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- Making A Difference.
The Jacinda and Ashley Show: Before the neoliberals could come up with a plausible reason for letting thousands of their fellow citizens perish, the Ardern-led government, backed by the almost forgotten power of an unapologetically interventionist state, was producing changes in the real world – changes that were, very obviously, saving ...3 weeks ago - As expected
Back in May, we learned that National MP David MacLeod had "forgotten" to declare $178,000 in electoral donations. Filing a donation return which is false in any material particular is a crime, and the Electoral Commission has now referred MacLeod to police, since they're the only people who are allowed ...3 weeks ago - Councils reject National’s racism
Last month, National passed a racist law requiring local councils to remove their Māori wards, or hold a referendum on them at the 2025 local body election. The government was clearly hoping that, despite all their prior opposition, local authorities would bow down, obey, and vote to disenfranchise Māori. But ...3 weeks ago
- What austerity actually means and how it pays for $10 billion of tax cuts for the richest 40%
This is an opinion piece I’ve written after publishing my morning email, which includes many of the details informing it, as have the dozens I’ve written in recent weeks detailing the policies mentioned. This piece is being sent to all subscribers in full immediately and is fully open to the ...3 weeks ago - Like She Said
If it could have been like she saidI'd be loving you nowWouldn't have to dream of tonightAs August moves onIf it could have been like she wroteOur truth would be trueWatching the storm disappearYeah, watch it goSong: Jordan Luck.Today in Nick’s Kōrero - things said that should be discussed. From ...3 weeks ago - Disabled now have to commit crime, be insane or in crisis to access residential care
Social Development Minister Louise Upston has described the drastic changes as "ripping off the scab to deal with the mess underneath". Photo: Lynn GrievesonMōrena. Long stories short; here’s my top six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Thursday, August 29:A quietly-administered and arbitrary ...3 weeks ago - Throwback Thursday: The Great Auckland Transport Debate
Ten years ago this week in August 2014, with an election on the horizon, Greater Auckland (then known as Transportblog) co-hosted a transport-themed debate with the Campaign for Better Transport and Generation Zero – inviting speakers from the political parties to share their transport visions for our city. Matt’s report ...3 weeks ago - A Tale of Anonymity and Appreciation
A beautiful illustration by Substack artist Jean KaiyouYesterday, someone told me that as I comment on the government, it was only right that I should reveal my identity. If I didn’t do so, they said, they would not stay.And my first reaction was surprise, followed by small tinges of reactivity ...3 weeks ago - “Our people are, frankly, pissed off”
Even a Labour MP was asking yesterday whether the country’s polytechnics were still a going concern. At the Education Select Committee, Deborah Russell asked Jeremy Morley, a Te Kupenga Council member, whether the polytechnics, grouped together as Te Kupenga and which lost $37.9 million in 2022 and are forecast to ...3 weeks ago - Can The Left Assemble A Winning Coalition?
Voting Together? Collectively, Māori and Pasifika workers, professionals and managers employed by the state, and “progressive” Baby-Boomer superannuitants, possess the electoral clout to defeat the Coalition Government. But will they?TO WIN THE NEXT ELECTION, “The Left”, as we still rather hopefully refer to it, needs three key demographics. Voting together, the ...3 weeks ago
- Climate Adam: Can Coral Reefs survive Climate Change?
