Seasons greetings from David Cunliffe

Written By: - Date published: 7:40 pm, December 24th, 2013 - 89 comments
Categories: labour - Tags:

As we close the year I’d just like to wish you and your loved ones a happy, safe, and relaxing holiday season.

Around our beautiful country, Kiwis are getting together with their families and friends to celebrate special times, rest and relax.

But for too many New Zealanders the holiday season offers little joy. The kids who are asking Santa for a house because they’re living out of cars, the minimum wage workers who are spending the season doing shift work and still struggle to pay the bills, the families who are apart because they can’t afford the cost of coming together, the thousands who will be relying on charity for their Xmas dinner.

At the same time there’s hundreds of millions of dollars available for multinational companies, for Hollywood studios, for selling our assets, for the wealthy few.

This is the hard reality of New Zealand under the current government.

But there’s a better way than this, a way to make sure every New Zealander gets a fair go and decent opportunities. And next year, election year, we’ll work for it. Together.

In the meantime, enjoy the holiday season and make sure you come back refreshed and ready to win.

My aroha to you and your loved ones,

David Cunliffe

PS: if you’ve not taken the chance to send an Xmas card to the Prime Minister you can do it here.

89 comments on “Seasons greetings from David Cunliffe ”

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  1. BM 1
    24 December 2013 at 8:11 pm

    Merry Xmas Dave.

    I disagree with the guts of your message thou, as this link demonstrates.
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11177643

    Things really ain’t that bad are they.

    Tip for the new year, Dave.

    Focus on the positive, people prefer that.

    • karol 1.1
      24 December 2013 at 8:17 pm

      Focus on the positive, people prefer that.

      Which people? The ones who are doing fine and don’t want to hear about the inequality gap, and those with little to be cheerful about this summer?

      It’s a very positive message from, Cunliffe – about working to make NZ a better place for all.

      • Bazar 1.1.1
        25 December 2013 at 9:31 am

        If you call that positive, your world must be very bleak indeed.
        Xmas is a time to celebrate, not to commiserate.
        While there are others who are in need, this is the one day of the year that shouldn’t be depressed just to make political points.

        • One Anonymous Knucklehead 1.1.1.1
          25 December 2013 at 11:38 am

          Fuck off and stop depressing them with your support for shite policies then, asshole.

          • Bazar 1.1.1.1.1
            25 December 2013 at 7:19 pm

            You’re a bastion of goodwill to all men oak, with an intellect to match.
            Don’t forget to try and enjoy xmas when you’re not busy pissing down on everyone from up high.

            • Akldnut 1.1.1.1.1.1
              25 December 2013 at 7:45 pm

              How Bazar

              The only one pissing on people from up high is you, it’s so easy for pricks like you to forget the hundreds of thousands who are going without.

              The only thing is that your kind are disingenuous and apply an out of sight out of mind mentality, and only talk about it once forced to – without any action.

              I agree you should fuck right off.

            • One Anonymous Knucklehead 1.1.1.1.1.2
              26 December 2013 at 7:49 am

              Pretends goodwill to all men. Supports the National Party. Cognitive dissonance much?

        • karol 1.1.1.2
          25 December 2013 at 8:50 pm

          Xmas is a time to celebrate, not to commiserate.

          To celebrate what exactly?

          And really! Not make political points?!

          All I see in the run up to Christmas is rampant exploitation and commericalisation – it’s already been hi jacked by the neoliberals – it’s a celebration of consumerism! And that is already political.

          It should be about thinking of others – especially those who are in need/

        • karol 1.1.1.3
          25 December 2013 at 8:50 pm

          Xmas is a time to celebrate, not to commiserate.

          To celebrate what exactly?

          And really! Not make political points?!

          All I see in the run up to Christmas is rampant exploitation and commericalisation – it’s already been hi jacked by the neoliberals – it’s a celebration of consumerism! And that is already political.

          It should be about thinking of others – especially those who are in need/

          • karol 1.1.1.3.1
            25 December 2013 at 8:56 pm

            PS: This is a left wing blog. So I’m not really impressed by righties coming here and telling me how I should respond to Christmas Day.

    • Paul 1.2
      24 December 2013 at 8:45 pm

      Can’t believe the Labour Party ( or any progressive grouping) would be relying on your vote, BM.
      So I doubt they need your sage advice.

      • BM 1.2.1
        24 December 2013 at 8:57 pm

        Labours never going to win pitching at the disillusioned 10%.

        Until whoever’s in charge of strategy on the left side realizes that you’ll never beat National.

