#Sheepgate – but wait there’s more

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 9:39 am, December 4th, 2015 - 28 comments
Categories: farming, national, same old national, Steven Joyce - Tags: murray mccully, sheepgate

As if flying heavily pregnant sheep to a farm situated in the middle of a Saudi desert and paying $4 million dollars to settle a legal dispute that did not exist was not enough. Now the Government is gifting a $2.6 million kit set abattoir to the Saudi sheep farmer.

From Radio New Zealand:

The government is about to spend more than $2.5 million of taxpayers’ money building an abattoir for a disaffected Saudi businessman.

The kit-set abattoir is part of the Government’s $12m attempt to appease him.

A free trade deal with the Gulf states is no nearer.

It has already given the influential businessman, Hamood Al-Ali Al-Khalaf, $4m and has flown 900 pregnant sheep to his farm – nearly all the lambs subsequently died.

Mr Al-Khalaf has opposed New Zealand getting a free trade deal in the region.

The Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce said $2.6m will now be spent building Mr Al-Khalaf an abattoir.

The abattoir will be gifted to the Saudi government then installed on the businessman’s farm in the Saudi desert, which the Government said doubles as a New Zealand agri-hub.

However, Mr Joyce said there was still no movement on a free trade deal with the Gulf states.

There is already an Auditor General inquiry into the deal. Looks like the office will now have more work to do.

And to all the right wing readers out there. Please justify the spend. Pouring tens of millions of dollars into a sheep farm in a Saudi desert where most of the sheep die and with no measurable benefit is not the thing a prudent and careful Government does.

As Danyl McLaughlan states the Government is hoping that swinging voters do not care and is relying on the weakened ability of the media to get to the core of these stories as some sort of protection. In his latest post he says this:

The resignation of Murray McCully over the Saudi sheep deal should have been the biggest political story of the year. Back in 1999 when McCully was found to have acted illegally in his role of Tourism Minister he was forced to resign. This time the allegations were much more serious, but because of the decline in influence of mainstream media outlets, and the fierce competition between them – TV3 and the Herald largely ignored the scandal because it was broken by journalists at rival companies – the Minister simply dropped out of sight until it all blew over.

But the whole episode has certainly upset those of the right who actually believe in free and open markets. And if rumours of the resumption of live exports by ship are true the Government is going to have another very difficult political issue to deal with.

https://twitter.com/MatthewHootonNZ/status/672272336007987201

28 comments on “#Sheepgate – but wait there’s more ”

Comments are now closed

BLiP 1

4 December 2015 at 9:57 am

‘

National Ltd™ – Working for all nations which fund international terrorism
- Draco T Bastard 1.1
  
  4 December 2015 at 5:13 pm
  
  +1
NZJester 2

4 December 2015 at 10:31 am

So National is now making the general tax paying public pay for New Zealand meat processing Jobs to be exported over seas?

What could go wrong with this deal. I mean if something goes Baaaa is woolly and has its sharp teeth in your throat, it is most likely just a harmless sheep right?
- Draco T Bastard 2.1
  
  4 December 2015 at 5:15 pm
  
  And then the FTA to ensure that NZ workers are in competition with external workers to lower wages even further.
ianmac 3

4 December 2015 at 11:14 am

Possibilities:
a. Joyce must feel safe about the abattoir.
b. Joyce must feel that it s better to front foot this as opposed to being hunted down by the opposition.
c. Key has shown that the way forward was to bluster and bluster.
d. The decision to gift an abattoir was made a year or so ago and now they have no choice but to meet the commitment. (How many people are given an abattoir for xmas?)
e. They believe that most people don’t really care. Arrogance?
- shorts 3.1
  
  4 December 2015 at 11:19 am
  
  I’d go with e) coupled with currently the political media aren’t interested in much more than what wine the PM will send them for christmas and how good their annual press gallery xmas bash will be
- Pat 3.2
  
  4 December 2015 at 11:34 am
  
  how about an f.
  f. it is all just a bad dream and we will wake up and realise it isn’t real.
  
  ..after all it certainly defies belief as does the almost complete lack of public reaction.
  - NZJester 3.2.1
    
    4 December 2015 at 7:03 pm
    
    I think there is public reaction to it. It is just so many are busy with protesting the TPP right now and the media are more interested in covering trivial maters and brown-nosing the PM than to condemn him.
    - Pat 3.2.1.1
      
      4 December 2015 at 7:59 pm
      
      so public is overwhelmed by the range of threats and don’t know which to react to and therefore doesn’t react?…feel sure theres a psych term for that.
Sabine 4

4 December 2015 at 11:16 am

so they are openly now fleecing the country and stealing outright from the tax payer.
i wonder if their internal polls are so bad, that they are not counting on re-election, and have just done away with pretense and now are looting until they leave office.
How many jobs for the National Party Posse are dependend on them giving away taxpayers funds and treasure?

oh well, its ok when National does it.
- RedBaronCV 4.1
  
  4 December 2015 at 11:39 am
  
  I’ve wondered about the polls too. If they think they aren’t going to be re-elected then I would expect them to be doing everything they want regardless of the electorate. It seems a bit early in the electoral cycle for this level of disregard so is there a possibility of another by-election that we don’t yet know about?
  - Tc 4.1.1
    
    4 December 2015 at 3:00 pm
    
    If key ackshully held his ministers accountable there would be a by election pretty much every other month.
    
    My bet would be on smiley sam, who is a weak link, taking a fall so nact can look tough when the reality is hes never going to be a high flyer and they can sinecure him a few gigs before next election.
    - Draco T Bastard 4.1.1.1
      
      4 December 2015 at 5:18 pm
      
      If key ackshully held his ministers accountable there would be a by election pretty much every other month.
      
      With most of National’s caucus now in jail and probably a few backbenchers as well. Of course, that would probably include Key as well.
greywarshark 5

4 December 2015 at 11:31 am

The Saudi has become discombobulated because of loss of possible profits. So we must appease him – why? Did he threaten to send an evangelical Wahhabi cult team to our shores? Or perhaps we would prefer a trade team so we could build close national ties with the Saudis like we have with Australia.

Perhaps that country did not get invited to the international military maneouvres on our shores carried out this year and feel slighted? The New Statesman backgrounds this Islam branch.
http://www.newstatesman.com/world-affairs/2014/11/wahhabism-isis-how-saudi-arabia-exported-main-source-global-terrorism

Meanwhile many of us are discombobulated here. But the lolly scramble never seems to be held close to the people who would most enjoy the taste of sweetness from the Nats. It’s all bitter gall for those most disadvantaged by our gummint in NZ
edited
TeWhareWhero 6

4 December 2015 at 1:40 pm

I wonder if these sheep are destined for Haj sacrifice?

The Saudi government has spent over SR2 billion to build modern automated slaughterhouses with state-of-the-art facilities.

The Adahi Project, run by the Islamic Development Bank (which was set up by Saudi Arabia) is one of the services offered by Saudi Arabia to “help pilgrims perform their Haj rites in ease and comfort.”

With the increase in the numbers of pilgrims to the holy sites, the numbers of animals sacrificed has become a health and environmental hazard – not to mention being a tad nasty for the soft hearted to see, hear and smell – so the Adahi Project enables pilgrims to buy a voucher – on line or from authorised outlets – and an animal is slaughtered for them in an approved abattoir. The meat is frozen and then given away to people deemed to be deserving of it.