This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Adam Levy. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). Coral reefs are in hot water... literally. Climate change is ramping up temperatures, causing increasing bleaching of reefs across the world. ...3 weeks ago - Health NZ is calling for voluntary redundancies
After deliberately under-funding Health NZ, and asking Kiwis to personally pray for him, Dr Lester Levy couldn’t help but show his hand today.Health NZ is now calling for voluntary redundancies, and who do you think will leave first? The most qualified or not?But that won’t be all - we all ...3 weeks ago - This Roar is from the Bottom
Cartoon credit: Emma CookeMaori WardsNo Right Turn reports that only 2 of 19 councils who have made a decision on Māori wards will be getting rid of them.Remember, per the government’s legislation, all councils which want to keep them will be forced now to send it to referendum and bear ...3 weeks ago - The bold plan to save coral reefs
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Osha Davidson For 20 years now, Ken Nedimyer has been strapping on his scuba gear and diving into the waters off the Florida coast in a desperate effort to restore coral reefs that have been decimated by climate change ...3 weeks ago
- The Policy and Memory Vortex
When you start doing research into transport and urban topics and policies, one thing you realise is how messy and chaotic many government websites are. Given that these are (in theory) the most accessible version of the official archive, that’s a challenge. Anyone who has tried to look something up ...3 weeks ago
- Land tax among Labour’s wealth tax options
Labour is looking at various types and structures of wealth and capital income taxes, including a land tax. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMōrena. Long stories short; here’s my top six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Wednesday, August 28:Chris Hipkins has confirmed ...3 weeks ago - Finding the energy
3 weeks ago
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- ‘Open banking’ and ‘open electricity’ a step closer
Greater competition and lower prices for Kiwi consumers are a step closer today as consultation begins on ‘open banking’ and ‘open electricity’ Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Energy Minister Simeon Brown say. “Every New Zealander relies on banking and electricity – these are foundational services for our ...2 weeks ago - Turning rubber into resources
New Zealand’s first national tyre recycling scheme is now fully operational with free collections starting today, says Environment Minister Penny Simmonds. “The first priority product stewardship scheme for end-of-life tyres marks a significant step toward addressing a long-standing issue for our country,” Ms Simmonds says. “Every year, New Zealand imports ...2 weeks ago
- New Zealand and Canada strengthen emergency management cooperation
An agreement signed on Thursday between New Zealand’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Public Safety Canada will strengthen international cooperation on emergency management matters says Emergency Management and Recovery Minister, Mark Mitchell. “With the frequency and severity of emergencies increasing globally, it’s important, now more than ever, that countries ...2 weeks ago
- 110km/h speed limit proposed from Orewa to Warkworth
Proposed speed limit increases of 110km/h on State Highway 1 from Orewa to Warkworth will mean faster journey times for Kiwis travelling between Auckland and Northland and has been welcomed by Transport Minister Simeon Brown. “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to rebuild the ...2 weeks ago
- He poroporoaki ki a Kīngi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII
Whekuwheku ana te whenua i te tāhekenga o roimata, haehae ana te manawa i te ngau o te aroha, hotuhotu ana te ngākau i te kaponga ōu e te kupenga a Taramainuku. Kei konei mātou, kua taka a roto i te rongotanga ake i te hinganga ōu. Ka tangihia tonutia ...3 weeks ago
- Waikato Regional Summit postponed
A Waikato Regional Growth Summit planned for next Tuesday in Hamilton has been postponed following the passing of Kiingi Tuuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. “I join the many voices already that have expressed sorrow at this news and offer my condolences and aroha to ...3 weeks ago
- Sport & Rec Minister to attend Paralympics
Sport & Recreation Minister Chris Bishop will travel to Paris to support the New Zealand Paralympic Team during the 2024 Paralympic Games – the first time a New Zealand Sport & Recreation Minister has ever attended a Paralympics. “The Paralympic Games are the third-largest sporting event in the world and ...3 weeks ago
- Making it easier to verify your identity online
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government is making it easier to verify your identity online by rolling out RealMe Identity Verification Service [RealMe] access to an additional seven private sector organisations. “The Government is now expanding this service to further organisations including financial service companies and ...3 weeks ago
- New approach to mental health calls welcomed
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey and Police Minister Mark Mitchell have welcomed the announcement by Health NZ and NZ Police on their transition to a stronger mental health-led response for those requiring crisis mental health support. Health NZ and NZ Police have announced that from November 2024 agencies will streamline ...3 weeks ago
