Reaction to harassed waitress story

Written By: - Date published: 12:30 pm, April 22nd, 2015 - 183 comments
Categories: Abuse of power, john key, workers' rights - Tags: , , ,


https://twitter.com/real_Deity/status/590655923724640257


https://twitter.com/DavidSlack/status/590657034791559169
https://twitter.com/danylmc/status/590660252187648000


https://twitter.com/bootstheory/status/590654521241640960
https://twitter.com/MatthewHootonNZ/status/590628228991168514
https://twitter.com/MatthewHootonNZ/status/590630183650127874


https://twitter.com/DavidSlack/status/590658570141720576
https://twitter.com/mikekilpatrick/status/590651580539674625
https://twitter.com/danylmc/status/590668704876257280


https://twitter.com/Norman_Penaia/status/590667821954244608


https://twitter.com/MatthewHootonNZ/status/590709317151629313

183 comments on “Reaction to harassed waitress story ”

  1. I must correct my own tweet: I should have said primary school, not high school. The number of tweets I’ve had from parents saying “this wouldn’t be acceptable at my kid’s kindy” was significant.

    • Sabine 1.1

      actually it is in kindergarten or the sand box where boys are usually told not to pull girls hair.

    • Melanie Scott 1.2

      My godson’s little boy (18 months) pulled my granddaughter’s (2-and-a- half) hair when he stayed with us at Christmas. That boy is destined to become a prime minister I reckon.

  2. McFlock 2

    I think we can all expect grumpy key for the next few weeks. How long before an MP like Winston uses the phrases “splitting hairs” in the House, I wonder?

    Actually, it’s personal enough to Key that such comments would really piss him off. I think he’s already down on the job, making mistakes.

    • aerobubble 2.1

      He said sorry… not as pm… maybe for being a man…

    • Jim Nald 2.2

      The weirdo has to go. But who will be his heir [pun unintended] apparent?

      • McFlock 2.2.1

        some of my best friends are weirdos, of a variety of flavours.
        But they always are careful about consent.
        Feeding one’s fetish without the knowledge or consent of the other party is two kinds of wrong right there. Neither kind is the fetish itself.

  3. Jenn 3

    I just couldn’t believe he would be so silly! Thought the guest blogger was being mischievous.

    • Bill 3.1

      Not seeing it as ‘silly’. It’s a very creepy expression of entitlement, again….and again….and again.

    • Pat 4.1

      now that comment is bloody funny

    • Bill 4.2

      Hmm…’cept it’s about abusive, fucked up, creepy, immature behaviour; not about hair per-se. If the hair angle was to take off (effectively a belittling of the issues), the substantive matter of a PM’s repeatedly fucked up behaviour could get lost.

      He could have repeatedly sought to hold her hand, lay his hand on her, or any one of a number of things and it would have been the same shit . That he apparently has a hair fetish that many might find odd, is secondary to physically imposing one-self/violating someones space.

    • Alpha z 4.3

      ‘ i pull your pony, you now pull my pony!’ krazy kreep.

  4. Help me make “the RH John Kreeyp” nickname go viral 🙂

    “I’d be so not bored if I could touch that hair. How can I touch that hair?”

    RH John Kreeyp and his new twist on Dirty Politics

  5. Jim Nald 6

    An idea for public protest especially for when John Kreeyp is around :

    Activists, protesters and other participants should all wear ponytail extensions.

    Imagine Kreepy going into a major meltdown, turning into jelly, because he can’t contain himself and want to tug at every ponytail ?!

    Get the cameras rolling and smart phones ready please.

    Hmm, on second thoughts, maybe not a good idea. This might normalise and legitimise his creepiness.

  6. Charles 7

    The pouty reply by Hooten to Bradbury is intriguing…

    (interpreted for those unable to see)

    it’s not even good wine… everyone gets it… so don’t think you’re special, dont think you’re one of us, it doesn’t mean anything, don’t think it’s an apolo… DOH!”

    • Aaron 7.1

      Love how Hooten managed to set himself up for a slam there.

      Our culture lives by the rule that you always believe the person with the high status not the other way around. How long will it take us to learn that the exact opposite is true?

      • Murray Rawshark 7.1.1

        I’d learned it by the time I was 20. Most people never do. That’s why they get away with it. I doubt if Hooton actually believes or disbelieves. He just knows who has the money.

  7. saveNZ 8

    My favourite

    Honeytrap. Labour, Dotcom and Hager placed a pony-tailed waitress there to tempt Key.

    and

    @CitizenBomber giving someone wine isn’t evidence of anything. the whole cabinet and press gallery gets that wine.

    Hello, JK just apologised definitely true. Sort of, maybe, I can’t remember but if I did, i think I would apologise …

  8. Tracey 9

    Note Hoots goes from denial of veracity to was it against the law…

    No

    Moral

    Compass

    No

    Compassion for waitress

    • McFlock 9.1

      No basic legal knowledge, either.

      Yes it was against the law: both the summary offences act and the crimes act define assault as: assault means the act of intentionally applying or attempting to apply force to the person of another, directly or indirectly,[…]

      It could count as common assault (the least serious offence) under the summary offences act, or male assaults female under Crimes Act, but it would probably just be treated with a police warning or a discharge without conviction.
      But it’s still illegal.

      • Tracey 9.1.1

        Our police??!!???

        BUWAHAHAHAHA!

        maybe she could sue him under Tort Law

        “In common law, assault is the tort of acting intentionally, that is with either general or specific intent, causing the reasonable apprehension of an immediate harmful or offensive contact. Because assault requires intent, it is considered an intentional tort, as opposed to a tort of negligence.”

