Salvation Army report – NZ “Off the Track”

Written By: - Date published: 8:56 am, February 8th, 2017 - 61 comments
Categories: class war, housing, poverty - Tags: , , , , ,

The Salvation Army has just released its own annual “state of the nation” report. While news is mixed, the overall finding is that we are “off the track” and without a plan. From the report (pdf):

Introduction
…
However, in some of our most critical areas the nation appears to have stalled or even gone backwards. In publishing this report, The Salvation Army wishes to particularly highlight the following areas:
• seemingly entrenched rates of child poverty and child abuse
• the burgeoning incarceration rates of prisoners, along with high recidivism rates
• an alarming lack of safe, affordable housing that has resulted in a level of homelessness not seen in New Zealand in the lifetime of most Kiwis.

These concerns alone seem sufficient reason to ask the question: Are we off the track?

Our Children
…
Of greatest disappointment is the persistence of child poverty, which appears to have become embedded in New Zealand’s social and economic settings. The culpability of Government in this lack of progress should be noted —especially through its welfare reforms, which have yet to identify any positive impacts on the lives of poorer New Zealand children.

The Working for Families package of income support was introduced in 2006 in a bid by the Labour-led Government to reduce child poverty, especially amongst working poor families. The programme had this effect, halving child poverty rates amongst working families.7 However, since 2010, the value of Working for Families has been eroded through an opaque series of adjustments to thresholds and abatement rates.

The absence of any meaningful progress in reducing child poverty rates over the past decade—and the lack of interest by Government in using welfare and income support programmes to do so—points to wilful indifference toward the long-term personal and social impacts of this avoidable harm.

Housing

There is little, if any, good news in the housing area unless you are a property speculator, residential property investor or own shares in a bank involved in mortgage lending.

Auckland’s housing shortage has continued to worsen on the back of record immigration. The average sale price of an Auckland house topped $1 million, and housing in that region became yet less affordable with house prices and rents continuing to rise much faster than wages and salaries. Auckland’s difficulties with housing affordability appear to be spreading to other cities in the top of the North Island.

Housing debt and household indebtedness also reached new record highs despite efforts by the Reserve Bank and the main trading banks to curb highly geared lending. Outside of these Reserve Bank’s measures and Government’s small efforts to prop up emergency housing providers with emergency funding, there have been few if any credible public policy initiatives to address these growing problems.

Returning again to the Introduction, it concludes as follows:

In an election year, it is timely to challenge all who would aspire to govern—and, in fact, all New Zealanders who are part of the fabric of Aotearoa New Zealand—to think deeply about the social progress we want to achieve for ourselves and our children. Are we heading off the track in a way that benefits only a few (and perhaps only in the short term), while leaving others at risk? Or will we work together to establish a track leading to a New Zealand where all children and families are able to live, grow and be supported to flourish in a nation we might gladly call ‘God’s own’. The question all voting citizens will consider this year is: Who has the insight, the imagination and the courage to identify a path that might lead to such a country?

Oddly enough, you won’t find many of these quotes in coverage by The Herald or Stuff.

61 comments on “Salvation Army report – NZ “Off the Track” ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. jcuknz 1
    8 February 2017 at 9:26 am

    It is the difference between an ambulance at the bottom of the cliff [Nats] and a fence at the cliff top edge [Sallies].

    • weka 1.1
      8 February 2017 at 9:51 am

      Very generous of you to suggest that National is offering even an ambulance at the bottom.

      • saveNZ 1.1.1
        8 February 2017 at 11:26 am

        The Natz ambulance is privately run and charges taxpayer double markets rates who then charges the occupants who pay back out of their benefit…

        In short the ambulance is only there to make money for private firms and clear the cliff bottoms of bodies so that they remain out of sight.

      • Antoine 1.1.2
        8 February 2017 at 11:37 am

        Hmm?

        Here’s Labour supporting National’s measures to put in a fence at a top of a cliff:

        https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/document/51HansD_20160601_00000012/social-security-extension-of-young-persons-services-and

        (Sound bite: “The bill requires all 19-year-old parents to access the Youth Service, including having a supportive relationship with a youth coach, parenting and budgeting courses, and support to engage in educational training. Making sure that these young parents have access to the support they need throughout their teen years will support positive outcomes for both them and their children.”)

        Admittedly Carmel Sepuloni expressed some reservations, but as it says at the bottom, Labour did vote for it.

        These sort of measures have halved NZ’s teen pregnancy rate during National’s term.

        A.

        • red-blooded 1.1.2.1
          8 February 2017 at 7:00 pm

          Actually, Antione, this is a watered down version of a long-standing Labour policy. It’s hardly a surprise that they voted for it, although it’s not as comprehensive as the original policy (which would have seen secondary schools operating as hubs to organise ongoing mentoring of under 20s, and as one-stop-shops for provision of social services, career advice and support for job-seekers, coordination of ongoing training and tertiary education options, some primary healthcare services, counselling…etc).

          • Antoine 1.1.2.1.1
            8 February 2017 at 9:59 pm

            > Actually, Antione, this is a watered down version of a long-standing Labour policy.

            Just for a change…

            A.

    • Philj 1.2
      9 February 2017 at 3:09 pm

      You privatize the ambo @ the bottom of the cliff. Good for the bottom line.

  2. michelle 2
    8 February 2017 at 9:50 am

    Bill English and his social investment approach is not and will not work it hasn’t worked in USA and it won’t work here but it is his way of getting out of any social responsibility for vulnerable NZers by passing the buck and blaming people when they don’t have the means to help themselves.
    If we want to see a better and fairer NZ we need to invest in our people by educating them and providing them with the means to help themselves. We appear to be good at helping others but not our own we are too busy judging very sad indeed we have become like this.
    The tories have divided our country with their nasty talk and mean spirited policies exacerbating poverty.
    The ladder has been pulled away by the very people that benefitted from a prosperous welfare state.
    We must vote for a change of government the tories have had there chance and they haven’t delivered on the brighter future they promised we all know who has benefitted and will continue to until we get rid of this lot.

    • Stunned Mullet 2.1
      8 February 2017 at 9:54 am

      “If we want to see a better and fairer NZ we need to invest in our people by educating them and providing them with the means to help themselves.”

      What do you suggest ?

      • xanthe 2.1.1
        8 February 2017 at 9:56 am

        UB! !

        • BM 2.1.1.1
          8 February 2017 at 9:58 am

          Labour is not going to do a UBI, that would be electoral suicide

          • AB 2.1.1.1.1
            8 February 2017 at 10:35 am

            Quite possibly – because the only people we tolerate getting “something for nothing” are so-called investors getting unearned, untaxed capital gain – especially in the housing market.
            We don’t allow ordinary people to have free money because then they might lose their work ethic eh?

          • saveNZ 2.1.1.1.2
            8 February 2017 at 11:29 am

            BM giving advice to Labour! Just not sure why anyone would trust it!

            Hedge bets by offering a referendum on UBI – let Kiwis decide what they want.

