Sheepgate the final chapter

Written By: - Date published: 7:38 am, February 12th, 2019 - 44 comments
Categories: david parker, national, same old national, the praiseworthy and the pitiful, trade, you couldn't make this shit up - Tags: , ,

One of the weirdest episodes in New Zealand politics is now at an end.  The Government has pulled the plug on the Saudi Sheepgate deal.

I have followed the story for a while.  A more potentially corrupt use of state resources I cannot imagine.  When you boil it down it sounds totally insane.  And it was. Here is my earlier description:

When the history of this National Government is reviewed by academics and scholars the tale of Sheepgate will stand out.  In future years people will wonder if it was even true or the insane invention of someone high on drugs.  Because if ever a series of posts deserved the “you can’t make this shit up” it is these.

Lets recap the history:

… a rich Saudi businessman became upset when New Zealand stopped live sheep exports following a particularly disastrous ship trip during which four thousand sheep died.  National made noises as if the ban would be reversed but then resiled from this.  To assuage the rich Saudi businessman’s feelings a total of $11.5 million of taxpayer’s money has been or is being paid.  The sums include a “compensation but not a compensation” payment which was designed to keep the lawyers away from it and which incorporated a payment to the Saudi businessman for intellectual property for hosting New Zealand sheep on a New Zealand designed farm.  The rest included the construction of a model farm in the middle of the Saudi desert and plane tickets for 900 sheep, most of which died after landing.

It seems clear the payment was essentially a facilitation payment to get the Saudi’s to sign a free trade agreement.  Not only is this on the face of it corrupt, but it has so far failed so it is also clear evidence of incompetence.

Initially McCully tried to sneak the issue through Cabinet and then hide the mess.  And when it was reported on National used that good old technique of blaming Labour for the situation.

The Auditor General became involved.  National celebrated a finding that McCully had not acted corruptly.  How low National’s standards are.

And now, years later, we still have no trade deal with Saudi Arabia.  Not only was the deal an example of a potentially corrupt payment to an individual in hope that there would be a free trade agreement signed by a foreign state but it was something worse.  It was a failed attempt to get a free trade agreement signed.

 And won’t someone think of the sheep?

I said this earlier:

To make matters even worse it has been reported that three quarters of the lambs born to the ewes who were transported to the farm have died from causes such as starvation, scours and issues around animal husbandry.  Who would have thought that placing New Zealand sheep on a farm in the middle of a desert would be so disastrous?

Well it is finally at an end.  David Parker has pulled the pin on the last part of the deal and saved us a million dollars.  From the Herald:

The controversial Saudi sheep deal been shut down, which the Government says will save about $1 million.

The deal was made to set up an agribusiness hub in the Saudi desert for Saudi businessman Hmood Al Ali Al Khalaf, which would be used to showcase innovative New Zealand farming operations.

Taxpayer spending on the agrihub was approved by the previous National Government in February 2013, and the following year 900 sheep were flown over on Singapore Airlines.

But Trade Minister David Parker said the deal has now been axed.

“We’re not spending any more money on its installation or delivery,” Parker told 1 NEWS.

“We have managed to bring it to an end, saving the last million dollars or so. But I’m afraid the other $10 million that has already been spent has been flushed down the drain by the prior Government.”

It means that a $2.5m kitset abattoir, which is in the Hawke’s Bay and was intended for the hub, will no longer be sent overseas.

About $1.17m had been identified for abattoir delivery and installation.

Matthew Hooton has been a trenchant critic of the deal and has not held back in his summary of what happened.

https://twitter.com/MatthewHootonNZ/status/1094866387787489281

The major players have of course gone.  McCully has retired and Key has his knighthood and is doing various corporate gigs.

But the next time someone tells you that National are better managers tell them about the time they built a sheep station in a Saudi desert and how almost all the sheep died and how they paid an individual $4 million to settle a legal claim that did not actually exist, forgot to get him to agree that the dispute that did not exist had been settled, and failed in the whole reason for the exercise, and that was to get a free trade deal with Saudi Arabia.

44 comments on “Sheepgate the final chapter ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Incognito 1
    12 February 2019 at 7:51 am

    A few million sheeple where led astray by fake economic shepherds.

  2. patricia bremner 2
    12 February 2019 at 8:40 am

    The report that an” Abattoir was ready packed waiting to go.. What the???”