The price for an Adahi Project sheep is US$127 this year and the project – which employs 40,000 butchers, vets and Shariah experts – supplied 900,000 head last year. So big business.
- Macro 6.1
  
  4 December 2015 at 2:37 pm
  
  Yes its very big business and the lack of screaming by the media here is because some of us (mainly sheep farmers and good old boys supporting “you know who”) want a slice of the action.
  So what if it cost us a few mill? Plenty in the public purse for this sort of thing surely? Ok so there are a few thousand kids without homes, who go to school hungry and stuff – but IF we can swing this deal! Well we will all be rich!
- Stuart Munro 6.2
  
  4 December 2015 at 5:49 pm
  
  Although the Haj is a big issue for Saudi, the location of the farm, in the northeast province near Dammam, makes it less than ideal as a supplier for that event. One would expect a more sensible location from a supplier perspective would be in the fertile south, closer to Jeddah. But that is not where the problematic businessman owns land…
Leftie 7

4 December 2015 at 3:41 pm

“barbaric” is how National’s very close buddies see it.

<a href="http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1512/S00052/another-26m-for-more-saudi-sheep-barbaric.htm
- Draco T Bastard 7.1
  
  4 December 2015 at 5:33 pm
  
  In May, it was exposed that despite the initial claim that the project was about demonstrating Kiwi know-how officials haven’t even negotiated rights of access to the privately owned farm.
  
  LOL
  
  Trying very hard there not to call the government liars despite the fact that they’re lying.
  - Leftie 7.1.1
    
    4 December 2015 at 7:11 pm
    
    “based on the facts which are in the public domain, is that any legal liability is fanciful.”
    
    Also shows the National government are bold faced liars.
One Anonymous Bloke 8

4 December 2015 at 4:31 pm

Funding fascism.
Tautuhi 9

4 December 2015 at 8:27 pm

I am interested in this Government project in Saudi Arabia, if it is highly successful we will no doubt hear all about it, if it is a lemon it will be swept under the carpet.

Hopefully the Government have sought professional advice on this project rather than taking the Heath Robinson approach.
- Leftie 9.1
  
  5 December 2015 at 12:21 am
  
  It’s a lemon, and the National government have been lying their heads off. It’s already been revealed to be nothing more than a disastrous bribe and rort of the taxpayer by the Key National government. Haven’t you been reading the news about it?
Expat 10

4 December 2015 at 11:39 pm

So now the Saudi’s can supply ISIS with fresh lamb donated from NZ as well as arms and funding, good on ya Murray McCully, the last legacy you left NZ is still costing the country billions, you know the one, the leaky home syndrome.
- Leftie 10.1
  
  5 December 2015 at 12:21 am
  
  @Expat
  
  +1000
- Tautuhi 10.2
  
  5 December 2015 at 2:33 pm
  
  Fresh NZ Lamb for ISIS just love that comment?
Gael 11

4 December 2015 at 11:53 pm

Good grief. For Sharia law? Nz government supporting sharia sacrifices?.. nz sending live animals by sea to the desert to be slaughtered for religious sacrifice? NZ openly supporting sharia laws by sending free kitset abbatoir?

Really? Nz will.enable poss trade with daesh ?… maybe the kiwi sheep being sacrificed in kiwi abbatoir in the desert are being paid for ‘online’ by some one in syria?

Ashamed to be kiwi if so.
- Matthew Whitehead 11.1
  
  6 December 2015 at 9:41 pm
  
  You seem to be more concerned with Islamaphobia rather than corrupt government payouts to grease the wheels of an FTA. I’d suggest rethinking that.

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Three weeks ago, Australia's Freedom of Information Commissioner - their equivalent of the Ombudsman - suddenly resigned, on the basis that the entire system was broken and he was unable to fix it. And now, the Australian Senate is holding an inquiry into the resignation, and the problems with Australia's ...
No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
4 days ago

A crime against democracy
Yesterday the government introduced the Severe Weather Emergency Recovery Legislation Bill to the House. The bill is a response to Cyclone Gabrielle, and (like the Christchurch earthquake legislation) enables Ministers to amend laws by order in council across half the North Island, for five years. The list of laws allowed ...
No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
4 days ago

An Ugly Demonstration.
Mobbed! As Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull’s (Posie Parker’s) opponents surged forward, her only protecters were a handful of burly security guards who surrounded their client and began forcing a path through what was now a howling mob. At least one video recording shows the diminutive Keen-Minshull, a terrified rag-doll, eyes dulled by ...
Bowalley Road
4 days ago

Four strikes and it’s out for Stuart Nash – now let’s see if Marama Davidson becomes a repeat ...
Buzz from the Beehive It looks like Marama Davidson must revile white sis males – or some other group of our population – three more times before she gets the heave-ho as one of Chris Hipkins’ ministers. That’s the conclusion to be drawn from the PM’s treatment of Stuart Nash, ...
Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
4 days ago

Gordon Campbell on the banning of Tik Tok
For a serial offender like Stuart Nash, it was inevitable that another skeleton would emerge from his closet, and end his ministerial career. This one though, was a whopper. Previously, Nash had tried to tell the Police how to do their job. He had also tried to tell the courts ...
Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
4 days ago

Bryce Edwards: Nash’s sacking means a deeper probe into Cabinet “insider trading” is required
Cabinet Minister Stuart Nash was sacked last night for violating Cabinet Collective Responsibility rules, when it was revealed he disclosed sensitive Government information to business supporters who had donated money to him. The breach of the Cabinet Manual was enough to land him in trouble, but the fact that it ...
Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
4 days ago

Te Hā Noa to Start Construction
Some good news last week with the Council confirming that Te Hā Noa – Victoria St Linear Park will go ahead and with construction starting on 11 April – though with a few fishhooks. Te Hā Noa, a renewed Victoria Street, is the next big project in Auckland Council’s Midtown ...
Greater AucklandBy Matt L
4 days ago

Jacqui Van Der Kaay: Broken trust led to sacking
Stuart Nash’s assurances to Prime Minister Chris Hipkins that there were no further examples of him breaching the Cabinet Manual became meaningless with the release of emails from Nash sharing Cabinet discussions with business people. The Prime Minister had no choice but to sack Nash as a Minister with immediate ...
Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
4 days ago

A Quick Sean Plunket FAQ
Hi,Just a quick online-only update after yesterday’s newsletter, How Michael Organ Weaponised the Family Court... and Sean Plunket. First up — wow. Thanks for all the support, and to all those who shared their own personal stories in the comments. And welcome to any new Webworm readers.I just wanted ...
David FarrierBy David Farrier
4 days ago

Luxon demands Davidson apologise to white men!
Let that sink in for a moment - Christopher Luxon, who has spent the last year demonising Māori, wants Marama Davidson to apologise to white men.You will likely have seen the video, or read about it. Marama Davidson rushing along Princes St on Saturday evening, the road that runs between ...
Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
4 days ago

Dawn Chorus: Councils set to dump Wellington Light Rail
Stuart Nash, the great-grandson of former Prime Minister Sir Walter Nash, has lost his political career. File Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Stuart Nash was sacked for telling donors what happened in Cabinet. Wellington’s City and Regional Councils are going cold on light rail plans. Wayne Brown is under ...
The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
4 days ago

The links between Stuart Nash and NZ First
NZ First Leader Winston Peters is sympathising with Stuart Nash and defending him but dodging questions on whether he would be welcome in New Zealand First. Prime Minister Chris Hipkins last night sacked Nash from the Cabinet after an email he had sent to two of his campaign donors ...
PolitikBy Richard Harman
4 days ago

Sacked for corruption
So, after interfering with the police, and then interfering with immigration decisions, Stuart Nash has finally been sacked: Stuart Nash has been sacked as a minister, after Stuff revealed he had emailed business figures, including donors, detailing private Cabinet discussions. Prime Minister Chris Hipkins confirmed the people Nash emailed ...
No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
5 days ago