      • michelle 2.1.2
        8 February 2017 at 11:16 am

        Stunned Mullet do you want me to do the gnats job for them. They cut funding for second chance learners and the most vulnerable we need bridge courses to fill the gaps we need good public education we need good social programs to address the rising social issues we now have in our country. Also we have far too many NEETS in our country and I think the gnats have no new ideas and want people like me to do the thinking for them when these muppets are getting paid for this and need to start doing their job

        • Sorrwerdna 2.1.2.1
          8 February 2017 at 1:18 pm

          michelle – where were there cuts in second chance education?? As far as I’m aware there has been year on year increases with funding being prioritised to high performing providers

          • michelle 2.1.2.1.1
            8 February 2017 at 2:58 pm

            night school gone this was a stepping stones to getting into education and one that worked for me , harder to get into universities for mature aged students, caps on social science degrees, increased costs to study , cuts to primary schools and mainstream schools budgets. Hence why we have principles burning out and leaving in there droves.
            Can you tell me Sorrwerdna what second chance educators got increases

            • garibaldi 2.1.2.1.1.1
              8 February 2017 at 5:05 pm

              You are dead right Michelle, we must invest . Trouble is we have to admit it would be political suicide to propose investing in what has to be done because the amount is now astronomical. It’s not going to happen under our current system. Easier to promise more cops, just like the two Parties responsible for the dire straits we are now in are both doing, in the false hope of fixing things. DUH to them both.

          • UncookedSelachimorpha 2.1.2.1.2
            9 February 2017 at 3:36 am

            When I was a teenager and in my early 20’s in Christchurch , schools at night had well – attended night schools for adults who had missed out on school qualifications. I was able to attend adult polytechnic courses for interest (which I did while also at high school – mandarin Chinese and computer programming) . All this, including any later university, was 100% free, and university included a living allowance you could actually live on. It was not that long ago, and nz is just as wealthy now as it was then. The politicians who have destroyed all this, enjoyed it when they were young themselves . All this gone, just so the tax burden on the wealthy could be slashed.

      • Skeptic 2.1.3
        28 February 2017 at 3:31 pm

        Minimum wage = livable wage BY ENTRENCHED LAW. Independent assessment based on survey of income compulsorily supplied by everyone – income = all remuneration and total income package. Minimum/livable wage set BY LAW at 1/7th of top 10% income bracket. All hours over 40 MANDATORY double time (tired worker = health and safety issue, so very heavy penalties). All temp and contract labour outlawed/forbidden.
        All medical and dental care free – doctors and practitioners trained at taxpayer expense and bonded to public service for 10 years. Private medical care outlawed in NZ.
        Re-develop NZ internal economy through fully funded state provided housing program and 1st home mortgage at discounted interest rate. HCNZ revamped and independent by entrenched law (so that the bastards can’t change if they get back into power)
        Quite a few other ideas that appeal to lower paid income bracket.

  3. Tarquin 3
    8 February 2017 at 11:21 am

    I can remember back in the good old days when the Salvation Army were a church group that helped people. Somehow they have morphed in to a political pressure group. Maybe they should stick to their core business.

    • Draco T Bastard 3.1
      8 February 2017 at 11:33 am

      Churches have always been political.

      But it’s not surprising that the RWNJs would try and defend the indefensible actions by this government by saying that people who do actually do good works shouldn’t criticise them.

      It’s the typical patronising BS that we always get from authoritarians as their beliefs and policies cause so much harm and people start calling them on it.

    • AB 3.2
      8 February 2017 at 11:34 am

      Maybe you should read the gospels? I am not religious myself but there is a very strong tradition of Christians speaking out in defence of human dignity and the intrinsic worth of each person.

    • shorts 3.3
      8 February 2017 at 1:27 pm

      I guess in the good old days things weren’t getting progressively worse thus there was little need to try and pressure the powers that be to help kiwis, they did that by default

    • Whispering Kate 3.4
      8 February 2017 at 3:50 pm

      Tarquin – Read your history dumbwit, for as far back as 1000 years ago and even before that churches, monastries and nunneries and have dealt with the vulnerable, nursed plague victims when nobody else cared enough to nurse them, built charity hospitals and cared for people who had fallen through the cracks. She-it some people give me a pain in the ass. The Sallies have been looking after very vulnerable people for as long as they have existed. If you want to talk rubbish do it somewhere else. These churches got very involved in politics – Thomas Beckett for one – get some history under your belt.

    • The Fairy Godmother 3.5
      8 February 2017 at 4:21 pm

      Doubtless you are unfamiliar with the Bible. However Jesus does mention hell, not in relation to gay people or others who do not follow the personal morality proscribed by some conservatives. The people who he says in Matthew 25: 31 46 are destined for hell are those who didn’t feed the hungry, give a drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, take care of the sick and those in prison and didn’t welcome strangers. Interestingly it seems that the Salvation army are doing their best to follow the scriptures and good on them. The so-called Christians who follow the likes of Donald Trump, are, according to the scriptures they claim to follow are destined for hell.

      • Skeptic 3.5.1
        28 February 2017 at 3:36 pm

        Yeah – personally I like the parable where he finishes with “Whatever you do to the least of my brethren, you also do to me.” I think that ought to be quoted to more often to benefit bashers, crim bashers, gay bashers and poor bashers. In fact, it should be put up in lights in suburbs like Fendalton, Remuera, Ohouria etc.

    • Paul 3.6
      8 February 2017 at 5:41 pm

      What a ghastly comment.

  4. Draco T Bastard 4
    8 February 2017 at 11:29 am

    NZ has been off track since the 4th Labour government introduced neo-liberal ideology to our nation. Since then we’ve seen a rise in poverty and a massive increase in inequality.

    The government now rules for the rich and not the people in general.

    • michelle 4.1
      8 February 2017 at 11:36 am

      Draco we need to move on from who started what and when it sounds like a kid saying but he did it so why cant I. In the last 8 years we have gone down hill why ask yourself why and how has this happened ?

      • Draco T Bastard 4.1.1
        8 February 2017 at 11:43 am

        I’d like to agree with you but we really do need to understand what went wrong. Without that then we can’t make a move in a better direction.

        Now, what went before then also didn’t work and it was failing. That was the pressure that pushed the neo-liberal reforms through. The difference is that back then we did care for our people.

        Now we’ve got a failing system, little to no care for our people and no apparent understanding of how we got here.

        The point is that it’s not just the last 8 years that we’ve gone downhill but the last 30+ if we add in the fact the the previous system, Keynesianism, was failing.

        What it comes down to is that we have to accept that capitalism itself simply doesn’t work and then we need to replace it.

        • Tarquin 4.1.1.1
          8 February 2017 at 11:56 am

          I don’t disagree with you on this subject Draco, what I’m trying to get across is that the Salvation Army were always utterly non judgemental, their only real rule is don’t drink. I have donated a lot of money to them over the years for this very reason and will continue to do so. I hope taking this tack doesn’t affect their income.

