Russel Norman’s valedictory speech – activists and agitators

Written By: - Date published: 6:32 pm, October 22nd, 2015 - 58 comments
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58 comments on “Russel Norman’s valedictory speech – activists and agitators ”

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  1. mickysavage 1
    22 October 2015 at 6:34 pm

    Good speech by Russel. And there were only 19 out of 59 National Party MPs in the house including no one on the front bench. Very poor.

    • maui 1.1
      22 October 2015 at 9:04 pm

      Hardly surprising though is it. The nat heavy hitters can’t handle a good dose of truth with no chance of a reply.

    • Gavin 1.2
      22 October 2015 at 10:40 pm

      Yes, an inspiring speech, with a few warnings thrown in. I hope the Greens remember that the Labour bench showed the proper respect by being there to help give him a standing ovation.

    • alwyn 1.3
      23 October 2015 at 5:13 pm

      I can remember when Don Brash gave his valedictory speech.
      Helen Clark and Michael Cullen went and sat in Bellamys during the speech.
      Neither of then had the grace to go into the House for it.
      They didn’t want people to think that they might have had important business and couldn’t be there. They simply wanted to illustrate publicly what miserable behaviour they were capable of.
      You did notice that National were a great deal more gracious when Helen and Michael quit.
      Russel could at least have given it when there were some ministers in Wellington couldn’t he? Most Ministers leave Wellington right after Question Time on Thursday and The PM isn’t here at all on a Thursday.

      • mickysavage 1.3.1
        23 October 2015 at 8:35 pm

        Wow lookie here. Comment from that staunch left winger David Farrar …

        “Pretty much a full house and galleries for it, except noticeably Winston and Helen both left as it commenced.”

        TBH I could not blame Helen for leaving. But compare this to the treatment National gave to Russel and it does not compare.

        And besides I though that many if not most ministers were in Wellington on Friday.

  2. Phaedrus 2
    22 October 2015 at 6:52 pm

    What a loss to The Greens and to Parliament. What a gain for Greenpeace.

    • Tracey 2.1
      22 October 2015 at 6:55 pm

      people thought Greens wouldn’t survive when donald died. when fitzsimons retired. good people keep following.

      • weston 2.1.1
        22 October 2015 at 8:24 pm

        might be a limit to the size of the pool though and rnorman out a country mile ahead of his compatriates i reckon He seems to have been providing for quite some time almost all the effective opposition in parliment and probably the man most hated by key

        • Tracey 2.1.1.1
          23 October 2015 at 9:13 am

          Don’t agree. Greens members are a very passionate bunch. A voting pool of about 10% means there are plenty of people with passion and commitment able to step up.

        • Matthew Whitehead 2.1.1.2
          23 October 2015 at 3:45 pm

          lol if anything the newcomers are pretty damn impressive. Sure you might get the odd MP who not the entire Green community will support, but overall the depth of talent in the party is amazing, and I don’t see them in Labour’s shoes (ie. having half their caucus be useless or rebellious) anytime soon.

  3. Kevin 3
    22 October 2015 at 7:39 pm

    Nice kick to the nuts of David Carter.

  4. Ad 4
    22 October 2015 at 7:41 pm

    I’m just glad there was a job in New Zealand right enough to keep him here.

  5. Anne 5
    22 October 2015 at 7:41 pm

    Thanks to Russell Norman for a brave speech. Everything he said is absolutely true. I’m proud to be an agitator. Apart from anything else it makes life interesting. 🙂

    • weka 5.1
      22 October 2015 at 7:48 pm

      I thought he was pretty forthright too. Nice to see those values and ethics still strong in him and the GP. Liked the bit about how people in power will lie to you.

      Still don’t understand why more leftwing people don’t Green. Listening to Norman, most of its there, so what’s not to like?

      • Anne 5.1.1
        22 October 2015 at 8:02 pm

        Some of us need to stay in Labour to fight the good fight from within. In an MMP environment it’s important to ensure all the parties of the left have a strong green influence. It’s also important that values and ethics are not only kept alive but become the dominant feature so that when we become the government it will be a strong and stable govt. for years to come.

        Nice dream anyway.

        • weka 5.1.1.1
          22 October 2015 at 8:45 pm

          Great perspective Anne!

          I was meaning why don’t more people in general vote GP (rather than thinking that Labour party people should, sorry I should have been clearer, it was just a thought from earlier in the day).

      • Psycho Milt 5.1.2
        23 October 2015 at 6:43 am

        Still don’t understand why more leftwing people don’t Green. Listening to Norman, most of its there, so what’s not to like?

