Should he stay or should he go?

Written By: - Date published: 8:04 am, April 17th, 2019 - 68 comments
Categories: jacinda ardern, national, same old national, Simon Bridges - Tags:

Poor Simon.

It appears that his leadership has entered into the stage where some sort of leadership coup is almost inevitable.

Mainstream media commentary thought that he was safe for now because no one in their right mind would take on Jacinda Ardern while she is so dominant.

But repeated gaffes involving Jami-Lee Ross and the emotional junior staffer appear to be taking their toll.  And polling at 5% as preferred Prime Minister shows that Bridges has major problems.

From Tova O’Brien at Newshub:

National MPs are speaking out against their leader and Newshub has been told of agitation behind the scenes.

The National Party Caucus is now proactively coming to Newshub with concerns about Simon Bridges’ leadership, and Newshub has been told people are doing the numbers for Judith Collins.

There are mixed views, but a number of MPs have told Newshub that Bridges’ handling of recent problems hasn’t been up to scratch, with one MP even describing it as “incompetent”.

And the leaks continue to happen:

National MPs are also leaking – big time. Just minutes after a caucus conference call on Monday, Newshub was leaked details about the meeting. 

As for any signs of a coup, on Tuesday MPs anonymously told Newshub: “It’s happening.”

One MP said: “For some time, MPs have been concerned about the direction of the leadership.”

Another described the caucus as “unsettled”, while another said “numbers are firming for Judith”.

But others say Bridges is safe – for now – and that Collins doesn’t have the numbers to roll him.

Of course this could all be dirty politics of the style that Kevin Rudd engaged in against Julia Gillard to undermine her.  It worked.  But it destroyed Labor’s electoral popularity in the meantime.

And the pile up reminds me of what happened to David Cunliffe in 2014.  I thought that was unfair but I cannot deny that it was effective.

Finally this Clash song sums up the dilemma for poor Simon.  Hope he stays.

68 comments on “Should he stay or should he go? ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. lprent 1
    17 April 2019 at 8:18 am

    It’d certainly be good for Labour & Greens & NZ First if he stays.

    However I suspect that it’d also be good for them if Judith Collins was there to expose her multitude of political weaknesses.

    The risk for them is if there is someone of currently hidden competence inside the National caucus that’d surprise me like Jacinda did. Fortunately they do seem to be a pack of useless dipshits.

    • Psycho Milt 1.1
      17 April 2019 at 8:34 am

      Ardern had to be persuaded to take the job against her own self-doubts. Can’t see that level of self-perception being a common feature among Nat MPs…

      • Phil 1.1.1
        17 April 2019 at 9:26 am

        Ardern had to be persuaded to take the job against her own self-doubts.

        If true, that would make her literally the first political leader in all of history to have well developed and nuanced sense of self-perception.

        I think you’re confusing ‘self-doubt’ with ‘political calculus’.

        • te reo putake 1.1.1.1
          17 April 2019 at 9:39 am

          Second leader. The first would be Andrew Little.

        • mickysavage 1.1.1.2
          17 April 2019 at 9:56 am

          Nope she could have taken the position at any time. Chosing to take it when Labour’s polling was tanking shows what a selfless decision it was.

          Agree that Little also showed well developed and nuanced sense of self perception.

        • mac1 1.1.1.3
          17 April 2019 at 10:13 am

          There is a political wisdom that says the best leaders are the reluctant leaders. Self-doubt maybe comes into it, but low ego and lack of recognition or support by fellows are also factors. Low ego, or lack of “vaulting ambition which o’erleaps itself”” as Shakespeare put it, is my pick for this reluctance.

          When to step down is often an ego-driven decision, too. Simon Bridges has that particular cross to bear at the moment, whether it was thrust upon his shoulders or self-assumed.

          • Phil 1.1.1.3.1
            17 April 2019 at 11:00 am

            There is a political wisdom that says the best leaders are the reluctant leaders.

            This is basically the Platonic/Socratic ‘Philosopher King’, right?

            • McFlock 1.1.1.3.1.1
              17 April 2019 at 11:50 am

              Partially, but it’s a focus on why the person wants the office. Self aggrandisement vs actual public service.

              The p/k doesn’t lust for power, but does the rational thing when they’re the best person for the job (or stands down when someone better comes along).

              But a reluctance to be leader can be the result of an underappreciation of one’s skillset/appropriateness, manoeuvering to hand the poison chalice to one’s biggest rival so you take over after they fail (Nimitz/Kimmel come to mind), or an appreciation of either the toll of leadership or that one might end up liking it too much and becoming a corrupt tyrant.

              Not all of those reasons make for a good leader, but most of them imply someone who is open to hearing the opinions of others. At least initially.

      • Ad 1.1.2
        17 April 2019 at 10:09 am

        Oh pleeeeeeze

  2. te reo putake 2
    17 April 2019 at 8:35 am

    I was mulling over a post reminiscing about the 2002 ‘worm’ election, MS, but this is as good a place as any to give my reckons.

    In short, it was so obvious that Helen Clark’s Labour Government was going to be re-elected that National voters swarmed over to ACT, United Future and NZ First hoping those parties could hold back the red tide. And partially, that worked, with Labour falling 8 seats short of an outright win.

    National’s vote collapsed under a leader, Bill English, who was seen as dull, charmless and uninspiring. The Tories ended up with just under 21% of the vote, ten percent less than they had at the previous election, which in itself had been a low point.