        “first, the plaintiff apprehended immediate physical contact, second, the plaintiff had reasonable apprehension (the requisite state of mind) and third, the defendant’s act of interference was intentional (the defendant intended the resulting apprehension). But intent for purposes of civil assault can be either general or specific. Specific intent means that when the defendant acted, he or she intended to cause apprehension of a harmful or unwanted contact. General intent means that the defendant knew with substantial certainty that the action would put someone in apprehension of a harmful or unwanted contact.”

    • jackp 9.2

      Hooten is an idiot. Key walks into a restaurant and gives the waitress 2 bottles of wine…. she isn’t the press nor the cabinet…Mathew Hooten not only gets his facts wrong, he defends the indefensible.

  9. Jim Nald 10

    Guess which lines would have been experimented/recycled and rejected by Chief of Staff Wayne Eagleson and Crosby Textor:

    * Labour did it too.

    * I did not pull the ponytail in my capacity as Prime Minister.

    * The PM’s Office did it.

    * I can’t recall.

    * She’s one ponytailer, and like lawyers, I can provide you with another one that will give you a counterview.

    * There’s probably a general view that ponytails are not overvalued.

    * I would not take everything these [people] say literally by any stretch of the imagination.

    * Well, look, at the end of the day, achually [insert whatever you like here] …

    • Bill 10.1

      Oops. Just heard JK on Radio NZ. Selling it as one incident that occurred in the context of general mucking about. He needs better heads ups from his minders.

      • freedom 10.1.1

        In that comment, he also said the woman said “thanks and (mumbles something)” after he gave her the wine but in the letter on TDB, the woman said he left before she had a chance to respond to him delivering the wine.
        ” Before I could say a word he’d already hightailed it out of there,”

        (odd there have been no new comments on TDB since about 9:30 a.m.)

      • dukeofurl 10.1.2

        Campbell Live has tape from Key on campaign trail, where he does the same to a young girl with a ponytail.

        SHEES ABOUT 12.!!!!… This beyond creepy. A 50 year old man . hes no longer 14

        • Bill 10.1.2.1

          Ive seen the very short clip. It has no audio. From what I can see JK is utterly fixated on that wee girl’s hair. I’ve no problem with him having a hair fetish if that’s what he has, but his compulsions…?

          I’d like to see a longer clip with audio to get a better idea of where JK’s head might have been at. On the short clip, it’s certainly not a good look.

          • rawshark-yeshe 10.1.2.1.1

            What sweet utu it’s a Campbell Live clip and they must have the full item !

          • weka 10.1.2.1.2

            “I’d like to see a longer clip with audio to get a better idea of where JK’s head might have been at. On the short clip, it’s certainly not a good look.”

            Yep, and it was probably edited to look the worst.

        • North 10.1.2.2

          Ummmh……Yes……’Tail-Tugger-Key IS still 14 !

    • Tracey 10.2

      * I will leave it to New Zealanders to decide”

      *It was a faked ponytail from an extreme left wing waiting person*

    • Melanie Scott 10.3

      ..and anyway, she shouldn’t have had a pony’s tail in a restaurant. How unhygienic! I’m sure there’s something in the health regulations about ponies in restaurants..

  10. mickysavage 11

    Interesting that as far as I can tell Slater has not responded at all.

    • Not Arandar 11.1

      [lprent: someone hijacking a email address. Adding to permanent bans. By the look of it some kind of arsehole from Lauda Finem astroturfing a post]

    • Hateatea 11.2

      Post from Slater finally up timed at 2.45pm

      He obviously hadn’t heard the clip on RNZ where Key has been interviewed live at Auckland Airport because he thinks that all denials – comment are via spokespeople.

      Edited to correct location – recorded at Los Angeles International Airport

      • freedom 11.2.1

        and he is not aware of the signed affidavit apparently

        Slater ranting all authoritative without the facts in place – what a shock 😯

    • dukeofurl 11.3

      he supposed to in Dubai with family before going to Gallipoli. Probably travelling to Turkey by now. getting the like to run from Collins.

    • North 11.4

      Slater’s sitting in his safe room grimly holding on to his beanie !

    • Murray Rawshark 11.5

      He has now, with a piece fairly obviously not written by him. Along with attacks on Bomber (he cops it from all sides), he says that there are much worse things to get Key on.

  11. Tiger Mountain 12

    “one tug over the line
 sweet Jesus
one tug over

    –apol to Brewer & Shipley

  12. Clemgeopin 13

    Do you think that the Interpol should send an urgent message to warn the Turkish authorities to keep an eye out for women who might be sitting close to Key at Gallipoli? What do you think?

  13. Levi 14

    Come on, give John Key a break. He just forgot that he was not at a Young Nat function where ponytail pulling is one of their more intellectual pursuits.

  14. Sans Cle 15

    John Key: Hair today, Gone tomorrow

    • Tracey 15.1

      chuckle

      but let’s none of us forget how this woman felt, each time he came into the cafe when she was there… for weeks… wondering if he would come in…lack of support from colleagues, manager, employer…

      • Sans Cle 15.1.1

        Yes, agreed.
        Nor how plenty of brave women and girls have been so let down by our authorities, politicians and society in general.
        It really is sickening.
        Abuse of power at the WORST level.

  15. Can’t wait to see that old hair puller from round here FISIANI spouting off to defend his hair pulling creep leader.

    Imagine if Helen Clarke was reported to have pulled at a waiter’s belt as a joke, 6 times? Just what, what the media , national party creeps and the Taxpayer’s Union would be saying.

    Funny how such a little slice of behaviour says so much about Key. there is no defence, it’s just fucking weird and creepy.

    Check Kim Dot Com who has a video clip on his twitter link of key pulling a little girl’s pony tail in an interview with John campbell. Ahh sweet karma

    • Tracey 16.1

      Clark.