          • red-blooded 4.1.1.1.1
            8 February 2017 at 7:05 pm

            Actually, the Sallies have not always been non-judgemental. They campaigned viciously against homosexual law reform. Again, this was a long time ago, but it’s still part of “always”. They do some great work, though, and deserve respect for the practical support they continue to offer all sorts of people and the moral courage they show in speaking up for the oppressed.

        • michelle 4.1.1.2
          8 February 2017 at 3:07 pm

          I see what I see draco and I have been here all my life and my people have been here for thousand of years despite our history being told by others. I see in the last 8 years things have gotten worse we have experienced more begging more homelessness and this is what happens when we have a recession we all have to pay for others greed. I also see more racism and discrimination towards my people ( Maori) and divisiveness and it makes me very angry indeed when I know our people made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. You see what you want to see but your not Maori and your experiences of NZ are not the same as our peoples and never will be .

          • Whispering Kate 4.1.1.2.1
            8 February 2017 at 3:58 pm

            Draco is correct, of course the past eight years has gone seriously down hill, but to learn from history you have to go back to the origins of how this neo-lib nightmare started, and sorry folks but it was a Labour Government under the pig farmer who got this ball rolling. Obviously National didn’t create this mess as they haven’t the bottle to do anything seriously disrupting to the country – they are gutless , Labour has always done the visionary things but this one time it got it terribly wrong. National just picked up the ball, breathed a sigh of relief, ran with it and embellished it like they would have loved to have done, had they the courage to do so.

            It’s Labour’s to own.

            • garibaldi 4.1.1.2.1.1
              8 February 2017 at 5:23 pm

              Yes , it is Labour’s to own, but they won’t. They say they have ‘moved on’. What they are really saying is that they don’t want to spook the horses of Capital and to that end they are merely offering a slight tweak to ‘more of the same’. This to me is what is wrong with trying to unify the left at the moment. It’s just a Claytons effort if we remain in the clutches of Neoliberalism.

              • Draco T Bastard …
                8 February 2017 at 6:03 pm

                +1

                Yep, Labour say that they’ve moved on from then but then they come out with policies that fit that framework. It puts the lie to what they say and indicates that they don’t wish to go back and investigate, don’t wish to have people questioning them about it and that shows deceit.

                • red-blooded …
                  8 February 2017 at 7:31 pm

                  Labour has always been the party of vision and change. Yes, the economic policies of the 4th Labour government were painful and extreme. (They did lots of other things that were worth celebrating.) They were reacting against a painful and extreme situation, though – a wage-price freeze (which froze wages but not prices), inflation nearing 20%, international lenders downgrading our credit status, rampant unemployment… The effects of Muldoonism were pretty bloody awful and they (presumably) thought they were opening up opportunities and giving people choices. They were heedless and out of touch and they went too far. Working people and beneficiaries paid the price. Lange’s “cup of tea” break came too late (but thankfully headed off the flat tax rate that Rogers wanted to impose).

                  I don’t think it’s fair to keep saying that Labour hasn’t addressed this issue, though. The policies of the Clark government were much more focused on giving support to those in need and on trying to reduce inequality, and current policies are driven by strong social values and a clear view of the responsibilities of the state. They aren’t using exactly the same mechanisms as they would have used in the 1930s, Draco, but that’s not “deceit”, it’s common sense. The world is different and while the driving principals may be very much the same (but now including many issues that weren’t considered when the party started), it’s not surprising that some different mechanisms may be used.

                  I think you’re being overly simplistic and overly negative about Labour, Draco. I also think it’s this kind of thinking that sees people opting out rather than getting politically active. If you don’t like what you see of Labour, then either:
                  a) Join up and work to change it from within, or
                  b) Vote and campaign for the Greens.

                  Either way, you’d be helping to elect a more caring government. Just bagging Labour achieves nothing positive.

                  • Draco T Bastard …
                    8 February 2017 at 8:05 pm

                    The effects of Muldoonism were pretty bloody awful

                    Ah, but was that the effect of Muldoon or capitalism?

                    Because from where I’m sitting, it looks remarkably the same. And we need to remember that the whole world was suffering at the time from the same malaise.

                    I don’t think it’s fair to keep saying that Labour hasn’t addressed this issue, though.

                    I do because they’re still maintaining the same policies. Sure, they’ve taken some of the sharp edges off but it’s still more about rewarding the rich for being rich than it is about making things better for the country as a whole. In other words, they still maintain capitalism.

                    They aren’t using exactly the same mechanisms as they would have used in the 1930s, Draco, but that’s not “deceit”, it’s common sense.

                    The reversion to common sense is the demand that everyone think the way you do no matter what the evidence shows. And the evidence really does show that capitalism doesn’t work.

                    Just bagging Labour achieves nothing positive.

                    It does have the possibility of doing so – if they bother to listen and do a bit of introspection and looking at the evidence. I really don’t see any of that happening though.

                  • Doogs …
                    9 February 2017 at 6:59 am

                    Thank you rb. This is the most sensible, comprehensive and clear-headed comment so far. There are so many rear-focused and blinkered commentators who are determined to ‘pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey’ that they place it anywhere but the correct spot.

                    Labour does represent forward thinking. Labour does have a socially focused agenda. Labour does recognise past faults. They have said so time and again. To re-hash past agendas and castigate the current set of MPs and party members for things done by others in a different time is madness – and seriously counter-productive. Think present day Germany vis-a-vis the Nazis.

                    Look people, get positive. We know the enemy. Let’s not turn the guns on ourselves. Support the left for a positive change.

                    • Draco T Bastard …
                      28 February 2017 at 3:46 pm

                      Labour does represent forward thinking.

                      No, they don’t.

                      They still support the same failed system that has always failed – capitalism.

                      They’re not even thinking about removing it.

                      Support the left for a positive change.

                      I do – unfortunately, we don’t see a lot of positive change but just more of the same.

    • Richard McGrath 4.2
      8 February 2017 at 6:15 pm

      “The government now rules for the rich and not the people in general.”

      Surely if that were true the middle-class non-rich would have cottoned on years ago and stopped voting for them.

    • Skeptic 4.3
      28 February 2017 at 3:39 pm

      There was no 4th Labour Government – there was the 1st ACT Government of 1984 to 1990 and the 2nd ACT Government of 1991 to 1999. Remember – all participants of National and Labour in those government packed a sad when MMP was voted in and formed ACT. Some of the pricks were even bloody knighted for the efforts of crippling NZ.

  5. Ad 5
    8 February 2017 at 12:06 pm

    Not that I want to get the knotted cords out of the cupboard again, but as a practising Catholic it is bonkers that the only regular and coherent report about New Zealand’s social deprivation comes not from the largest and best-resourced Christian denominations, but from a tiny little uniformed bunch of Methodist splitters. And of course this is not to criticise every good bit of social work the Catholic church and its orders and staff and volunteers and workers are doing. I am really glad that the Sallies work so hard, and advocate so hard. Robust prophets are hard to find. Even harder to find ones that are listed to respectfully.