        Personally, I hope the penny never drops.

        • karol 1.2.1.1
          24 December 2013 at 9:17 pm

          It’s not the disillusioned 10% – there’s a far higher percentage struggling to get by.

          But, I guess the Nats voters just don’t care – seems it’s just all about winning, and nothing about ethics.

          • Colonial Viper 1.2.1.1.1
            24 December 2013 at 11:07 pm

            Correct. The bottom quarter of the population is doing it very hard and going without on a regular basis. And those in the 26th to 50th percentile struggle to make ends meet week to week as well.

            As you note, BM would quite like the big end of town to continue along in a smooth velvety delusion without being disturbed or concerned.

      • Murray Olsen 1.2.2
        24 December 2013 at 10:25 pm

        BM looks forward to the day when he won’t even need to vote – when our leaders will be chosen by the Business Round Table, with valued input from our allies in Wall St.

        The positive news is that people are waking up to this neoliberal bullshit we’ve been subjected to, including some, but not all the Labour MPs. The positive news is that, sometime in 2014, Key will be on a flight back to Hawaii, that Benefat will no longer be in charge of the Mystery of Sosh Devlopmint, that Collins will no longer be perverting the national sense of justice, and Bill English will be showing that he doesn’t actually know how to run a farm.

        Merry Christmas, David. Please don’t forget the beneficiaries as recent Labour governments have done. Help us build a country for all Kiwis. It’s been a while since Aotearoa has felt like that. Let’s take it back. Let’s get Green, Mana, and Labour working together.

    • weka 1.3
      24 December 2013 at 10:24 pm

      “as this link demonstrates.

      http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11177643

      Things really ain’t that bad are they.”

      That link is full of nonsense. Oooh, look, people spend more at Christmas. Oooh, look, it’s up x % on whenever. Oooh, look, people spend more the week before Christmas than they did the week before that. The whole thing reads like someone with a fixation on numbers just vomited a bunch of stats out of their brain with no context or meaning attached.

      eg, spending on camping gear is up. My bet is that less people can afford to go overseas or stay in motels etc.

      “”Kiwis were also out gathering all the last-minute essentials for their Christmas lunch, with food retailing up 81.8 per cent yesterday on the same day last week,” said Whiston.”

      Honest to god, does that sentence have any meaning in it at all?

    • Bearded Git 1.4
      25 December 2013 at 8:11 am

      I can smell the fear BM. You know David Cunliffe will have Key on toast in this election.

    • dave 1.5
      25 December 2013 at 8:48 am

      is it let them eat cake BM ? 3000 food parcels bm a record ,but no we the elite who caused it dont want see it hear it or beleave it exists go back to your gated community because next year we are going to burn your little fictional world down !enjoy planet key while you can because its going to end ! as your KEY said your time in the sun in over

  2. karol 2
    24 December 2013 at 8:19 pm

    Thanks, David.

    I also am thinking of those with little to be cheerful about right now. Thank-you for the indication that you will be targeting the inequality gap next year.

    Have a good summer break with those close to you.

  3. Noko 3
    24 December 2013 at 8:20 pm

    “the minimum wage workers who are spending the season doing shift work and still struggle to pay the bills”
    Anyone wanna pay my bond? Moving year in year out sucks, especially when it’s in the middle of the holidays for everyone else and peak work period for us petrol station workers.

  4. tinfoilhat 4
    24 December 2013 at 8:24 pm

    Sod off 1% trougher.

    • One Anonymous Knucklehead 4.1
      25 December 2013 at 7:36 am

      They can’t help it: they’re afraid of David Cunliffe and what they think his government will mean for them. The fact escapes them that they do better under Labour-led governments, just like everyone else.

      My dearest wish for them is a visit from the ghosts of Christmas Past Present and Future.

  5. Naki Man 5
    24 December 2013 at 9:08 pm

    Merry Xmas Dave

    National are doing a great job of running the country
    It must be very frustrating for you to see the economy doing so well.

    PS Your dirty tricks just turn the voters off.

    • karol 5.1
      24 December 2013 at 9:20 pm

      Dirty tricks? That’s the territory of the NActs, Jason Ede et al.

      They are also very good at projecting their failings onto the opposition.

      Bigger queues than ever at foodbanks, and not one expression of concern from the righties: for them it’s all about winning, and no concern for those doing it tough.

      • Olwyn 5.1.1
        24 December 2013 at 9:37 pm

        Indeed Karol. I sometimes get nostalgic for the days when right wingers had actual thoughts in their heads, and argued that the public good was better served by their side. I didn’t agree with them, but I at least had a modicum of respect for them.