      She wouldn’t and that is part of the point, nor any PM before her. Just this one, of the setting higher standards than Labour mantra

  16. freedom 17

    When was this “public apology”?
    Once again, words and reality are worlds apart
    https://nz.news.yahoo.com/world/a/27272485/nz-pm-apologises-for-hair-pulling/

  17. Tracey 18

    As you read this, and please, read it, keep in mind the Prime Minister of NZ on multiple occasions pulled someones hair, someone he didn’t know and once told not to, decided it would be funny to pretend to.

    “”Talent without discipline is like an octopus on rollar skates. There is plenty of movement, but you never know if it’s going to be forwards, backwards or sideways.” H. Jackson Jr.

    “We have reviewed these rules four times, and have had lots of reminders within classroom time.

    1. Be nice (no hitting, kicking, pulling hair, biting or calling others names).
    2. Follow directions.
    3. No talking while the teacher is talking.
    4. Sit correctly.”

    Do we need these signs in parliament and in all MP cars, offices etc?

    What to do if they break the rules?

    “Although these rules seem simple to remember, we will have some students that have a difficult time remembering them. Reminders to do our best are placed in the card pockets at the front of the room.

    Each student has three cards, green, yellow and red. They work in a similar fashion to stoplights. A green card means that a student is remembering all of our classroom rules. If a student changes his/her card to yellow, they have had several reminders to (with the exception of violence) adhere to our classroom rules. Hitting, pushing, pulling hair, biting or the like is an automatic card change without reminders.

    If a student has a yellow card, they will walk for 5 minutes of recess time instead of playing. If they turn the card to red, they will need to walk for 10 minutes of their recess time. How will you know how your student’s behavior was on a daily basis?

    Each day in the green folder, I will mark a checkmark in green, yellow or red. I will try to write in the folder what reminders your child was given during the day. Since I wait until the end of the day to write in the folders, descriptions of the behavior will be brief. Your job as a parent is to initial the folder each day.

    Thank you for your cooperation! ”

    http://www.boetcherskindergarten.com/#!discipline/cee5

  18. Naturesong 19

    Wow

    Audrey Young: Today I’m embarrassed John Key is Prime Minister

    Has comments section. Fill yer boots I guess.

    I’m off to make some popcorn 😆

    • Clemgeopin 19.1

      From that link:

      * “Today I’m embarrassed that John Key is Prime Minister”

      * To learn today that he pulled a waitress’s pony-tail on several occasions at his local cafe makes me cringe.

      * “It is one of those stories that denigrates him and his office”

      * To learn about it just as he is about to represent New Zealand at the Gallipoli commemorations makes it utterly mortifying.
      It denigrates the occasion which has taken on a quasi-spiritual dimension”

      * “The only thing funny about it are the inventive little clips appearing on social media”

      * “Clips of Key saying they were just “horsing around” weren’t particularly smart either”

      * “The pony-tail story is already spreading around the world”

      * “We’ve already had Aussie radio stations calling our office to talk”

      * “He does things ordinary people might do but that have shock value because he is Prime Minister; such as walking flamboyantly down a fashion catwalk; talking about vasectomies at post cabinet press conference; hamming it up with drag queens at the Big Gay Out; and telling UN ambassadors about how Bronagh filed a tax-return with stud-screwer as her occupation.”

      ~~While he should not say that to anyone, I hope the UN ambassador was not a woman.

      • tracey 19.1.1

        how Bronagh filed a tax-return with stud-screwer as her occupation.”

        WHAT?????

    • tracey 19.2

      WOW… AUDREY YOUNG!!!!!!!

  19. greywarshark 20

    Jokeyhen’s image is being constantly abraded – now with the hair clip his image is really abraided.

    But beware – remember Toronto’s clown Mayor. The modern public is so broad-minded about expectations of responsible leaders – he may not be all that great, but he makes me laugh – what a guy sort of thing. (I don’t know if women can get away with this type of thing, the old rules of being three time better than a male and still getting criticised would apply I think.)

  20. ianmac 21

    Have you seen this on Stuff?
    “Key’s behaviour serious – employment lawyer. ”
    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/67955124/keys-behaviour-serious–employment-lawyer

  21. ianmac 22

    In the pic.twitter.com/hZugKgb7xp take careful note of the woman (mother?) behind the little girl. Restraining move? Change of expression?

  22. Pasupial 23

    And now the story’s gone international – Manhire in the Guardian:

    Politicians are routinely upbraided for behaviour befitting a schoolyard, but the New Zealand prime minister has now become embroiled in a controversy that centres, quite literally, on hair-pulling…

    Key said when he gave her the wine and apologised, the waitress had told him, “that’s all right, no drama”…

    Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei called the behaviour “bullying” and “weird”.

    “New Zealanders know you can’t walk into a cafe and start tugging on someone’s hair, especially if they’ve told you they don’t like it,” she told media. “It’s a sign of how out of touch John Key has become when he can’t even monitor how inappropriate his personal behaviour is, and when people are not comfortable with how he is behaving.”…

    RadioLive talkback host Sean Plunket said he would not be discussing the hair-pulling controversy because it appeared to him “absolutely propaganda hate speech rubbish” and a “cheap little scummy political set-up”.

    http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/apr/22/new-zealand-prime-minister-john-key-apologises-for-pulling-waitresss-hair

    Perhaps the anonymous waitress will be able to state at some point whether that was what she indeed said. “Before I could say a word he’d already hightailed it out of there”, was how she put it in the TDB post. Perhaps Key misremembers her saying; “I don’t want any more trouble”, at some point in the events as; “no drama”.

    • tracey 23.1

      Why is NZ becoming a mean place to live?

      “RadioLive talkback host Sean Plunket said he would not be discussing the hair-pulling controversy because it appeared to him “absolutely propaganda hate speech rubbish” and a “cheap little scummy political set-up”. ”

      And yet he talks about national propagated smear and stories all the time?