    I see the same thing happening next year, no matter who runs National. The damage won’t be as bad as in 2002, however, I expect around 5% of their core vote will switch to Winston Peters, hoping he will be a handbrake on Labour’s ambitions for the second term.

    And I also expect ACT to pick up 2 or 3%, rather than their usual one. Seymour has actually done a good job since the last election, keeping his party in the news, and in some ways, being the real leader of the opposition.

    National’s real problem is not Simon Bridges, it’s the lack of alternatives in their caucus. They risk repeating the mistakes of Labour in opposition, chopping and changing leaders in the hope that one might find favour with the electorate.

    Clearly, National currently have no Jacinda Ardern waiting in the wings to rescue them. However, if they’re smart, they’ll accept the inevitable defeat next year and work to get as much of the deadwood out of caucus as possible in the hope that they can do better in 2023.

    PS. Sing Brother Joseph, sing Brother Joe!

    • Tiger Mountain 2.1
      17 April 2019 at 9:01 am

      Go or stay, makes no odds, Nats are in for a hard time in 2020.

      Comfortable boomer voters will likely not outnumber their late 20th Century and 21st Century replacements; generation student loan and generation renter, and less well off boomers have different priorities.

      Not that it can necessarily be predicted where the younger votes will go. There are always young Torys and reactionaries it seems. But many get Jacinda Ardern’s emotional approach/appeal. The Codgers don’t understand it, they want stoic, unflinching “strong men” or “strong Crushers”.

      The Nats are friendless at this stage apart from the Epsom Twerker, plus the Referenda, especially Cannabis, will help sink them if they let the likes of Mrs Bennett continue.

      ps Mick Jones vocal, like their later period, and the Clash never played bloody Israel!, I like to think they would not go now either…

    • Phil 2.2
      17 April 2019 at 9:41 am

      National’s real problem is not Simon Bridges, it’s the lack of alternatives in their caucus.

      What I’m about to say may come across as a little bit of backward-looking ‘over-fitting’ of data, but… it struck me that National leadership contest in 2018 was the first time since Bolger and McLay, in the mid-80’s when they fought over a post-Muldoon party, that National’s caucus didn’t have an obvious front-runner in place to take over leadership of the party.

      Shipley, English, Brash, Key and English (again) were all well known to the public. Looking at the preferred PM polling data, for all of them there was an almost immediate switch-over of National voters to the new leader when they took the reigns of the party, regardless of where the party stood relative to Labour. Bridges hasn’t been accepted in the same way and that harms his legitimacy.

      • BM 2.2.1
        17 April 2019 at 10:07 am

        Because anyone with more than two brain cells could see he was a wrong choice.

        Just had nine years of Key(a man), we’d had Trump grabbing pussy, the pussyhat movement and the National caucus picks a deeply religious conservative male as leader?

        WTF? Stupidest selection ever.

        I’m a Collins supporter for a number of reasons, but at the time of English stepping down I’d have taken either Kaye or Adams as long as it was a female and not because I think females are better than males.

        But because the game has changed, you need a woman leader if you’re going up against a female PM especially in their first term, a male will eventually beat Ardern but it won’t be until 2023 or 2026 if she does decide to stick around.

        Only a female opposition Leader has the ability to make this a one-term government and out of the three, Collins is the best choice.

        That’s not to say she will win in 2020, but she’s got a far better chance than Bridges, at the moment it’s no contest.

        • Phil 2.2.1.1
          17 April 2019 at 10:55 am

          Collins is the best choice.

          Caution. Anecdote ahead.

          My mother is in her mid 60’s and a has been a dyed in the wool National supporter for most of her life. She wasn’t overly fond of Key but had no hesitation voting for National under his leadership. She really liked English. Her friend group of similarly-aged women all have broadly centre-right political views, based on the occasional political conversations I’ve had with them or overheard.

          I’ve not heard any of them say a single nice thing about Judith Collins. She may have a small coterie of ardent hardcore support, but she is despised by the vast majority of National voters.

          • logie97 2.2.1.1.1
            17 April 2019 at 11:37 am

            “…despised by the vast majority of National voters”
            For Collins, read Thatcher. Prior to the Falklands, the majority of Tory voters in the UK at the time held their noses as they voted for a Conservative government.

          • BM 2.2.1.1.2
            17 April 2019 at 12:41 pm

            That’s hardly surprising many women of her age have been crushed all their lives by institutional sexism and societal pressure when growing up of how women are supposed to behave.

            Outspoken “ball breakers” are bad, that’s not how women are supposed to behave!

            It’s the same mindset that stopped Hillary Clinton winning against Trump and why Shipley was widely disliked

            Younger woman are far more aggressive and many probably find Arderns sickly sweet Mother Teresa persona a bit one dimensional and off-putting, I reckon Judith will pick up quite a few votes there.

            Remember Judith Collins doesn’t have to get all the women voting for her, all she needs is another 5-10%

            I still think she’ll win over quite a bit of the over 60 female vote once she’s been in the leader’s seat for a while and they’ve gotten used to it and she’s demonstrated that she’s not just fangs and bark.

    • Morrissey 2.3
      17 April 2019 at 10:22 am

      That was a joke, right, Anne?

    • Anne 2.4
      17 April 2019 at 10:23 am

      National’s real problem is not Simon Bridges, it’s the lack of alternatives in their caucus.

