Remember when….

Written By: - Date published: 7:13 am, June 20th, 2012 - 67 comments
Categories: accountability, assets, labour, national, privatisation, scoundrels - Tags:

National put out a couple of bizarre press releases saying “remember when…” and recounting the asset sales under the 4th Labour Government. Apparently, the fact that they fucked up is reason for National to fuck up now.

Well, remember when asset sales erned Labour a landslide defeat and nearly destroyed it in 1990, resulting in nine years in the wilderness and a loss of trust it has never fully recovered from?

Remember when National’s asset sales in the early 1990s saw them hang on by a single vote (and that traitor Tapsell) in 1993, governing with only 35% of the vote?

Remember how that scared them off sals in their seond term and, when they sold Contact in 1998, it was a tipping point that saw them spend 9 years in the wilderness and so scarred the party that Key had to swear off sales in his first term?

In a decade’s time, I reckon we’ll be saying ‘remember when the 2011-14 term was the final death knell for asset sales and saw an unloved Key and National booted from office?

67 comments on “Remember when…. ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Matthew Whitehead 1
    20 June 2012 at 7:35 am

    Of course they don’t, it was a wee bit traumatic for them. 😉

  2. Gosman 2
    20 June 2012 at 8:02 am

    Ummmm… Labour lost big because it alienated it’s traditional supporter base. National is a party of the right of the political spectrum. Reducing the size of the State in the economy is bread and butter policies for parties of the right.

    • Zetetic 2.1
      20 June 2012 at 8:33 am

      Asset sales alienate middle new zealand. That’s why governments that do them lose elections.

      • Gosman 2.1.1
        20 June 2012 at 8:37 am

        Asset sales are standard Right wing policies. People who voted for National at the last election should have been aware of this.

        • You_Fool 2.1.1.1
          20 June 2012 at 8:55 am

          In most cases I think you will find that people voted for National despite the fact they planned asset sales and possibly in the blind hope that they wouldn’t actually do it…

          It was a failing of Labour that these people voted for National.

          • felix 2.1.1.1.1
            20 June 2012 at 9:07 am

            Gosman labours under the delusion that because National are in govt, over half the population must be extremist right-wing nutters like him.

            He hasn’t yet noticed that ACT only poll around the margin of error.

            • Gosman 2.1.1.1.1.1
              20 June 2012 at 9:12 am

              Name me one policy of National that has a greater mandate than their planned partial sale of shares in five SOE’s then felix?

              • You_Fool …
                20 June 2012 at 9:42 am

                Possibly the creation of charter schools?

                As stated people voted for national despite the asset sales, it was a failure by Labour to convince the voters that they were a viable alternative but without asset sales. All opinion polls on the matter indicate that the great majority of NZers do not want Asset sales, even though that nice Mr Key told them that this was Nationals only plan.

                • Chris …
                  20 June 2012 at 9:54 am

                  How does charter schools have any mandate at all?

                  • You_Fool …
                    20 June 2012 at 10:00 am

                    Because National was voted into power…so therefore they must have a mandate right?

                    • Uturn …
                      20 June 2012 at 10:32 am

                      National 59 seats. Total seats available 121. Mandate, nil.

                      The talk of mandates without defining what or where a mandate could or might exist under MMP is premature. National was not “voted into power”. We don’t have a FPP system, even if some behave like we do. But if mandates are so important, I’d be quite happy to have another election every time UF, MP or ACT do not support a National party bill, since less than majority support would suggest a government without clear mandate or “power”.

                    • TheContrarian …
                      20 June 2012 at 10:34 am

                      “National 59 seats. Total seats available 121. Mandate, nil.”

                      By that logic no party has had a mandate since 1996.

                      For example, if you going to make this facile argument I can do it to:
                      1999:
                      Labour 49 seats. Total seats available 121. Mandate, nil.

                       

                    • Uturn …
                      20 June 2012 at 10:49 am

                      That is the point, Contrarian.

                      Where and what is a mandate under MMP?

                      59 seats if you are National in 2011. 58 seats, 2009.
                      50 seats 2005 for Labour. 52, 2002.

                      and if you win 1 seat and are given ministerial portfolio via coalition agreement with powers to reorganise NZ’s largest city, how much of a mandate do you have then? How much legitimacy to rule? Suddenly the democratic process of voting has been hi-jacked by centralised autocratic party politics.

                      It is an absurd system that makes a vote for local candidate X into an agreement that random candidate Y can do as they please. Voting is an illusion.

                      MMP under our present arrangement is a farce. If major parties are running it like a reduction of FPP, and claiming things like “mandates”, and the public condone, support and believe their deception, then nothing in our current political reality should come as a surprise.

                • Uturn …
                  20 June 2012 at 10:27 am

                  Perhaps a bit like the woman last night on TV3, who when asked whether she supported or opposed asset sales replied, with a smile, that she was too ignorant to comment.

                  • Vicky32 …
                    20 June 2012 at 5:09 pm

                    who when asked whether she supported or opposed asset sales replied, with a smile, that she was too ignorant to comment.

                    Oh my giddy aunt! At least she was truthful and honest (and utterly mad!)

                    • fatty …
                      20 June 2012 at 5:26 pm

                      most people don’t care about politics…judging from our leaders over the past 30 years, I’m starting to think they are right

              • felix …
                20 June 2012 at 10:21 am

                That’s a fairly random question, Gosman, not one I find particularly interesting and not particularly related to my comment.

                I think I’ll ignore it, thanks.

                You could always ask me questions about the point I raised if you like, which is that voting National doesn’t imply that you’re a right-wing ideologue who must support any policy identified as “right-wing”, and to suggest as much is to insist that about half of the country are such people.

                • Gosman …
                  20 June 2012 at 10:25 am

                  No, I prefer to focus on the fact that the cornerstone of the National party’s election campaign was partial asset sales and the cornerstone of the Labour party’s campaign was opposition to the plan. National increased it’s share of the vote and Labour decreased theirs. That speaks volume to me.

                  • You_Fool …
                    20 June 2012 at 10:46 am

                    It speaks volumes to me too, though possibly different books to yours… As stated it is quite evident that National’s “win” was not because people liked the asset sale platform, nor that they disagreed with labour’s platform.

                    Also you should note that despite gaining votes the national lead government almost couldn’t be formed, which speaks more about how people felt, as normally people would put National more centralist than say Act (who lost all support)

                    • Fortran …
                      20 June 2012 at 2:22 pm

                      Is Labour’s election platform going to include the re nationalisation of the partial asset sales ?
                      Or will it be fudged……………..as expected.