    • Anne 23.2

      Now we know why he wasn’t bothered by the antics of a certain MP and actually promoted the said MP to chairperson of an important select committee… and even claimed he was cabinet minister material.

      We’re just horsing around… no harm done… bit of fun ya know… at the end of the day everyone has enjoyed it. Move on… nothing to see.

      • tracey 23.2.1

        Yeah, actually, to my chagrin, this has creeped me out much more by days end than beginning… it is a pattern, not just the pony tail fingering but all the other stuff…

        richard worth
        roastbusters
        I wont apologise for being a man in the context of sexual violence toward women being perpetuated by mostly men
        comment about his wife’s IRD form
        tania billingsley promised apology-apology retraction
        Chillean Leader
        Sabin
        Someone from PM’s office tacitly supporting Suttons version of events at resignation press conference

        Perhaps a former female employee or two may have the courage to speak up?

        • Anne 23.2.1.1

          Perhaps a former female employee or two may have the courage to speak up?

          Very hard thing to do. If my own former experiences is any indication you are likely to end up being re-victimised in some other way over and over again.

          We ought to take bets on how long it will be before we are told that :

          It’s all a naaaaasty left wing conspiracy.

          • srylands 23.2.1.1.1

            It is not a nasty left wing conspiracy.

            But it is a vast left wing over-reaction to a minor incident. People do stuff every day that offends. People apologise. Everyone moves on. Get some proportionality in your life. And in this case she actually got two bottles of wine plus an apology. Score.

            • Puddleglum 23.2.1.1.1.1

              She didn’t want two bottles of wine and an apology.

              She wanted to be left alone.

            • Sabine 23.2.1.1.1.2

              Dear Leader got to sexually harass a waitress and it only cost him two bottles of cheap wine. Go Dear Leader, all they waitresses Ponytails, and all the Ponytails of the little girls belong to Dear Leader.

              Score!

            • Murray Rawshark 23.2.1.1.1.3

              How many bottles of wine would grabbing her bum equate to, SSlands? Is there a scale somewhere? How about a groin grab, which Tony Abbott was reported as doing to a female student politician? I’m guessing that would be 4 or so. FJK must be feeling lucky that he’s got a vineyard.

            • North 23.2.1.1.1.4

              Brilliant SSLands ! What would ‘after-the-event’ 20 grand sanitise I wonder ? You’re akshilly such a vile thing SS !

            • mac1 23.2.1.1.1.5

              srylands, there is one person who gets to say whether it’s a minor incident. Not you. Not John Key either. The waitress gets to define that. She after all had this shit happen to her, repeatedly, demeaningly, unwarrantedly.

              And if two bottles of wine and an ‘apology’ make up for what happened to her, then you have never had this happen to you.

              An apology requires these things. An acknowledgement of wrong done, sorrow for what happened, a commitment never to do it again and making amends.

            • linda 23.2.1.1.1.6

              srylands are you defending pervekeys harassment of a young women who could have been his daughter.

          • tracey 23.2.1.1.2

            some will have long moved on from being his employees

  23. arkie 25

    Hooton given an opinion piece on radioNZ website.

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/271835/how-will-ponytailgate-hit-key

    Why?!

    • Sabine 25.1

      chop chop the knifes are out.

    • tracey 25.2

      especially when his immediate response was to assume the waitress was not telling the truth….

      he gets $110 for his appearance on Monday, are they paying him for this crap now?

    • freedom 25.3

      “Inevitably, the question will be asked how the Prime Minister would respond were the same facts applied to, say, Paul Goldsmith, the local National MP in the cafĂ©’s electorate. Would Mr Key stand down his new Commerce Minister?”

      Perhaps a better question for Mr Hooton to ask is ‘How would the PM react if it was his own daughter who was being accosted by a fifty three year old man?’

      • tracey 25.3.1

        Or if, say, a back bench National MP had bullied waiting staff at a restaurant. Oh wait…

      • Murray Rawshark 25.3.2

        I suspect that FJK would want to know what the 53 year old man could do for his career and prospects of future wealth before he decided how to react. He really is that weird.

  24. Clemgeopin 26

    Key said that when he gave her the wine and apologised, the waitress had told him, “that’s all right, no drama”.

    However, the waitress in her article said, : Key came with a big smile and two bottles of wine and said, “this is for you, sorry, I didn’t realise.” “Before I could say a word he’d already hightailed it out of there.”

    Two different versions. Obviously, now, one of them, Key or the waitress is blatantly lying!

    Who do you believe?

  25. srylands 27

    “Obviously, now, one of them, Key or the waitress is blatantly lying!

    Who do you believe?”

    I believe the Prime Minister.

    • Anne 27.1

      Most of us guessed it was the waitress who is telling the truth, but thanks anyway for confirming it.

    • tracey 27.2

      I believe the Prime Minister who fondles strangers pony tails over and over including 12 year old girls”

      FIFY

    • Pasupial 27.3

      These are Sryland’s first comments since February. When he melted down over Catton’s measured response to the vilification that was hurled her way. In true; can dish it out but can’t take it style, he took offense to being named as “Shitlands”, after calling Catton; “bitch”:

      http://thestandard.org.nz/eleanor-catton-responds/#comment-960976

      When the tories are in a whole land of shit, then we know who they call. I hope that your paymasters are providing double rates for your activity today. Because your line of misogynistic victim blaming is likely to meet with considerable abuse.

      In fact let me start by saying that; “shitlands”, is far too kind a designation for your repulsive nonsense. A well fertilised soil will bring forth bounteous crops, while your harvest will never be anything but withered misery. Arid dust flung into the gears is a more fitting metaphor for your contributions: Dryloins.

      • swordfish 27.3.1

        Precisely my thinking. When srylands and gormless fool suddenly turn up after a very long hiatus, you know the Tories are running scared.