The climate landmine under our economy (a housing market with bits tacked on)
Nearly 25% of mortgages in Auckland are deemed at risk in a 1-in-100 year flood event. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Once a year, every year, from now on, in our not-so-slow-cooking climate crisis, there will be a moment when the most important number in Aotearoa’s own personal, national ...
The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
5 days ago

More Labour secrecy
In July 2022, the then-Minister for Public Services, Chris Hipkins, promised that he would reduce the number of secrecy clauses in new legislation. Today the government has introduced not one, but two bills that strengthen secrecy at the expense of transparency. The first is the Resale Right for Visual Artists ...
No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
5 days ago

You people are the best
Item One: About a confected crisis Please bear with me for a moment, readers outside Auckland, I wish to sound the klaxon. Auckland, we have until 11pm today to have our say. About what? About this, as copied and pasted from Pippa Coom’s Facebook page:The "austerity" budget is built on ...
More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
5 days ago

Hipkins gets an apology from Davidson for reviling “white cis men” – but if she apologised to ...
Buzz from the Beehive Yet again, the statement we were looking for could not be found on the Beehive website. Nor was it on the Scoop or Green Party websites. But – come to think of it – we are probably wasting our time by searching. Our quest is for the ...
Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
5 days ago

Approaching Gridlock: Arundhati Roy on Free Speech and Failing Democracy
The following is from a speech given by Arundhati Roy at the Swedish Academy on March 22, 2023, at a conference called Thought and Truth Under Pressure and reprinted from Literary Hub. I thank the Swedish Academy for inviting me to speak at this conference and for affording me the privilege ...
RedlineBy Admin
5 days ago

Wood pulls a Dutton
After almost two decades of racism, Australia is finally getting off its "stop the boats" bullshit. But don't worry, racists - Michael Wood has your back! The Government wants to increase the time it can detain without a warrant people seeking asylum en masse from four days to 28 ...
No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
5 days ago

Labour dragging its feet on pay transparency
Last year, the Education and Workforce Committee recommended that the government legislate for pay transparency to prevent employers from secretly discriminating. This ought to be a bread and butter issue for Labour - discrimination sees women (and particularly Māori and Pasifika women) paid significantly less than men. But since then ...
No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
5 days ago

THOMAS CRANMER: Violent suppression of free speech – Kellie-Jay Keen’s assault by transgender ...
Thomas Cranmer writes – ———— An unruly mob in Albert Park has catapulted New Zealand into the global headlines with ugly images that may become iconic in the debate about the dangers of transgenderism. ———— Bravo Kellie-Jay Keen. She did the job that needed to be done. For all the ...
Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
5 days ago

Political Roundup: 28 March 2023
POSIE PARKER RALLY The Facts: New Zealanders are world leaders in respecting transgender men and women Chris Trotter (Interest): An ugly demonstration William Hewett (Newshub): Sir Peter Gluckman warns New Zealand’s social cohesion at risk, society needs to accept transgender people have rights Rachel Smalley (Today FM): How on earth did ...
Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
5 days ago

Extreme heat waves in Europe may be linked to melting Arctic sea ice
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections Global warming is melting the Arctic ice cap, and that’s having unforeseen effects on the world’s weather — even thousands of miles away from the North Pole. Some climate scientists have begun to link increasingly common heat waves in Europe to what is ...
Skeptical Science
5 days ago

Jacqui Van Der Kaay: Integrity of politicians deserves scrutiny
Hot on the heels of the demotion of former police Minister Stuart Nash for breaching the Cabinet Manual, Radio New Zealand has revealed the close links between lobbyists and politicians- an area of New Zealand politics that is completely unregulated. The evidence in Guyon Espiner’s series Mate, Comrade, Brother, the ...
Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
5 days ago

Warkworth and the Cost of Sprawl
At the Auckland Transport board meeting today a series of papers really highlight the cost of sprawl. For the last few years, the Supporting Growth work has been looking at designing the strategic transport networks for future greenfield areas in the South, Northwest, North (around Dairy flat) and in Warkworth. ...
Greater AucklandBy Matt L
5 days ago

1 April changes to lift incomes
Over a million New Zealanders will receive a little extra to help with the cost of living as a result of our 1 April changes. Around the world, inflation is causing costs to rise and we’re feeling it here at home. In tough times, we need to support those who ...
Labour Blog
2 days ago

Liveable incomes needed
With benefit changes coming into effect tomorrow, the Green Party is calling on the Government to lift benefits to liveable levels to make sure everyone has what they need to thrive. ...
Greens
2 days ago

Come on National, is that the best you can do?
A visionless National Party has stolen Government policy and rebranded it as their own. ...
Greens
2 days ago

Waitematā Harbour crossing options not good enough
Rapid transit for the Waitematā Harbour crossing must be the priority - not more car lanes that will make congestion and climate change worse. ...
Greens
3 days ago

Greens celebrate passing of Organic Products and Production Bill
Following decades of work by the Green Party alongside the organics sector, people will finally be able to be confident that products labelled organic have met standards. ...
Greens
3 days ago

Greens back pay transparency open letter
The Green Party supports immediate Government action to close the pay gap as called for in an open letter released today by the Human Rights Commission and 50 other organisations. ...
Greens
4 days ago

Continued strikes show need for bold action
The Green Party backs the demands of thousands of secondary and area school teachers striking today. ...
Greens
4 days ago

Greens welcome waste strategy release and work
The Green Party is today welcoming the release of the Government’s waste strategy, but says it has a big gap without action on the container return scheme for beverage containers. ...
Greens
4 days ago

Mass arrivals legislation a breach of NZ’s values
The Government’s decision to introduce ‘mass arrivals’ legislation goes against the values we all share of Aotearoa as a place where all people are treated fairly, the Green Party says. ...
Greens
5 days ago

Minster Davidson Must Resign After 'Violence' Comments
MINISTER DAVIDSON MUST RESIGN AFTER 'VIOLENCE' COMMENTS Marama Davidson should stand down as ‘Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence’ for the clear and outrageous statement she made at the Posie Parker protest that ‘white straight men’ are the cause of violence. Her offensive, racist, and sexist remarks ...
NZ First Press Release
6 days ago

In response to Newshub and Amelia Wade’s obvious and ham-fisted attempt at a typical and predicted...
In response to Newshub and Amelia Wade’s obvious and ham-fisted attempt at a typical and predicted political hit job. As any politically aware reporter would know, any Cabinet subcommittee has a duty and obligation as a part of any government to respond to any UN declaration, in this case ...
NZ First Press Release
1 week ago

‘The Real State of the Nation’
Good afternoon. Thank you for the invitation to speak with you today and in your busy lives turning up to this meeting. Forty five years ago, in Howick, often described as racist, and where few Maori lived because it had been a ‘Fencible’ settlement at the time of the Anglo-Maori ...
NZ First Press Release
1 week ago

National’s education policy gets an F
The Green Party has marked the National Party’s new education policy and given it a fail, especially for its failure to address the underlying drivers of school performance. ...
Greens
1 week ago

Child poverty stats show need for action
The Green Party is calling on the Government to immediately provide more support to families doing it toughest. ...
Greens
1 week ago

Greens ask Auckland MPs across party lines to speak up on Council budget proposals
Auckland Central Green MP, Chlöe Swarbrick, has written to all Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland based Members of Parliament requesting their urgent attention to Auckland Council’s unprecedented slash-and-burn proposals. ...
Greens
1 week ago