        Can’t speak for others, but in my case, Norman might make a good speech but too much of the rest of the party consists of anti-science, anti-industry hippies. They’re making some attempts to try and conceal it these days, and I expect James Shaw will make even more of an effort, but concealment is all it is. I’ll vote for a party that wants to protect the environment, but not one that’s sceptical of science and opposed to the kinds of industries that working-class types work in. Many left-wingers have no vision of NZ as a rural idyll in which everyone’s an artisan or craftsman of some description.

        • RedLogix 5.1.2.1
          23 October 2015 at 8:05 am

          Many left-wingers have no vision of NZ as a rural idyll in which everyone’s an artisan or craftsman of some description.

          Yes – while I think many people might be able to imagine such a thing; they’ll make no move to achieve it until they see it demonstrated and they can see it work.

          Most working class people are quite conservative in this respect. They have to be.

          • Joseph 5.1.2.1.1
            23 October 2015 at 9:19 pm

            They won’t see it demonstrated until they give them a chance. In the meantime, they’ve been voting for who to such great effect?

        • weka 5.1.2.2
          23 October 2015 at 9:47 am

          That’s interesting PM. Of course it doesn’t reflect actual GP positions, policy or even MPs very well, but maybe that’s the point. People’s perceptions are still off, and so the party has a problem with how it’s communicating.

          I’m like to know which policies you think are anti-science. Let’s leave the GE one out for the moment and look at the others.

          • Psycho Milt 5.1.2.2.1
            23 October 2015 at 10:16 am

            Leaving the GE issue out of a discussion of whether the Green Party is anti-science is like leaving creationism out of a discussion of whether some Christian group is anti-science. Still, as you say, their current policies don’t reflect an anti-science attitude, which shows a desire to overcome that perception. I just think that perception will be difficult to change while Steffan Browning spends time peering through fences at Scion seeing if he can catch them making GE trees, and many of us have memories of discussions with Greens about food or medicine that quickly became a tinfoil-hat festival. On the plus side, changing perceptions will have become a lot less difficult for them since Sue Kedgeley retired.

            • weka 5.1.2.2.1.1
              23 October 2015 at 10:33 am

              Right, so not anti-science, but perceived as anti-science by some. I think this is an ongoing issue on many levels for the GP. The way they are perceived doesn’t match their policies or positions, which is odd given that they’re pretty up front about those things. It makes me wonder if there is some deeper mistrust that prevents people from making informed decisions (which is kind of ironic).

              Steffan Browning does some good things, and some occasional daft things, and he’s probably the least suited to the hardcore, macho, spin culture that is modern NZ politics. Which is a shame, because parliament should be made up of many different kinds of people not just the ones with fancy suits and clever tongues.

              Leaving the GE issue out of a discussion of whether the Green Party is anti-science is like leaving creationism out of a discussion of whether some Christian group is anti-science.

              I love it when science fundamentalists get their rationales so wrong.

        • Karen 5.1.2.3
          23 October 2015 at 10:21 am

          The National Party is the most anti -science party in parliament currently and people voted for them. Who can forget Key on the BBC Hardtalk programme arrogantly dismissing the evidence of Mike Joy? Or the Nats attitude to climate change?

          Steffan Browning is the only Green MP who could be accused of having expressed anti-science ideas.

          • Psycho Milt 5.1.2.3.1
            23 October 2015 at 10:56 am

            The National Party is the most anti -science party in parliament currently…

            Absolutely – I agree completely. But their target market isn’t left-wingers.

            • Karen 5.1.2.3.1.1
              23 October 2015 at 11:12 am

              I don’t know of any left wingers who think the Green Party is anti-science.

              I do know a number of left wingers who see the Green Party as a bit too middle class for them. This is a perception problem that is not based on Green policies.

              • Psycho Milt …
                23 October 2015 at 12:52 pm

                You know of one now. And if you hang out with people who work in the sciences, you’ll have no trouble meeting others.

              • Psycho Milt …
                23 October 2015 at 12:56 pm

                That said, let’s clarify terms here. My view isn’t that the Green Party is anti-science, it’s that “much of … the party consists of anti-science, anti-industry hippies.”

                • Karen …
                  23 October 2015 at 1:16 pm

                  I am a bit confused about whether you mean Green Party policy, Green Party MPs or Green Party members?

                  It sounds as if you are really talking about some members of the Green Party and I could agree with the anti-science label for some of them, but surely policies and MPs are the drivers for voter perception, not individual members.

                  • Psycho Milt …
                    23 October 2015 at 3:13 pm

                    Not at all. I usually don’t have a clue about a party’s policies unless I go and look at them. But an MP or party spokesperson making a twat of themselves on TV, that I tend to remember. I’m by no means unusual in that respect.