    • North 27.4

      ‘What’ do you believe SSLands……that PMONZ didn’t behave as alleged ?

      Small prob’ here SSLands……the juvenile’s admitted repeated tugging.

      So now you DON’T believe the Prime Minister I take it ?

    • linda 27.5

      sryland of course beleaves the pervert who has admitted to being a serial tugger

  26. srylands 28

    Oh and the “waitress” comes out of this very poorly indeed. Instead of accepting a gracious apology, she takes the wine AND runs to a hate-blog to make mischief. I know where the public will land on this.

    • Clemgeopin 28.1

      Would you feel that way if Key did that to your girl friend, wife, daughter or mother? Do you think it is OK for a PM to behave in the manner he did over and over again in spite of being told to stop?

      • Sabine 28.1.1

        He would drink the wine, and tell the girl that its an honour to have their hair fondled by Dear Leader. Also, girls like having Dear Leader fondle their hair especially if they get two bottles of wine for it.

        And don’t forget, Dear Leader owns all the Ponytails in NZ 🙂

    • freedom 28.2

      Ummmmm, srylands, why do you have quotation marks around the word waitress?
      Are you trying to suggest the woman does not work at the cafe, even though John Key has admitted it is true?

      There is a sworn affidavit apparently, and video and the PM’s admission…..
      so please, do let us know what you are implying

      • McFlock 28.2.1

        Srylands thinks she was an undercover greenie who kept waving her hair in key’s face to entrap him.

        All rather simple, really. In a libertarian paradise, if you don’t want to be touched by customers against your will, you should quit your job.

    • tracey 28.3

      This is a warning: Stop blaming the victim or face a ban.

      [lprent: He got a short ban for hypocritically raising a “double standard” when I remember his previous reactions to various stories. ]

      • srylands 28.3.1

        Good grief

        • Paul 28.3.1.1

          What don’t you defend?

        • tracey 28.3.1.2

          Charlie Brown had more class than you, don’t steal his lines without attribution.

          In the circles you move blaming victims may seem a perfectly valid way to construct an observation or even argue your view but it isn’t. It doesn’t create a safe environment for discussion and alienates many of those who would otherwise partake by posting or viewing. That you don’t get that is sad. If you need to be banned until you do get that, that is down to you, not me or this site. It will have been your choice to make.

          It’s always amusing to me when someone espousing libertarian views has appalling views toward women and especially female victims.

        • North 28.3.1.3

          I understand your grief SSLands.

    • emergency mike 28.4

      “I know where the WO faithful will land on this.” FIFY

    • mac1 28.5

      srylands, read before spouting drivel.

      The waitress clearly said 1. she took the wine as evidence of her story and 2. she didn’t drink red wine.

      You provide even more evidence of your inability or unwillingness to engage with any debate since you don’t read what is being argued.

      The only one to create mischief is John Key. “Leave the poor girl alone”- Bronagh Key to her husband, if you won’t believe any other source.

    • North 28.6

      What’s gracious about a creepy guy plying with a hundy’s worth of liquour in the hope it will all go away ?

      Stop whistling in the dark SSociopath-Lands about where the public will land. There’s the much more pressing issue of Tugger-Key landing fair on his arse. With you closely behind. Welcome to a hard landing idiot !

      With those two bottles the “waitress” as you pejoratively describe her could no trouble trump Donghua Liu’s fictitious single bottle. Daresay KimDotCom would relish the opportunity to remedy the Rape Crisis Centre’s funding cut in an auction for the benefit of the same.

    • linda 28.7

      the waitress is a victim of pervekey wondering hands

  27. freedom 29

    National Council of Women pen open letter to the PM
    http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1504/S00203/open-letter-to-john-key.htm

  28. Bill 31

    John just made the front page of The Guardian. The piece (a bit inaccurate) has a link to the Campbell moment included.

  29. Clemgeopin 32

    Some Key thoughts:

    * I am wondering if, in an unbelievably strange way, Key’s popularity may actually go up, because every time people look at anyone’s pony tail, they may immediately think of John key!

    * Women with pony tails may often think of Key too.

    * Women, especially those with pony tails, will be weary of standing too close to the creep now, but may still vote for the creep as he is a good actor and is able to fool a lot of people all the time.

    * Can any one who addresses Key as ‘Rt Honourable’ honestly feel so?

    * Parliament should present Key with a pony tail wig as his farewell present when he leaves.

    * I think Key’s chances of getting a knighthood have diminished a little.

    * I think the i-predict movements will be interesting to watch.

  30. srylands 33

    John Key did something unwise for which he apologised. But it was very minor.

    Where are left wing faux outraged comnetariat when left (ish) politicians engage in truly vile behaviour? Nowhere.

    Len Brown?

    Or the now departed very promising young Labour MP who truly went sexually OTT and had a young man running down the road in Wellington screaming and sobbing?

    I could go on and on.

    For God’s sake get a grip. Or if you can’t get a grip please at least acknowledge your double standards.

    [lprent: You mean those incidents that many years later get referred to by the sexually obsessed right wingers at EVERY POSSIBLE OPPORTUNITY? Often by the same hypocrites who are currently declaiming that we as lefties should ignore John Key’s little fetishes? That double standard?

    Banned for 2 weeks under the wasting moderator time rule. I’d run you for more, but I can’t be bothered actually digging out links to your previous comments on those subjects.

    You are welcome to appeal this sentence ina comment to spam if think that you haven’t done this in the past. However I will make it two months if I have to look and find that you are running a double standard. To qualify for your own double standard, all it takes is some over-reactive comments to either incident the day after the news was known. ]

    • tinfoilhat 33.1

      I believe the vast amount of ‘lefties’ as you call us are not guilty of double standards as we have had the same response to Key, Len brown and Darren Hughes that their respective behaviour is utterly unacceptable.