IPCC report shows 2023 is a ‘now or never’ climate election
“This is it; 2023 will be the last opportunity New Zealand has to get a government that will confront the climate emergency with the urgency it demands,” says the Green Party’s co-leader and climate change spokesperson, James Shaw. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Enough slow progress, 2023 is a fight for our future
Political parties that want to negotiate with the Green Party must come to the table with much faster, bolder climate action, co-leaders James Shaw and Marama Davidson emphasised in their State of the Planet speech today. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Greens call time on slow progress
Political parties that want to negotiate with the Green Party after the election must come to the table with much faster, bolder climate action, co-leaders James Shaw and Marama Davidson emphasised today. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Green Party co-leader James Shaw's State of the Planet speech, 2023
You will never truly understand, from the pictures you’ve seen in the newspapers or on the six o-clock news, the sheer scale of the devastation wrought by Cyclone Gabrielle. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

More cost of living support for Kiwis
We’re boosting incomes and helping ease cost of living pressures on Kiwis through a range of bread and butter support measures that will see pensioners, students, families, and those on main benefits better off from the start of next month. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Greens back teachers’ demands
The Green Party backs the demands of the teachers’ strikers. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Greens will waste no time with Minister for Zero Waste
The error Labour Ministers made by stopping work on a beverage container return scheme will be reversed by the Greens at the earliest opportunity as part of the next Government. ...
Greens
3 weeks ago

Greens secure win for clean transport
The Green Party has made it easier for commuters to access e-bikes thanks to an amendment to tax rules. ...
Greens
3 weeks ago

Greens will always prioritise action on climate and inequality
“Cabinet needs to do better - and today has shown exactly why we need Green Ministers in cabinet, so we can prioritise action to cut climate pollution and support people to make ends meet,” says Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson. ...
Greens
3 weeks ago

Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta to attend NATO meeting
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nanaia Mahuta, departs for Europe today, where she will attend a session of the NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting in Brussels and make a short bilateral visit to Sweden. “NATO is a long-standing and likeminded partner for Aotearoa New Zealand. It is valuable to join a session of ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
23 mins ago

Secure all-of-government facility to be built at Whenuapai
A secure facility that will house protected information for a broad range of government agencies is being constructed at RNZAF Base Auckland (Whenuapai), Public Service, Defence and GCSB Minister Andrew Little says. The facility will consolidate and expand the government’s current secure storage capacity and capability for at least another ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
7 hours ago

Flu vaccine to protect Kiwis this winter
From today, 1.8 million flu vaccines are available to help protect New Zealanders from winter illness, Minister of Health Ayesha Verrall has announced. “Vaccination against flu is safe and will be a first line of defence against severe illness this winter,” Dr Verrall said. “We can all play a part ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 day ago

Congratulations to Professor Rangi Mātāmua – New Zealander of the Year
Associate Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage Willow-Jean Prime has congratulated Professor Rangi Mātāmua (Ngāi Tūhoe) who was last night named the prestigious Te Pou Whakarae o Aotearoa New Zealander of the Year. Professor Mātāmua, who is the government's Chief Adviser Mātauranga Matariki, was the winner of the New Zealander ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

Further sanctions on Russian and Belarusian political and military figures
The Minister of Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta has announced further sanctions on political and military figures from Russia and Belarus as part of the ongoing response to the war in Ukraine. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant for Russia’s Commissioner for Children’s Rights Maria Alekseevna Lvova-Belova ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

Ambitious new housing development for Whangārei
A new public housing development planned for Whangārei will provide 95 warm and dry, modern homes for people in need, Housing Minister Megan Woods says. The Kauika Road development will replace a motel complex in the Avenues with 89 three-level walk up apartments, alongside six homes. “Whangārei has a rapidly ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

CPTPP bolstered by decision on UK accession
New Zealand welcomes the substantial conclusion of negotiations on the United Kingdom’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), Trade and Export Growth Minister Damien O’Connor announced today. “Continuing to grow our export returns is a priority for the Government and part of our plan to ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

Ngā Iwi o Taranaki and the Crown initial Taranaki Maunga collective redress deed (rua reo)
Ngā Iwi o Taranaki and the Crown initial Taranaki Maunga collective redress deed Ngā Iwi o Taranaki and the Crown have today initialled the Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Deed, named Te Ruruku Pūtakerongo, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Andrew Little says. “I am pleased to be here for this ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

Dates announced for 2023 Pacific language weeks
Minister for Pacific Peoples Barbara Edmonds has announced the 2023 Pacific Language week series, highlighting the need to revitalise and sustain languages for future generations. “Pacific languages are a cornerstone of our health, wellbeing and identity as Pacific peoples. When our languages are spoken, heard and celebrated, our communities thrive,” ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

Over a quarter of New Zealanders to get cost of living relief from tomorrow
880,000 pensioners to get a boost to Super, including 5000 veterans 52,000 students to see a bump in allowance or loan living costs Approximately 223,000 workers to receive a wage rise as a result of the minimum wage increasing to $22.70 8,000 community nurses to receive pay increase of up ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

Thousands of community nurses getting April pay boost
Over 8000 community nurses will start receiving well-deserved pay rises of up to 15 percent over the next month as a Government initiative worth $200 million a year kicks in, says Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall. “The Government is committed to ensuring nurses are paid fairly and will receive ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

Speech to Taranaki Chamber of Commerce and TOI Foundation breakfast
Tākiri mai ana te ata Ki runga o ngākau mārohirohi Kōrihi ana te manu kaupapa Ka ao, ka ao, ka awatea Tihei mauri ora Let the dawn break On the hearts and minds of those who stand resolute As the bird of action sings, it welcomes the dawn of a ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

Government takes next step to lift artists’ incomes
The Government is introducing a scheme which will lift incomes for artists, support them beyond the current spike in cost of living and ensure they are properly recognised for their contribution to New Zealand’s economy and culture. “In line with New Zealand’s Free Trade Agreement with the UK, last ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

NZ stands with Vanuatu on climate at UN
New Zealand is welcoming a decision by the United Nations General Assembly to ask the International Court of Justice to consider countries’ international legal obligations on climate change. The United Nations has voted unanimously to adopt a resolution led by Vanuatu to ask the ICJ for an advisory opinion on ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

More Police deployed to the frontline
More Police officers are being deployed to the frontline with the graduation of 59 new constables from the Royal New Zealand Police College today. “The graduation for recruit wing 364 was my first since becoming Police Minister last week,” Ginny Andersen said. “It was a real honour. I want to ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

Aotearoa New Zealand committed to an enduring partnership with Vanuatu
Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta met with Vanuatu Foreign Minister Jotham Napat in Port Vila, today, signing a new Statement of Partnership — Aotearoa New Zealand’s first with Vanuatu. “The Mauri Statement of Partnership is a joint expression of the values, priorities and principles that will guide the Aotearoa New Zealand–Vanuatu relationship into ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

Government delivers levy change to support Fire and Emergency
The Government has passed new legislation amending the Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) levy regime, ensuring the best balance between a fair and cost effective funding model. The Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Levy) Amendment Bill makes changes to the existing law to: charge the levy on contracts of ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

Next steps for New Zealand’s organic regulations
The Government has passed the Organic Products and Production Bill through its third reading today in Parliament helping New Zealand’s organic sector to grow and lift export revenue. “The Organic Products and Production Bill will introduce robust and practical regulation to give businesses the certainty they need to continue to ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

Govt helps to protect New Zealanders digital identities
The Digital Identity Services Trust Framework Bill, which will make it easier for New Zealanders to safely prove who they are digitally has passed its third and final reading today. “We know New Zealanders want control over their identity information and how it’s used by the companies and services they ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