  6. maui 6
    22 October 2015 at 9:07 pm

    Well done Russ, hit it out of the park.

  7. Yorro 7
    22 October 2015 at 9:38 pm

    Tried watching his speech on various sites but seems it’s blocked.

  8. seeker 8
    22 October 2015 at 10:22 pm

    Applause, applause, applause Russel Norman. A fine speech from a fine man. Thank God for a mighty fine agitator who has done much for New Zealand and is about to do even more in his new job I am sure.

    • ianmac 8.1
      22 October 2015 at 10:53 pm

      Great speech. Admiration Russel. Hit many nails. Thanks Russel.

      Hope the Speaker takes it on board and starts insisting that Ministers answer instead of just addressing.

  9. geoff 9
    22 October 2015 at 11:00 pm

    Great speech from Russel!

  10. whateva next? 10
    22 October 2015 at 11:33 pm

    Really enjoyed listening to every word he said, and still wonder how people can support National in the face of such intelligent politics. I admire his stamina, and integrity, he will be a loss to parliament, but by crikey he deserves a rest.

  11. AmaKiwi 11
    23 October 2015 at 1:47 am

    Great speech, especially his comments about democracy.

    I wish the Labour caucus had even a primitive understanding of what democracy is and why it is essential for a healthy society. Sadly, they don’t.

  12. Stuart Munro 12
    23 October 2015 at 5:02 am

    He did a great job – hard act to follow – and will be a sound leader for Greenpeace. More than anyone else in parliament he made it clear that the Gnats are frighteningly stupid, unusually lazy, and utterly corrupt. The mirror is a daily shaming for Gnats.

    • whateva next? 12.1
      23 October 2015 at 9:50 am

      As I said above
      “still wonder how people can support National in the face of such intelligent politics”
      How long will it take for those swingers to realise National are
      “frighteningly stupid, ?

  13. savenz 13
    23 October 2015 at 8:51 am

    Fantastic speech. A real loss to the Greens but a gain to Greenpeace.

    Fantastic messages and long reign agitators!

    A sad day in parliament though. What a loss to the country.

    We really need to fight this fight against the erosion of our democracy!

  14. AmaKiwi 14
    23 October 2015 at 8:52 am

    Russel Norman’s biting sarcasm (24 Feb. 2015) on sending NZ troops to the Middle East.

    (Our soldiers are going to) “defend democracy in the Middle East but the National party government has just now prevented parliament from voting on whether NZ should go to war.”

    “Democracy it seems is a military export and not for domestic consumption.”

    Russel’s stinging insights will be sorely missed.

    (Hear his entire excellent speech by clicking on “Three Speeches on Going to War” at the top of this page.)

  15. gsays 15
    23 October 2015 at 9:43 am

    Inspiring korero.

    A great feeling to be encouraged to agitate.

    Parliament’s loss is Greenpeace’s gain.

    Nandor observed he would be more effective outside Parliament than inside it.

    • dukeofurl 15.1
      23 October 2015 at 10:20 am

      Whos Nandor ?

      To be honest it was a poor speech, more like some ones maiden speech. Considering he has done much better in other times.

      He stumbled and fumbled the beginning with an obscure australian reference. The timing was all off too

      He went on and on about the government being anti democratic , not mentioning the Greens failure to ultise the one member , one vote principle themselves. Its more in common with Britains rotten boroughs of the 19th century, with the bigger branches votes controlled by a dozen or so.

      • maui 15.1.1
        23 October 2015 at 10:42 am

        Nandor Tanczos, you can’t have been around the political scene for that long then.

        Does anyone know what Nandor does now? He seemed to drop off the radar after he left parliament.

      • weka 15.1.2
        23 October 2015 at 10:50 am

        He went on and on about the government being anti democratic , not mentioning the Greens failure to ultise the one member , one vote principle themselves. Its more in common with Britains rotten boroughs of the 19th century, with the bigger branches votes controlled by a dozen or so.

        That’s a particularly poor piece of green bashing. What vote are you talking about? The GP has a number of different ways of member involvement and participation, depending on what the decision is.

        • weka 15.1.2.1
          23 October 2015 at 10:53 am

          btw, one person/one vote is a very basic form of democracy and not the most fair. You obviously missed Norman’s point about democracy being a spectrum.

          • dukeofurl 15.1.2.1.1
            23 October 2015 at 12:08 pm

            Democracy being a spectrum ? What nutcase dogma is that?

            One person, one vote not the most fair? I dont think Ive heard a bigger load of absolute nonsense in a long time. So decision making by elites is so much better!