  3. tc 3
    12 February 2019 at 9:17 am

    At least the govt can stop this one. It’s the long term economic and social losses from the power generation asset stripping and the wilful hollowing out of education, health, housing, environment etc that is shonky blinglishes true legacy.

    Oh and that convention center thats giving Fletcher’s indigestion as they’re eyes are too big for their stomachs. Some dead rats don’t go down that well.

  4. marty mars 4
    12 February 2019 at 9:30 am

    It has been a debaacle.

  5. Robert Guyton 5
    12 February 2019 at 9:35 am

    National knew that they could pull the wool over the eyes of the New Zealand public long enough to get away with anything at all. They know how to do it and have shown that they will do it to suit their own ends. I hope Wayne Mapp appears here to comment on this issue.

  6. ianmac 6
    12 February 2019 at 9:42 am

    I wonder if McCully could spend $11 million without blinking, what else might have happened out of sight?

  7. Cinny 7
    12 February 2019 at 9:47 am

    Excellent work from Mr Parker, he continuously asked question while in opposition and has walked the talk re the saudi sheep saga since coming into government.

  8. alwyn 8
    12 February 2019 at 9:59 am

    This simply illustrates why we need to change the Government regularly.
    No Government will ever abandon something they started. They simply refuse to admit that a policy was mistaken and dump it. You need a new Government who will dump the white elephants.
    That is, of course, the reason why Governments should never get involved in running businesses. No matter how badly things are going they will never admit they got it wrong.
    At least in this case it has only cost us about $10 million.

    Now let us see whether the current mob will dump a ridiculous scheme that has even less chance of being a success. It is also one where it will, if not scrapped now, cost us something more like $10 billion rather the $10 million.

    Dump Kiwibuild. Better still dump the idiot responsible and kick Twyford out of Cabinet.
    Will they do it? Of course not. They don’t have the sense to do something so sensible.

    While they are about it will they also scrap the foolishness that is the tram to the airport in Auckland. I think I saw something recently that said the price is now up to an estimated $6 billion.
    Ah, here is the source of the figure. Surprise, surprise The Cabinet Minister responsible here is also the Village Idiot of New Zealand politics. Phil, take another bow.
    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12057244

    ps. While they are about it can they please scrap the fiasco that is the America’s cup? I see that a further $37 million from the Government and the Auckland Council is going into that black hole.
    https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/110522994/auckland-council-plans-220m-tax-dodge

    • Formerly Ross 8.1
      12 February 2019 at 10:18 am

      I did enjoy your rant, especially that government should not get involved with business. Yes that’s why we have full employment, high wages and no homeless people. The private sector is so efficient!! Remind me again how many men died at Pike River?

      Here’s a couple of recent example where the private sector failed dismally and acted shamefully. You’ll no doubt find an excuse for such behaviour.

      https://i.stuff.co.nz/business/110463611/stung-with-9000-compensation-cafe-owner-turns-to-givealittle

        • alwyn 8.1.1.1
          12 February 2019 at 11:00 am

          I see no reason at all to approve of this. On the other hand I am not the one who is forced to pay for it. When a Government organisation screws up, and some Cabinet Minister’s ego is involved I am,
          This case is really not what I was talking about though is it? My complaint is the people who, because they are completely incapable of admitting they are wrong insist on propping up things that should be closed down. Phil Twyford is the perfect example.

      • alwyn 8.1.2
        12 February 2019 at 10:55 am

        My “rant” as you call it makes no claim at all that the private sector always gets things right. Of course they don’t.

        What does happen though is that the person who screws up doesn’t have an unlimited line of uninvolved people who are forced to keep throwing money into the hole. If a business starts spending money on rubbishy projects there is a much better chance that the person responsible will get sacked. If that doesn’t happen the only people who will be burnt are the willing investors. If an investor isn’t happy with the way a company is being run they can sell their ownership share and get out.

        Taxpayers don’t have that option.
        So no. I don’t think that the private sector is always right and I certainly see no need to justify everything they do. I don’t have to be personally involved either.
        If you want to waste your money on trashy schemes go right ahead. Just don’t force me to share the cost.

        • Kevin 8.1.2.1
          12 February 2019 at 11:16 am

          I must have imagined that the Government bailed out SCF then.

          • alwyn 8.1.2.1.1
            12 February 2019 at 11:30 am

            No you don’t need to imagine that at all.
            I suggest you address the following question to Michael Cullen though.
            “Why did you include SCF, which was certainly not a critical part of the New Zealand banking system, in the Guarantee scheme?”
            I’ll bet you don’t get an answer out of him though.