      Are you happy that your PM has behaved in this way ?

      What would you be saying if it was someone from a political party you didn’t support..say a male Green MP ?

    • Clemgeopin 33.2

      You fool! There were many comments decrying/condemning the goings on regarding both the instances you refer to. Do a search and check them out.

      Here is the clip of the Prime Minister trying to belittle the incident and justifying his despicable behaviour. Watch the video in his own words. I think he comes across as bullshitting again. Take a look:
      http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/business/104271.html

      Key seems like he is a pathological liar and a compulsive pony tail puller.

    • tracey 33.3

      Wow, seelctive ranting. Many here discussed the Len Brown matter from all angles. Some lefties, including myself expressed major misgivings about his behaviour and the lack of some consequences… As for Darren Hughes he is now in London because he had to resign from politics in NZ. So your almost hysterical utburst, yet agin, just shows you for a fool.

    • Paul 33.4

      Now I know.
      You would defend anything.

    • North 33.5

      Yeah, a young political opportunist wannabee who, as always planned by those in the background of it, ran off down the street self-rendered naked. Were there any substance behind the ‘screaming’ and the ‘sobbing’ there would have been charges. There were none. It was a stunt, a set-up. So you can shut your foul mouth SSLands.

      You already do go on. You needn’t promise it.

  31. emergency mike 34

    Let’s be clear: Aaron Gilmore walked the plank for being an arrogant prick. This is sexual harassment.

  32. freedom 35

    bit odd that TV3 news ‘forgot’ to put up their live stream link for the 6pm broadcast

    http://www.3news.co.nz/Video/3NewsLiveStream for future reference

    and like magic it is now up

  33. Merrial 36

    Reading this unfortunate young woman’s account catapulted me instantly back almost 60 years, to when, as a child, I attempted to dodge the unwelcome attentions of an elderly uncle. My deepest sympathies to her; she shouldn’t have to put up with this sort of thing at work – or anywhere else, come to that.

    And there he is in the video link on Stuff, doing the same thing to a child! Now that’s really beyond the pale.

    I’m aware that there’s a subset of the voters who won’t see anything exceptionable in this: he’s just having a laugh, can’t you take a joke?

    But here’s the thing: our hair is a part of our bodies. Nobody should presume to touch it without our permission. He might as well have fondled her breasts; the same principle applies. And – insult upon insult – he does it repeatedly in front of his wife. How humiliating for her, poor woman.

    I’ve long thought that he doesn’t have the gravitas for the job of Prime Minister, and here we see further evidence of that. He clearly has a ponytail fetish, but if he would be PM, he needs the character attributes which enable him to keep those urges under control. It’s very clear that he lacks those attributes.

    I know that he trades on his “everyman” image, but if being an everyman entails this sort of behaviour, I don’t want one such as PM. I want someone who can act with dignity, at least when he’s in public. He can’t credibly represent us now, either here or overseas.

  34. weka 37

    “that’s all right, no drama”

    Now whose phrasing does that sound like?

    • the pigman 37.1

      Heh, pity the waitress’ letter directly contradicts TRH J. Kreeyp’s account of events.

      You would think the MSM would follow that up but, having read the actual post by the waitress, it seems that instead the issues has been somewhat whitewashed/downplayed.

      Not surprised, but there’s still scope for the complainant to take it further, and JK’s attempts to minimise it/lie about it might be good motivation to do so.

      Then there’s the likelihood that there are some similar stories floating around, since this kind of behaviour is unlikely to be an isolated thing (especially in light of the Campbell Live video.. ew).

    • Could only be more obvious if he’d claimed she said “At the end of the day that’s all right, no drama actually.”

  35. Murray Rawshark 38

    It seems to me that he was incredibly spoilt as a child and was praised for everything he did. As soon as he started making a buck, he would have had sycophants licking his nether regions. He has probably never had anyone say no to him and thinks he can do whatever he likes. The true John Galt, exalted by the power of his own will, creating his own planet, and without limits.

    In other words, a deluded nutter.

    • I don’t think it helps to ascribe Key’s actions and attitudes to mental illness. Plenty of psychologically “healthy” people can have massive egos, senses of entitlement, and lack of proper social mores.

      • rawshark-yeshe 38.1.1

        His proven compulsive lying is hardly psychologically healthy or ‘healthy’.

      • Murray Rawshark 38.1.2

        I don’t think it helps to equate calling someone a deluded nutter, which is quite a common expression among many people, with a diagnosis of mental illness.

  36. sabine 39

    The bit that galls me, this man has enough cash to pay him a Lady who would come to his office/house/shed where ever, with her hair in a Ponytail, in Pig Tails, braided etc etc and he could fondle it to his hearts content until he feels satisfied.
    We all have our little kinks that make us go oh la la, but we don’t force ourselfs on unsuspecting and unconsenting people just because we can.

    Abuse of power and standing…whats the waitress gonna do to the PM, whats the little girl gonna say to the man who is old enough to be her father/grandfather….ack ack ack.

    • Alpha z 39.1

      (‘whats the waitress gonna do to the PM,)

      may be she cd hve kicked kreep on his gonad nuts sack?

      • sabine 39.1.1

        yes, sure ….absolutly thats what she could have done.
        But frankly no, if the ladies would knee every creep in the balls, there would be a lot of man rolling on the floor everywhere on this planet. Men are lucky that ladies are NOT tought how to fight or even just how to defend themselfs. Sadly so.

      • tracey 39.1.2

        the security team would have arrested her… but didnt arrest him for his assault. A clearer example of power disparity in NZ you could not get.

    • Murray Rawshark 39.2

      I suspect he really gets off on the power aspect of it. The feeling that he can do whatever he likes because he’s so popular and such a great man. If he pays for it, there would always be a bit of doubt in the back of his mind about whether it was really his appeal and charm or something else. After all, why wouldn’t he expect a mere waitress to revere him to the same extent as Mike Hoskings and Simon Bridges do?