            The one vote one member didnt apply during their election for leader with XY chromosome. Doesnt seem to apply during during other ‘members votes’ either, but Im not sure.
            Its done and dusted by the cliques who control the branches, all very rotten borough- the discredited way the British upper classes controlled the House of Commons.
            Why do the Greens hate one person one vote when it comes to their membership ? Is not STV something they love , but only for everyone else?

            • weka 15.1.2.1.1.1
              23 October 2015 at 12:21 pm

              If you think that democracy has to be one person one vote and that’s all or otherwise it’s control by the elites, then you have a pretty backwards view of what democracy is and its potential.

              We have one person one vote and little else in our general and local body elections. Many people feel disenfranchised, and turnout is dropping for the general election, and abysmal for local bodies.

              But even within that system we can see that there are other things that make it more fair eg moving from FPP to MMP. Beyond that, there are issues of participation. Most NZers don’t have much say in how the country is run. That’s a shame. Participation is so much more than just a single vote, which is the point that Norman was making. Participation means that more people get to have more input into how things are done.

              https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Participatory_democracy

              I took part in the leadership selection process as an ordinary member and I can tell you that you are wrong in your assessment of it. It’s true that people need to involve themselves as opposed to say being sent an email from which they can vote. The co-leader was chosen by delegates at the AGM, and delegates represent the view of the branch active members. Anyone can take part in that. I found the process thorough and as fair as it could be given the limitations. I think this is a better system than one person/one vote where you often have people voting with no knowledge of the candidates and no opportunity to discuss the pros and cons of each. In the process used by the GP, there was opportunity to learn and discuss and this make an informed choice. It’s appropriate that such an important position is chosen by people who are involved and have some idea about the various issues.

              • dukeofurl …
                23 October 2015 at 4:17 pm

                Thats gobbledygook about ‘our bettors’ being the only ones who know whats going and are thus better qualified to take decisions. Its only a party leader. Labour made sure all its members get a choice, most easily shown by a chance to vote ( not compulsory)

                Norman , a PhD in political science no less, is talking about the ‘members of the Green party’ in an abstract sense, since only some of them really matter, and when he talks about democracy is not some thing that they practice around the Green party.

                None the less empty platitudes from Norman where he moves on to a group where democracy isnt something he will have to worry about at all.

                • weka …
                  23 October 2015 at 5:44 pm

                  Now you’re just making shit up. The GP co-leadership selection wasn’t done by the elite. You’re the one with the chip on your shoulder about ‘betters’, and you appear to be too dimwitted to understand general theories about democracy and what it is.

                  You’ve also failed to make any substantive points beyond your usual “I hate the GP” cloaked in assertions. Boring and stupid.

                  • One Anonymous Bloke …
                    24 October 2015 at 7:53 am

                    delegates represent the view of the branch active members. Anyone can take part in that.

                    Duke’s transparent hostility and malice aside, this isn’t 100% true, eh Weka: this structure favours those who are in a position to make a long-term commitment to political activism beyond simple party membership.

                    That isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

                    • weka …
                      24 October 2015 at 11:24 am

                      Yes and no re participation. I think there are things that the party could do to improve this for sure. From what I understand any member could have taken part in the co-leadership selection process by phone, email, online or meetings. That doesn’t require a long term commitment to political activism just an interest in who becomes the co-leader and either phone or internet access or time/ability to attend a meeting. However I don’t think the party was that great at communicating this clearly and so by default people that are more interested are going to take the time to make themselves involved.

                      I agree it’s not necessarily a bad thing. I’d like to see increase in access if it’s done alongside increase in education and places to discuss what is being decided (essentially political community building). I’m guessing that the party doesn’t have the resources to do that, but it could also be that it’s not a priority.

            • Colonial Viper 15.1.2.1.1.2
              23 October 2015 at 12:28 pm

              Democracy being a spectrum ? What nutcase dogma is that?

              LOL as weka implies, you really are true Thorndon Bubble.

  16. Red delusion 16
    23 October 2015 at 4:26 pm

    The real question is not democracy or lack of it in the GP, what the nation really wants to know is wether Wussel ever got his flag back

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    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 ...
    Skeptical Science
    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 ...
    Skeptical Science
    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 ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    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 ...
    Skeptical Science
    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 ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    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 ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 19

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

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

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

    Attorney-General Judith Collins today reminded all State and faith-based institutions of their legal obligation to preserve records relevant to the safety and wellbeing of those in its care. “The Abuse in Care Inquiry’s report has found cases where records of the most vulnerable people in State and faith‑based institutions were ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    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
    21 hours ago
  • Speech to the Conference for General Practice 2024

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

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

    An experimental vineyard which will help futureproof the wine sector has been opened in Blenheim by Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson. The covered vineyard, based at the New Zealand Wine Centre – Te 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
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  • Commissioner replaces Health NZ Board

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