Cyclone Taskforce focused on locally-led recovery
The full Cyclone Gabrielle Recovery Taskforce has met formally for the first time as work continues to help the regions recover and rebuild from Cyclone Gabrielle. The Taskforce, which includes representatives from business, local government, iwi and unions, covers all regions affected by the January and February floods and cyclone. ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

Law changed to protect subcontractors
Changes have been made to legislation to give subcontractors the confidence they will be paid the retention money they are owed should the head contractor’s business fail, Minister for Building and Construction Megan Woods announced today. “These changes passed in the Construction Contracts (Retention Money) Amendment Act safeguard subcontractors who ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

New congestion busting harbour crossing options unveiled
Transport Minister Michael Wood has unveiled five scenarios for one of the most significant city-shaping projects for Tāmaki Makaurau in coming decades, the additional Waitematā Harbour crossing. “Aucklanders and businesses have made it clear that the biggest barriers to the success of Auckland is persistent congestion and after years of ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

New law enhances safety and security in the aviation sector
The Government has passed new legislation that ensures New Zealand’s civil aviation rules are fit for purpose in the 21st century, Associate Transport Minister Kiri Allan says. The Civil Aviation Bill repeals and replaces the Civil Aviation Act 1990 and the Airport Authorities Act 1966 with a single modern law ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

Coroners Amendment Bill passes third reading
A Bill aimed at helping to reduce delays in the coronial jurisdiction passed its third reading today. The Coroners Amendment Bill, amongst other things, will establish new coronial positions, known as Associate Coroners, who will be able to perform most of the functions, powers, and duties of Coroners. The new ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

Review into Stuart Nash’s communications with donors
The Prime Minister has asked the Cabinet Secretary to conduct a review into communications between Stuart Nash and his donors. The review will take place over the next two months. The review will look at whether there have been any other breaches of cabinet collective responsibility or confidentiality, or whether ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

600 more workers to support recovery
The new Recovery Visa to help bring in additional migrant workers to support cyclone and flooding recovery has attracted over 600 successful applicants within its first month. “The Government is moving quickly to support businesses bring in the workers needed to recover from Cyclone Gabrielle and the Auckland floods,” Michael ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

Bills to vet school boards, contractors pass first reading
Bills to ensure non-teaching employees and contractors at schools, and unlicensed childcare services like mall crèches are vetted by police, and provide safeguards for school board appointments have passed their first reading today. The Education and Training Amendment Bill (No. 3) and the Regulatory Systems (Education) Amendment Bill have now ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

Bill recognises unique role and contribution of Wānanga and Kura Kaupapa Māori
Wānanga will gain increased flexibility and autonomy that recognises the unique role they fill in the tertiary education sector, Associate Minister of Education Kelvin Davis has announced. The Education and Training Amendment Bill (No.3), that had its first reading today, proposes a new Wānanga enabling framework for the three current ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

Foreign Affairs Minister talks to the Vanuatu Government on Pacific issues
Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta will travel to Vanuatu today, announcing that Aotearoa New Zealand will provide further relief and recovery assistance there, following the recent destruction caused by Cyclones Judy and Kevin. While in Vanuatu, Minister Mahuta will meet with Vanuatu Acting Prime Minister Sato Kilman, Foreign Minister Jotham ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

Major investment to support the safety of frontline Police and communities
The Government is backing Police and making communities safer with the roll-out of state-of-the-art tools and training to frontline staff, Police Minister Ginny Andersen said today. “Frontline staff face high-risk situations daily as they increasingly respond to sophisticated organised crime, gang-violence and the availability of illegal firearms,” Ginny Andersen said. ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

Further laws passed to keep communities safe from gang offending
The Government has provided Police with more tools to crack down on gang offending with the passing of new legislation today which will further improve public safety, Justice Minister Kiri Allan says. The Criminal Activity Intervention Legislation Bill amends existing law to: create new targeted warrant and additional search powers ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

Standard kerbside recycling part of new era for waste system
The Government today announced far-reaching changes to the way we make, use, recycle and dispose of waste, ushering in a new era for New Zealand’s waste system. The changes will ensure that where waste is recycled, for instance by households at the kerbside, it is less likely to be contaminated ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

New laws will crack down on gang profits and criminal assets
New legislation passed by the Government today will make it harder for gangs and their leaders to benefit financially from crime that causes considerable harm in our communities, Minister of Justice Kiri Allan says. Since the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009 came into effect police have been highly successful in ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
5 days ago

Stuart Nash dismissed from Cabinet
This evening I have advised the Governor-General to dismiss Stuart Nash from all his ministerial portfolios. Late this afternoon I was made aware by a news outlet of an email Stuart Nash sent in March 2020 to two contacts regarding a commercial rent relief package that Cabinet had considered. In ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
5 days ago

Tax incentive to boost housing passes third reading
Legislation to enable more build-to-rent developments has passed its third reading in Parliament, so this type of rental will be able to claim interest deductibility in perpetuity where it meets the requirements. Housing Minister Dr Megan Woods, says the changes will help unlock the potential of the build-to-rent sector and ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
5 days ago

Law levels playing field for low-emissions commuting
A law passed by Parliament today exempts employers from paying fringe benefit tax on certain low emission commuting options they provide or subsidise for their staff. “Many employers already subsidise the commuting costs of their staff, for instance by providing car parks,” Environment Minister David Parker said. “This move supports ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
5 days ago

40 years of Closer Economic Relations with Australia
Today marks the 40th anniversary of Closer Economic Relations (CER), our gold standard free trade agreement between New Zealand and Australia. “CER was a world-leading agreement in 1983, is still world-renowned today and is emblematic of both our countries’ commitment to free trade. The WTO has called it the world’s ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
5 days ago

Amendments to mass arrivals legislation
The Government is making procedural changes to the Immigration Act to ensure that 2013 amendments operate as Parliament intended. The Government is also introducing a new community management approach for asylum seekers. “While it’s unlikely we’ll experience a mass arrival due to our remote positioning, there is no doubt New ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
5 days ago

Progress on public service pay adjustment
The Government welcomes progress on public sector pay adjustment (PSPA) agreements, and the release of the updated public service pay guidance by the Public Service Commission today, Minister for the Public Service Andrew Little says. “More than a dozen collective agreements are now settled in the public service, Crown Agents, ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
5 days ago

Further legislation introduced to support cyclone recovery
The Government has introduced the Severe Weather Emergency Recovery Legislation Bill to further support the recovery and rebuild from the recent severe weather events in the North Island. “We know from our experiences following the Canterbury and Kaikōura earthquakes that it will take some time before we completely understand the ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
6 days ago

Recipe: Spiced biscuits
Tea drinkers of Aotearoa, your new favourite dunking bikkie is here. There are several things I love about this recipe. The first is that they make a delicious dunking biscuit, the perfect accompaniment to a cup of tea shared with friends. The second is that the recipe is ...
The SpinoffBy Emma Boyd
3 hours ago

When the water rushes in: a dispatch from Hawke’s Bay
Part two of writer Marty Smith’s reporting from her flood-damaged home. Read part one here. Sunday 12 March, 21 days after the floods. Google Maps shows a pale blue line for the flat-lined bridge between Taradale and Waiohiki and sends you instead over the Expressway to Merge Like A Zip, ...
The SpinoffBy Marty Smith
5 hours ago

An Ode for .. Queen Tova
Bard Billot on the booted out broadcaster Spartans, prepare for glory! The hardy army of Today FM Spartans Camps out on the harsh lands of talk radio. The long months of the campaign Have worn down their resolve, For though they have loyally broadcast Their snappy banter and hot ...
Newsroom
8 hours ago