        • weka 2.1.1.2
          20 June 2012 at 12:16 pm

          “Asset sales are standard Right wing policies. People who voted for National at the last election should have been aware of this.”
           
          Don’t you mean neoliberal policies Gosman? What was all that dam building and such that Muldoon did?

    • bbfloyd 2.2
      20 June 2012 at 12:45 pm

      And how do you think they alienated that support base numbnuts? pull your head out of your arse, and read the post properly…..

  3. ad 3
    20 June 2012 at 8:58 am

    Quite strange seeing Winston Peters in 48 hours being both FOR retirement age at 65, and also promising to buy the assets back. On both counts outflanking Shearer on the populist front.

    On the retirement age front it meant Winston could go into a future coalition with Key and keep the national party in power, on the other hand he was against a basic national plank and could therefore go into coalition with Labour.

    Sometimes I wish either Labour or the Greens had a guy with that much sheer political guile and populist skill. Sometimes.

    Labour still have too much baggage in their older MPs like Goff and King. They should retire and let fresh blood in – their voting record on asset sales just stinks.

    • prism 3.1
      20 June 2012 at 9:17 am

      ad Agree entirely.

    • fatty 3.2
      20 June 2012 at 12:58 pm

      “Labour still have too much baggage in their older MPs like Goff and King. They should retire and let fresh blood in – their voting record on asset sales just stinks.”

      True…thats why we are stuck with National. Those 2 need to do the country a favour and get lost.
      Its no coincidence that since the election there has been protests and petitions against Key’s policies and for the policies Goff wanted to bring in. This is partly a popularity contest, but also the issue of trust is underrated. Labour need those past failures gone ASAP, then some decent policies.

      “Sometimes I wish either Labour or the Greens had a guy with that much sheer political guile and populist skill. Sometimes.”

      Labour could obviously do with a leader like that…or just a leader in general. However, I don’t think the Greens would be suited to a hard-nosed debater. Greens are more effective when they put their message across calmly and in an unassuming manner. Different personalities are required for different positions. Piggy Bennett was born to be in charge of National’s welfare abuse…the Green’s probably have the right mix of leaders. We should be thankful that the ACT party never realised how repulsive their leaders were, if they had a personable leader who didn’t make people vomit, then they could have had more of an influence and created way more poverty.

    • Draco T Bastard 3.3
      20 June 2012 at 2:09 pm

      On both counts outflanking Shearer on the populist front.

      That’s not actually surprising – Winston is a populist politician, always has been and he learned from the best – Rob Muldoon.

  4. Seti 4
    20 June 2012 at 9:00 am

    Remember when Labour tried to flog of 28% of it’s stake in Air NZ as recently as 2002? The electorate so despised it’s intentions by re-electing them.

    BTW, which former Labour Finance Minister said in 2003 regarding this issue – “the Government could not decide this issue on opinion polls”?

    • Draco T Bastard 4.1
      20 June 2012 at 2:12 pm

      Remember when Labour tried to flog of 28% of it’s stake in Air NZ as recently as 2002?

      WTF are you talking about? It was 2001 when the Labour led government bought AirNZ back.

      • Seti 4.1.1
        20 June 2012 at 5:38 pm

        WTF are you talking about? It was 2001 when the Labour led government bought AirNZ back.

        And then tried to hock off 28% of its stake a year later –

        In late 2002 the New Zealand Government agreed in principle to allow Qantas to purchase a 22.5% shareholding at a cost of NZ$550 million

        How can anyone not remember that?

        • Pascal's bookie 4.1.1.1
          20 June 2012 at 6:11 pm

          Why would they remember it? Minor wrinkle in the story of the bail out of a Listed Company by the government.

          Nothing at all to do with selling SOEs

        • Draco T Bastard 4.1.1.2
          20 June 2012 at 6:55 pm

          IIRC, Most people were more concerned with the lack of competition that the merger would produce, the merger which was then prevented by the courts. If the sale had gone forward then I suspect there would have been more backlash but, considering timing, that backlash probably wouldn’t have occurred until 2k5.

          One of the things that most people who bring up previous sales is that there’s been a change in the public’s attitude to sales over the last few years as the full consequences of those sales have become glaringly obvious. They haven’t saved us anything and, more often than not, are costing us far more. Telecom is a great example of that extra costing: ~$15b in profits taken out and now getting subsidies to do what we’ve already paid for (Ultra-fast broadband).

  5. vto 5
    20 June 2012 at 10:40 am

    What are the benefits to selling the electricity companies?

    Anybody know?

    • higherstandard 5.1
      20 June 2012 at 10:48 am

      Cash injection into the government accounts.

      • vto 5.1.1
        20 June 2012 at 10:57 am

        Ok, thanks. So there is one benefit and that is a financial benefit around cashflow to the government.

        Anything else? Because everybody is well aware that the financials will be worse off post-sales, even Bill English has admitted that. The one benefit is not even a benefit in the Finance Ministers eyes.

        So assuming you do hs, why do you support the sales if that is the sole usless reason?

        • weka 5.1.1.1
          20 June 2012 at 12:19 pm

          It’s not economics (obviously the economics don’t stack up), it’s ideological. Kind of interesting watching National hang themselves by their ideology. Almost like they can’t see any other way to go. Or they don’t give a shit.

        • higherstandard 5.1.1.2
          20 June 2012 at 12:20 pm

          The four utilities being sold are valued @ around 14.5 billion and bring in around 800 million a year.

          Selling down 49% will bring in around 7.1 billion and forgo around 400 million hence the financials will be significantly better off in the short to medium term otherwise they would be unlikely to proceed.

          I am fairly neutral on the asset sale but will be looking to buy shares. I do concede that we do need to balance our accounts and have suggested on a number of occasions on this blog that we should increase taxes and decrease our spending in NZ as we live well beyond our means and are looking to continue to do so under whatever variety of government we have in place.

          • tracey 5.1.1.2.1
            20 June 2012 at 1:57 pm

            Will the share price stay firm as each successive power company comes up for “sale”?

            It seems selling four identical products on the same street corner is hardly condusive to maximising price?

            I predict all four will be worth much more when they are next “sold” in ten plus years time. They will be something of a bargain at this sale though.

          • Draco T Bastard 5.1.1.2.2
            20 June 2012 at 2:33 pm

            The four utilities being sold are valued @ around 14.5 billion and bring in around 800 million a year.

            How much would it cost to build all of them new? I suspect that it would be far more than $14b

            • higherstandard 5.1.1.2.2.1
              20 June 2012 at 2:40 pm

              Build all of what ?