- Government’s condolences on passing of Kīngi Tūheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII
Acting Prime Minister Winston Peters has expressed the Government’s condolences on the passing of Kīngi Tūheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII. “It is with great sadness that we learn of the passing of the King, and we express sympathies and prayers to the Kingitanga family and Tainui people. “Kīngi ...3 weeks ago
- Bill strengthening Firearm Prohibition Orders passes
An important milestone in the Coalition Government’s commitment to restoring law and order was reached with the passing of the Firearms Prohibition Orders Legislation Amendment Bill today, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee says. “The Firearms Prohibition Orders Legislation Amendment Bill was part of this Government’s 100-day plan and committed ...3 weeks ago
- Bill to strengthen the economy passes first reading
The Government continues to introduce measures that will strengthen the economy and ensure New Zealand businesses and individuals have a more secure future, Revenue Minister Simon Watts says. “The Taxation (Annual Rates for 2024-25, Emergency Response, and Remedial Measures) Bill, which passed its first reading today, proposes several measures aimed ...3 weeks ago
- Speech to Building Nations 2024 – Modernising New Zealand’s PPP Model
INTRODUCTION What an honour to be running the anchor leg of this incredible conference, and to be able to update you on some of the work I’ve had the privilege of doing across two of the best portfolios for a civil engineer – Infrastructure and RMA Reform. New Zealand’s infrastructure ...3 weeks ago
- Victims to benefit from Remote Participation Bill
Court participants, particularly victims, will benefit from the passing of a bill today that will enable greater use of audio and audiovisual technology in court proceedings, Courts Minister Nicole McKee says. The Courts (Remote Participation) Amendment Bill which makes targeted amendments to the Courts (Remote Participation) Act 2010 and ...3 weeks ago
- Business confidence rises under new economic management
Today’s ANZ Business Outlook shows businesses are feeling a whole lot better about the future, Minister of Finance Nicola Willis says. “It’s so pleasing to see business confidence is the highest in a decade, and firms’ outlook for their own activity, looking 12 months into the future, is the highest ...3 weeks ago
- Minister appoints new chair and members to Water Services Authority
Minister of Local Government Simeon Brown has announced new appointments to the Board of the Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai (the Authority), including a new chair, and has reappointed two members of the Authority’s Māori Advisory Group for a further three-year term. Former Watercare chief executive Raveen Jaduram is ...3 weeks ago
- Refreshed health research to drive better outcomes
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says updated guidance provided to the Health Research Council (HRC) means future projects will have an increased focus on Government priorities and improved health for New Zealanders when being considered for funding. The refreshed guidance for applicants is included in the two HRC funding opportunities ...3 weeks ago
- Government to update parking penalties
The Government will be cracking down on people who misuse car parks for disabled people, ensuring towage fees do not leave tow-truck operators out of pocket, and adjusting parking fines for inflation, Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston and Transport Minister Simeon Brown say. “Increasing penalties for people who misuse mobility ...3 weeks ago
- New board appointments for RNZ & TVNZ
Media and Communications Minister Paul Goldsmith is announcing new appointments to the RNZ and TVNZ Boards. “I am delighted to appoint Brent Impey, Gracie MacKinlay and Mads Moller to the RNZ Board, and John Fellet to the TVNZ Board,” says Mr Goldsmith. “These appointments will bring new experience and a ...3 weeks ago
- Revenue Action Plan to support delivering infrastructure sooner
The Government has announced a Revenue Action Plan to enable a clear infrastructure pipeline that delivers the critical transport infrastructure our country needs sooner, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Delivering infrastructure to increase productivity and economic growth is a key priority for the Government. With New Zealand facing a prolonged ...3 weeks ago
- Disabled People Invisible In Too Many Government Announcements
Too many government announcements affecting disabled people don’t even mention disabled people, leaving the community googling for answers, and feeling forgotten or invisible. ...1 day ago - Canterbury Bridge Blowing Out $13.5 Million Budget With Nothing To Show For It
Despite Kaikōura District Council’s project to rebuild the Waiau Toa/Clarence River Glen Alton bridge after the Kaikōura earthquake being eight years deep, the Council have still not even managed to gain the appropriate resource consents or ...1 day ago
- Misogyny Behind Attacks On Women’s Rights Campaigners And Women Politicians, The Women’s...
A man who threw what turned out to be tomato juice at UK women’s rights advocate Kellie-Jay Keen and Tania Sturt, an organiser of the “Let Women Speak” event in Auckland’s Albert Park on 25 March last year, has been convicted of assault ...1 day ago
- Panel Discussion Featuring Global Experts Will Raise Awareness About Apartheid Against Women In Iran...
