speaking of speech impediments – have a wee giggle about vocal fry, the teen speak of Bridges and Coleman.

  18. Lionel 18

    My sentiments precisely

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

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

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

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    PunditBy Tim Watkin
    5 days ago
  • Solutions Interview: Steven Hail on MMT & ecological economics

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    The KakaBy Steven Hail
    5 days ago
  • Reported back

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    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Vandrad the Viking, Christopher Coombes, and Literary Archaeology

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    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On The Biden Withdrawal

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    An experimental vineyard which will help futureproof the wine sector has been opened in Blenheim by Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson. The covered vineyard, based at the New Zealand Wine Centre – Te Pokapū Wāina o Aotearoa, enables controlled environmental conditions. “The research that will be produced at the Experimental ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Funding confirmed for regions affected by North Island Weather Events

    The Coalition Government has confirmed the indicative regional breakdown of North Island Weather Event (NIWE) funding for state highway recovery projects funded through Budget 2024, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Regions in the North Island suffered extensive and devastating damage from Cyclone Gabrielle and the 2023 Auckland Anniversary Floods, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Indonesian Foreign Minister to visit

    Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, will visit New Zealand next week, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.   “Indonesia is important to New Zealand’s security and economic interests and is our closest South East Asian neighbour,” says Mr Peters, who is currently in Laos to engage with South East Asian partners. ...
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    1 day ago
  • Strengthening partnership with Ngāti Maniapoto

    He aha te kai a te rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the aspirations of Ngāti Maniapoto, Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka says. “My thanks to Te Nehenehenui Trust – Ngāti Maniapoto for bringing their important kōrero to a ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Transport Minister thanks outgoing CAA Chair

    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has thanked outgoing Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority, Janice Fredric, for her service to the board.“I have received Ms Fredric’s resignation from the role of Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority,” Mr Brown says.“On behalf of the Government, I want to thank Ms Fredric for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Test for Customary Marine Title being restored

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    The Government has welcomed news the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has begun work to replace nine priority bridges across the country to ensure our state highway network remains resilient, reliable, and efficient for road users, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“Increasing productivity and economic growth is a key priority for the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Update on global IT outage

    Acting Prime Minister David Seymour has been in contact throughout the evening with senior officials who have coordinated a whole of government response to the global IT outage and can provide an update. The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has designated the National Emergency Management Agency as the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New Zealand, Japan renew Pacific partnership

    New Zealand and Japan will continue to step up their shared engagement with the Pacific, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “New Zealand and Japan have a strong, shared interest in a free, open and stable Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says.    “We are pleased to be finding more ways ...
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    1 week ago
  • New infrastructure energises BOP forestry towns

    New developments in the heart of North Island forestry country will reinvigorate their communities and boost economic development, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones visited Kaingaroa and Kawerau in Bay of Plenty today to open a landmark community centre in the former and a new connecting road in ...
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    1 week ago
  • 'Pacific Futures'

    President Adeang, fellow Ministers, honourable Diet Member Horii, Ambassadors, distinguished guests.    Minasama, konnichiwa, and good afternoon, everyone.    Distinguished guests, it’s a pleasure to be here with you today to talk about New Zealand’s foreign policy reset, the reasons for it, the values that underpin it, and how it ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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