              • Colonial Viper …
                20 June 2012 at 5:30 pm

                These aren’t just financial assets, these are real economy assets. That’s what Draco was pointing at.

                • higherstandard …
                  20 June 2012 at 5:37 pm

                  I was interested in knowing which particular ones he was worried about, from memory meridian has the lions share of ‘bricks and mortar” both here and overseas.

            • darkhorse 5.1.1.2.2.2
              21 June 2012 at 6:48 pm

              The clyde dam alone cost $3Billion in 1983.

              But their dollar value means nothing. Our society lives on a huge energy subsidy. Having that energy flow has value beyond price.

              If you own the energy source you own the society = notice how Russia can make the Ukraine and half of Europe hop when it wants to tweak the gas supply.

              Why do you think the USA spends so much blood and money keeping the Middle East in a state of turmoil – to stop them getting organised enough to play with the global economy like Russia does with Europe.

              This country doesn’t not just need to keep its energy assets it needs to become energy self-sufficent and energy efficient. That won’t happen with the vultures owning our life blood.

    • Seti 5.2
      20 June 2012 at 11:34 am

      Allowing me to gain direct benefits from dividends and capital gain, and indirectly through super funds.

      • vto 5.2.1
        20 June 2012 at 12:05 pm

        the difference between “me” and “we”.

        how succinct. thanks. i actually meant the benefits to the sellers i.e. taxpayers, not the buyers.

        anymore useless reasons out there? so far, we have higherstandard and Seti with two reaons, both weak.

    • BLiP 5.3
      20 June 2012 at 11:34 am

      .

      The question might be best answered by “who benefits by selling our electricity supply”. John Key’s money changer mates get the lion’s share of the benefits immediately and in perpetuity while National Ltd™ gets an immediate but short term boost in liquidity for jacking up the next election. What are they going to do if they win the next election? Rinse and repeat.

  6. TightyRighty 6
    20 June 2012 at 12:28 pm

    So because labour fucked up selling assets, national is going to fuck selling part of the assets. I bet the French wish they had you at agincourt.

    • McFlock 6.1
      20 June 2012 at 2:45 pm

      Yeah. They could have avoided a bigger, badder Crecy if they’d learned from history.
                   
      Our deaths will be less obvious, and generally of pensioners and babies rather than military-age men. 

      • TightyRighty 6.1.1
        20 June 2012 at 4:33 pm

        Oh snap. Turns out nationals model was good for labour in 2007. Two labour governments in a row think privatisation is a good thing. What next from the no sense but all anti brigade? Opposing nationals plan to spend more money on ECE even if it isn’t how teacher unions want it spent?

        Hows you crecy now?

        • McFlock 6.1.1.1
          20 June 2012 at 4:42 pm

          Really? Labour wanted to sell 49% of our power companies in 2007?
          Link? 

          • TightyRighty 6.1.1.1.1
            20 June 2012 at 9:06 pm

            Some mining company. What it is a purveyor of makes no difference. Was once a 100% state owned asset became a 51% state owned asset with the approval of the OIO and the labour caucus at the time. Much of whom are in the current labour caucus.

            • Draco T Bastard 6.1.1.1.1.1
              20 June 2012 at 9:45 pm

              Link?

                • Dv …
                  21 June 2012 at 8:58 am

                  Yep KiwiBlog is a real authority
                  Hah

                  • Gosman …
                    21 June 2012 at 9:43 am

                    That’s your response is it? You don’t like the source so it can’t be true. How about you try and counter with facts or is that somehow beyond your capacity?

                    • Pascal's bookie …
                      21 June 2012 at 10:24 am

                      lol.

                      It’s desperate stuff. Tell me, did the crown direct Solid Energy to sell part of the mine and did the crown grab the proceeds of the sale?

                      It’s not even a remotely similar situation, which is why there wasn’t any uproar about it.

                      It’s quite amusing seeing the quality of spin National is using. Laughable stuff.

                      They could try making a positive case for the policy, but I can only imagine dpf has tested those lines and found this nyah nyah stuff is not as disastrous.

                    • Dv …
                      21 June 2012 at 10:26 am

                      Nope it is NOT an authority same as the standard That is the fact.
                      Just like a lot of web sources

                    • McFlock …
                      21 June 2012 at 12:44 pm

                      my response is that I’d rather put my nuts in a vice rather than look at kb again – let alone believe anything that fucking dick posts.

                  • TightyRighty …
                    21 June 2012 at 5:18 pm

                    If you’d bothered to read it, you’d see it was tony ryall, crown minister, who is the original source. So before you go off like a dick like mcflocking brain dead, read!!

                    So desperate PB? A little like the greens and then their “CIR”

  7. tracey 7
    20 June 2012 at 1:55 pm

    Hasn’t JK “changed his mind” on a few things over the past 4 years? Why is he doggedly hanging on to keeping pensions the same and resisting the opposition to asset sales? I presume it’s because the latter is their ONLY policy ion that 4 years, without it, the emperor definitely has no clothes

    • rosy 7.1
      20 June 2012 at 9:22 pm

      tracey, I think that’s the crux of why people voted for National even though they opposed asset sales. National have changed their mind when there has been overwhelming public opposition e.g. mining conservation land. A lot of people thought they would do the same on asset sales.

      Basically they didn’t believe Labour when it said a vote for National is a vote for asset sales. They didn’t realise the emperor was otherwise naked.

    • RedLogix 7.2
      20 June 2012 at 10:18 pm

      Your getting warm there tracey….asset sales is not so much their only policy… as their sole purpose.

  8. Bob 8
    21 June 2012 at 9:47 pm

    This one actually looks more like the 5th Labour Government to me http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1206/S00283/remember-when-part-three.htm and I think you could also call it hypocracy at its finest! Didn’t even have the balls to tell the public ahead of time, then bury it afterwards. How many NZer’s got the right to buy shares? What a bunch of hypocritical, lying, manipulative expletives! And at the front of the whole thing, the biggest weasel in NZ political history (beating Winston is quite an effort) Trevor Mallard. Where are the MSM on this? No-where to be found. Bunch of EPMU card holding, Labour loving hacks that couldn’t investigate a freckle.

    Where was our referendum then? Where where the Union lead marches on Parliament then? Where was the uproar over selling the family silverware then?

    Was there a peep out of the crossbenches about it? No, because it was the correct thing to do then, and the correct thing to do now. Only thing they got wrong was selling out to the US corporates before given Kiwis a chance.