        • karol 5.1.1.1
          24 December 2013 at 9:49 pm

          Health and poverty – only today on Stuff:

          A national throat-swabbing campaign has identified nearly 50,000 children at risk of getting strep-throat, which can lead to rheumatic fever, a Health Ministry report says.

          Health Minister Tony Ryall’s report into implementing the New Zealand Health Strategy was released today, reporting on district health boards’ and the Ministry of Health’s success in meeting national health targets.
          [..]
          As part of the programme, children who had sore throats were able to have a swab and be tested for strep throat, and were given antibiotics if needed.

          The programme targets communities in areas with the highest incidence of rheumatic fever – an illness commonly associated with poverty and poor housing.

          The health response is fine. But you’d think the NActs would do more about the underlying cause – poverty.

          And there’s also the working poor, NM – people working long hours and still struggling to bring in enough fr their families to live a healthy life. People who want jobs and can’t find them. People living in garages…. etc

          The callousness of righties is a wonder to behold – especially at a time of year that encourages thinking of others..

        • rhinocrates 5.1.1.2
          26 December 2013 at 10:47 am

          +1

      • Naki Man 5.1.2
        24 December 2013 at 9:38 pm

        Wake up Karol
        No one is starving here, obesity is a far bigger health issue.
        You would think some of these lazy people might try growing there own food, Nah that would be like work.

        • karol 5.1.2.1
          24 December 2013 at 9:42 pm

          Dear oh, dear, NM. You show so little knowledge about health and poverty. As for those in poverty growing their own food? Many try, not that many can.

          • chrissy 5.1.2.1.1
            26 December 2013 at 9:47 am

            I agree karol. A lot of people (probably ones who have never tried it themselves) think you just pop a seed or seedling and it will grow. We have a large vegetable garden and it requires lots of time, lots of money, constant vigilance, good rainfall, no baking hot days,no birds, no cats, no small children and so on. The crop failure without pretty much living in the bloody patch weeding, snail , slug removal etc. is depressingly high And who wants a constant diet of silverbeet which is about the only thing we rely on to not fail.
            People who arrogantly say “just grow your own food you lazy whatevers” are just plain stupid. As if that will solve the problem. What about meat, milk, bread and all other staples needed in a diet, what about the necessities of life like clothing, shoes, soap, toilet paper, sanitary requirement for women, medicine for ill people and maybe even a little indulgence like chocolate or a glass of wine or a beer or two.
            People like Naki Man are totally out of touch with reality, unless it is keys reality. And it is about time he realised that most of the TRUTH about poverty in NZ is not reported by media. Instead we get orgasmic reporting of record rampant consumerism paid for presumably by Credit Cards. So we will have even more poverty come the New Year. And so it starts again. Vicious circles. Happy New Year everybody.

        • Paul 5.1.2.2
          24 December 2013 at 9:44 pm

          You also show very little of the spirit of Xmas compassion.

        • weka 5.1.2.3
          24 December 2013 at 10:17 pm

          “You would think some of these lazy people might try growing there own food, Nah that would be like work.”

          Ignoring for a minute that you are most likely at tr0ll… you obviously either don’t garden and have no fucking idea how much skill, time and resources are required to do that successfully at the level of feeding a family in a reliable way, or you do garden and were handed the skills and resources but no sense of gratitude for that privilege. Or you’re just a mean fuck.

        • rich the other 5.1.2.4
          24 December 2013 at 10:48 pm

          Naki man,
          good on ya ,I’ve noticed only a couple of serious critics , Karol and Paul , it seems even on this topic the left aren’t convinced themselves.

          David ,take positive action , get rid of those who don’t fully support you.
          Next election you are doomed so get rebuilding for the following election.

          Merry Christmas even tho your party is full of atheists

          • karol 5.1.2.4.1
            25 December 2013 at 7:59 am

            Even in the holiday period…. the righties keep coming here and trying to divert with spinning.

            Hope they get time for some r&r today and tomorrow.

          • karol 5.1.2.4.2
            25 December 2013 at 7:59 am

            Even in the holiday period…. the righties keep coming here and trying to divert with spinning.

            Hope they get time for some r&r today and tomorrow.

          • Draco T Bastard 5.1.2.4.3
            25 December 2013 at 1:42 pm

            good on ya ,I’ve noticed only a couple of serious critics , Karol and Paul , it seems even on this topic the left aren’t convinced themselves.