      • tracey 39.2.1

        He’s getting to be the popular kid at school… Except he is Prime Minister. It’s all a game and its all about Key.

  37. vto 40

    I don’t see how Key can survive this

    • Clemgeopin 40.1

      Going by the past where he has survived may lies, his dirty politics, destruction of freedom and privacy, asset sales, pro wealthy policies, anti worker moves, shady ‘blind’ trusts etc, he may yet survive this despicable behaviour with only a minor dent, unless other women, subordinates, cabinet colleagues, journalists etc come forward with new revelations.

      Today on TV3, 6 pm news, one woman even said that she likes Key so much, she would be happy for Key to pull her hair too! Go figure!

      I think that about half of his 49% vote comes from wealthy right wing people who are doing very well money/property wise. The rest of the vote comes from unthinking, easily gullible and ignorant nincompoops, like that voter in the tv3 news.

  38. North 41

    Even Hooton’s onto the the twisted ‘power’ aspect to this. This powerful, immensely wealthy prick entitledly just does stuff because he’s powerful and wealthy. While pulling hard on the Everyman Fiction and shitty couple bottles of wine. OMG !

    Fuck they went catatonic over so-called SpeedGate and CornGate re Helen Clark and LetterGate and SorryGate re Cunliffe. What about InappropriateTouchingGate and CreepyGuyGate for Fuck’s Sake ?

    Where’s that FundingGate creep from Antoine’s ? Don’t ever take a waiting job there people !

  39. ianmac 42

    http://inagist.com/all/590743559898324993/
    Another little girl with a ponytail and Key!

  40. felix 43

    So on the matter of the “apology”, the waitress says this:

    “A short while later he reappeared holding not one, but two bottles of JK 2012 PM’s Pinot Noir. He scurried over to me in the very centre of the cafe and hurriedly handed me the bottles, with big smiles, really big smiles, saying “this is for you, sorry, I didn’t realise.” Before I could say a word he’d already hightailed it out of there, the grinning assassin appearing as if he was the nice guy, whilst no doubt following someone else’s advice to contain the situation before it really got out of hand, and I pretty much felt like in my hands was a bribe.”

    John Key’s version? She said “thanks for the wine, no drama”.

    BLiP, another one for your list.

    NZ media, hellooooooooo? Anyone hoooooome?

    • emergency mike 43.1

      As said on the Daily Review thread:

      “Also I wish they would stop saying that Key apologized. Dumping a couple of bottles of wine saying ‘sorry I didn’t know’ with a big grin and legging it before she can reply is not an apology. It’s a butt covering PR exercise straight out of a Bret Easton Ellis novel.

      An sincere apology involves sticking around and make sure that your apology is accepted – i.e. facing up to whatever the other person might have to say to you in reply like an adult.

      As for Key’s conflicting claim that she said “It’s all fine” or whatever. Who shall we believe? The victim who has brave enough to come forward? Or Mr Pony Tail Lover the known reflexive liar?”

    • BLiP 43.2

      Noted with thanks.

      • felix 43.2.1

        …although I think I got his lie wrong, should be “that’s all fine”, not “thanks for the wine”.

        Not that it matters, it’s all just mumbled bullshit gibberish in a language all of his own.

  41. Clemgeopin 44

    Key fiddles with locks.
    Protect locks. Throw out Key.

  42. Clemgeopin 45

    A new design for Key’s other hobby horsing around, the new flag design:

    Either a single pony tail,
    or
    a dozen of them,
    or
    a single pony tail through a key hole.

    Now every one in the whole world will know it the NZ flag as long as it has a pony tail in it! Well done, creep!

  43. humPrac 46

    When people who have supported “Key” realize just how psychotic he is, they should then evaluate their own methodologies of determining truth, because “Keys” nasty nature has been evident through what he’s implemented, and how he has reacted to accusations against him, ever since he first took on the role of PM.
    It’s that basic.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • Stories of varying weight

    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on anything you may have missed. Share Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 hours ago
  • Balancing External Security and the Economy

    New Zealand is again having to reconcile conflicting pressures from its military and its trade interests. Should we join Pillar Two of AUKUS and risk compromising our markets in China? For a century after New Zealand was founded in 1840, its external security arrangements and external economics arrangements were aligned. ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    18 hours ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: The unravelling of the offsets

    The ‘50 Shades of Green’ farmers’ protest in 2019 was heavy on climate change denial, but five years on, scepticism and criticism about the idea that pine forests can save us is growing across the board. File photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s the top six news items of note in climate ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    22 hours ago
  • What makes us tick

    This morning the sky was bright.The birds, in their usual joyous bliss. Nature doesn’t seem to feel the heat of what might angst humans.Their calls are clear and beautiful.Just some random thoughts:MāoriPaul Goldsmith has announced his government will roll back the judiciary’s rulings on Māori Customary Marine Title, which recognises ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    23 hours ago
  • Foreshore and seabed 2.0

    In 2003, the Court of Appeal delivered its decision in Ngati Apa v Attorney-General, ruling that Māori customary title over the foreshore and seabed had not been universally extinguished, and that the Māori Land Court could determine claims and confirm title if the facts supported it. This kicked off the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the Royal Commission report into abuse in care

    Earlier this week at Parliament, Labour leader Chris Hipkins was applauded for saying that the response to the final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care had to be “bigger than politics.” True, but the fine words, apologies and “we hear you” messages will soon ring ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    1 day ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 26

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Luxon speaks in Parliament yesterday about the Abuse in Care report. Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:PM Christopher Luxon said yesterday in tabling the Abuse in Care report in Parliament he wanted to ‘do the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Olywhites and Time Bandits

    About a decade ago I worked with a bloke called Steve. He was the grizzled veteran coder, a few years older than me, who knew where the bodies were buried - code wise. Despite his best efforts to be approachable and friendly he could be kind of gruff, through to ...
    Nick’s KƍreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Why were the 1930s so hot in North America?