CommentsOpinions

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

FeedsPartyGovtMedia

  • Do or do not. There is no try

    1. Upon receiving evidence that school lunches were doing a marvellous job of improving outcomes for students, David Seymour did what?a. Declared we need much more of this sort of good news and poured extra resources and funding into them b. Emailed Atlas network to ask what to do next c. Cut ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 hours ago
  • Dangerous ground

    The Waitangi Tribunal has reported back on National's proposed changes to gut the Marine and Coastal Area Act and steal the foreshore and seabed for its greedy fishing-industry donors, and declared it to be another huge violation of ti Tiriti: The Waitangi Tribunal has found government changes to the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 hours ago
  • Climate Change: National wants to cheat on Paris

    In 2016, the then-National government signed the Paris Agreement, committing Aotearoa to a 30 (later 50) percent reduction in emissions by 2030. When questioned about how they intended to meet that target with their complete absence of effective climate policy, they made a lot of noise about how it was ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 hours ago
  • Treasury warned Govt lower debt limits meant less ‘productivity-enhancing investment’

    Treasury’s advice to Cabinet was that the new Government could actually prudently carry net core Crown debt of up to 50% of GDP. But Luxon and Willis instead chose to portray the Government’s finances as in such a mess they had no choice but to carve 6.5% to 7.5% off ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 hours ago
  • Is the Media Complicit?

    This is a long read. Open to all.SYNOPSIS: Traditional media is at a cross roads. There is a need for those in the media landscape, as it stands, to earn enough to stay afloat, but also come across as balanced and neutral to keep its audiences.In America, NYT’s liberal leaning ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    7 hours ago
  • Black Friday

    It's Black Friday, the end of the weekYou take my hand and hold it gently up against your cheekIt's all in my head, it's all in my mindI see the darkness where you see the lightSong by Tom OdellFriday the 13th, don’t be afraid.No, really, don’t. Everything has felt a ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    7 hours ago
  • Weekly Roundup 13-September-2024

    Ooh, Friday the thirteenth. Spooky! Is that why certain zombie ideas have been stalking the landscape this week, like the Mayor’s brainwave for a motorway bridge from Kauri Point to Point Chev? Read on and find out. This roundup, like all our coverage, is brought to you by the Greater ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    9 hours ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #37 2024

    Open access notables Early knowledge but delays in climate actions: An ecocide case against both transnational oil corporations and national governments, Hauser et al., Environmental Science & Policy: Cast within the wide context of investigating the collusion at play between powerful political-economic actors and decision-makers as monopolists and debates about ‘the modern ...
    Skeptical Science
    22 hours ago
  • What it is

    I liked what Kieran McAnulty had to say about the Treaty Principles bill this morning so much I've written it down and copied it out for you. He was saying that rather than let this piece of ordure spend six months in Select Committee, the Prime Minister could stop making such ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago
  • A government-funded hate campaign

    Cabinet discussed National's constitutionally and historically illiterate "Treaty Principles Bill" this week, and decided to push on with it. The bill will apparently receive a full six month select committee process - unlike practically every other policy this government has pushed, and despite the fact that if the government is ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago
  • How Substack works to take (some) craziness out of America’s elections

    I spoke with Substack co-founder yesterday, just before the Trump-Harris debate, about how Substack is doing its thing during the US elections. He talks in particular about how Substack’s focus on paid subscriptions rather than ads has made political debate on the platform calmer, simpler, deeper and more satisfying ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Kamala Harris Did Something Unthinkable

    Hi,Yesterday me and a bunch of friends gathered in front of the TV, ate tortillas, drank wine, and watched the debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.Some of you may have joined in on the live Webworm chat where we shared thoughts, jokes and memes — and a basic glee ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    1 day ago
  • Kamala Harris Did Something Unthinkable

    Hi,Yesterday me and a bunch of friends gathered in front of the TV, ate tortillas, drank wine, and watched the debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.Some of you may have joined in on the live Webworm chat where we shared thoughts, jokes and memes — and a basic glee ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    1 day ago
  • Kamala Harris Did Something Unthinkable

    Hi,Yesterday me and a bunch of friends gathered in front of the TV, ate tortillas, drank wine, and watched the debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.Some of you may have joined in on the live Webworm chat where we shared thoughts, jokes and memes — and a basic glee ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    1 day ago
  • David Seymour is such a loser

    For paid subscribersNot content with siphoning off $230,000,000 of taxpayers money for his hobby projects - and telling everyone his passion is education and early childcare - an intersection painfully coincidental to the interests of wealthy private families like Sean Plunkett’s1 backers, the Wright Family, Seymour is back in the ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 day ago
  • Cross-party consensus: there’s no pipeline without good faith

    There’s been a lot of talk recently about a cross-party agreement to develop a pipeline for infrastructure, including transport. Last month, outgoing CRL boss Sean Sweeney talked about the importance of securing an enduring infrastructure programme. He outlined the high costs of the relentless political flip-flopping of priorities, which drives ...
    Greater AucklandBy Connor Sharp
    1 day ago
  • Voters love this climate policy they’ve never heard of

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Karin Kirk The Inflation Reduction Act is the Biden administration’s signature climate law and the largest U.S. government investment in reducing climate pollution to date. Among climate advocates, the policy is well-known and celebrated, but beyond that, only a minority of Americans ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 day ago
  • ACC wants to administer inflation at more than double the RBNZ’s target rate

    ACC levies are set to rise at more than double the inflation rate targeted by the RBNZ. Photo: Lynn GrievesonKia ora. Long stories short, here’s my top six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Thursday, September 12:The state-owned monopoly for accident insurance wants ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Harris vs Trump

    We’ve been selected to rock your asses 'til midnightThis is my term, I've shaved off my perm, but it's alrightI solemnly swear to uphold the ConstitutionGot a rock 'n' roll problem? Well we got a solutionLet us be who we am, and let us kick out the jams, yeahKick out ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago
  • Treaty Bill “a political stunt”

    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon appears to have given ACT Leader David Seymour more than he has been admitting in the proposals to go forward with a Treaty Principles Bill.All along, Luxon has maintained that the Government is proceeding with the Bill to honour the coalition agreement.But that is quite specific.It ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 day ago
  • An average 219 NZers migrated each day in July

    Kia ora. Long stories short, here’s my top six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Wednesday, September 11:Annual migration of New Zealanders rose to a record-high 80,963 in the year to the end of July, which is more than double its pre-Covid levels.Two ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • What you’re wanting to win more than anything is The Narrative

    Hubris is sitting down on election day 2016 to watch that pig Trump get his ass handed to him, and watching the New York Times needle hover for a while over Hillary and then move across to Trump where it remains all night to your gathering horror and dismay. You're ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • National’s automated lie machine

    The government has a problem: lots of people want information from it all the time. Information about benefits, about superannuation, ACC coverage and healthcare, taxes, jury service, immigration - and that's just the routine stuff. Responding to all of those queries takes a lot of time and costs a lot ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago
  • Christopher Luxon: A Man of “Faith” and “Compassion” Speaks on the Treaty Pr...