            I’d say don’t kid yourself but that’s all you RWNJs ever do. Facts never enter that thick skull skull of yours. I’ll give you a hint: Obesity isn’t solely caused by over eating.

            Perhaps others haven’t replied because Paul and Karol have already said what was needed.

        • Will@Welly 5.1.2.5
          25 December 2013 at 1:36 am

          Listen, you great big lard of human effluent, if you knew a thing or two about modern food processing and food manufacturing you’d stop and shut your ‘orrible big gob!!
          In the last few years. in the “name of progress” = $$$$, manufacturers have been loading processed foodstuffs up with calories in the shape of sugars, fats and starches to prolong their shelf life and make them more enticing and flavoursome to consumers. WE don’t need that amount of crap in the food we consume.
          In the early 1970’s, scientists in Japan, developed corn syrup, which is now used extensively in food manufacturing, our bodies aren’t built to handle a direct shot of straight sugar like that.
          Then Mr. Naki Man, since you’re one of them thar hillstock inbreds, tell me why in this country where we produce so much fresh fruit and produce, is milk dearer than a litre of coke, or bread dearer than a packet of potato crisps? And why is it we subsidize overseas interests when consumers here pay a premium? Is that just National pandering to it’s cronies again?
          The other thing, if you’re renting, some landlords don’t like you digging up the back yard to have a vege garden, or in other places, the sections are so small, there ain’t no room to grow veges. Or if like alot of folk, you get turfed out of your rental every few months, can you really afford to invest long-term if you don’t know if you’ll be there.
          And finally, Naki Man, it’s about time you stopped chewing on you cud, pulled your head out of you know where,hitch your horse to something more in line with your level of comprehension, instead of trying to mess around with the more intelligent folk. I would have suggested a playcentre, but they’re over-run at present.

          • BM 5.1.2.5.1
            25 December 2013 at 8:00 am

            For you, Merry Xmas

            • Will@Welly 5.1.2.5.1.1
              25 December 2013 at 4:30 pm

              B.M. – I understand National Party supporters such as yourself were granted a free lobotomy by Tony Ryall. I don’t think you’ll need to bother. Merry Christmas Mr B.M..

    • Linz 5.2
      24 December 2013 at 9:41 pm

      Naki Man, you’re deluded.

      • karol 5.2.1
        24 December 2013 at 9:43 pm

        Denial – many righties are very good at it.

        • Paul 5.2.1.1
          24 December 2013 at 9:44 pm

          It’s the complete lack of empathy I don’t understand.

          • karol 5.2.1.1.1
            24 December 2013 at 9:50 pm

            It’s the complete lack of empathy I don’t understand.

            exactly!

            • Colonial Viper 5.2.1.1.1.1
              24 December 2013 at 11:09 pm

              They have to maintain denial and moral superiority, otherwise they might have to take personal responsibility for the society and the political economics which has resulted.

              • emergency mike …
                25 December 2013 at 12:11 am

                Cognitive dissonance – “Well it can’t be that I’m a mean-spirited oppressor protecting my own privileged position. Nope, that just doesn’t seem right, I’m aweseome. So um… why can’t these people just grow their own vegetables ffs? Or they could just eat cake. Chocolate cake, lemon cake, pecan pie, take a look and all them Lampton Quay cafes, there’s all sorts of cake they could eat.”

            • Akldnut 5.2.1.1.1.2
              25 December 2013 at 11:16 pm

              It’s the complete lack of empathy I don’t understand.

              It’s sickening

  6. Olwyn 6
    24 December 2013 at 9:08 pm

    Have a wonderful Christmas David. May 2014 bring into fruition the better way you are talking about.

    • Chooky 6.1
      25 December 2013 at 8:38 am

      +1….with the Greens and Mana ….as as fighting battalion to defeat Nact for a generation!.

      Xmas wish list for Santa Cunliffe’s new 2014 coalition government:

      Bring back a strong free state education system….modeled on Finland ( get rid of ACT private lobbiests on education paid by the Ministry and influenced by USA business contractors for failed USA privatised charter school system)

      Bring back Continuing Education

      Bring back a free state funded tertiary and university education system based on France and Germany ( not the failed class/ privilege privatised USA and British model…which excludes some of the best and brightest from the working class and impoverished middle class….and leaves tertiary education as a privilege for the wealthy mediocre )

      Bring back a great independent Public Service…well educated and skilled and committed to doing the best for all New Zealanders ( get rid of the uneducated crony private contractors lining their pockets and who come with corrupting agendas)

  7. Linz 7
    24 December 2013 at 9:39 pm

    Thanks for coming on The Standard and wishing us well, and thanks especially for giving us hope for a better tomorrow. You have done very well since you became leader. This from John Armstrong no less: “Since taking over from David Shearer, David Cunliffe has not put a foot wrong – at least in a strategic sense.” (I would have stopped the sentence before the dash.) I hope you and your family have a great holiday season, and here’s hoping we all have the best of years in 2014. My best election so far was 1972. I’ve got a feeling 2014 will be even better.