      Someone who has impressed me as a future National leader is Chris Bishop. He has the smarts and a pleasant personality to go with it. He strikes me as a moderate who would not undo the good work of the Ardern govt. He’s young enough to withhold his candidacy until the time is right – maybe 2023 or sometime thereafter.

      • ankerawshark 2.4.1
        17 April 2019 at 11:01 am

        RE Chris B Anne. I was at parliament when the banning semi automatics petition was presented, just before the govt announced they would do so. Bishop spoke and praise Jacindas leadership, in more than just perfunctory terms.

  3. Dennis Frank 3
    17 April 2019 at 8:48 am

    There’s a way for him to apply both/and logic to his situation and come out a winner. Here’s how he ought to frame it at his next press conference:

    “I’m proposing that the National Party adopt the principle of gender equity. I’ve asked Judith Collins to serve as co-leader, and she has agreed. We put the proposal to our caucus, and they agreed. We will propose ratification of the plan to our next AGM.”

    “This gives our members who believe National should remain an operational arm of the residual patriarchy the opportunity to defend the status quo. I have a line for them: make my day! They’ll need to tell our female members to behave themselves and do what they’re told. Good luck with that!!”

    “There will be some who see this as a master stroke and wonder who the master is. It ain’t me, babe! We in National use think-tanks to do our thinking for us & they sure have come up with a brilliant plan, eh? Enables us to out-flank Labour on the left! They’ve had a quarter of a century to copy the Greens yet still refuse to do so. They preach gender equity, but nobody expects Labour to practice what they preach – they’re the natural party for hypocrites.”

    “Some will suggest I’m incapable of leadership, so I’m proving them wrong. Leaders nowadays are expected to follow the public mood and the latest poll establishes a relation of parity between Judith and I. So I’m giving the people what they want. Equal leadership, leading by example. Get used to it.”

    “I’ve also suggested to Judith that she convene a caucus of our female MPs to evaluate our culture review when it becomes available. I will endorse any decision they make about the credibility of the review process. It may alert us to a need to replace party officials involved. I’ll not be answering any questions you may have today, so I suggest you submit those to my co-leader. Thank you very much for attending this historic announcement.”

    • Puckish Rogue 3.1
      17 April 2019 at 10:05 am

      No, absolutely not.

      • Wensleydale 3.1.1
        17 April 2019 at 1:18 pm

        All or nothing, eh Pucky? The Glacial Queen must reign supreme or not at all? Speculation or not, you must be on the edge of your seat at these revelations.

  4. Stuart Munro. 4
    17 April 2019 at 8:53 am

    Let him vacillate until he’s taken down in a shower of blood.

    I guess the villain’s exposition might go something like this:

    “It was me – I was the leaker, you credulous saps! I could’ve made this party into something, but you schemed and dragged your feet, and did no work. I have no sympathy at all.”

  5. Jimmy 5
    17 April 2019 at 8:59 am

    I think it it will make no difference whether Simon leads them in to the next election, or Judith or someone else. In fact I would have thought they would want Simon to stay there and take the next election loss rather than another person.

  6. ianmac 6
    17 April 2019 at 9:10 am

    Seem to remember Key being a keen supporter of Parker, or was it Cunliffe. Just as we want Bridges to stay so turns the wheel.
    Perhaps those Labour supporters who were polled by Brunton should have voted for Bridges?

  7. cleangreen 7
    17 April 2019 at 9:22 am

    Bridges was “walking dead man” since he took over from his boss (Steven Joyce) as he ran the National Party as their “strategic policy man didn’t he?

    And Joyce is about as welcome as a greasy meat pie in a vegan parlour.

  8. Puckish Rogue 8
    17 April 2019 at 9:48 am

    I’ve advised Jude (as per my role as court jester) to wait until after the next election before she ascends to role as PM in waiting

    Short of something completely calamitous happening to LabourI dont see any likely chance of National regaining power so Soimon needs to do the right thing and take the hit thus leaving the way clear for Jude to take the throne, which she will in 2023

    • cleangreen 8.1
      17 April 2019 at 9:52 am

      Shit Puckish you are reaching out to 2023????

      Will we have a ‘fishbowl’ in Wellington by then instead of a ‘bee hive’?

      ‘A bit fishy isn’t’ it’???

    • mac1 8.2
      17 April 2019 at 10:35 am

      Regarding Shakespeare’s fools ( I was one once, as Touchstone). “It is argued that Shakespeare’s clowning goes beyond just comic relief, instead making the horrific or deeply complex scenes more understandable and “true to the realities of living, then and now.” (wikipedia on the googled ‘Shakespearean fool’)

      Shifting the focus from the fictional world to the audience’s reality helps convey “more effectively the theme of the dramas”.

      Best of luck with that, Puckish Rogue…… 🙂

      • Puckish Rogue 8.2.1
        17 April 2019 at 11:50 am

        I’ve been up since 0415 so without going through your post I’ve chosen to believe its positive towards me so thank you:-)

  9. Anne 9
    17 April 2019 at 10:21 am

    At least she might have sufficiently mellowed out by then not to be too damaging to the country. 👿

  10. cleangreen 10
    17 April 2019 at 10:21 am

    PR

    Well Judas had better try some “trump charm eh”??

  11. Macro 11
    17 April 2019 at 10:52 am

    Stay! He’s doing such a wonderful job for the Government.