    Synopsis: Today - we explore two different realities. One where National lost. And another - which is the one we are living with here. Note: the footnote on increased fees/taxes may be of interest to some readers.Article open.Subscribe nowIt’s an alternate timeline.Yesterday as news broke that the central North Island ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Member’s Day

    Today is a Member's Day. First up is the third reading of Dan Bidois' Fair Trading (Gift Card Expiry) Amendment Bill, which will be followed by the committee stage of Deborah Russell's Family Proceedings (Dissolution for Family Violence) Amendment Bill. This will be followed by the second readings of Katie ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago
  • Northern Expressway Boondoggle

    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has been soaring high with his hubris of getting on and building motorways but some uncomfortable realities are starting to creep in. Back in July he announced that the government was pushing on with a Northland Expressway using an “accelerated delivery strategy” The Coalition Government is ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    2 days ago
  • Never Enough

    However much I'm falling downNever enoughHowever much I'm falling outNever, never enough!Whatever smile I smile the mostNever enoughHowever I smile I smile the mostSongwriters: Robert James Smith / Simon Gallup / Boris Williams / Porl ThompsonToday in Nick’s Kōrero:A death in the Emergency Department at Rotorua Hospital.A sad homecoming and ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Question Two of The Kākā Project of 2026 for 2050 (TKP 26/50)

    Kia ora.Last month I proposed restarting The Kākā Project work done before the 2023 election as The Kākā Project of 2026 for 2050 (TKP 26/50), aiming to be up and running before the 2025 Local Government elections, and then in a finalised form by the 2026 General Elections.A couple of ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Why is God Obsessed with Spanking?

    Hi,If you’ve read Webworm for a while, you’ll be aware that I’ve spent a lot of time writing about horrific, corrupt megachurches and the shitty men who lead them.And in all of this writing, I think some people have this idea that I hate Christians or Christianity. As I explain ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • Inside the public service

    In 2023, there were 63,117 full-time public servants earning, on average, $97,200 a year each. All up, that is a cost to the Government of $6.1 billion a year. It’s little wonder, then, that the public service has become a political whipping boy castigated by the Prime Minister and members ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago
  • New Models Show Stronger Atlantic Hurricanes, and More of Them

    This is a re-post from This is Not Cool Here’s an example of some of the best kind of climate reporting, especially in that it relates to impacts that will directly affect the audience. WFLA in Tampa conducted a study in collaboration with the Department of Energy, analyzing trends in ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago
  • Where ever do they find these people?

    A riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma, is how Winston Churchill described the Soviet Union in 1939.  How might the great man have described the 2024 government of New Zealand, do we think? I can't imagine he would have thought them all that mysterious or enigmatic. I think ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Motorway madness

    How mad is National's obsession with roads? One of their pet projects - a truck highway to Whangārei - is going to eat 10% of our total infrastructure budget for the next 25 years: Official advice from the Infrastructure Commission shows the government could be set to spend 10 ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • Our transport planning system is fundamentally broken

    Ever since Wayne Brown became mayor (nearly two years ago now) he’s been wanting to progress an “integrated transport plan” with the government – which sounded a lot like the previous Auckland Transport Alignment Project (ATAP) with just a different name. It seems like a fair bit of work progressed ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    3 days ago
  • Thou Shalt Not Steal

    And they taught usWhoa-oh, black woman, thou shalt not stealI said, hey, yeah, black man, thou shalt not stealWe're gonna civilise your black barbaric livesAnd we teach you how to kneelBut your history couldn't hide the genocideThe hypocrisy to us was realFor your Jesus said you're supposed to giveThe oppressed ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • How mismanagement, not wind and solar energy, causes blackouts

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections In February 2021, several severe storms swept across the United States, culminating with one that the Weather Channel unofficially named Winter Storm Uri. In Texas, Uri knocked out power to over 4.5 million homes and 10 million people. Hundreds of Texans died as a ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago
  • The ‘Infra Boys’ Highway to Budget Hell

    Chris Bishop has enthusiastically dubbed himself and Simeon Brown “the Infra Boys”, but they need to take note of the sums around their roading dreams. Photo: Lynn GrievesonMōrena. Long stories short, here’s my top six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Tuesday, September ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Media Link: “AVFA” on the politics of desperation.

    In this podcast Selwyn Manning and I talk about what appears to be a particular type of end-game in the long transition to systemic realignment in international affairs, in which the move to a new multipolar order with different characteristics … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    4 days ago
  • The cost of flying blind

    Just over two years ago, when worries about immediate mass-death from covid had waned, and people started to talk about covid becoming "endemic", I asked various government agencies what work they'd done on the costs of that - and particularly, on the cost of Long Covid. The answer was that ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Seymour vs The Clergy

    For paid subscribers“Aotearoa is not as malleable as they think,” Lynette wrote last week on Homage to Simeon Brown:In my heart/mind, that phrase ricocheted over the next days, translating out to “We are not so malleable.”It gave me comfort. I always felt that we were given an advantage in New ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    4 days ago
  • Unstoppable Minister McKee

    All smiles, I know what it takes to fool this townI'll do it 'til the sun goes downAnd all through the nighttimeOh, yeahOh, yeah, I'll tell you what you wanna hearLeave my sunglasses on while I shed a tearIt's never the right timeYeah, yeahSong by SiaLast night there was a ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Could outdoor dining revitalise Queen Street?

    This is a guest post by Ben van Bruggen of The Urban Room,.An earlier version of this post appeared on LinkedIn. All images are by Ben. Have you noticed that there’s almost nowhere on Queen Street that invites you to stop, sit outside and enjoy a coffee, let alone ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    4 days ago
  • Hipkins challenges long-held Labour view Government must stay below 30% of GDP

    Hipkins says when considering tax settings and the size of government, the big question mark is over what happens with the balance between the size of the working-age population and the growing number of Kiwis over the age of 65. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMōrena. Long stories short; here’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Your invite to Webworm Chat (a bit like Reddit)

    Hi,One of the things I love the most about Webworm is, well, you. The community that’s gathered around this lil’ newsletter isn’t something I ever expected when I started writing it four years ago — now the comments section is one of my favourite places on the internet. The comments ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    4 days ago
  • Seymour’s Treaty bill making Nats nervous

    A delay in reappointing a top civil servant may indicate a growing nervousness within the National Party about the potential consequences of David Seymour’s Treaty Principles Bill. Dave Samuels is waiting for reappointment as the Chief Executive of Te Puni Kokiri, but POLITIK understands that what should have been a ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #36

    A listing of 34 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, September 1, 2024 thru Sat, September 7, 2024. Story of the week Our Story of the Week is about how peopele are not born stupid but can be fooled ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago
  • Time for a Change

    You act as thoughYou are a blind manWho's crying, crying 'boutAll the virgins that are dyingIn your habitual dreams, you knowSeems you need more sleepBut like a parrot in a flaming treeI know it's pretty hard to seeI'm beginning to wonderIf it's time for a changeSong: Phil JuddThe next line ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Security Politics in Peripheral Democracies: Excerpt Six.