  8. Philj 8
    24 December 2013 at 10:03 pm

    Xox
    BM and Naki, you are troughing in the wrong place. I wish you both good health, cause if you haven’t you will join the long queue. Course u have health insurance. Hope you learn some kindness and aroha. It is the season.

    • Akldnut 8.1
      25 December 2013 at 11:24 pm

      Hope that if you do get sick it wont be too bad, because the private health system will pay to use the public health facilities and you will be pushing someone in the public system further down the queue.

  9. Redzone 9
    24 December 2013 at 10:11 pm

    Naki man what planet are you on? Try growing vegetables when you live in a car and work 2 jobs and then that doesnt even cover the cost of rent. Poverty is for real in NZ. Wake up and show some compassion. Your smugness is nauseating.

  10. RedLogix 10
    24 December 2013 at 10:21 pm

    David,

    Again thanks for wishing us well here at The Standard. It’s a passionate community and we’ve been inspired in the hope that you have what it takes to turn Labour away from the neo-liberal madness that has held the caucus in it’s thrall for far too long.

    It’s a long haul David and we have your back. Make the most of these few relatively quiet weeks – it’s going to be a great year ahead.

    Kind Regards

  11. Saarbo 11
    24 December 2013 at 11:37 pm

    Thanks David…also a merry Christmas to all of the Standard commenters (Left ones) and post’ers.

    A funny thing has happened in our family Christmas this year, we have a large family and my aging mum has asked two of our siblings to stay away because they always bicker and cause distress amongst other family members, they also happen to be the only two family members who vote right/National (lol)…there is something in that! Looking forward to a peaceful Christmas this year.

    Looking forward to helping to get rid of this not only mean spirited National party but also hopelessly incompetent (except at spin).

  12. xtasy 12
    25 December 2013 at 1:50 am

    Thanks David,

    It should all be available by now to Labour Party insiders, members and spokespersons, but much still seems to go down unnoticed. Thank you David, I still am hesitant to support you, but you are at least the “lesser evil”. By the way, get the UNFAIRNESS, and the PUNITIVE approach in welfare policies to be part of your program for the election campaign, and you may be surprised how many are affected and may give you their votes.

    If you need some real info and advice, as to how to beat the Nat and ACT jerks, I think I could perhaps assist with some guidance here and there, that is if you are interested, as some of your own are not up to it.

    Contact the host or editor, and he may pass on my details.

    Keep it up and do the right thing!

    Do NOT forget the government’s warfare against welfare recipients, or it will come back to be your peril one day. The system is hideous, the Minister is mean and lying, the affected are crapped on day and night. There are not enough jobs, but they push sick and disabled now, same as sole parents if they may have a baby only one year old!!!

    Rgds X

    • xtasy 12.1
      25 December 2013 at 2:04 am

      Further to that, tip or advice:

      As you suggested already on RNZ, get yourself, your wife and perhaps whole family made more public and familiar with the wider NZ public!

      Also consider the NZ spirit of tangata whenua and whatever, to create a spirit for togetherness, and learn from what is happening in Latin America:
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnG9jHh_ZIo

      With your smartness and resources it should be sugar sweet easy to win the election 2014. But we all know that the MSM is in the pocket of Key and his lot, and that is where your biggest challenge will be.

      Doing the right analysis, and above all, getting the RIGHT program together, Labour should win easily, but that is where it hinges according to my view, the program and policies. We get too little and it is too wishy washy.

      Get all that sorted, and a bit more, and you will be PM in late 2014!

    • blue leopard (Get Lost GCSB Bill) 12.2
      25 December 2013 at 11:39 am

      I like xtasy’s message and wish to add please reassess Labour’s approach to superannuation

      – it just seems that now that the jobless and those with health challenges have been screwed down as much as humanly possible and there is no more that can be taken off them we are now going to move onto the oldies. PLEASE we’ve had enough of this nonsense.