    • bwaghorn 11.1
      17 April 2019 at 4:34 pm

      Im pretty sure when i se the news tonight hell be claiming victory over the cgt . Saviour of the kiwi way of life and all that .
      It may get him a stay of exocution.

  12. McFlock 12
    17 April 2019 at 12:10 pm

    The problem for them is to find someone who ticks more than one or two of the boxes Jacinda fills.

    Judith is as female as any cthulu-inhabited flesh-husk can be. Unfortunately she doesn’t have Jacinda’s empathy, ability to work with others, caucus loyalty, intelligence, charisma, or integrity.

    Any other nat might have a couple of those aspects, but the Judith will always be behind them handing out sharpened knives. Because she wants the job – even if she doesn’t get PM, she inflates her CV for corporate investors.

  13. Observer Tokoroa 13
    17 April 2019 at 12:43 pm

    Topsy and Turvy

    Both Judith Collins and Simon Bridges appear to have attractive friends in China Land.

    One Chinese has accepted nice digs in our Parliament in view of his active Military experience in the Art of Spies. He said he never spies on New Zealand things ??? . He is an ongoing gift to National. A person we know very little about.

    Others like Judith Collins, have traveled the long distance to China to wash down their Kauri remains. For purposes not yet explained. But everyone feels pretty sure it could not have been for the bettering of the Poor, back in Struggling Papakura. Judith has been helping Papkura go down hill for years.

    The Chinese although attractive, are very Inscrutable. Everyone knows that. A list of Collins inscrutable efforts would assist well meaning voters. Such as, When Judith took over The Police Ministry and immediately forbade Police to attend to any Household Theft and Robbery. Crikey Jude. !

    Inscrutable.

    I often think The Auckland Herald is as Inscrutable as the National Party Caucus. The Herald’s silence reminds me of Bhuddha.

    I am however, a supporter of our Chinese Residents. Not of our oddball Politicians.

  14. Michael 14
    17 April 2019 at 1:50 pm

    Another nine months of infighting and backstabbing before Crusher gets the numbers to knife Bridges early next year. That gives her insufficient time to knife Jacinda before the 2020 election.

    • cleangreen 14.1
      17 April 2019 at 3:15 pm

      Not now as Jacinda just announced she has killed CGT.

      So she will get more solid support now from the middle NZ voter now, and took the wind out of Judith’s sails.

      Poor soul Judith is, – boo – hoo

      Masterful stoke of genius from Jacinda there.

  15. JohnSelway 15
    17 April 2019 at 3:32 pm

    He should go. He’s a nitwit anyway and I’m sure was only picked to reflect his age and “newness” compared to Ardern.

    • McFlock 15.1
      17 April 2019 at 4:39 pm

      His “newness” seems more comparable to Neve’s.

      And now I just realised that the look on Bridges’ mug is frequently the same sort of pharaonic gaze that quiet babies get as their nappies are being changed.

  16. Ed1 16
    17 April 2019 at 4:50 pm

    I don’t really care. There are better things to discuss.

  17. AB 17
    17 April 2019 at 5:59 pm

    He will chalk up the scuppering of CGT as a win – Audrey, Mike and the others will say so. He will be re-positioned as the defender of the ‘hard-working’ against rapacious socialism. Expect a rally in his support.

    • ScottGN 17.1
      17 April 2019 at 7:20 pm

      Audrey doesn’t quite it seems, she’s on the Herald video with that Doogie Howser reporter marvelling at the PM’s ability to turn a sow’s ear into a silk purse. And points out that Ardern has cleverly knocked the ladder out from under National going into the next election.

  18. Dave Jennings 18
    18 April 2019 at 11:28 am

    I think Simon is doing a good job, keep up the good work Simon . the National Party will be relegated to the opposition benches for a long time. And the National party deserve it, for the last ten years all they have done is shit on this country.

  19. peterlepaysan 19
    18 April 2019 at 9:21 pm

    Well simon has plenty of competition in his caucus, it is a very level playing field.

    After all being the leader of the opposition is not known to be the best job in the world.

    I cannot see a scramble for his job.

    OBTW I do love bridges claim that nationals opposition to the cgt made Winston resist the cgt. Winston would have been listening to his electoral base, not simon. We all know what that gold card base would be telling Winston. National’s leaks of winston’s personal matters do not suggest that winston cares what national thinks

    Given winston’s overt disdain of bridges leadership the bridges claim is lunatic.

    As I said before the national party caucus is a level paying field.

    Pick your lunatic.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • NZ’s trans lobby is fighting a rearguard action
    Graham Adams assesses the fallout of the Cass Review — The press release last Thursday from the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls didn’t make the mainstream news in New Zealand but it really should have. The startling title of Reem Alsalem’s statement — “Implementation of ‘Cass ...
    Point of OrderBy gadams1000
    7 hours ago

  • Your mandate is imaginary
    This open-for-business, under-new-management cliché-pockmarked government of Christopher Luxon is not the thing of beauty he imagines it to be. It is not the powerful expression of the will of the people that he asserts it to be. It is not a soaring eagle, it is a malodorous vulture. This newest poll should make ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    12 hours ago