The last thing schools need is National's dull, narrow curriculum
The danger of National's policy is that it undoes much of an informal pact with Labour to depoliticise education at a time of real struggle Opinion: The National Party’s recently released education policy narrowly channels nearly every tired and cliched right-wing approach to schooling. If you have been in education for ...
Newsroom
8 hours ago

The future of Wellington central library – and what made the old one so good
A refurbished, expanded and more earthquake-proof building is a still few years away. Can it live up to the impeccable postmodernist vibes of its predecessor? A long time ago, my non-Wellington then-boyfriend was visiting the windy city and asked the barber what he recommended in town. “Dunno mate,” the barber ...
The SpinoffBy Sharon Lam
8 hours ago

The Sunday Essay: Confessions of a cryptic addict
Doing the cryptic crossword isn’t simply a hobby. It’s a way of life, a love affair – even a full-blown obsession. The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand. Illustrations by Asia Martusia King. Clue: Mafia boss consumed first dish free of ...
The SpinoffBy Venetia Sherson
9 hours ago

Labor’s unexpected Aston win is body blow for Dutton
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The rout of the Liberals in Aston is a disaster for Peter Dutton. The party has defied history – in the worst possible way. This is the first time in more than a century ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
13 hours ago

Labor wins Aston byelection; NSW election and Trump polling updates
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne Morgan Hancock/AAP With 44% of enrolled voters counted in today’s Aston federal byelection, the ABC has Labor expected to win ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
15 hours ago

Labor likely to win Aston byelection; NSW election and Trump polling updates
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne Morgan Hancock/AAP With 44% of enrolled voters counted in today’s Aston federal byelection, the ABC has Labor expected to win ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
16 hours ago

The faulty logic of Stuart Nash and the Ombudsman's opportunity
Analysis - When is a cabinet minister not a cabinet minister? The faulty logic of Stuart Nash has landed him and Labour in a heap of trouble but opened the door to serious reform of the Official Information Act, Tim Watkin writes. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

Indonesian police move to stem rise in Papuan freedom fighter attacks
Jubi News in Jayapura Indonesia’s Papua police chief Inspector-General Mathius D Fakhiri has called for action to ensure that “security disturbances” in the Puncak Jaya highlands do not widen in the face of escalating attacks by pro-independence militants. “For Puncak, we will take immediate action,” he said. According to General ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
1 day ago

What’s new to Netflix NZ, Neon and other streaming services in April
What are you going to be watching this month? We round up everything coming to streaming services this month, including Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Apple TV+, Neon and TVNZ+. The biggies Party Down (all seasons on TVNZ+ from April 1) Thirteen years is a long time between drinks and ...
The SpinoffBy The Spinoff
1 day ago

Focus on Politics: New Police Minister in opposition's crosshairs
Ginny Andersen has landed a hot-potato portfolio and has been in Cabinet less than two months - the opposition will be eager to test her mettle this election year. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

Did people spontaneously applaud the Donald Trump indictment in a Rotorua cafe?
The executive producer of Modern Family has issued an incendiary claim about New Zealanders cheering and clapping in public. Hayden Donnell gets to the bottom of things. The sitcom Modern Family is remembered as a “warm-hearted story about the unbreakable bonds of family”; a tale of radically different people overcoming ...
The SpinoffBy Hayden Donnell
1 day ago

‘Holding back the tears’: Shapeshifter’s soggy summer of cancelled shows
As rain kept falling across January, February and into March, all band members cold do was sit at home cancelling festivals and posting sad Facebook messages to fans. The first post landed on January 3. As wild weather began hitting the country, campers around Northland packed up their tents ...
The SpinoffBy Chris Schulz
1 day ago

Strong communities are essential when disaster strikes
Because pro-social behaviour emerges so often after disaster, community empowerment should be central to disaster mitigation and recovery Opinion: Cyclone Gabrielle caused major damage across the North Island. This unprecedented climate event created great uncertainty. People are wondering if, or when, they can return to their homes, the extent to ...
Newsroom
1 day ago

Short story: Le fou et la folle, by Federico Magrin
"We, women, loving you; you, men, finding new women to love": a Francophile love story in NZ Louis woke up and found out Marine was not lying next to him in bed. He checked his phone – 5:30am. The aurora shone a bright gold on the windows of the detached ...
Newsroom
1 day ago

The Week in Detail: From Posie Parker to processed foods
Every weekday, The Detail makes sense of the big news stories. This week, we looked at how co-governance really works, Labour's record on climate action, what the new AUKUS nuclear submarine deal means for New Zealand, Posie Parker's visit to Auckland and the free speech debate, and the damage processed foods are ...
Newsroom
1 day ago

'Devastated': Today FM's Tova O'Brien is the canary in the economic mine
The radio workers were caught by the unexpected speed of the decline of NZ's consumer economy, since Christmas – and they won't be the last. Jonathan Milne reports. When broadcaster Tova O’Brien uttered the resounding words, "they’ve f***ed us", they resonated beyond the 1 percent audience share of a small talk radio operation ...
Newsroom
1 day ago

Lake Onslow battery losing its charge
A New Zealand Battery Project centred on Lake Onslow in Central Otago is up against a cheaper North Island alternative Studies into whether a massive pumped-hydro scheme at Lake Onslow is New Zealand’s best bet for a secure energy future may have only four more months to run. While the ...
Newsroom
1 day ago

The Detail's Long Read: Jungle Warfare
This is The Detail's Long Read - one in-depth story read by us every weekend. This week, it's Jungle Warfare, written by Ellen Rykers and published in New Zealand Geographic's March/April 2023 edition. You can find the full article, with photos by Adrian Malloch, here. Hundreds of pest plant species—many of them garden escapees—run rampant in ...
Newsroom
1 day ago

The many lives of John-Paul Foliaki
The Red, White & Brass star talks spectacle, honouring family sacrifices and his debut lead role over a Tongan lunch in Otāhuhu. Name a creative pursuit and 28-year-old Tongan New Zealander John-Paul Foliaki will give it a go. That is, if he hasn’t already. Foliaki plays the lead role, Maka, ...
The SpinoffBy Charlotte Muru-Lanning
1 day ago

The stories of Katherine Mansfield, ranked
To mark 100 years since the great short story writer’s death, books editor Claire Mabey marathonned her collected works – these are the top 20. Reader, I did it. I read all of Katherine Mansfield’s short stories. Confession: I haven’t always been a fan. I have tedious memories of ...
The SpinoffBy Claire Mabey
1 day ago

Ekenasio steps into shoes of Magic giants
In her first season as an ANZ Premiership captain, Ameliaranne Ekenasio was nervous about filling the shoes of the legendary Magic captains before her. But, as Merryn Anderson writes, the quiet leader has the full respect of the side who voted her in. When the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic created history ...
Newsroom
1 day ago

What went wrong in Peter Bol’s doping case? A sport integrity expert explains
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Catherine Ordway, Associate Professor Sport Management and Sport Integrity Lead, University of Canberra Lawyers for Australian 800-metre star Peter Bol say allegations the runner engaged in doping should be dropped after two independent labs found no evidence he used a banned substance. ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
2 days ago

‘I feel vindicated’ – Vanuatu Daily Post in landmark work permit win
Vanuatu’s Supreme Court has ruled in favour of Trading Post Ltd, the owner of the Vanuatu Daily Post newspaper, BUZZ FM96 and other media outlets, in a case against the government’s refusal to renew the company’s former media director’s work permit. Dan McGarry, who served as a director of the ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
2 days ago