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Jeff Masters and Bob Henson Those who’ve trawled social media during heat waves have likely encountered a tidbit frequently used to brush aside human-caused climate change: Many U.S. states and cities had their single hottest temperature on record during the 1930s, setting incredible heat marks ...
    2 days ago
  • Throwback Thursday – Thinking about Expressways

    Some of the recent announcements from the government have reminded us of posts we’ve written in the past. Here’s one from early 2020. There were plenty of reactions to the government’s infrastructure announcement a few weeks ago which saw them fund a bunch of big roading projects. One of ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Thursday, July 25

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Thursday, July 25 are:News: Why Electric Kiwi is closing to new customers - and why it matters RNZ’s Susan EdmundsScoop: Government drops ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • The Possum: Demon or Friend?

    Hi,I felt a small wet tongue snaking through one of the holes in my Crocs. It explored my big toe, darting down one side, then the other. “He’s looking for some toe cheese,” said the woman next to me, words that still haunt me to this day.Growing up in New ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • Not a story

    Yesterday I happily quoted the Prime Minister without fact-checking him and sure enough, it turns out his numbers were all to hell. It’s not four kg of Royal Commission report, it’s fourteen.My friend and one-time colleague-in-comms Hazel Phillips gently alerted me to my error almost as soon as I’d hit ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Thursday, July 25

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Thursday, July 25, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day were:The Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry published its final report yesterday.PM Christopher Luxon and The Minister responsible for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • A tougher line on “proactive release”?

    The Official Information Act has always been a battle between requesters seeking information, and governments seeking to control it. Information is power, so Ministers and government agencies want to manage what is released and when, for their own convenience, and legality and democracy be damned. Their most recent tactic for ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • 'Let's build a motorway costing $100 million per km, before emissions costs'

    TL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:Transport and Energy Minister Simeon Brown is accelerating plans to spend at least $10 billion through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to extend State Highway One as a four-lane ‘Expressway’ from Warkworth to Whangarei ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Lester's Prescription – Positive Bleeding.

    I live my life (woo-ooh-ooh)With no control in my destinyYea-yeah, yea-yeah (woo-ooh-ooh)I can bleed when I want to bleedSo come on, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)You can bleed when you want to bleedYea-yeah, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)Everybody bleed when they want to bleedCome on and bleedGovernments face tough challenges. Selling unpopular decisions to ...
    Nick’s KƍreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Casey Costello gaslights Labour in the House

    Please note:To skip directly to the- parliamentary footage in the video, scroll to 1:21 To skip to audio please click on the headphone icon on the left hand side of the screenThis video / audio section is under development. ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    3 days ago
  • Why is the Texas grid in such bad shape?

    This is a re-post from the Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler Headline from 2021 The Texas grid, run by ERCOT, has had a rough few years. In 2021, winter storm Uri blacked out much of the state for several days. About a week ago, Hurricane Beryl knocked out ...
    3 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on a textbook case of spending waste by the Luxon government

    Given the crackdown on wasteful government spending, it behooves me to point to a high profile example of spending by the Luxon government that looks like a big, fat waste of time and money. I’m talking about the deployment of NZDF personnel to support the US-led coalition in the Red ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:40 am on Wednesday, July 24 are:Deep Dive: Chipping away at the housing crisis, including my comments RNZ/Newsroom’s The DetailNews: Government softens on asset sales, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • LXR Takaanini

    As I reported about the city centre, Auckland’s rail network is also going through a difficult and disruptive period which is rapidly approaching a culmination, this will result in a significant upgrade to the whole network. Hallelujah. Also like the city centre this is an upgrade predicated on the City ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    3 days ago
  • Four kilograms of pain

    Today, a 4 kilogram report will be delivered to Parliament. We know this is what the report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care weighs, because our Prime Minister told us so.Some reporter had blindsided him by asking a question about something done by ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Wednesday, July 24

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    What has happened to it all?Crazy, some'd sayWhere is the life that I recognise?(Gone away)But I won't cry for yesterdayThere's an ordinary worldSomehow I have to findAnd as I try to make my wayTo the ordinary worldYesterday morning began as many others - what to write about today? I began ...
    Nick’s KƍreroBy 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 KƍreroBy 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. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: A market-led plan for failure

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

    Save some money, get rich and old, bring it back to Tobacco Road.Bring that dynamite and a crane, blow it up, start all over again.Roll up. Roll up. Or tailor made, if you prefer...Whether you’re selling ciggies, digging for gold, catching dolphins in your nets, or encouraging folks to flutter ...
    Nick’s KƍreroBy 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
  • The Hoon around the week to July 19

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    New Zealand’s payroll providers have successfully prepared to ensure 3.5 million individuals will, from Wednesday next week, be able to keep more of what they earn each pay, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Revenue Minister Simon Watts.  “The Government's tax policy changes are legally effective from Wednesday. Delivering this tax ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    24 hours 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 PokapĆ« Wāina o Aotearoa, enables controlled environmental conditions. “The research that will be produced at the Experimental ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Funding confirmed for regions affected by North Island Weather Events

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

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

    He aha te kai a te rangatira? He kƍrero, he kƍrero, he kƍrero. 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 kƍrero 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 Manawatƫ rail lines as part of a funding agreement with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), KiwiRail, and the Greater Wellington and Horizons Regional Councils to deliver more reliable services for commuters in the lower North Island, Transport Minister Simeon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government moves to ensure flood protection for Wairoa

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    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

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-07-27T00:05:19+00:00