  • 14,000 unemployed under National
    The latest labour market statistics, showing a rise in unemployment. There are now 134,000 unemployed - 14,000 more than when the National government took office. Which is I guess what happens when the Reserve Bank causes a recession in an effort to Keep Wages Low. The previous government saw a ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    15 hours ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Discontent and gloom dominate NZ’s political mood
    Three opinion polls have been released in the last two days, all showing that the new government is failing to hold their popular support. The usual honeymoon experienced during the first year of a first term government is entirely absent. The political mood is still gloomy and discontented, mainly due ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    15 hours ago

  • Taking Tea with 42 & 38.
    National's Finance Minister once met a poor person.A scornful interview with National's finance guru who knows next to nothing about economics or people.There might have been something a bit familiar if that was the headline I’d gone with today. It would of course have been in tribute to the article ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    16 hours ago

  • Beware political propaganda: statistics are pointing to Grant Robertson never protecting “Lives an...
    Rob MacCulloch writes – Throughout the pandemic, the new Vice-Chancellor-of-Otago-University-on-$629,000 per annum-Can-you-believe-it-and-Former-Finance-Minister Grant Robertson repeated the mantra over and over that he saved “lives and livelihoods”. As we update how this claim is faring over the course of time, the facts are increasingly speaking differently. NZ ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    16 hours ago

  • Winding back the hands of history’s clock
    Chris Trotter writes – IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in acknowledgement of electoral victory: “We’ll govern for all New Zealanders.” On the face of it, the pledge is a strange one. Why would any political leader govern in ways that advantaged the huge ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    16 hours ago

  • Paula Bennett’s political appointment will challenge public confidence
     Bryce Edwards writes – The list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill ...
    Point of OrderBy xtrdnry
    17 hours ago

  • Business confidence sliding into winter of discontent
    TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 10:06am on Wednesday, May 1:The Lead: Business confidence fell across the board in April, falling in some areas to levels last seen during the lockdowns because of a collapse in ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    18 hours ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the coalition’s awful, not good, very bad poll results
    Over the past 36 hours, Christopher Luxon has been dong his best to portray the centre-right’s plummeting poll numbers as a mark of virtue. Allegedly, the negative verdicts are the result of hard economic times, and of a government bravely set out on a perilous rescue mission from which not ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    20 hours ago

  • New HOP readers for future payment options
    Auckland Transport have started rolling out new HOP card readers around the network and over the next three months, all of them on buses, at train stations and ferry wharves will be replaced. The change itself is not that remarkable, with the new readers looking similar to what is already ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    21 hours ago

  • 2024 Reading Summary: April (+ Writing Update)
    Completed reads for April: The Difference Engine, by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling Carnival of Saints, by George Herman The Snow Spider, by Jenny Nimmo Emlyn’s Moon, by Jenny Nimmo The Chestnut Soldier, by Jenny Nimmo Death Comes As the End, by Agatha Christie Lord of the Flies, by ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    1 day ago

  • At a glance – Clearing up misconceptions regarding 'hide the decline'
    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
    1 day ago

  • Road photos
    Have a story to share about St Paul’s, but today just picturesPopular novels written at this desk by a young man who managed to bootstrap himself out of father’s imprisonment and his own young life in a workhouse Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Paula Bennett’s political appointment will challenge public confidence
    The list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill English, Simon Bridges, Steven Joyce, Roger Sowry, ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    1 day ago

  • NZDF is still hostile to oversight
    Newsroom has a story today about National's (fortunately failed) effort to disestablish the newly-created Inspector-General of Defence. The creation of this agency was the key recommendation of the Inquiry into Operation Burnham, and a vital means of restoring credibility and social licence to an agency which had been caught lying ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago

  • Winding Back The Hands Of History’s Clock.
    Holding On To The Present: The moment a political movement arises that attacks the whole idea of social progress, and announces its intention to wind back the hands of History’s clock, then democracy, along with its unwritten rules, is in mortal danger.IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in ...
    Bowalley Road
    2 days ago

  • Sweet Moderation? What Christopher Luxon Could Learn From The Germans.
    Stuck In The Middle With You: As Christopher Luxon feels the hot breath of Act’s and NZ First’s extremists on the back of his neck and, as he reckons with the damage their policies are already inflicting upon a country he’s described as “fragile”, is there not some merit in reaching out ...
    Bowalley Road
    2 days ago

  • A clear warning
    The unpopular coalition government is currently rushing to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act. The clause is Oranga Tamariki's Treaty clause, and was inserted after its systematic stealing of Māori children became a public scandal and resulted in physical resistance to further abductions. The clause created clear obligations ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago

  • Poll results and Waitangi Tribunal report go unmentioned on the Beehive website – where racing tru...
    Buzz  from the Beehive The government’s official website – which Point of Order monitors daily – not for the first time has nothing much to say today about political happenings that are grabbing media headlines. It makes no mention of the latest 1News-Verian poll, for example.  This shows National down ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago

  • Listening To The Traffic.
    It Takes A Train To Cry: Surely, there is nothing lonelier in all this world than the long wail of a distant steam locomotive on a cold Winter’s night.AS A CHILD, I would lie awake in my grandfather’s house and listen to the traffic. The big wooden house was only a ...
    Bowalley Road
    2 days ago

  • Comity Be Damned! The State’s Legislative Arm Is Flexing Its Constitutional Muscles.
    Packing A Punch: The election of the present government, including in its ranks politicians dedicated to reasserting the rights of the legislature in shaping and determining the future of Māori and Pakeha in New Zealand, should have alerted the judiciary – including its anomalous appendage, the Waitangi Tribunal – that its ...
    Bowalley Road
    2 days ago