            • blacksand 8.1.2.1.1.1
              12 February 2019 at 4:04 pm

              Are you quite sure of your facts there? It still looks very much like SCF was admitted into the scheme on 19th Nove, 2008.

              Funnily enough on the first day in office of John Key’s govt, someone who supposedly knew a thing or two about banking.

              • veutoviper …
                12 February 2019 at 4:28 pm

                Correct.

                The election was held on 8 November 2008, and the minority National Government led by John Key sworn in on 19 November 2008, – the same day as the Secretary to The Treasury approved SCF admission to the guarantee scheme.

                • alwyn …
                  12 February 2019 at 5:44 pm

                  Yes, you are quite right.
                  The scheme itself, and the firms covered had however been arranged by the outgoing, caretaker, Government. It was in fact implemented on 12 October 2008.

                  The firms accepted into the scheme, although selected by the outgoing Government couldn’t have their admission to the scheme approved for Constitutional reasons reasons. They were only a caretaker Government and couldn’t commit the Crown to these obligations by that time. You were, I believe a Public Servant VV. I am sure you are aware of the conventions. Thus the admission of the firms to the scheme couldn’t be done until we actually had a new Government, with a mandate, in place.

                  I am sure that National were accepting of the scheme. There was no real choice after the actions of the Australian Government. Cullen shouldn’t, at least in my view have accepted all the firms that applied however.

                  If you really think that it was the Key Government who arranged it in the first half hour of their term I hope you won’t try and blame National for things that are happening after about 16 months of the current lot of twits?

            • Tuppence Shrewsbury 8.1.2.1.1.2
              12 February 2019 at 4:30 pm

              but $1 million in corrupt spending is still way worse than $2 billion in wasted in spending because the intentions for the $2 billion are right. figures don’t matter, only virtue

              • alwyn …
                12 February 2019 at 6:09 pm

                $2 billion in wasted spending?
                You are dreaming. We already have that in the Kiwibuild. Then there is the $3 billion in the Jones slush fund. The budget for the tram to the airport is up to the grand sum of $6 billion. A couple of billion for cycleways for a few cyclists. $250 million on the America’s cup.
                Then their is the money Winston is going to provide to his racehorse owning mates for their pretty horses and all weather tracks.

    • joe90 8.2
      12 February 2019 at 10:41 am

      This simply illustrates why we need to change the Government regularly.

      McCully’s willingness to pay baksheesh and his party’s attempt at justifying bribery simply illustrates just how fucking corrupt National is and why we need our own Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

      /

      • alwyn 8.2.1
        12 February 2019 at 11:14 am

        I shall leave you to your delusions. I suppose you think that the coalition party that is in the Government’s dealings with fishing companies are all completely innocent and high minded? No doubt everything is done with only the interests of thee New Zealand public at their heart.

        And don’t say that doesn’t involve the Labour Party. They went into coalition with them and are just as guilty for any dodgy deals.

        And isn’t it amazing that the partner of one of the current Ministers is suddenly the recipient, through the firm he is involved with, of lots and lots of contracts that were issued without going out to tender? Far more than were issued by the previous Government.
        Nothing wrong with that of course. The Government Departments have suddenly become enlightened by the amazing skills that are on offer.

    • Gabby 8.3
      12 February 2019 at 11:28 am

      What’s Munter McMutton up to these days wally? Gettin any Sowdy connected ‘consultancy work’?

      • veutoviper 8.3.1
        12 February 2019 at 12:04 pm

        I was wondering that myself,

        So, first, his own consultancy firm established in 2017:

        Murray McCully, Chairman, McCully Consulting Group
        Strategic Counsel, Public and Private Diplomacy,
        Barrister of the High Court of New Zealand

        https://www.murraymccully.com/

        “… Following his retirement from Parliament, Murray McCully is available to discuss assignments that draw on his knowledge of national and global affairs, which includes:
        Good understanding of major issues across key trading partners.
        Excellent network of relationships including China, South East Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
        Strong exposure to international law and the operation of international institutions.
        Close familiarity with the Pacific region and good personal relationships with key decision makers.
        Good understanding of international development issues and processes.
        Long experience of New Zealand Government decision making processes.
        Strong background in political risk/crisis management.”