    The “double shocks” in post Cold War international affairs. The end of the Cold War fundamentally altered the global geostrategic context. In particular, the end of the nuclear “balance of terror” between the USA and USSR, coupled with the relaxation … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    5 days ago
  • Buried deep

    Here's a bike on Manchester St, Feilding. I took this photo on Friday night after a very nice dinner at the very nice Vietnamese restaurant, Saigon, on Manchester Street.I thought to myself, Manchester Street? Bicycle? This could be the very spot.To recap from an earlier edition: on a February night ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago
  • Security Politics in Peripheral Democracies, Excerpt Five.

    Military politics as a distinct “partial regime.” Notwithstanding their peripheral status, national defense offers the raison d’être of the combat function, which their relative vulnerability makes apparent, so military forces in small peripheral democracies must be very conscious of events … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    6 days ago
  • Leadership for Dummies

    If you’re going somewhere, do you maybe take a bit of an interest in the place? Read up a bit on the history, current events, places to see - that sort of thing? Presumably, if you’re taking a trip somewhere, it’s for a reason. But what if you’re going somewhere ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago
  • Home again

    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
    6 days ago
  • Dead even tie for hottest August ever

    Long stories short, here’s the top six news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above between Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer:The month of August was 1.49˚C warmer than pre-industrial levels, tying with 2023 for the warmest August ever, according ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • The Hoon around the week to Sept 7

    The podcast above of the weekly ‘Hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers on Thursday night features co-hosts and talking about the week’s news with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent on the latest climate science on rising temperatures and the debate about how to responde to climate disinformation; and special guest ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • Have We an Infrastructure Deficit?

    An Infrastructure New Zealand report says we are keeping up with infrastructure better than we might have thought from the grumbling. But the challenge of providing for the future remains.I was astonished to learn that the quantity of our infrastructure has been keeping up with economic growth. Your paper almost ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    7 days ago
  • Councils reject racism

    Last month, National passed a racist law requiring local councils to remove their Māori wards, or hold a referendum on them at the 2025 local body election. The final councils voted today, and the verdict is in: an overwhelming rejection. Only two councils out of 45 supported National's racist agenda ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    7 days ago
  • Homage to Simeon Brown

    Open to all - happy weekend ahead, friends.Today I just want to be petty. It’s the way I imagine this chap is -Not only as a political persona. But his real-deal inner personality, in all its glory - appears to be pure pettiness & populist driven.Sometimes I wonder if Simeon ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 week ago
  • Government of deceit

    When National cut health spending and imposed a commissioner on Te Whatu Ora, they claimed that it was necessary because the organisation was bloated and inefficient, with "14 layers of management between the CEO and the patient". But it turns out they were simply lying: Health Minister Shane Reti’s ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago
  • The professionals actually think and act like our Government has no fiscal crisis at all

    Treasury staff at work: The demand for a new 12-year Government bond was so strong, Treasury decided to double the amount of bonds it sold. Photo: Lynn GrievesonMōrena. Long stories short; here’s my top six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Friday, September ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Roundup 6-September-2024

    Welcome to another Friday and another roundup of stories that caught our eye this week. As always, this and every post is brought to you by the Greater Auckland crew. If you like our work and you’d like to see more of it, we invite you to join our regular ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 week ago
  • Security Politics in Peripheral Democracies; Excerpt Four.

    Internal versus external security. Regardless of who rules, large countries can afford to separate external and internal security functions (even if internal control functions predominate under authoritarian regimes). In fact, given the logic of power concentration and institutional centralization of … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    1 week ago
  • A Hole In The River

    There's a hole in the river where her memory liesFrom the land of the living to the air and skyShe was coming to see him, but something changed her mindDrove her down to the riverThere is no returnSongwriters: Neil Finn/Eddie RaynerThe king is dead; long live the queen!Yesterday was a ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Bright Blue His Jacket Ain’t But I Love This Fellow: A Review and Analysis of The Rings of Power E...

    My conclusion last week was that The Rings of Power season two represented a major improvement in the series. The writing’s just so much better, and honestly, its major problems are less the result of the current episodes and more creatures arising from season one plot-holes. I found episode three ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    1 week ago
  • Who should we thank for the defeat of the Nazis

    As a child in the 1950s, I thought the British had won the Second World War because that’s what all our comics said. Later on, the films and comics told me that the Americans won the war. In my late teens, I found out that the Soviet Union ...
    Open ParachuteBy Ken
    1 week ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #36 2024

    Open access notables Diurnal Temperature Range Trends Differ Below and Above the Melting Point, Pithan & Schatt, Geophysical Research Letters: The globally averaged diurnal temperature range (DTR) has shrunk since the mid-20th century, and climate models project further shrinking. Observations indicate a slowdown or reversal of this trend in recent decades. ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago
  • Join us for the weekly Hoon on YouTube Live at 5pm

    Photo by Jenny Bess on UnsplashCome and join us for our weekly ‘Hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm.Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream for our chat about the week’s news with special guests:5.00 pm - 5.10 pm - Bernard and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Media Link: Discussing the NZSIS Security Threat Report.

    I was interviewed by Mike Hosking at NewstalkZB and a few other media outlets about the NZSIS Security Threat Report released recently. I have long advocated for more transparency, accountability and oversight of the NZ Intelligence Community, and although the … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    1 week ago
  • How do I make this better for people who drive Ford Rangers?