  • Ending The Quest.
    Dead Woman Walking: New Zealand’s media industry had been moving steadily towards disaster for all the years Melissa Lee had been National’s media and communications policy spokesperson, and yet, when the crisis finally broke, on her watch, she had nothing intelligent to offer. Christopher Luxon is a patient man - but he’s not ...
    Bowalley Road
    2 days ago

  • Will political polarisation intensify to the point where ‘normal’ government becomes impossible,...
    Chris Trotter writes –  New Zealand politics is remarkably easy-going: dangerously so, one might even say. With the notable exception of John Key’s flat ruling-out of the NZ First Party in 2008, all parties capable of clearing MMP’s five-percent threshold, or winning one or more electorate seats, tend ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Bernard’s pick 'n' mix for Tuesday, April 30
    TL;DR: Here’s my top 10 ‘pick ‘n’ mix of links to news, analysis and opinion articles as of 10:30am on Tuesday, May 30:Scoop: NZ 'close to the tipping point' of measles epidemic, health experts warn NZ Herald Benjamin PlummerHealth: 'Absurd and totally unacceptable': Man has to wait a year for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Why Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating in the country
    Bryce Edwards writes – Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Worst poll result for a new Government in MMP history
    Luxon will no doubt put a brave face on it, but there is no escaping the pressure this latest poll will put on him and the government. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Pinning down climate change's role in extreme weather
    This is a re-post from The Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler In the wake of any unusual weather event, someone inevitably asks, “Did climate change cause this?” In the most literal sense, that answer is almost always no. Climate change is never the sole cause of hurricanes, heat waves, droughts, or ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago

  • Serving at Seymour's pleasure.
    Something odd happened yesterday, and I’d love to know if there’s more to it. If there was something which preempted what happened, or if it was simply a throwaway line in response to a journalist.Yesterday David Seymour was asked at a press conference what the process would be if the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago

  • Webworm LA Pop-Up
    Hi,From time to time, I want to bring Webworm into the real world. We did it last year with the Jurassic Park event in New Zealand — which was a lot of fun!And so on Saturday May 11th, in Los Angeles, I am hosting a lil’ Webworm pop-up! I’ve been ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago

  • “Feel good” school is out
    Education Minister Erica Standford yesterday unveiled a fundamental reform of the way our school pupils are taught. She would not exactly say so, but she is all but dismantling the so-called “inquiry” “feel good” method of teaching, which has ruled in our classrooms since a major review of the New ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago

  • 6 Months in, surely our Report Card is “Ignored all warnings: recommend dismissal ASAP”?
    Exactly where are we seriously going with this government and its policies? That is, apart from following what may as well be a Truss-Lite approach on the purported economic “plan“, and Victorian-era regression when it comes to social policy. Oh it’ll work this time of course, we’re basically assured, “the ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    2 days ago

  • Bread, and how it gets buttered
    Hey Uncle Dave, When the Poms joined the EEC, I wasn't one of those defeatists who said, Well, that’s it for the dairy job. And I was right, eh? The Chinese can’t get enough of our milk powder and eventually, the Poms came to their senses and backed up the ute ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Why Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating in the country
    Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is higher than for any other mayor ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago

  • Justice for Gaza?
    The New York Times reports that the International Criminal Court is about to issue arrest warrants for Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, over their genocide in Gaza: Israeli officials increasingly believe that the International Criminal Court is preparing to issue arrest warrants for senior government officials on ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • If there has been any fiddling with Pharmac’s funding, we can count on Paula to figure out the fis...
    Buzz from the Beehive Pharmac has been given a financial transfusion and a new chair to oversee its spending in the pharmaceutical business. Associate Health Minister David Seymour described the funding for Pharmac as “its largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff”. ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • FastTrackWatch – The case for the Government’s Fast Track Bill
    Bryce Edwards writes – Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Bernard’s pick 'n' mix for Monday, April 29
    TL;DR: Here’s my top 10 ‘pick ‘n’ mix of links to news, analysis and opinion articles as of 10:10am on Monday, April 29:Scoop: The children's ward at Rotorua Hospital will be missing a third of its beds as winter hits because Te Whatu Ora halted an upgrade partway through to ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on Iran killing its rappers, and searching for the invisible Dr. Reti
    span class=”dropcap”>As hideous as David Seymour can be, it is worth keeping in mind occasionally that there are even worse political figures (and regimes) out there. Iran for instance, is about to execute the country’s leading hip hop musician Toomaj Salehi, for writing and performing raps that “corrupt” the nation’s ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    3 days ago

  • Auckland Rail Electrification 10 years old
    Yesterday marked 10 years since the first electric train carried passengers in Auckland so it’s a good time to look back at it and the impact it has had. A brief history The first proposals for rail electrification in Auckland came in the 1920’s alongside the plans for earlier ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    3 days ago

  • Coalition's dirge of austerity and uncertainty is driving the economy into a deeper recession
    Right now, in Aotearoa-NZ, our ‘animal spirits’ are darkening towards a winter of discontent, thanks at least partly to a chorus of negative comments and actions from the Government Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Disability Funding or Tax Cuts.
    You make people evil to punish the paststuck inside a sequel with a rotating castThe following photos haven’t been generated with AI, or modified in any way. They are flesh and blood, human beings. On the left is Galatea Young, a young mum, and her daughter Fiadh who has Angelman ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • Of the Goodness of Tolkien’s Eru
    April has been a quiet month at A Phuulish Fellow. I have had an exceptionally good reading month, and a decently productive writing month – for original fiction, anyway – but not much has caught my eye that suggested a blog article. It has been vaguely frustrating, to be honest. ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    3 days ago