Stephen Jack Selected As National’s Candidate In Taieri
Balclutha-based farmer Stephen Jack has been selected by local party members as National’s candidate in Taieri for the 2023 General Election. “Taieri is my home and I’m incredibly excited to have the opportunity to campaign for a National Government ...
Scoop politics
2 days ago

Government announces new sanctions against Russia, Belarus
The government has announced another set of sanctions as part of its ongoing response to the war in Ukraine. ...
Radio NZ – political
2 days ago

Week in Politics: For Labour's sake, Nash must go
Analysis - The Stuart Nash scandal has the potential to damage Labour's election chances, Marama Davidson creates controversy and Auckland's second harbour crossing to be built earlier than expected. ...
Radio NZ – political
2 days ago

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Clare JM Burns, Assistant Professor and Non-executive Director, Bond University Shutterstock The story of the Aboriginal Community Benefit Fund, whose name and marketing misled thousands of customers into believing it was Indigenous owned and run, is a stark example of ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
2 days ago

PSA: Remember to change your clocks this Sunday
It’s the biannual reminder to tamper with that pesky analogue clock you still have in your kitchen for some reason (or at the least your microwave/car stereo). This Sunday at 3am, we will all gain an hour of sleep as the clocks roll back ahead of winter. Get ready for ...
The SpinoffBy Stewart Sowman-Lund
2 days ago

Ombudsman reopens investigation into Nash emails
The Chief Ombudsman has reopened his investigation into a complaint over former minister Stuart Nash's emails. ...
Radio NZ – political
2 days ago

Investigation into hidden Nash email reopened
The chief ombudsman has elected to reopen his investigation into an email from former minister Stuart Nash to a pair of donors back in 2020. The email, which only came to light this week, quickly triggered Nash’s dismissal from cabinet. But in bad news for the prime minister Chris Hipkins, ...
The SpinoffBy Stewart Sowman-Lund
2 days ago

And thus, the celebration of The Bulletin’s fifth birthday comes to an end
Last week we celebrated The Bulletin’s fifth birthday with Spinoff members and staff at The Spinoff’s offices in Auckland. The Bulletin launched in March 2018 seeking to curate news and great journalism and email that to people for free each weekday morning. That hasn’t changed and it’s still going strong. ...
The SpinoffBy Anna Rawhiti-Connell
2 days ago

Minimum Wage Increase To Make Real Difference, Says NZCTU
The biggest increase in the history of the minimum wage will have a huge impact for workers on low wages, says the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions. From tomorrow, the minimum wage will rise to $22.70, up from $21.20. This increase will benefit ...
Scoop politics
2 days ago

Has GPT-4 really passed the startling threshold of human-level artificial intelligence? Well, it dep...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By George Siemens, Co-Director, Professor, Centre for Change and Complexity in Learning, University of South Australia agsandrew/Shutterstock Recent public interest in tools like ChatGPT has raised an old question in the artificial intelligence community: is artificial general intelligence (in this case, ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
2 days ago

Synthony postpones Auckland show due to weather
Auckland’s wet summer is delivering one final blow just in time for the weekend. The Synthony festival, due to be held on Saturday at Auckland Domain and featuring performances by Shapeshifter, Dave Dobbyn and Kimbra, has been postponed following predictions of heavy rainfall across the day. More than 20,000 people ...
The SpinoffBy Chris Schulz
2 days ago

Open Letter To Government
We would like to see a temporary by-pass of the major slip on State Highway 25A built to alleviate the concerns of the residents of the Eastern Side of Coromandel. Cyclone Gabrielle inflicted substantial damage to roading on the Coromandel Peninsula. ...
Scoop politics
2 days ago

Review: Wellmania takes wobbly aim at the wellness industry
Alex Casey watches Wellmania, the new Netflix comedy starring Instagram sensation Celeste Barber. The lowdown Based on the book by journalist Brigid Delaney, Netflix comedy Wellmania follows successful yet shambolic Australian food writer Liv Bealey (Celeste Barber) as she embarks on a quest to get well as quickly as possible. ...
The SpinoffBy Alex Casey
2 days ago

Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier Reopens Nash Investigation
The Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier says he has reopened his investigation into an Official Information Act complaint about a decision by former Minister Stuart Nash. "The original enquiry was discontinued in May last year in discussion with the ...
Scoop politics
2 days ago

NZNO Welcomes Pay Parity Move, Leaving Out GP Nurses Regrettable
The New Zealand Nurses Organisation Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa (NZNO) has welcomed this morning’s Government announcement to address pay disparities in the nursing and kaiāwhina workforces from 1 April. NZNO Chief Executive Paul ...
Scoop politics
2 days ago

Britain to join CPTPP Pacific trade pact this year
The British High Commissioner to New Zealand says the United Kingdom joining the trade deal is "wonderful news". ...
Radio NZ – political
2 days ago

Ingredient of the week: Broccoli
Don’t let broccoli’s virtuous goody two-shoes reputation put you off – these verdant and versatile florets make the perfect addition to tray bakes, salads, soups and more. I reckon broccoli’s “superfood” status has given it a bit of a bad reputation. Because it’s so healthy (and reasonably inoffensive), its nutrients ...
The SpinoffBy Charlotte Muru-Lanning
2 days ago

The Friday Poem: ‘escher x nendo’ by Michele Leggott
A poem from Michele Leggott’s forthcoming book Face to the Sky. escher x nendo I hear you Eddie Woo coming clear across the galleries of intercochlear space you have the measure of these galaxies earthmeasure you have the measure of their difference earthmisia you translate one world artemisia and here ...
The SpinoffBy Michele Leggott
2 days ago

The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending March 31
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington. AUCKLAND 1 Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus (Doubleday, $26) The new, smaller format of Bonnie Garmus’ ...
The SpinoffBy The Spinoff Review of Books
2 days ago

Curious Kids: what happens if you don’t get enough sleep?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sarah Blunden, Professor and Head of Paediatric Sleep Research, CQUniversity Australia Shutterstock What would happen to a person if they didn’t get the sleep they needed? Hedya, age 11, Australia This is a really good question Heyda, because it ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
2 days ago

‘The last year of my career has been wiped’: Today FM’s instant online erasure
Within hours of Duncan Garner telling listeners ‘It looks like the end of us’, the station’s website, social media and archives had been scrubbed from the internet. Right now across Auckland you can still see ads for Leo Molloy’s doomed mayoral campaign and electorate offices adorned with a smiling Jacinda ...
The SpinoffBy Stewart Sowman-Lund
2 days ago

PM on Stuart Nash's email scandal: 'He should have told me about it'
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has spoken more about the Stuart Nash email scandal at a media conference at the Manurewa RSA today, saying Nash has been "ultimately held accountable". ...
Radio NZ – political
2 days ago

Vanuatu hails ‘historic resolution’ in climate battle on the world stage
By Barbara Dreaver in Port Vila Vanuatu is in celebration mode after winning a significant battle on the world stage over climate change. In a United Nations resolution spearheaded by Vanuatu, the world’s top court will now advise on countries’ legal obligations to fight climate change. It also means the ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
2 days ago

FLNKS message to French PM about Kanak ‘humiliation’ over referendum
By Jan Kohout, RNZ Pacific journalist New Caledonia’s Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS) say they will tell the French Prime Minister of the Kanak people’s “sense of humiliation” over the last independence referendum. The pro-independence alliance is set to talk to the French state from April 7-15. The ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
2 days ago

Watch: PM Chris Hipkins talks to media on eve of benefit increases
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins is visiting the Manurewa RSA meeting veterans who are among hundreds of thousands to receive higher payments from tomorrow. ...
Radio NZ – political
2 days ago