The panellists will speak about the importance of formal recognition of gender apartheid, give background as to the situation of women and girls in Iran and Afghanistan and outline a way forward towards greater equality and basic rights for all. ...1 day ago
- Catholic Church Abuse Survivors Respond To Death Of Bishop Denis Browne
The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) in Oceania calls on the current bishops of Hamilton, Auckland, and Rarotonga, and all church leaders, to not follow in Bishop Browne’s negligent ways, and instead, support the abused in their dioceses ...1 day ago
- Govt Cuts Mean Salvation Army Frontline Workers Face Axe
The change proposal covers workers in Auckland (Glenfield, Manukau, Royal Oak and Waitakere), Tauranga, Hamilton, Hutt City and Palmerston North. ...1 day ago
- Disappointment By Court’s Decision For No Maximum Water Intake For Griffin Creek
The Court of Appeal recently ruled that the Griffin Creek hydro scheme concession, issued by DOC in 2011, contains no maximum water take. It is now possible that a bigger scheme could be built on Griffin Creek than had originally been proposed. ...1 day ago
- Rail Cuts Set New Zealand Up For Failure
The government’s war on rail is setting New Zealand up for failure, says the Rail and Maritime Transport Union. ...1 day ago
- IVL Increase Good For MBIE, Bad For The Economy
The Government looks to have cemented New Zealand as one of the most expensive countries in the world for a holiday today by increasing the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) to $100. ...1 day ago
- GPs Should Be Lining Up Around The Block, Too
“We shouldn’t see queues like that anywhere, let alone in a supposedly developed country like New Zealand,” says Dr Buzz Burrell, interim chair of General Practitioners Aotearoa (GPA). ...1 day ago
- Greenpeace Slams Govt Decision To Expand Seabed Mining Permit Area
Greenpeace says it’s "unbelievable" that wannabe seabed miner Trans-Tasman Resources has been given the go-ahead to nearly quadruple the size of the area it wants to mine in the South Taranaki Bight. ...1 day ago
- $100 IVL Will Dent New Zealand’s Global Competitiveness
Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA) is very disappointed the industry’s cumulative voice hasn’t been heard, and is keen to see the government’s investment plan for the funds to be raised from the increase in the International Visitor Levy (IVL) ...1 day ago
- Government to change law stipulating whether workers are contractors or employees
Supporters say the move will provide more clarity, but the Greens say it's the latest in "a series of assaults on workers' rights". ...1 day ago - Education body calls for overhaul of early learning rules, ‘ineffective’ teacher to chil...
Pay parity is "the single most vexatious challenge" facing services and teacher pay should be deregulated, the Early Childhood Council says. ...2 days ago
- PM Luxon, Police Minister Mark Mitchell say Auckland assaults are dropping
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Police Minister Mark Mitchell have announced a 22 percent drop in assaults in the Auckland CBD in the past year. Follow our live coverage here. ...2 days ago
- Police Minister Mark Mitchell to speak to media
Police Minister Mark Mitchell will speak to media on Sunday afternoon at the Auckland Central Police Station. Follow our live coverage here. ...2 days ago
- Australia can’t afford an AUKUS about-face: 5 things the critics are getting wrong
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Blaxland, Professor, Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Australian National University Three years have passed since the United States, Australia and United Kingdom announced on September 15 2021 that they would enter into a security partnership called AUKUS. A major part of ...2 days ago - Pope Francis – a message of peace and real change in Pacific political struggles
COMMENTARY: By Laurens Ikinia in Jakarta Pope Francis has completed his historic first visit to Southeast Asian and Pacific nations. The papal apostolic visit covered Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Singapore and Timor-Leste. This visit is furst to the region after he was elected as the leader of the Catholic Church ...2 days ago
- Aukus Pillar Two: Australia gets new quantum atomic clocks
Quantum technology is one of eight technologies the US, Australia and UK are sharing more of under the controversial defence pact. ...2 days ago
- Columnist and political media expert John Bishop dies
He was father of National Party MP Chris Bishop, a former RNZ and TVNZ journalist and chairperson of the Taxpayers' Union. ...2 days ago
- Transport minister pushed ahead with weaker tailpipe standards to meet car industry’s deadline
Environment officials tried to warn Cabinet the move risked blowing NZ's climate targets - but were told they were too late. ...2 days ago
- The House: Leading in opposition and building an alternative government
One vestige of the pre-MMP era is the term 'leader of the opposition' - but why does the term still exist, and what does the leader do? ...2 days ago