  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #17
    A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 21, 2024 thru Sat, April 27, 2024. Story of the week Anthropogenic climate change may be the ultimate shaggy dog story— but with a twist, because here ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • Pastor Who Abused People, Blames People
    Hi,I spent about a year on Webworm reporting on an abusive megachurch called Arise, and it made me want to stab my eyes out with a fork.I don’t regret that reporting in 2022 and 2023 — I am proud of it — but it made me angry.Over three main stories ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    3 days ago

  • Vic Uni shows how under threat free speech is
    The new Victoria University Vice-Chancellor decided to have a forum at the university about free speech and academic freedom as it is obviously a topical issue, and the Government is looking at legislating some carrots or sticks for universities to uphold their obligations under the Education and Training Act. They ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Winston remembers Gettysburg.
    Do you remember when Melania Trump got caught out using a speech that sounded awfully like one Michelle Obama had given? Uncannily so.Well it turns out that Abraham Lincoln is to Winston Peters as Michelle was to Melania. With the ANZAC speech Uncle Winston gave at Gallipoli having much in ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • 25
    She was born 25 years ago today in North Shore hospital. Her eyes were closed tightly shut, her mouth was silently moving. The whole theatre was all quiet intensity as they marked her a 2 on the APGAR test. A one-minute eternity later, she was an 8.  The universe was ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Fact Brief – Is Antarctica gaining land ice?
    Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Is Antarctica gaining land ice? ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • Policing protests.
    Images of US students (and others) protesting and setting up tent cities on US university campuses have been broadcast world wide and clearly demonstrate the growing rifts in US society caused by US policy toward Israel and Israel’s prosecution of … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    5 days ago

  • Open letter to Hon Paul Goldsmith
    Barrie Saunders writes – Dear Paul As the new Minister of Media and Communications, you will be inundated with heaps of free advice and special pleading, all in the national interest of course. For what it’s worth here is my assessment: Traditional broadcasting free to air content through ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: FastTrackWatch – The Case for the Government’s Fast Track Bill
    Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its arguments for such a bold reform. ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    5 days ago

  • Luxon gets out his butcher’s knife – briefly
    Peter Dunne writes –  The great nineteenth British Prime Minister, William Gladstone, once observed that “the first essential for a Prime Minister is to be a good butcher.” When a later British Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan, sacked a third of his Cabinet in July 1962, in what became ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • More tax for less
    Ele Ludemann writes – New Zealanders had the OECD’s second highest tax increase last year: New Zealanders faced the second-biggest tax raises in the developed world last year, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) says. The intergovernmental agency said the average change in personal income tax ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Real News vs Fake News.
    We all know something’s not right with our elections. The spread of misinformation, people being targeted with soundbites and emotional triggers that ignore the facts, even the truth, and influence their votes.The use of technology to produce deep fakes. How can you tell if something is real or not? Can ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • Another way to roll
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.Share ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Simon Clark: The climate lies you'll hear this year
    This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Simon Clark. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). This year you will be lied to! Simon Clark helps prebunk some misleading statements you'll hear about climate. The video includes ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • Cutting the Public Service
    It is all very well cutting the backrooms of public agencies but it may compromise the frontlines. One of the frustrations of the Productivity Commission’s 2017 review of universities is that while it observed that their non-academic staff were increasing faster than their academic staff, it did not bother to ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    5 days ago

  • Luxon’s demoted ministers might take comfort from the British politician who bounced back after th...
    Buzz from the Beehive Two speeches delivered by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters at Anzac Day ceremonies in Turkey are the only new posts on the government’s official website since the PM announced his Cabinet shake-up. In one of the speeches, Peters stated the obvious:  we live in a troubled ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • This is how I roll over
    1. Which of these would you not expect to read in The Waikato Invader?a. Luxon is here to do business, don’t you worry about thatb. Mr KPI expects results, and you better believe itc. This decisive man of action is getting me all hot and excitedd. Melissa Lee is how ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • The Waitangi Tribunal is not “a roving Commission”…
    …it has a restricted jurisdiction which must not be abused: it is not an inquisition   NOTE – this article was published before the High Court ruled that Karen Chhour does not have to appear before the Waitangi Tribunal Gary Judd writes –  The High Court ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Is Oranga Tamariki guilty of neglect?
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – One of reasons Oranga Tamariki exists is to prevent child neglect. But could the organisation itself be guilty of the same? Oranga Tamariki’s statistics show a decrease in the number and age of children in care. “There are less children ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Three Strikes saw lower reoffending
    David Farrar writes: Graeme Edgeler wrote in 2017: In the first five years after three strikes came into effect 5248 offenders received a ‘first strike’ (that is, a “stage-1 conviction” under the three strikes sentencing regime), and 68 offenders received a ‘second strike’. In the five years prior to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Luxon’s ruthless show of strength is perfect for our angry era
    Bryce Edwards writes – Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in politics. That’s refreshing and will be extremely ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • 'Lacks attention to detail and is creating double-standards.'
    TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the two days to 6:06am on Thursday, April 25:Politics: PM Christopher Luxon has set up a dual standard for ministerial competence by demoting two National Cabinet ministers while leaving also-struggling ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • One Night Only!
    Hi,Today I mainly want to share some of your thoughts about the recent piece I wrote about success and failure, and the forces that seemingly guide our lives. But first, a quick bit of housekeeping: I am doing a Webworm popup in Los Angeles on Saturday May 11 at 2pm. ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago

  • What did Melissa Lee do?
    It is hard to see what Melissa Lee might have done to “save” the media. National went into the election with no public media policy and appears not to have developed one subsequently. Lee claimed that she had prepared a policy paper before the election but it had been decided ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #17 2024
    Open access notables Ice acceleration and rotation in the Greenland Ice Sheet interior in recent decades, Løkkegaard et al., Communications Earth & Environment: In the past two decades, mass loss from the Greenland ice sheet has accelerated, partly due to the speedup of glaciers. However, uncertainty in speed derived from satellite products ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • Maori Party (with “disgust”) draws attention to Chhour’s race after the High Court rules on Wa...
    Buzz from the Beehive A statement from Children’s Minister Karen Chhour – yet to be posted on the Government’s official website – arrived in Point of Order’s email in-tray last night. It welcomes the High Court ruling on whether the Waitangi Tribunal can demand she appear before it. It does ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    7 days ago

  • Who’s Going Up The Media Mountain?
    Mr Bombastic: Ironically, the media the academic experts wanted is, in many ways, the media they got. In place of the tyrannical editors of yesteryear, advancing without fear or favour the interests of the ruling class; the New Zealand news media of today boasts a troop of enlightened journalists dedicated to ...
    Bowalley Road
    7 days ago

  • “That's how I roll”
    It's hard times try to make a livingYou wake up every morning in the unforgivingOut there somewhere in the cityThere's people living lives without mercy or pityI feel good, yeah I'm feeling fineI feel better then I have for the longest timeI think these pills have been good for meI ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    7 days ago

  • “Comity” versus the rule of law
    In 1974, the US Supreme Court issued its decision in United States v. Nixon, finding that the President was not a King, but was subject to the law and was required to turn over the evidence of his wrongdoing to the courts. It was a landmark decision for the rule ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago

  • Aotearoa: a live lab for failed Right-wing socio-economic zombie experiments once more…
    Every day now just seems to bring in more fresh meat for the grinder. In their relentlessly ideological drive to cut back on the “excessive bloat” (as they see it) of the previous Labour-led government, on the mountains of evidence accumulated in such a short period of time do not ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    1 week ago

  • Water is at the heart of farmers’ struggle to survive in Benin
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Megan Valére Sosou Market gardening site of the Itchèléré de Itagui agricultural cooperative in Dassa-Zoumè (Image credit: Megan Valère Sossou) For the residents of Dassa-Zoumè, a city in the West African country of Benin, choosing between drinking water and having enough ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago

  • At a time of media turmoil, Melissa had nothing to proclaim as Minister – and now she has been dem...
    Buzz from the Beehive   Melissa Lee – as may be discerned from the screenshot above – has not been demoted for doing something seriously wrong as Minister of ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 week ago

  • Minister acknowledges passing of Sir Robert Martin (KNZM)
    New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    11 hours ago

  • Speech to New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, Parliament – Annual Lecture: Challenges ...
    Good evening –   Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    11 hours ago

  • Accelerating airport security lines
    From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago

  • Community hui to talk about kina barrens
    People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago

  • Kiwi exporters win as NZ-EU FTA enters into force
    Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago

  • Mining resurgence a welcome sign
    There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago

  • Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill passes first reading
    The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Government to boost public EV charging network
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure.  The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Residential Property Managers Bill to not progress
    The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Independent review into disability support services
    The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Justice Minister updates UN on law & order plan
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Ending emergency housing motels in Rotorua
    The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Trade Minister travels to Riyadh, OECD, and Dubai
    Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Education priorities focused on lifting achievement
    Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • NZTA App first step towards digital driver licence
    The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say.  “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Supporting whānau out of emergency housing
    Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Tribute to Dave O'Sullivan
    Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Speech – Eid al-Fitr
    Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Government saves access to medicines
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff.    “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Pharmac Chair appointed
    Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Taking action on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
    Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says.  “Every day, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • New sports complex opens in Kaikohe
    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Diplomacy needed more than ever
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges.    “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address, Buttes New British Cemetery Belgium
    Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service.  It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address – NZ National Service, Chunuk Bair
    Distinguished guests -   It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders.   Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address – Dawn Service, Gallipoli, Türkiye
    Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia.   Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • PM announces changes to portfolios
    Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • New catch limits for unique fishery areas
    Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Minister welcomes hydrogen milestone
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Urgent changes to system through first RMA Amendment Bill
    The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Overseas decommissioning models considered
    Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Release of North Island Severe Weather Event Inquiry
    Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Justice Minister to attend Human Rights Council
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order.  “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Patterson reopens world’s largest wool scouring facility
    Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Speech to the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective Summit, 18 April 2024
    Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing  At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin    Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho    Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today.    I am delighted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government to introduce revised Three Strikes law
    The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • New diplomatic appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions.   “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says.    “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Humanitarian support for Ethiopia and Somalia
    New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today.   “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Arts Minister congratulates Mataaho Collective
    Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale.  “It is good ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Supporting better financial outcomes for Kiwis
    The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-05-01T16:36:03+00:00