Your weekend entertainment plan: The Big Door Prize, Unstable and The Power
This is an excerpt from The Spinoff’s pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up to have it delivered to your inbox every Friday here. If you want a middle-aged white man to play a disappointed-with-the-state-of-their-life middle-aged-white-man, you have two options: Jason Segel or Chris O’Dowd. Clearly, Segel was already busy ...
The SpinoffBy Chris Schulz
2 days ago

Four Million Milestone Reached For 2023 Census
Over four million people have returned their Individual Forms for the 2023 Census, Stats NZ said today. “This is a great milestone. We didn’t hit this milestone until 30 April in the 2018 Census. I would like to thank everybody who has been counted ...
Scoop politics
2 days ago

Government To Cement In High Carbon Future
The government's recent announcement of five high carbon options for the next harbour crossing has disappointed those concerned about climate change. TRAC, a rail advocacy collective, opposes the short-sighted decision, citing the urgent need to reduce ...
Scoop politics
2 days ago

As the US pushes to make daylight saving permanent, should Australia move in the same direction?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Guzyal Hill, Senior Lecturer, Charles Darwin University Shutterstock Sunday will mark the end of the Daylight Saving Time (DST) in eastern Australia, but there are many who would like to see it last longer or permanently. Twice a year, New ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
2 days ago

Call For Evidence On Aotearoa New Zealand’s Emissions Reduction Targets And Emissions Budgets, 31 ...
He Pou a Rangi Climate Change Commission has launched a call for evidence to support its work on Aotearoa New Zealand’s emissions reduction targets and emissions budgets. This call for evidence is an opportunity for anyone to share information, data and ...
Scoop politics
2 days ago

Kiwis May Not Be As Fraud Savvy As They Think: Visa Study
As the move to digital commerce continues, fraudsters are counting on consumers to let their guard down and to supply personal information. And according to new research released today by global payments technology company Visa (NYSE: V), which ...
Scoop politics
2 days ago

The predator-free story on NZ’s $5 note
On the other side to Sir Ed is the scene of one of our greatest conservation triumphs. Allison Hess explains. Stuffed into your wallet or passed across the till, the New Zealand $5 note circulates largely unobserved. But if you were to take a closer look at the ubiquitous burnt ...
The SpinoffBy Allison Hess
2 days ago

EPA Seeks Feedback On Tapping Into Global Information
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is asking for views on which overseas regulators it will draw on for some hazardous substance assessments and reassessments. The recognised international regulators must regulate hazardous substances in a similar ...
Scoop politics
2 days ago

What does Trump’s indictment mean for his political future – and the strength of US democracy?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emma Shortis, Lecturer, RMIT University Alex Brandon/AP Events often seem inevitable in hindsight. The indictment of former US President Donald Trump on criminal charges has been a possibility since the start of his presidency – arguably, since close to the ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
2 days ago

Te Pūkenga Leadership Have Failed
Te Hautū Kahurangi | Tertiary Education Union is ready to fight for every job at Te Pūkenga, as members digest a series of shocking statements from their Chief Executive on RNZ’s Nine To Noon programme today. Peter Winder stated, amongst other things, ...
Scoop politics
2 days ago

Clout-lighting: pranking your partner for likes is a surefire way to get dumped this April Fools’ ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gary Mortimer, Professor of Marketing and Consumer Behaviour, Queensland University of Technology Media Whale Stock/Shutterstock What would you do to get more likes or shares on your favourite social media platform this April Fool’s Day? Would you blast an airhorn ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
2 days ago

Newsletter: March 31 2023 – Items of interest and importance today
New Zealand Politics Daily is a collation of the most prominent issues being discussed in New Zealand. It is edited by Dr Bryce Edwards of The Democracy Project. Today’s content STUART NASH, OIA Thomas Coughlan (Herald): Stuart Nash scandal boils down to cock-up vs ‘conspiracy’ (paywalled) Marc Daalder (Newsroom): The opaque transparency of the ...
Evening ReportBy Bryce Edwards
2 days ago

Indigenous knowledge offers solutions, but its use must be based on meaningful collaboration with In...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tara McAllister, Research Fellow, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Shutterstock/Guy Hasler As global environmental challenges grow, people and societies are increasingly looking to Indigenous knowledge for solutions. Indigenous knowledge is particularly appealing for addressing climate change because ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
2 days ago

Law change allows Māori to more easily switch electoral rolls
Tommy de Silva explains an interesting new legal shift: Māori can now switch between the Māori and general electoral rolls more easily thanks to a law change. These new rules allow anyone of Māori descent to switch between the rolls whenever they please until three months before an election. That ...
The SpinoffBy Tommy de Silva
2 days ago

Rule Change For Overseas Voting
The rules for overseas voting are changing from today for this year’s General Election to recognise the effect the pandemic has had on international travel. ‘This is a temporary change made by Parliament for New Zealanders living overseas who have ...
Scoop politics
2 days ago

Luxon takes aim at red tape in ambitious plan to boost renewable energy production
The National Party says its new renewable energy policy will double the amount of electricity produced from solar, wind and geothermal plants. ...
Radio NZ – political
2 days ago

Trump to be arrested over porn star hush money
It’s a headline I never quite expected to write but in recent days have been wondering if I would have to. Former US president Donald Trump will be arrested after a New York grand jury voted to indict him over alleged hush money paid to former adult film star Stormy ...
The SpinoffBy Stewart Sowman-Lund
2 days ago

Lawsuits, NFTs and super-mad Swifties: Ticketmaster’s problems, explained
Everything you need to know about the ticketing agency’s ongoing debacles. So Ticketmaster’s back in the news. Why is the company that should be spitting out concert tickets calmly and quietly sparking so many headlines? Where do you want to start? The lawsuits, the NFTs or the super-mad Swifties? It’s ...
The SpinoffBy Chris Schulz
2 days ago

Auckland Council Admits It Doesn’t Know The Impact Of Its Own Budget Cuts
Auckland Council has proposed significant budget cuts without assessing the potential impacts on the region’s environment and climate change efforts, an official response reveals. No assessment was made as Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown never asked for one, ...
Scoop politics
2 days ago

Greenpeace Welcomes National’s Renewable Energy Policy, But Fossil Fuel Exploration And Agricultur...
Greenpeace is welcoming the National Party’s new renewable energy policy - ‘Electrify NZ’ - with its focus on increasing renewable electricity generation to replace coal, gas and petrol-fuelled transport. But the organisation is calling on National ...
Scoop politics
2 days ago

National promises to double renewable energy supply
The National Party has pledged to “cut red tape” in the electricity sector through a new policy that it claims will double New Zealand’s supply of renewable energy. Dubbed “Electrify NZ”, the policy was unveiled this morning by party leader Christopher Luxon. “National wants a future where buses and trains ...
The SpinoffBy Stewart Sowman-Lund
2 days ago

The Opportunities Party Launches A Petition To Establish An Anti-Corruption Commission
...
Scoop politics
2 days ago

New Zealand High School Teachers Hold Second One-day Strike
By Tom Peters, Socialist Equality Group 30 March 2023 Original url: https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2023/03/30/jspf-m30.html About 20,000 secondary teachers at public schools in New Zealand held a nationwide strike on March 29. It followed a much larger one-day strike on March 16 involving ...
Scoop politics
2 days ago

Dunne's Weekly: The Week The PM Lost Control Of The Agenda
In his first two months as Prime Minister Chris Hipkins impressed for his directness, clarity and determination, and the assured way in which he transitioned into his new role. His everyman style, from the hoodie to the more than occasional meat pie, ...
Scoop politics
2 days ago

#Sheepgate – but wait there’s more

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#Sheepgate – but wait there’s more

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