    Good on the Salvation Army for doing the job every Christian organisation should be doing.

  6. Michael 6
    8 February 2017 at 1:21 pm

    I’m surprised you posted this as Labour does not come out well out of the Working For Families exercise (it deliberately excluded the children of people unable to work from its flagship poverty alleviation measure, for one thing). It’s media statement earlier today implies that using taxpayer funds to build a few $600,000+ houses for middle class Aucklanders (coincidentally, Labour’s key target market in this year’s campaign) will solve all the problems. This is disingenuous to put it mildly. Can I suggest you take a look at CPAG’s media statement instead, and click the link to its recommendations on how to make WFF into a genuine tool to reduce child poverty?

    • Korero Pono 6.1
      8 February 2017 at 2:20 pm

      Michael +1. The WFF package was never designed to lift poverty levels for non-working families and frankly once tax cuts and GST changes were implemented from 2010, many families found themselves worse off. Food bank usage has increased significantly over the last 30 plus years and the only time during that period that food bank use actually dropped was when the Government of the time (think it was the Nats) loosened criteria for food grants, however that didn’t last long and food bank use sky-rocketed again. Meanwhile food banks nationally are reporting increased demand, with a significant number of working families now relying on charity to feed their families. We are being told this incredible lie that people who work are better off, try telling that to working families using food banks. Those in charge can come up with every conceivable social program to lift people out of poverty but if people don’t have enough money to live on and rents are too high then nothing is going to change. Meanwhile let’s subject the poor to budgeting and other programs to fix their supposed deficits and ignore the systemic causes of poverty. Labour or Nats it matters not to me, they are both complicit in what we see today.

  7. jcuknz 7
    8 February 2017 at 3:20 pm

    I do not know if I am getting the right message by frequenting both KB and TS and reading what the nut jobs on both sites are writing?
    We have Weka et al. taking me literally when the Ambulance was not refering to the St Johns but the increase in police numbers and the concept of picking up the mess at the cliff bottom rather than doing something to stop folk from falling off the top.
    From KB I get the idea that all beneficiaries are bludgers … I am sure there are some but ‘Northland Wahine’ at the coalface told us some are, some are not.
    Then here at TS we have the concept that big business is the enemy which is also is rather silly.
    Since the National Party is proving to be quite left wing I see my idea of a meld being the logical solution and the left needs to discipline both itself [ the Willie Jackson carry-on] and those abusers of the system and support common sense measures, rather than foolish concepts .
    By the by as ex-media I get very angry and frustrated by front peoples views until I remember the Devils Advocate principle and try to work out if that is play or genuine views.
    Since National is the government it seems sensible for the more sensible lefties join it and stop the RW extremists from ruining what is left of NZ’s social security system and to build it up again..

    • Antoine 7.1
      8 February 2017 at 11:56 pm

      jcuknz, don’t think you’re going to get much traction around here if you think National is left wing, good luck in the search for truth though

      A.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 7.2
      9 February 2017 at 7:44 am

      …big business is the enemy…

      I daresay you can find a few comments that might reflect that sentiment. Hardly a majority view. Looking askance at eg: Mr. Peter Talley and his human rights abuses is not the same thing.

      Neither is criticising the National Party for taking thinly-disguised bribes and selling government policy, not to mention public property.

      James Shaw’s commencement speech includes lots of praise for big business. Where was the chorous of criticism? In your mind?

  8. greywarshark 8
    8 February 2017 at 3:50 pm

    “Avoidable harm” is a very apt term to describe what the neo libs both National and Labour have inflicted on the NZ lower income and a large number of young people.

    To attempt to turn the economy over to attempt greater efficiency and more exporting, should have been accompanied by intelligent use of the now excess man and woman power where there was a crying need for attention around the NZ rohe. But the ineptness of the politicians, and the silo vision of the economists du jour have left us with running sores that the government is uninterested in salving and curing. Despicable stuff.

    • Richard McGrath 8.1
      8 February 2017 at 6:29 pm

      Don’t worry, GWS, any vestige of neoliberalism has been stamped out in Bill English’s National Socialist Party. According to the great man himself, the government’s agenda includes pay equity legislation, stronger taxation of multinationals, more social housing, reforming the RMA (probably making it even more fascist than it already is), and more spending on “infrastructure” (i.e. more public spending rather than deregulation and encouragement of the private sector). Lefties everywhere should be rejoicing!

  9. Charmaine 9
    9 February 2017 at 9:14 pm

    It’s not just the North Island this is affecting in housing terms. I am a Registered Nurse working rurally in Otago. I have just been given notice to vacate my rented house after 6 years as my landlord needs it for staff. There is nothing for rent here in this little town. All the rentals and houses for sale at a reasonable price are gone. We have had an influx of kiwis here from Auckland, Hamilton and Christchurch who have been driven out of their home towns. Immigration and NZ being for sale to the entire world is the cause. My colleagues, friends and family can see what is happening to our beloved country. This has to stop. I hope NZ First for this reason alone gets a massive vote this coming election.

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    While the economy is not doing too badly in output terms, external circumstances are not favourable, and there is probably a sizeable group of households struggling because of rising interest rates. Brian Easton writes – Last week’s announcement of a 0.9 percent increase in volume GDP for ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 hours ago

  • Monday’s Chorus: Richie Poulton's lament
    “You can't really undo what happens during childhood”, said the director of the Dunedin longitudinal study. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Richie Poulton, the director of the world-leading Dunedin longitudinal study showing how devastating poverty in early life is, died yesterday. With his final words, he lamented the lack ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    9 hours ago

  • North-western downgrades
    This is a guest post from reader Peter N As many of us know, Auckland Transport and Waka Kotahi are well into progressing works on the northwestern interim “busway” with services to kick off in just over a month from now on Sunday 12th November 2023. Some of the ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    10 hours ago

  • Has Webworm Found New Zealand’s Weirdest School?
    Hi,Before we talk about weird schools people choose to send their kids to, a few things on my mind. I adored the Ask Me Anything we did last week. Thanks for taking part. I love answering your weird and nosy questions, even questions about beans.I am excited and scared as Mister ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    11 hours ago

  • Another mother of a budget
    A National government would make spending cuts on a scale not seen since the 1990 – 96 Bolger government.That much was confirmed with the release of their Fiscal Plan on Friday.Government spending is currently high as a percentage of GDP — as high as it was during the Muldoon ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    13 hours ago

  • A crucial week starts as early voting opens in the NZ Elections … it’s been a ride so far. Are y...
    Chris Hipkins down with Covid, at least for 5 days isolation, National continue to obfuscate, ACT continues to double-down on the poor and Winston… well, he’s being Winston really. Voters beware: this week could be even more infuriating than the last. No Party is what they used to be ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    20 hours ago