- RSF calls on UN to investigate Israeli attack killing photojournalist Issam Abdallah
Pacific Media Watch A month before the anniversary of the death of photojournalist Issam Abdallah — killed by an Israeli strike while reporting in southern Lebanon — Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and 10 organisations have sent a letter to the UN Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including ...2 days ago
- New Rail Deviations Needed To Improve Productivity
In light of the governments shopping list of roading projects, TRAC would like to draw attention to the governments total wilfully neglectful attitude to rail, climate change, pollution, road congestion and road safety. ...2 days ago
- Watchdog Report On Places Of Detention Highlights Ongoing Harm
The 2022/23 annual report by the National Preventive Mechanism on the Optional Protocol to the United Nation’s Convention Against Torture (OPCAT) has been tabled in Parliament (Friday, 3pm) ...2 days ago
- Local MP Opposes Greenwoods Car Park Removal
ACT Leader and MP for Epsom David Seymour has written to Auckland Transport and the Albert Eden Local Board in opposition to removing car parks from the West Side of Manukau Rd at Greenwoods Corner. ...2 days ago
- NRC Pleased To See RONS And RORS Funding Allocation
National Road Carriers Association (NRC) is pleased to see the Government’s announcements today allocating funding to Roads of National Significance (RONS) and Roads of Regional Significance (RORS). ...2 days ago
- New Zealand Catholic Church Suppresses Abuse Report
Catholic Church leaders in Aotearoa New Zealand have refused to fully disclose an independent report on how they have handled abuse complaints. ...2 days ago
- Donations Available To Support Community Waitangi Day Celebrations
The 2025 Waitangi Day Celebration Fund (the Fund) is open until Monday, 7 October. ...2 days ago
- Clubs Facing Extinction Should Be Empowered To Do Good
Kiwis shouldn’t have to sacrifice their membership of a rowing club or bridge club just because a piece of legislation loaded on costs in a cost-of-living crisis. The people running these clubs are busy parents, grandparents, and hobbyists building ...2 days ago
- Striking Social Service And Support Workers To Rally For Decent Wages
Union members are calling for a 5% increase for all members to keep up with the cost of living. This is their second strike in three weeks, after eight months of negotiations led to Visionwest offering meagre pay increases ranging from 0% to 2.6%. ...2 days ago
- Shane Jones Called Out For Seabed Mining Misinformation
The minister for mining and burning, Shane Jones, is trying to take New Zealanders for fools with inflated claims and misinformation about seabed mining off the coast of Taranaki, says Greenpeace. ...2 days ago
- NZ Needs A Safe Rates System To Protect Transport Drivers And Other Road Users
Lance Gush, FIRST Union organiser, emphasised the importance of a Safe Rates system in Aotearoa for both drivers and other road users. ...2 days ago
- Submissions Open On Amendment Paper No 84 To The Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment...
We have decided to extend the deadline for submissions on the Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Bill to invite submissions on amendments proposed by the Minister for Economic Development, in Amendment Paper No 84. ...2 days ago
- Fertiliser Pollution Set To Continue Under Ballance’s Call For More Fossil Gas
Greenpeace Aotearoa is denouncing Ballance Agri-nutrients’ call for more fossil gas production, maintaining that urea needs to be phased out altogether. ...2 days ago
- Free Speech Union Submits In Opposition To Law Commission Consultation On Amendments To Human Rights...
The paper examines extending section 21 of the Human Rights Act prohibited grounds of discrimination to include people who are transgender, non-binary and with innate variations of sex characteristics. ...2 days ago
- Taxpayer Victory: Health Research Council To Actually Research Health
Health research isn’t a game. Lives depend on medical advancements, and every cent spent on frivalous pet projects is money that can’t go towards improving outcomes for Kiwis. ...2 days ago
- Government spend on emergency housing drops nearly a third in a month
The government is celebrating the decline, saying emergency housing is not safe for families to live long-term. ...2 days ago
- Luxon office protesters say at least 15 Hector’s dolphins killed from fishing since he was PM
At least 15 Hector's dolphins have been killed from fishing activity since Christopher Luxon became Prime Minister almost a year ago, a protest group says. ...3 days ago
- The Secret Diary of .. Sheriff Seymour
MONDAYIt was a bright cold day in September, and the clocks were striking thirteen. A cold wind swept through the main street of Dodge. Rain was headed over the mountain range and would wash all the scum off the streets – but not if Sheriff Seymour, First Minister of Moral Conduct and ...3 days ago
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