    Home, home again to a long warm embrace. Plenty of reasons to be glad to be back.But also, reasons for dejection.You, yes you, Simeon Brown, you odious little oik, you bible thumping petrol-pandering ratfucker weasel. You would be Reason Number One. Well, maybe first among equals with Seymour and Of-Seymour ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago
  • A missed opportunity

    The government introduced a pretty big piece of constitutional legislation today: the Parliament Bill. But rather than the contentious constitutional change (four year terms) pushed by Labour, this merely consolidates the existing legislation covering Parliament - currently scattered across four different Acts - into one piece of legislation. While I ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago
  • Nicola Willis Seeks New Sidekick To Help Fix NZ’s Economy

    Synopsis:Nicola Willis is seeking a new Treasury Boss after Dr Caralee McLiesh’s tenure ends this month. She didn’t listen to McLiesh. Will she listen to the new one?And why is Atlas Network’s Taxpayers Union chiming in?Please consider subscribing or supporting my work. Thanks, Tui.About CaraleeAt the beginning of July, Newsroom ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 week ago
  • Inflation alive and kicking in our land of the long white monopolies

    The golden days of profit continue for the the Foodstuffs (Pak’n’Save and New World) and Woolworths supermarket duopoly. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMōrena. Long stories short; here’s my top six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Thursday, September 5:The Groceries Commissioner has ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The thermodynamics of electric vs. internal combustion cars

    This is a re-post from The Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler I love thermodynamics. Thermodynamics is like your mom: it may not tell you what you can do, but it damn well tells you what you can’t do. I’ve written a few previous posts that include thermodynamics, like one on air capture of ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago
  • Security Politics in Peripheral Democracies: Excerpt Three.

    The notion of geopolitical  “periphery.” The concept of periphery used here refers strictly to what can be called the geopolitical periphery. Being on the geopolitical periphery is an analytic virtue because it makes for more visible policy reform in response … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    1 week ago
  • Venus Hum

    Fill me up with soundThe world sings with me a million smiles an hourI can see me dancing on my radioI can hear you singing in the blades of grassYellow dandelions on my way to schoolBig Beautiful Sky!Song: Venus Hum.Good morning, all you lovely people, and welcome to the 700th ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • I Went to a Creed Concert

    Note: The audio attached to this Webworm compliments today’s newsletter. I collected it as I met people attending a Creed concert. Their opinions may differ to mine. Read more ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    1 week ago

  • Need and value at forefront of public service delivery

    New Cabinet policy directives will ensure public agencies prioritise public services on the basis of need and award Government contracts on the basis of public value, Minister for the Public Service Nicola Willis says. “Cabinet Office has today issued a circular to central government organisations setting out the Government’s expectations ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours ago
  • Minister to attend Police Ministers Council Meeting

    Police Minister Mark Mitchell will join with Australian Police Ministers and Commissioners at the Police Ministers Council meeting (PMC) today in Melbourne. “The council is an opportunity to come together to discuss a range of issues, gain valuable insights on areas of common interest, and different approaches towards law enforcement ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 hours ago
  • New Bill to crack down on youth vaping

    The coalition Government has introduced legislation to tackle youth vaping, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello announced today. “The Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Amendment Bill (No 2) is aimed at preventing youth vaping.  “While vaping has contributed to a significant fall in our smoking rates, the rise in youth vaping ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    24 hours ago
  • Interest in agricultural and horticultural products regulatory review welcomed

    Regulation Minister David Seymour, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds, and Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard have welcomed interest in the agricultural and horticultural products regulatory review. The review by the Ministry for Regulation is looking at how to speed up the process to get farmers and growers access to the safe, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Bill to allow online charity lotteries passes first reading

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government is moving at pace to ensure lotteries for charitable purposes are allowed to operate online permanently. Charities fundraising online, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust and local hospices will continue to do ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Tax exempt threshold changes to benefit startups

    Technology companies are among the startups which will benefit from increases to current thresholds of exempt employee share schemes, Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Revenue Minister Simon Watts say. Tax exempt thresholds for the schemes are increasing as part of the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2024-25, Emergency ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Getting the healthcare you need, when you need it

    The path to faster cancer treatment, an increase in immunisation rates, shorter stays in emergency departments and quick assessment and treatments when you are sick has been laid out today. Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has revealed details of how the ambitious health targets the Government has set will be ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Targeted supports to accelerate reading

    The coalition Government is delivering targeted and structured literacy supports to accelerate learning for struggling readers. From Term 1 2025, $33 million of funding for Reading Recovery and Early Literacy Support will be reprioritised to interventions which align with structured approaches to teaching. “Structured literacy will change the way children ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Survivors invited to Abuse in Care national apology

    With two months until the national apology to survivors of abuse in care, expressions of interest have opened for survivors wanting to attend. “The Prime Minister will deliver a national apology on Tuesday 12 November in Parliament. It will be a very significant day for survivors, their families, whānau and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Rangatahi inspire at Ngā Manu Kōrero final

    Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini kē - My success is not mine alone but is the from the strength of the many. Aotearoa New Zealand’s top young speakers are an inspiration for all New Zealanders to learn more about the depth and beauty conveyed ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Driving structured literacy in schools

    The coalition Government is driving confidence in reading and writing in the first years of schooling. “From the first time children step into the classroom, we’re equipping them and teachers with the tools they need to be brilliant in literacy. “From 1 October, schools and kura with Years 0-3 will receive ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Labour’s misleading information is disappointing

    Labour’s misinformation about firearms law is dangerous and disappointing, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee says.   “Labour and Ginny Andersen have repeatedly said over the past few days that the previous Labour Government completely banned semi-automatic firearms in 2019 and that the Coalition Government is planning to ‘reintroduce’ them.   ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Govt takes action on mpox response, widens access to vaccine

    The Government is taking immediate action on a number of steps around New Zealand’s response to mpox, including improving access to vaccine availability so people who need it can do so more easily, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti and Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. “Mpox is obviously a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Next steps agreed for Treaty Principles Bill

    Associate Justice Minister David Seymour says Cabinet has agreed to the next steps for the Treaty Principles Bill. “The Treaty Principles Bill provides an opportunity for Parliament, rather than the courts, to define the principles of the Treaty, including establishing that every person is equal before the law,” says Mr Seymour. “Parliament ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government unlocking potential of AI

    Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins today announced a programme to drive Artificial Intelligence (AI) uptake among New Zealand businesses. “The AI Activator will unlock the potential of AI for New Zealand businesses through a range of support, including access to AI research experts, technical assistance, AI tools and resources, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Promoting faster payment times for government

    The Government is sending a clear message to central government agencies that they must prioritise paying invoices in a timely manner, Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Andrew Bayly says. Data released today promotes transparency by publishing the payment times of each central government agency. This data will be published quarterly ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government releases Wairoa flood review findings

    The independent rapid review into the Wairoa flooding event on 26 June 2024 has been released, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown and Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced today. “We welcome the review’s findings and recommendations to strengthen Wairoa's resilience against future events,” Ms ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Acknowledgement to Kīngi Tuheitia speech