        Second, from July 2018 , chair of the Papua New Guinea New Zealand Business Council:

        https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/programmes/datelinepacific/audio/2018655635/murray-mccully-heads-nz-png-business-council

        ” The new chair of the Papua New Guinea New Zealand Business Council, Murray McCully, says PNG wants to engage more with New Zealand’s agriculture sector.

        But the previous chair, Tamati Norman, who was asked to step aside for the former New Zealand Foreign Minister, says the council is failing its purpose. …

        To make way for Mr McCully, businessman Tamati Norman was asked by the council to step aside and work with him as the new chair. Instead, Mr Norman decided to leave entirely.

        He was asked if Mr McCully is the right man for the job.

        “A better question is did he have any engagement with us in the six years that I was in the executive, and the answer is no.”

        Mr Norman says the council focuses too much on the oil, gas and mining industries in PNG and needs to do a better job of engaging with other sectors.

        So Mr McCully’s promise of agricultural engagement may be a welcome sign of change within the council, but Mr Norman says there are other issues too.

        “We had our 25 year celebration and that 25 year anniversary was held at the Northern Club. Tell me how that is representative of a Pacific business.”

        The Northern Club, an exclusive club in Auckland’s CBD, once had a reputation for excluding women and Māori.

        The business council has held at least 3 events there this year.”

        Also a little snippet re McCully in article last week re the potential Blue-Green party and Vernon Tava – supposedly the new Sustainable New Zealand Party announced a few days ago

        https://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/mediawatch/audio/2018680526/a-potential-political-party-hooks-the-media

        ” … ZB’s Heather Du Plessis-Allan said a new party was “definitely happening”.

        She said she had told her editors about a source who had been approached by Michelle Boag and National Party strategist Murray McCully about the idea “weeks ago”.

        Heather Du Plessis-Allan told listeners Vernon Tava did not want to speak to her about that at the time….

    • AB 8.4
      12 February 2019 at 12:00 pm

      “Governments should never get involved in running businesses”
      Yeah – these guys sound pretty useless and these guys too.

      • alwyn 8.4.1
        12 February 2019 at 1:06 pm

        Equinor is of course a publicly listed company, in which the Government owns a majority of the shares.
        Just like Meridian, Mercury and so on. As such it has to follow all the rules for Public Companies and Ministers can’t make them carry out any stupid ideas they might have. In other words it is not a Government run business.

        Did you read the recent history of the TVA? Say the last 30 years. Not very pretty is it? In fact its successful days were pretty well over by about 1950.

        • AB 8.4.1.1
          12 February 2019 at 2:54 pm

          Bollocks. What these and countless other examples show is that hard and fast rules (like your initial sweeping statement) are the provenance of ideological idiots.

          • alwyn 8.4.1.1.1
            12 February 2019 at 5:51 pm

            That’s nice dear.
            Do you think that Kiwibuild is going well and it’s time to double down on the wager?
            Or that we shouldn’t even think of setting any targets for the scheme because if we do people will be able to see whether it is worth it?
            Or do you think that the Saudi scheme shouldn’t be examined because they meant well?
            Or is it just that you are an ideological idiot?

    • patricia bremner 8.5
      12 February 2019 at 2:59 pm

      Alwyn… Twyford went to Cabinet to Reconfigure as needs changed. He has spoken publicly about Kiwi build. The Saudi Deal was a dirty secret, hardly a business!!

      • alwyn 8.5.1
        12 February 2019 at 6:00 pm

        “Reconfigure”. What a lovely word. What you mean is that there are not going to be any targets set, measures of how well, or badly, it is going because it would allow the public to see that Twyford is a twit.

        It isn’t the official term of course. Twitford and Ardern have decided the correct term is “recalibration”. What they mean of course is that the number of houses we are likely to get has dropped from the promised “huge” number to something so miniscule as to be unobservable.
        Rather like replacing the planned 16 inch main guns on a battleship with 0.177 inch air rifles. The are just choosing a different calibre.

        The Saudi deal never made any sense to me. However to describe it as a “secret” is certainly rather silly. If it was a “secret” how did you find out about it?

    • Tricledrown 8.6
      14 February 2019 at 12:08 am

      Americas cup is about the boat building industry and Tourism. The tax dodge headline is just media BS. Reading the story if the council transfers the land before the date of a new tax. Is not a tax dodge. Its following the law.