  13. One Anonymous Knucklehead 13
    25 December 2013 at 7:28 am

    Merry Xmas and happy new year to one and all, ho ho ho and all that.

    2014 is going to be a good year. We’re going to change our government.

    • Anne 13.1
      25 December 2013 at 9:15 am

      Season greetings to all, and I hope David Cunliffe takes X up on his offer. xtasy has a wealth of knowledge and understanding especially when it comes to Welfare and Winz.

      The thing I’ve noticed about David is that he doesn’t set himself up as the arbiter of all knowledge. He treats people with respect and listens carefully to their views no matter who they are – a CEO or a road worker. Funny that because his former detractors who were inclined to suggest he was otherwise… were far more inclined to consider themselves better than the rest of us.

  14. Tracey 14
    25 December 2013 at 9:49 am

    David

    its up to you to change this country for the better. You have to find the way to cut through the spin and lies of this govt in ways the people will get. You have to find the way to get alot of people to see that the world is not for everyone as it is for them.for gods sake start reminding this country how huge the govt debt now is… how chchch is largely covered by insurance… so who has the money gone to.

    I believe most nzers are fairminded but you have to make them see there is something which requires their fair mindedness.

    we will all vote but we cannot shape how anyone votes only you can.

    dont let the vulnerable down david.

  15. Tracey 15
    25 December 2013 at 10:12 am

    Xtasy

    top tip brother. Hope 2014 treats you well.

  16. Tracey 16
    25 December 2013 at 10:13 am

    12 litres of coke for 12 bucks…theres a problem right thete

    • Colonial Viper 16.1
      25 December 2013 at 10:26 am

      One litre for each day of Christmas…awesome

    • Naki Man 16.2
      25 December 2013 at 8:45 pm

      Those so called energy drinks, Mother, red bull. V etc are doing far more damage than coke

      • McFlock 16.2.1
        25 December 2013 at 10:47 pm

        reasoning?

        • Paul 16.2.1.1
          25 December 2013 at 10:57 pm

          And / or evidence?

        • blue leopard (Get Lost GCSB Bill) 16.2.1.2
          25 December 2013 at 11:00 pm

          I believe those energy drinks contain even more sugar than coke and also large amounts of caffeine. I think that some of them suggest a limit of 4 per day due to the potential adverse health effects that they could create. This might be what Naki Man is referring to.

          • McFlock 16.2.1.2.1
            25 December 2013 at 11:15 pm

            That’s my understanding too, but I suspect people drink much more high-fructose-fizz on average than caffeine analogues. Red Bull’s pretty pricey compared to milk or coke, istr.

          • rhinocrates 16.2.1.2.2
            26 December 2013 at 10:45 am

            Well, if the poor are made unhealthy by drinking energy drinks, let them drink Châteauneuf-du-Pape!

  17. Lanthanide 17
    25 December 2013 at 10:30 am

    I can’t help but think that after 3 years of the next Labour government, all of the things he listed as being problems in NZ will still be problems.

  18. Tracey 18
    25 December 2013 at 12:37 pm

    I agree lanth … the crucial thing is beginning a change of direction not just talking.
    each time key talks about reform labour needs to call it what it is… making unemployment look better by pushing the vulnerable into city missions. Spend some money on people who can counter frame the bs argument that nats put up.

    tell john key you can now show him the money … its at warner bros… rio tinto… and other needy corporates and in return we have 50b debt and overseas banks creaming interest from us and a minister of tourism who likes to spend his money into the us economy cos no where here meets his standards.

  19. Steve Wrathall 19
    25 December 2013 at 2:26 pm

    Meery Xmas and please spam John Key with Labours “Xmas cards” so we can harvest your emails.

  20. Tanz 20
    25 December 2013 at 9:28 pm

    I just do not understand why Key made it harder for first home buyers. That is one of his worst moves.

  21. Kevin 21
    25 December 2013 at 9:38 pm

    Did you note all the iPhones being used to take pix at the City Mission lunch???

  22. tricledrown 22
    25 December 2013 at 11:14 pm

    Naki not much difference between coke and energy drinks

  23. tricledrown 23
    25 December 2013 at 11:59 pm

    I thought all the right whining grinches would be in hawaii celebrating a sucessful year of ladder pulling.