  • 2023 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #39
    A chronological listing of news and opinion articles posted on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Sep 24, 2023 thru Sat, Sep 30, 2023. Story of the Week We’re not doomed yet’: climate scientist Michael Mann on our last chance to save human civilisation The renowned US ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 day ago

  • Clusterf**ck of Chaos.
    On the 11th of April 1945 advancing US forces liberated the Nazi concentration camp of Buchenwald near Weimar in Germany. In the coming days, under the order of General Patton, a thousand nearby residents were forced to march to the camp to see the atrocities that had been committed in ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago

  • The party of business deals with the future by pretending it isn’t coming
    Years and years ago, when Helen Clark was Prime Minister and John Key was gunning for her job, I had a conversation with a mate, a trader who knew John Key well enough to paint a helpful picture.It was many drinks ago so it’s not a complete one. But there’s ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago

  • 2023 More Reading: September (+ Old Phuul update)
    Completed reads for September: The Lost Continent, by C.J. Cutcliffe Hyne Flatland, by Edwin Abbott All Quiet on the Western Front, by Erich Maria Remarque The Country of the Blind, by H.G. Wells The Day of the Triffids, by John Wyndham A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    2 days ago

  • Losing The Left.
    Descending Into The Dark: The ideological cadres currently controlling both Labour and the Greens are forcing “justice”, “participation” and “democracy” to make way for what is “appropriate” and “responsible”. But, where does that leave the people who, for most of their adult lives, have voted for left-wing parties, precisely to ...
    Bowalley Road
    2 days ago

  • The New “Emperor’s New Clothes”.
    “‘BUT HE HASN’T GOT ANYTHING ON,’ a little boy said ….. ‘But he hasn’t got anything on!’ the whole town cried out at last.”On this optimistic note, Hans Christian Andersen brings his cautionary tale of “The Emperor’s New Clothes” to an end.Andersen’s children’s story was written nearly two centuries ago, ...
    Bowalley Road
    2 days ago

  • BRYCE EDWARDS: The vested interests shaping National Party policies
      Bryce Edwards writes – As the National Party gets closer to government, lobbyists and business interests will be lining up for influence and to get policies adopted. It’s therefore in the public interest to have much more scrutiny and transparency about potential conflicts of interests that ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • LINDSAY MITCHELL: A conundrum for those pushing racist dogma
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – The heavily promoted narrative, which has ramped up over the last six years, is that Maori somehow have special vulnerabilities which arise from outside forces they cannot control; that contemporary society fails to meet their needs. They are not receptive to messages and ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • CHRIS TROTTER:  The greater of two evils
    Not Labour: If you’re out to punish the government you once loved, then the last thing you need is to be shown evidence that the opposition parties are much, much worse.   Chris Trotter writes – THE GREATEST VIRTUE of being the Opposition is not being the Government. Only very ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • The Hoon around the week to Sept 30
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:Labour presented a climate manifesto that aimed to claim the high ground on climate action vs National, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Litanies, articles of faith, and being a beneficiary
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past two weeks.Friday 29Play it, ElvisElection Hell special!! This week’s quiz is a bumper edition featuring a few of the more popular questions from last weekend’s show, as well as a few we didn’t ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago

  • Litanies, articles of faith, and being a beneficiary
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past two weeks.Friday 29Play it, ElvisElection Hell special!! This week’s quiz is a bumper edition featuring a few of the more popular questions from last weekend’s show, as well as a few we didn’t ...
    More than a fieldingBy David Slack
    2 days ago

  • The ‘Recession’ Has Been Called Off, But Some Households Are Still Struggling
    While the economy is not doing too badly in output terms, external circumstances are not favourable, and there is probably a sizeable group of households struggling because of rising interest rates.Last week’s announcement of a 0.9 percent increase in volume GDP for the June quarter had the commentariat backing down ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    3 days ago

  • Climate Change: The wrong direction
    This week the International Energy Association released its Net Zero Roadmap, intended to guide us towards a liveable climate. The report demanded huge increases in renewable generation, no new gas or oil, and massive cuts to methane emissions. It was positive about our current path, but recommended that countries with ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • “Racism” becomes a buzz word on the campaign trail – but our media watchdogs stay muzzled when...
    Buzz from the Beehive  Oh, dear.  We have nothing to report from the Beehive. At least, we have nothing to report from the government’s official website. But the drones have not gone silent.  They are out on the election campaign trail, busy buzzing about this and that in the hope ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • Play it, Elvis
    Election Hell special!! This week’s quiz is a bumper edition featuring a few of the more popular questions from last weekend’s show, as well as a few we didn’t have time for. You’re welcome, etc. Let us press on, etc. 1.  What did Christopher Luxon use to his advantage in ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • Pure class warfare
    National unveiled its fiscal policy today, announcing all the usual things which business cares about and I don't. But it did finally tell us how National plans to pay for its handouts to landlords: by effectively cutting benefits: The biggest saving announced on Friday was $2b cut from the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • Ask Me Anything about the week to Sept 29
    Photo by Anna Ogiienko on UnsplashIt’s that time of the week for an ‘Ask Me Anything’ session for paying subscribers about the week that was for an hour, including:duelling fiscal plans from National and Labour;Labour cutting cycling spending while accusing National of being weak on climate;Research showing the need for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Weekly Roundup 29-September-2023
    Welcome to Friday and the last one for September. This week in Greater Auckland On Monday, Matt highlighted at the latest with the City Rail Link. On Tuesday, Matt covered the interesting items from Auckland Transport’s latest board meeting agendas. On Thursday, a guest post from Darren Davis ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    3 days ago

  • Protest at Parliament: The Reunion.
    Brian’s god spoke to him. He, for of course the Lord in Tamaki’s mind was a male god, with a mighty rod, and probably some black leathers. He, told Brian - “you must put a stop to all this love, hope, and kindness”. And it did please the Brian.He said ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • Labour cuts $50m from cycleway spending
    Labour is cutting spending on cycling infrastructure while still trying to claim the higher ground on climate. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The Labour Government released a climate manifesto this week to try to claim the high ground against National, despite having ignored the Climate Commission’s advice to toughen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • The Greater Of Two Evils.
    Not Labour: If you’re out to punish the government you once loved, then the last thing you need is to be shown evidence that the opposition parties are much, much worse.THE GREATEST VIRTUE of being the Opposition is not being the Government. Only very rarely is an opposition party elected ...
    Bowalley Road
    3 days ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #39 2023
    Open access notables "Net zero is only a distraction— we just have to end fossil fuel emissions." The latter is true but the former isn't, or  not in the real world as it's likely to be in the immediate future. And "just" just doesn't enter into it; we don't have ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • Chris Trotter: Losing the Left
    IN THE CURRENT MIX of electoral alternatives, there is no longer a credible left-wing party. Not when “a credible left-wing party” is defined as: a class-oriented, mass-based, democratically-structured political organisation; dedicated to promoting ideas sharply critical of laissez-faire capitalism; and committed to advancing democratic, egalitarian and emancipatory ideals across the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago

  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More than a fieldingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Hipkins fires up in leaders’ debate, but has the curtain already fallen on the Labour-led coalitio...
    Labour’s  Chris Hipkins came out firing, in the  leaders’ debate  on Newshub’s evening programme, and most of  the pundits  rated  him the winner against National’s  Christopher Luxon. But will this make any difference when New  Zealanders  start casting their ballots? The problem  for  Hipkins is  that  voters are  all too ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    4 days ago

  • Govt is energising housing projects with solar power – and fuelling the public’s concept of a di...
    Buzz from the Beehive  Not long after Point of Order published data which show the substantial number of New Zealanders (77%) who believe NZ is becoming more divided, government ministers were braying about a programme which distributes some money to “the public” and some to “Maori”. The ministers were dishing ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • MIKE GRIMSHAW: Election 2023 – a totemic & charisma failure?
    The D&W analysis Michael Grimshaw writes –  Given the apathy, disengagement, disillusionment, and all-round ennui of this year’s general election, it was considered time to bring in those noted political operatives and spin doctors D&W, the long-established consultancy firm run by Emile Durkheim and Max Weber. Known for ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • FROM BFD: Will Winston be the spectre we think?
    Kissy kissy. Cartoon credit BoomSlang. The BFD. JC writes-  Allow me to preface this contribution with the following statement: If I were asked to express a preference between a National/ACT coalition or a National/ACT/NZF coalition then it would be the former. This week Luxon declared his position, ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • California’s climate disclosure bill could have a huge impact across the U.S.
    This re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Andy Furillo was originally published by Capital & Main and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. The California Legislature took a step last week that has the potential to accelerate the fight against climate ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • Untangling South East Queensland’s Public Transport
    This is a cross post Adventures in Transitland by Darren Davis. I recently visited Brisbane and South East Queensland and came away both impressed while also pondering some key changes to make public transport even better in the region. Here goes with my take on things. A bit of ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    4 days ago

  • Try A Little Kindness.
    My daughter arrived home from the supermarket yesterday and she seemed a bit worried about something. It turned out she wanted to know if someone could get her bank number from a receipt.We wound the story back.She was in the store and there was a man there who was distressed, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • What makes NZFirst tick
    New Zealand’s longest-running political roadshow rolled into Opotiki yesterday, with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters knowing another poll last night showed he would make it back to Parliament and National would need him and his party if they wanted to form a government. The Newshub Reid Research poll ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago

  • September AMA
    Hi,As September draws to a close — I feel it’s probably time to do an Ask Me Anything. You know how it goes: If you have any burning questions, fire away in the comments and I will do my best to answer. You might have questions about Webworm, or podcast ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    5 days ago

  • Bludgers lying in the scratcher making fools of us all
    The mediocrity who stands to be a Prime Minister has a litany.He uses it a bit like a Koru Lounge card. He will brandish it to say: these people are eligible. And more than that, too: These people are deserving. They have earned this policy.They have a right to this policy. What ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • More “partnerships” (by the look of it) and redress of over $30 million in Treaty settlement wit...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point of Order has waited until now – 3.45pm – for today’s officially posted government announcements.  There have been none. The only addition to the news on the Beehive’s website was posted later yesterday, after we had published our September 26 Buzz report. It came from ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago

  • ALEX HOLLAND: Labour’s spending
    Alex Holland writes –  In 2017 when Labour came to power, crown spending was $76 billion per year. Now in 2023 it is $139 billion per year, which equates to a $63 billion annual increase (over $1 billion extra spend every week!) In 2017, New Zealand’s government debt ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • If not now, then when?
    Labour released its fiscal plan today, promising the same old, same old: "responsibility", balanced books, and of course no new taxes: "Labour will maintain income tax settings to provide consistency and certainty in these volatile times. Now is not the time for additional taxes or to promise billions of ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago

  • THE FACTS:  77% of Kiwis believe NZ is becoming more divided
    The Facts has posted –        KEY INSIGHTSOf New Zealander’s polled: Social unity/division 77%believe NZ is becoming more divided (42% ‘much more’ + 35% ‘a little more’) 3%believe NZ is becoming less divided (1% ‘much less’ + 2% ‘a little less’) ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the cynical brutality of the centre-right’s welfare policies
    The centre-right’s enthusiasm for forcing people off the benefit and into paid work is matched only by the enthusiasm (shared by Treasury and the Reserve Bank) for throwing people out of paid work to curb inflation, and achieve the optimal balance of workers to job seekers deemed to be desirable ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    5 days ago

  • Wednesday’s Chorus: Arthur Grimes on why building many, many more social houses is so critical
    New research shows that tenants in social housing - such as these Wellington apartments - are just as happy as home owners and much happier than private tenants. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The election campaign took an ugly turn yesterday, and in completely the wrong direction. All three ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • Bennie Bashing.
    If there’s one thing the mob loves more than keeping Māori in their place, more than getting tough on the gangs, maybe even more than tax cuts. It’s a good old round of beneficiary bashing.Are those meanies in the ACT party stealing your votes because they think David Seymour is ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • The kindest cuts
    Labour kicks off the fiscal credibility battle today with the release of its fiscal plan. National is expected to follow, possibly as soon as Thursday, with its own plan, which may (or may not) address the large hole that the problems with its foreign buyers’ ban might open up. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago

  • Green right turn in Britain? Well, a start
    While it may be unlikely to register in New Zealand’s general election, Britain’s PM Rishi Sunak has done something which might just be important in the long run. He’s announced a far-reaching change in his Conservative government’s approach to environmental, and particularly net zero, policy. The starting point – ...
    Point of OrderBy xtrdnry
    6 days ago

  • At a glance – How do human CO2 emissions compare to natural CO2 emissions?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • How could this happen?
    Canada is in uproar after the exposure that its parliament on September 22 provided a standing ovation to a Nazi veteran who had been invited into the chamber to participate in the parliamentary welcome to Ukrainian President Zelensky. Yaroslav Hunka, 98, a Ukrainian man who volunteered for service in ...
    Open ParachuteBy Ken
    6 days ago

  • Always Be Campaigning
    The big screen is a great place to lay out the ways of the salesman. He comes ready-made for Panto, ripe for lampooning.This is not to disparage that life. I have known many good people of that kind. But there is a type, brazen as all get out. The camera ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • STEPHEN FRANKS: Press seek to publicly shame doctor – we must push back
    The following is a message sent yesterday from lawyer Stephen Franks on behalf of the Free Speech Union. I don’t like to interrupt first thing Monday morning, but we’ve just become aware of a case where we think immediate and overwhelming attention could help turn the tide. It involves someone ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Competing on cruelty
    The right-wing message calendar is clearly reading "cruelty" today, because both National and NZ First have released beneficiary-bashing policies. National is promising a "traffic light" system to police and kick beneficiaries, which will no doubt be accompanied by arbitrary internal targets to classify people as "orange" or "red" to keep ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago

  • Further funding for Pharmac (forgotten in the Budget?) looks like a $1bn appeal from a PM in need of...
    Buzz from the Beehive One Labour plan  – for 3000 more public homes by 2025 – is the most recent to be posted on the government’s official website. Another – a prime ministerial promise of more funding for Pharmac – has been released as a Labour Party press statement. Who ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: The Vested interests shaping National Party policies
    As the National Party gets closer to government, lobbyists and business interests will be lining up for influence and to get policies adopted. It’s therefore in the public interest to have much more scrutiny and transparency about potential conflicts of interests that might arise. One of the key individuals of ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    6 days ago

  • Labour may be on way out of power and NZ First back in – but will Peters go into coalition with Na...
    Voters  are deserting Labour in droves, despite Chris  Hipkins’  valiant  rearguard  action.  So  where  are they  heading?  Clearly  not all of them are going to vote National, which concedes that  the  outcome  will be “close”. To the Right of National, the ACT party just a  few weeks  ago  was ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    6 days ago

  • GRAHAM ADAMS: Will the racists please stand up?
    Accusations of racism by journalists and MPs are being called out. Graham Adams writes –    With the election less than three weeks away, what co-governance means in practice — including in water management, education, planning law and local government — remains largely obscure. Which is hardly ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on whether Winston Peters can be a moderating influence
    As the centre-right has (finally!) been subjected to media interrogation, the polls are indicating that some voters may be starting to have second thoughts about the wisdom of giving National and ACT the power to govern alone. That’s why yesterday’s Newshub/Reid Research poll had the National/ACT combo dropping to 60 ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    6 days ago

  • Tuesday’s Chorus: RBNZ set to rain on National's victory parade
    ANZ has increased its forecast for house inflation later this year on signs of growing momentum in the market ahead of the election. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: National has campaigned against the Labour Government’s record on inflation and mortgage rates, but there’s now a growing chance the Reserve ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • After a Pittsburgh coal processing plant closed, ER visits plummeted
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Katie Myers. This story was originally published by Grist and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. Pittsburgh, in its founding, was blessed and cursed with two abundant natural resources: free-flowing rivers and a nearby coal seam. ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • September-23 AT Board Meeting
    Today the AT board meet again and once again I’ve taken a look at what’s on the agenda to find the most interesting items. Closed Agenda Interestingly when I first looked at the agendas this paper was there but at the time of writing this post it had been ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    6 days ago

  • Electorate Watch: West Coast-Tasman
    Continuing my series on interesting electorates, today it’s West Coast-Tasman.A long thin electorate running down the northern half of the west coast of the South Island. Think sand flies, beautiful landscapes, lots of rain, Pike River, alternative lifestylers, whitebaiting, and the spiritual home of the Labour Party. A brief word ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • Big money brings Winston back
    National leader Christopher Luxon yesterday morning conceded it and last night’s Newshub poll confirmed it; Winston Peters and NZ First are not only back but highly likely to be part of the next government. It is a remarkable comeback for a party that was tossed out of Parliament in ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    7 days ago

  • 20 days until Election Day, 7 until early voting begins… but what changes will we really see here?
    As this blogger, alongside many others, has already posited in another forum: we all know the National Party’s “budget” (meaning this concept of even adding up numbers properly is doing a lot of heavy, heavy lifting right now) is utter and complete bunk (read hung, drawn and quartered and ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    7 days ago

  • A night out
    Everyone was asking, Are you nervous? and my response was various forms of God, yes.I've written more speeches than I can count; not much surprises me when the speaker gets to their feet and the room goes quiet.But a play? Never.YOU CAME! THANK YOU! Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago

  • A pallid shade of Green III
    Clearly Labour's focus groups are telling it that it needs to pay more attention to climate change - because hot on the heels of their weaksauce energy efficiency pilot programme and not-great-but-better-than-nothing solar grants, they've released a full climate manifesto. Unfortunately, the core policies in it - a second Emissions ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago

  • New Zealand resumes peacekeeping force leadership
    New Zealand will again contribute to the leadership of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) in the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt, with a senior New Zealand Defence Force officer returning as Interim Force Commander. Defence Minister Andrew Little and Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta have announced the deployment of New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    51 mins ago

  • New national direction provides clarity for development and the environment
    The Government has taken an important step in implementing the new resource management system, by issuing a draft National Planning Framework (NPF) document under the new legislation, Environment Minister David Parker said today. “The NPF consolidates existing national direction, bringing together around 20 existing instruments including policy statements, standards, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 hours ago

  • Government shows further commitment to pay equity for healthcare workers
    The Government welcomes the proposed pay equity settlement that will see significant pay increases for around 18,000 Te Whatu Ora Allied, Scientific, and Technical employees, if accepted said Health Minister Ayesha Verrall. The proposal reached between Te Whatu Ora, the New Zealand Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours ago

  • 100 new public EV chargers to be added to national network
    The public EV charging network has received a significant boost with government co-funding announced today for over 100 EV chargers – with over 200 charging ports altogether – across New Zealand, and many planned to be up and running on key holiday routes by Christmas this year. Minister of Energy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Safeguarding Tuvalu language and identity
    Tuvalu is in the spotlight this week as communities across New Zealand celebrate Vaiaso o te Gagana Tuvalu – Tuvalu Language Week. “The Government has a proven record of supporting Pacific communities and ensuring more of our languages are spoken, heard and celebrated,” Pacific Peoples Minister Barbara Edmonds said. “Many ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • New community-level energy projects to support more than 800 Māori households
    Seven more innovative community-scale energy projects will receive government funding through the Māori and Public Housing Renewable Energy Fund to bring more affordable, locally generated clean energy to more than 800 Māori households, Energy and Resources Minister Dr Megan Woods says. “We’ve already funded 42 small-scale clean energy projects that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Huge boost to Te Tai Tokerau flood resilience
    The Government has approved new funding that will boost resilience and greatly reduce the risk of major flood damage across Te Tai Tokerau. Significant weather events this year caused severe flooding and damage across the region. The $8.9m will be used to provide some of the smaller communities and maraes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Napier’s largest public housing development comes with solar
    The largest public housing development in Napier for many years has been recently completed and has the added benefit of innovative solar technology, thanks to Government programmes, says Housing Minister Dr Megan Woods. The 24 warm, dry homes are in Seddon Crescent, Marewa and Megan Woods says the whanau living ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Te Whānau a Apanui and the Crown initial Deed of Settlement I Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me...
    Māori: Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna te Whakaaetanga Whakataunga Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna i tētahi Whakaaetanga Whakataunga hei whakamihi i ō rātou tāhuhu kerēme Tiriti o Waitangi. E tekau mā rua ngā hapū o roto mai o Te Whānau ...
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    6 days ago