      • alwyn 8.6.1
        14 February 2019 at 12:21 am

        “The Government is committing an extra $22.5 million to the America’s Cup. But it will only be paid if Auckland Council coughs up another $14.5 million to help pay for higher than expected infrastructure costs for the 2021 event.”
        Did you miss that bit at the start of the link?
        That is what I was talking about. The rubbish about the tax arrangements is just trivia.

  9. mac1 9
    12 February 2019 at 11:44 am

    And as the gate swings shut, and the truck departs for the works, all that is left is the dust and the dags and the droppings.

    The farmer brushes his hands off and heads to the local. The stock agent departs in his double cab. The dog pants in the kennel. A cheque arrives in the mail.

    Nothing changes.

  10. mosa 10
    12 February 2019 at 11:54 am

    I find it repugnant that for a lousy deal with the Saudis we were willing to inflict torture and death on millions of sheep.
    The footage of these ” live ” exports shows we have a long way to go with our animal welfare practices and our cruel mentality.
    This whole deal should serve as a warning of what happens when you don’t follow due process and try to cover up the actions of a sworn minister.
    On this point i agree with Hooten ” its not corrupt when a kiwi does it “

    • marty mars 10.1
      12 February 2019 at 1:04 pm

      The welfare of the sheep was the last thing on their minds. They treat the people like they treat the sheep.

    • patricia bremner 10.2
      12 February 2019 at 3:02 pm

      Mosa, money is important to the Gnats. Not People Not sheep Not our reputation.

    • bwaghorn 10.3
      12 February 2019 at 6:05 pm

      Nz stopped live exports a while back accept in this dodgy little saga . The loop hole mccully used was because they weren’t going direct to slaughter . But only fucking morons could see that those sheep would end up at the slaughter house if they lived long enough . There are know retirement homes for sheep .

  11. Sacha 11
    12 February 2019 at 6:17 pm

    No trade deal after all that! McCully couldn’t even do corruption properly. In a well-governed country he would be in jail (or alternatively a palatial mansion for his services to the powerful).

  12. RRM 12
    13 February 2019 at 8:07 am

    $11m is about 3 hours’ worth of trade with China.

    Way to go Labour, you’re really fighting the fights that matter!

    • Robert Guyton 12.1
      13 February 2019 at 8:43 am

      Parker ended this prolonged stoush decisively. Now, he can take on the other running battles and win those as well.

  13. NZJester 13
    13 February 2019 at 11:14 am

    Perhaps some more money can be salvaged if the equipment can be sold. Unfortunately, I doubt they will be able to sell it for cost as if it put up for tender, the potential buyers knowing the situation will try and lowball their price.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Old habits
    Media awareness about global warming and climate change has grown fairly steadily since 2004. My impression is that journalists today tend to possess a higher climate literacy than before. This increasing awareness and improved knowledge is encouraging, but there are also some common interpretations which could be more nuanced. ...
    Real ClimateBy rasmus
    3 days ago

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • A coalition of racism, cruelty, and chaos
    Today's big political news is that after months of wibbling, National's Chris Luxon has finally confirmed that he is willing to work with Winston Peters to become Prime Minister. Which is expected, but I guess it tells us something about which way the polls are going. Which raises the question: ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago

  • More migrant workers should help generate the tax income needed to provide benefits for job seekers
    Buzz from the Beehive Under something described as a “rebalance” of its immigration rules, the Government has adopted four of five recommendations made in an independent review released in July, The fifth, which called on the government to specify criteria for out-of-hours compliance visits similar to those used during ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago

  • Letter To Luxon.
    Some of you might know Gerard Otto (G), and his G News platform. This morning he wrote a letter to Christopher Luxon which I particularly enjoyed, and with his agreement I’m sharing it with you in this guest newsletter.If you’d like to make a contribution to support Gerard’s work you ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • LINDSAY MITCHELL: Alarming trend in benefit numbers
    Lindsay Mitchell writes –  While there will not be another quarterly release of benefit numbers prior to the election, limited weekly reporting continues and is showing an alarming trend. Because there is a seasonal component to benefit number fluctuations it is crucial to compare like with like. In ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • BRIAN EASTON: Has there been external structural change?
    A close analysis of the Treasury assessment of the Medium Term in its PREFU 2023 suggests the economy may be entering a new phase.   Brian Easton writes –  Last week I explained that the forecasts in the just published Treasury Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Update (PREFU 2023) was ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • CRL Progress – Sep-23
    It’s been a while since we looked at the latest with the City Rail Link and there’s been some fantastic milestones recently. To start with, and most recently, CRL have released an awesome video showing a full fly-through of one of the tunnels. Come fly with us! You asked for ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    5 days ago