    E te māngai o te Whare Pāremata, kua riro māku te whakaputa i te waka ki waho moana. E te Pirimia tēnā koe.Mr Speaker, it is my privilege to take this adjournment kōrero forward.  Prime Minister – thank you for your leadership. Taupiri te maunga Waikato te awa Te Wherowhero ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Interim fix to GST adjustment rules to support businesses

    Inland Revenue can begin processing GST returns for businesses affected by a historic legislative drafting error, Revenue Minister Simon Watts says. “Inland Revenue has become aware of a legislative drafting error in the GST adjustment rules after changes were made in 2023 which were meant to simplify the process. This ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Strong uptake for cervical screening self-test

    More than 80 per cent of New Zealand women being tested have opted for a world-leading self-test for cervical screening since it became available a year ago. Minister of Health Dr Shane Reti and Associate Minister Casey Costello, in her responsibility for Women’s Health, say it’s fantastic to have such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Ministry for Regulation’s first Strategic Intentions document sets ambitious direction

    Regulation Minister David Seymour welcomes the Ministry for Regulation’s first Strategic Intentions document, which sets out how the Ministry will carry out its work and deliver on its purpose. “I have set up the Ministry for Regulation with three tasks. One, to cut existing red tape with sector reviews. Two, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Māori Education Advisory Group established

    The Education Minister has established a Māori Education Ministerial Advisory Group made up of experienced practitioners to help improve outcomes for Māori learners. “This group will provide independent advice on all matters related to Māori education in both English medium and Māori medium settings. It will focus on the most impactful ways we can lift ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government welcomes findings of NZ Superannuation Fund review

    The Government has welcomed the findings of the recent statutory review into the Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation and the New Zealand Superannuation Fund, Minister of Finance Nicola Willis says. The 5-yearly review, conducted on behalf of Treasury and tabled in Parliament today, found the Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • First of five new Hercules aircraft takes flight

    Defence Minister Judith Collins today welcomed the first of five new C-130J-30 Hercules to arrive in New Zealand at a ceremony at the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s Base Auckland, Whenuapai. “This is an historic day for our New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) and our nation. The new Hercules fleet ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Have your say on suicide prevention

    Today, September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day, a time to reflect on New Zealand’s confronting suicide statistics, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “Every death by suicide is a tragedy – a tragedy that affects far too many of our families and communities in New Zealand. We must do ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Action to grow the rural health workforce

    Scholarships awarded to 27 health care students is another positive step forward to boost the future rural health workforce, Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “All New Zealanders deserve timely access to quality health care and this Government is committed to improving health outcomes, particularly for the one in five ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Pharmac delivering more for Kiwis following major funding boost

    Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Pharmac David Seymour has welcomed the increased availability of medicines for Kiwis resulting from the Government’s increased investment in Pharmac. “Pharmac operates independently, but it must work within the budget constraints set by the Government,” says Mr Seymour. “When our Government assumed office, New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Sport Minister congratulates NZ’s Paralympians

    Sport & Recreation Minister Chris Bishop has congratulated New Zealand's Paralympic Team at the conclusion of the Paralympic Games in Paris.  “The NZ Paralympic Team's success in Paris included fantastic performances, personal best times, New Zealand records and Oceania records all being smashed - and of course, many Kiwis on ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Government progresses response to Abuse in Care recommendations

    A Crown Response Office is being established within the Public Service Commission to drive the Government’s response to the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care. “The creation of an Office within a central Government agency was a key recommendation by the Royal Commission’s final report.  “It will have the mandate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Passport wait times back on-track

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says passport processing has returned to normal, and the Department of Internal Affairs [Department] is now advising customers to allow up to two weeks to receive their passport. “I am pleased that passport processing is back at target service levels and the Department ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New appointments to the FMA board

    Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister has today announced three new appointments and one reappointment to the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) board. Tracey Berry, Nicholas Hegan and Mariette van Ryn have been appointed for a five-year term ending in August 2029, while Chris Swasbrook, who has served as a board member ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • District Court judges appointed

    Attorney-General Hon Judith Collins today announced the appointment of two new District Court judges. The appointees, who will take up their roles at the Manukau Court and the Auckland Court in the Accident Compensation Appeal Jurisdiction, are: Jacqui Clark Judge Clark was admitted to the bar in 1988 after graduating ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government makes it faster and easier to invest in New Zealand

    Associate Minister of Finance David Seymour is encouraged by significant improvements to overseas investment decision timeframes, and the enhanced interest from investors as the Government continues to reform overseas investment. “There were about as many foreign direct investment applications in July and August as there was across the six months ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New Zealand to join Operation Olympic Defender

    New Zealand has accepted an invitation to join US-led multi-national space initiative Operation Olympic Defender, Defence Minister Judith Collins announced today. Operation Olympic Defender is designed to coordinate the space capabilities of member nations, enhance the resilience of space-based systems, deter hostile actions in space and reduce the spread of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government commits to ‘stamping out’ foot and mouth disease

    Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says that a new economic impact analysis report reinforces this government’s commitment to ‘stamp out’ any New Zealand foot and mouth disease incursion. “The new analysis, produced by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research, shows an incursion of the disease in New Zealand would have ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Improving access to finance for Kiwis

    5 September 2024  The Government is progressing further reforms to financial services to make it easier for Kiwis to access finance when they need it, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says.  “Financial services are foundational for economic success and are woven throughout our lives. Without access to finance our ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Prime Minister pays tribute to Kiingi Tuheitia

    As Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII is laid to rest today, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has paid tribute to a leader whose commitment to Kotahitanga will have a lasting impact on our country. “Kiingi Tuheitia was a humble leader who served his people with wisdom, mana and an unwavering ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Resource Management reform to make forestry rules clearer

    Forestry Minister Todd McClay today announced proposals to reform the resource management system that will provide greater certainty for the forestry sector and help them meet environmental obligations.   “The Government has committed to restoring confidence and certainty across the sector by removing unworkable regulatory burden created by the previous ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • More choice and competition in building products

    A major shake-up of building products which will make it easier and more affordable to build is on the way, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Today we have introduced legislation that will improve access to a wider variety of quality building products from overseas, giving Kiwis more choice and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Joint Statement between the Republic of Korea and New Zealand 4 September 2024, Seoul

    On the occasion of the official visit by the Right Honourable Prime Minister Christopher Luxon of New Zealand to the Republic of Korea from 4 to 5 September 2024, a summit meeting was held between His Excellency President Yoon Suk Yeol of the Republic of Korea (hereinafter referred to as ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-09-13T04:55:15+00:00