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    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 27 were:1. The Minister for Ford Rangers strikes againTransport Minister Simeon Brown was again the busiest of the Cabinet ministers this week, announcing an ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 hours ago
  • Ticket To Anywhere

    You got a fast carAnd I want a ticket to anywhereMaybe we make a dealMaybe together we can get somewhereAny place is betterYesterday’s newsletter, Trust In Me, on the report of abuse in state care, and by religious organisations, between 1950 and 2019, coupled with the hypocrisy of Christopher Luxon ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 hours ago
  • Stories of varying weight

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Some years ago, I bought a book at Dunedin’s Regent Booksale for $1.50. As one does. Vandrad the Viking (1898), by J. Storer Clouston, is an obscure book these days – I cannot find a proper online review – but soon it was sitting on my shelf, gathering dust alongside ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On The Biden Withdrawal

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

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

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

    What has happened to it all?Crazy, some'd sayWhere is the life that I recognise?(Gone away)But I won't cry for yesterdayThere's an ordinary worldSomehow I have to findAnd as I try to make my wayTo the ordinary worldYesterday morning began as many others - what to write about today? I began ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • A speed limit is not a target, and yet…

    This is a guest post from longtime supporter Mr Plod, whose previous contributions include a proposal that Hamilton become New Zealand’s capital city, and that we should switch which side of the road we drive on. A recent Newsroom article, “Back to school for the Govt’s new speed limit policy“, ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Monday, July 22 are:Today’s Must Read: Father and son live in a tent, and have done for four years, in a million ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Monday, July 22, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:US President Joe Biden announced via X this morning he would not stand for a second term.Multinational professional services firm ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #29

    A listing of 32 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, July 14, 2024 thru Sat, July 20, 2024. Story of the week As reflected by preponderance of coverage, our Story of the Week is Project 2025. Until now traveling ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago
  • I'd like to share what I did this weekend

    This weekend, a friend pointed out someone who said they’d like to read my posts, but didn’t want to pay. And my first reaction was sympathy.I’ve already told folks that if they can’t comfortably subscribe, and would like to read, I’d be happy to offer free subscriptions. I don’t want ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • For the children – Why mere sentiment can be a misleading force in our lives, and lead to unex...

    National: The Party of ‘Law and Order’ IntroductionThis weekend, the Government formally kicked off one of their flagship policy programs: a military style boot camp that New Zealand has experimented with over the past 50 years. Cartoon credit: Guy BodyIt’s very popular with the National Party’s Law and Order image, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • A friend in uncertain times

    Day one of the solo leg of my long journey home begins with my favourite sound: footfalls in an empty street. 5.00 am and it’s already light and already too warm, almost.If I can make the train that leaves Budapest later this hour I could be in Belgrade by nightfall; ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • The Chaotic World of Male Diet Influencers

    Hi,We’ll get to the horrific world of male diet influencers (AKA Beefy Boys) shortly, but first you will be glad to know that since I sent out the Webworm explaining why the assassination attempt on Donald Trump was not a false flag operation, I’ve heard from a load of people ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • It's Starting To Look A Lot Like… Y2K

    Do you remember Y2K, the threat that hung over humanity in the closing days of the twentieth century? Horror scenarios of planes falling from the sky, electronic payments failing and ATMs refusing to dispense cash. As for your VCR following instructions and recording your favourite show - forget about it.All ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Bernard’s Saturday Soliloquy for the week to July 20

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts being questioned by The Kākā’s Bernard Hickey.TL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 20 were:1. A strategy that fails Zero Carbon Act & Paris targetsThe National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government finally unveiled ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Pharmac Director, Climate Change Commissioner, Health NZ Directors – The latest to quit this m...

    Summary:As New Zealand loses at least 12 leaders in the public service space of health, climate, and pharmaceuticals, this month alone, directly in response to the Government’s policies and budget choices, what lies ahead may be darker than it appears. Tui examines some of those departures and draws a long ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 week ago
  • Flooding Housing Policy

    The Minister of Housing’s ambition is to reduce markedly the ratio of house prices to household incomes. If his strategy works it would transform the housing market, dramatically changing the prospects of housing as an investment.Leaving aside the Minister’s metaphor of ‘flooding the market’ I do not see how the ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago
  • A Voyage Among the Vandals: Accepted (Again!)