  • Monday’s Chorus: Not building nearly enough
    We are heading into another period of fast population growth without matching increased home building or infrastructure investment.Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Labour and National detailed their house building and migration approaches over the weekend, with both pledging fast population growth policies without enough house building or infrastructure investment ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • Game on; Hipkins comes out punching
    Labour leader Chris Hipkins yesterday took the gloves off and laid into National and its leader Christopher Luxon. For many in Labour – and particularly for some at the top of the caucus and the party — it would not have been a moment too soon. POLITIK is aware ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago

  • Tax Cut Austerity Blues.
    The leaders have had their go, they’ve told us the “what?” and the “why?” of their promises. Now it’s the turn of the would be Finance Ministers to tell us the “how?”, the “how much?”, and the “when?”A chance for those competing for the second most powerful job in the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • MIKE GRIMSHAW:  It’s the economy – and the spirit – Stupid…
    Mike Grimshaw writes – Over the past 30-odd years it’s become almost an orthodoxy to blame or invoke neoliberalism for the failures of New Zealand society. On the left the usual response goes something like, neoliberalism is the cause of everything that’s gone wrong and the answer ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • 2023 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #38
    A chronological listing of news and opinion articles posted on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Sep 17, 2023 thru Sat, Sep 23, 2023. Story of the Week  Opinion: Let’s free ourselves from the story of economic growth A relentless focus on economic growth has ushered in ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • The End Of The World.
    Have you been looking out of your window for signs of the apocalypse? Don’t worry, you haven’t been door knocked by a representative of the Brian Tamaki party. They’re probably a bit busy this morning spruiking salvation, or getting ready to march on our parliament, which is closed. No, I’ve ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago

  • Climate Town: The Brainwashing Of America's Children
    Climate Town is the YouTube channel of Rollie Williams and a ragtag team of climate communicators, creatives and comedians. They examine climate change in a way that doesn’t make you want to eat a cyanide pill. Get informed about the climate crisis before the weather does it for you. The latest ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago

  • Has There Been External Structural Change?
    A close analysis of the Treasury assessment of the Medium Term in its PREFU 2023 suggests the economy may be entering a new phase. Last week I explained that the forecasts in the just published Treasury Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Update (PREFU 2023) was similar to the May Budget BEFU, ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago

  • Another Labour bully
    Back in June, we learned that Kiri Allan was a Parliamentary bully. And now there's another one: Labour MP Shanan Halbert: The Labour Party was alerted to concerns about [Halbert's] alleged behaviour a year ago but because staffers wanted to remain anonymous, no formal process was undertaken [...] The ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago

  • Climate Change: Ignoring our biggest problem
    Its that time in the election season where the status quo parties are busy accusing each other of having fiscal holes in a desperate effort to appear more "responsible" (but not, you understand, by promising to tax wealth or land to give the government the revenue it needs to do ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • PREFU shows no recession, growing economy, more jobs and wages ahead of inflation
    Economy to grow 2.6 percent on average over forecast period Treasury not forecasting a recession Inflation to return to the 1-3 percent target band next year Wages set to grow 4.8 percent a year over forecast period Unemployment to peak below the long-term average Fiscal Rules met - Net debt ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago

  • New cancer centre opens in Christchurch
    Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall proudly opened the Canterbury Cancer Centre in Christchurch today. The new facility is the first of its kind and was built with $6.5 million of funding from the Government’s Infrastructure Reference Group scheme for shovel-ready projects allocated in 2020. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago

  • Government invests in top of the south’s roading resilience
    $12 million to improve the resilience of roads in the Nelson, Marlborough and Tasman regions Hope Bypass earmarked in draft Government Policy Statement on land transport $127 million invested in the top of the south’s roads since flooding in 2021 and 2022 The Government is investing over $12 million to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago

  • New Zealanders continue to support the revitalisation of te reo as we celebrate Te Wiki o te Reo Mā...
    Ko tēnei te wiki e whakanui ana i tō tātou reo rangatira. Ko te wā tuku reo Māori, e whakanuia tahitia ai te reo ahakoa kei hea ake tēnā me tēnā o tātou, ka tū ā te Rātū te 14 o Mahuru, ā te 12 o ngā hāora i te ahiahi. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago

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