  • Plan for 3,000 more public homes by 2025 – regions set to benefit
    Regions around the country will get significant boosts of public housing in the next two years, as outlined in the latest public housing plan update, released by the Housing Minister, Dr Megan Woods. “We’re delivering the most public homes each year since the Nash government of the 1950s with one ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Immigration settings updates
    Judicial warrant process for out-of-hours compliance visits 2023/24 Recognised Seasonal Employer cap increased by 500 Additional roles for Construction and Infrastructure Sector Agreement More roles added to Green List Three-month extension for onshore Recovery Visa holders The Government has confirmed a number of updates to immigration settings as part of ...
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    1 week ago

  • Poroporoaki: Tā Patrick (Patu) Wahanga Hohepa
    Tangi ngunguru ana ngā tai ki te wahapū o Hokianga Whakapau Karakia. Tārehu ana ngā pae maunga ki Te Puna o te Ao Marama. Korihi tangi ana ngā manu, kua hinga he kauri nui ki te Wao Nui o Tāne. He Toa. He Pou. He Ahorangi. E papaki tū ana ...
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    1 week ago

  • Renewable energy fund to support community resilience
    40 solar energy systems on community buildings in regions affected by Cyclone Gabrielle and other severe weather events Virtual capability-building hub to support community organisations get projects off the ground Boost for community-level renewable energy projects across the country At least 40 community buildings used to support the emergency response ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • COVID-19 funding returned to Government
    The lifting of COVID-19 isolation and mask mandates in August has resulted in a return of almost $50m in savings and recovered contingencies, Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. Following the revocation of mandates and isolation, specialised COVID-19 telehealth and alternative isolation accommodation are among the operational elements ...
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    1 week ago

  • Appointment of District Court Judge
    Susie Houghton of Auckland has been appointed as a new District Court Judge, to serve on the Family Court, Attorney-General David Parker said today.  Judge Houghton has acted as a lawyer for child for more than 20 years. She has acted on matters relating to the Hague Convention, an international ...
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    1 week ago

  • Government invests further in Central Hawke’s Bay resilience
    The Government has today confirmed $2.5 million to fund a replace and upgrade a stopbank to protect the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant. “As a result of Cyclone Gabrielle, the original stopbank protecting the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant was destroyed. The plant was operational within 6 weeks of the ...
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    2 weeks ago

  • Govt boost for Hawke’s Bay cyclone waste clean-up
    Another $2.1 million to boost capacity to deal with waste left in Cyclone Gabrielle’s wake. Funds for Hastings District Council, Phoenix Contracting and Hog Fuel NZ to increase local waste-processing infrastructure. The Government is beefing up Hawke’s Bay’s Cyclone Gabrielle clean-up capacity with more support dealing with the massive amount ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Taupō Supercars revs up with Government support
    The future of Supercars events in New Zealand has been secured with new Government support. The Government is getting engines started through the Major Events Fund, a special fund to support high profile events in New Zealand that provide long-term economic, social and cultural benefits. “The Repco Supercars Championship is ...
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    2 weeks ago

  • There is no recession in NZ, economy grows nearly 1 percent in June quarter
    The economy has turned a corner with confirmation today New Zealand never was in recession and stronger than expected growth in the June quarter, Finance Minister Grant Robertson said. “The New Zealand economy is doing better than expected,” Grant Robertson said. “It’s continuing to grow, with the latest figures showing ...
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    2 weeks ago

  • Highest legal protection for New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs
    The Government has accepted the Environment Court’s recommendation to give special legal protection to New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs, Te Waikoropupū Springs (also known as Pupū Springs), Environment Minister David Parker announced today.   “Te Waikoropupū Springs, near Takaka in Golden Bay, have the second clearest water in New Zealand after ...
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    2 weeks ago

  • More support for victims of migrant exploitation
    Temporary package of funding for accommodation and essential living support for victims of migrant exploitation Exploited migrant workers able to apply for a further Migrant Exploitation Protection Visa (MEPV), giving people more time to find a job Free job search assistance to get people back into work Use of 90-day ...
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    2 weeks ago

  • Strong export boost as NZ economy turns corner
    An export boost is supporting New Zealand’s economy to grow, adding to signs that the economy has turned a corner and is on a stronger footing as we rebuild from Cyclone Gabrielle and lock in the benefits of multiple new trade deals, Finance Minister Grant Robertson says. “The economy is ...
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    2 weeks ago

  • Funding approved for flood resilience work in Te Karaka
    The Government has approved $15 million to raise about 200 homes at risk of future flooding. More than half of this is expected to be spent in the Tairāwhiti settlement of Te Karaka, lifting about 100 homes there. “Te Karaka was badly hit during Cyclone Gabrielle when the Waipāoa River ...
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    2 weeks ago

  • Further business support for cyclone-affected regions
    The Government is helping businesses recover from Cyclone Gabrielle and attract more people back into their regions. “Cyclone Gabrielle has caused considerable damage across North Island regions with impacts continuing to be felt by businesses and communities,” Economic Development Minister Barbara Edmonds said. “Building on our earlier business support, this ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • New maintenance facility at Burnham Military Camp underway
    Defence Minister Andrew Little has turned the first sod to start construction of a new Maintenance Support Facility (MSF) at Burnham Military Camp today. “This new state-of-art facility replaces Second World War-era buildings and will enable our Defence Force to better maintain and repair equipment,” Andrew Little said. “This Government ...
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    2 weeks ago

  • Foreign Minister to attend United Nations General Assembly
    Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta will represent New Zealand at the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York this week, before visiting Washington DC for further Pacific focussed meetings. Nanaia Mahuta will be in New York from Wednesday 20 September, and will participate in UNGA leaders ...
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    2 weeks ago

  • Midwives’ pay equity offer reached
    Around 1,700 Te Whatu Ora employed midwives and maternity care assistants will soon vote on a proposed pay equity settlement agreed by Te Whatu Ora, the Midwifery Employee Representation and Advisory Service (MERAS) and New Zealand Nurses Association (NZNO), Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. “Addressing historical pay ...
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    2 weeks ago

  • New Zealand provides support to Morocco
    Aotearoa New Zealand will provide humanitarian support to those affected by last week’s earthquake in Morocco, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced today. “We are making a contribution of $1 million to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to help meet humanitarian needs,” Nanaia Mahuta said. ...
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    3 weeks ago

  • Government invests in West Coast’s roading resilience
    The Government is investing over $22 million across 18 projects to improve the resilience of roads in the West Coast that have been affected by recent extreme weather, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins confirmed today.  A dedicated Transport Resilience Fund has been established for early preventative works to protect the state ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago

  • Government invests in Greymouth’s future
    The Government has today confirmed a $2 million grant towards the regeneration of Greymouth’s CBD with construction of a new two-level commercial and public facility. “It will include a visitor facility centred around a new library. Additionally, it will include retail outlets on the ground floor, and both outdoor and ...
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    3 weeks ago

  • Nanaia Mahuta to attend PIF Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
    Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta will attend the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, in Suva, Fiji alongside New Zealand’s regional counterparts. “Aotearoa New Zealand is deeply committed to working with our pacific whanau to strengthen our cooperation, and share ways to combat the challenges facing the Blue Pacific Continent,” ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago

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