    As previously noted, my historical fantasy piece, set in the fifth-century Mediterranean, was accepted for a Pirate Horror anthology, only for the anthology to later fall through. But in a good bit of news, it turned out that the story could indeed be re-marketed as sword and sorcery. As of ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā's Chorus for Friday, July 19

    An employee of tobacco company Philip Morris International demonstrates a heated tobacco device. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy on Friday, July 19 are:At a time when the Coalition Government is cutting spending on health, infrastructure, education, housing ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 8:30 am on Friday, July 19 are:Scoop: NZ First Minister Casey Costello orders 50% cut to excise tax on heated tobacco products. The minister has ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Roundup 19-July-2024

    Kia ora, it’s time for another Friday roundup, in which we pull together some of the links and stories that caught our eye this week. Feel free to add more in the comments! Our header image this week shows a foggy day in Auckland town, captured by Patrick Reynolds. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: A market-led plan for failure

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

    Save some money, get rich and old, bring it back to Tobacco Road.Bring that dynamite and a crane, blow it up, start all over again.Roll up. Roll up. Or tailor made, if you prefer...Whether you’re selling ciggies, digging for gold, catching dolphins in your nets, or encouraging folks to flutter ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Trump’s Adopted Son.

    Waiting In The Wings: For truly, if Trump is America’s un-assassinated Caesar, then J.D. Vance is America’s Octavian, the Republic’s youthful undertaker – and its first Emperor.DONALD TRUMP’S SELECTION of James D. Vance as his running-mate bodes ill for the American republic. A fervent supporter of Viktor Orban, the “illiberal” prime ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 week ago

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

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

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

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

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

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

    An experimental vineyard which will help futureproof the wine sector has been opened in Blenheim by Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson. The covered vineyard, based at the New Zealand Wine Centre – Te Pokapū Wāina o Aotearoa, enables controlled environmental conditions. “The research that will be produced at the Experimental ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Funding confirmed for regions affected by North Island Weather Events

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

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

    He aha te kai a te rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the aspirations of Ngāti Maniapoto, Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka says. “My thanks to Te Nehenehenui Trust – Ngāti Maniapoto for bringing their important kōrero to a ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Transport Minister thanks outgoing CAA Chair

    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has thanked outgoing Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority, Janice Fredric, for her service to the board.“I have received Ms Fredric’s resignation from the role of Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority,” Mr Brown says.“On behalf of the Government, I want to thank Ms Fredric for ...
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    2 days ago
  • Test for Customary Marine Title being restored

    The Government is proposing legislation to overturn a Court of Appeal decision and amend the Marine and Coastal Area Act in order to restore Parliament’s test for Customary Marine Title, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says.  “Section 58 required an applicant group to prove they have exclusively used and occupied ...
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    2 days ago
  • Opposition united in bad faith over ECE sector review

    Regulation Minister David Seymour says that opposition parties have united in bad faith, opposing what they claim are ‘dangerous changes’ to the Early Childhood Education sector, despite no changes even being proposed yet.  “Issues with affordability and availability of early childhood education, and the complexity of its regulation, has led ...
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    2 days ago
  • Kiwis having their say on first regulatory review

    After receiving more than 740 submissions in the first 20 days, Regulation Minister David Seymour is asking the Ministry for Regulation to extend engagement on the early childhood education regulation review by an extra two weeks.  “The level of interest has been very high, and from the conversations I’ve been ...
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    2 days ago
  • Government upgrading Lower North Island commuter rail

    The Coalition Government is investing $802.9 million into the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines as part of a funding agreement with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), KiwiRail, and the Greater Wellington and Horizons Regional Councils to deliver more reliable services for commuters in the lower North Island, Transport Minister Simeon ...
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    2 days ago
  • Government moves to ensure flood protection for Wairoa

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    The Government has welcomed news the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has begun work to replace nine priority bridges across the country to ensure our state highway network remains resilient, reliable, and efficient for road users, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“Increasing productivity and economic growth is a key priority for the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Update on global IT outage

    Acting Prime Minister David Seymour has been in contact throughout the evening with senior officials who have coordinated a whole of government response to the global IT outage and can provide an update. The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has designated the National Emergency Management Agency as the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New Zealand, Japan renew Pacific partnership

    New Zealand and Japan will continue to step up their shared engagement with the Pacific, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “New Zealand and Japan have a strong, shared interest in a free, open and stable Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says.    “We are pleased to be finding more ways ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New infrastructure energises BOP forestry towns

    New developments in the heart of North Island forestry country will reinvigorate their communities and boost economic development, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones visited Kaingaroa and Kawerau in Bay of Plenty today to open a landmark community centre in the former and a new connecting road in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • 'Pacific Futures'

    President Adeang, fellow Ministers, honourable Diet Member Horii, Ambassadors, distinguished guests.    Minasama, konnichiwa, and good afternoon, everyone.    Distinguished guests, it’s a pleasure to be here with you today to talk about New Zealand’s foreign policy reset, the reasons for it, the values that underpin it, and how it ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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