Simon’s first six months

Written By: - Date published: 9:00 am, August 28th, 2018 - 106 comments
Categories: Media, national, same old national, Simon Bridges, trevor mallard, twitter, you couldn't make this shit up - Tags: ,

Simon has now been leader of the opposition for six months.

How has he been going?

Not very well I am pleased to say.

Perhaps it is an indication of how well Aotearoa New Zealand is being run currently.

The really big issues, homelessness, child poverty, climate change are being addressed and being addressed properly.  There are no major chinks in the Government’s armour for Simon to make hay on.  Apart from elements of the Business Community people are pretty happy and looking to the future.

Simon has responded by trotting out the usual stuff, and searching for issues that he thinks will make a difference.

But his judgment is pretty poor.  He thinks that beating up some sort of controversy over the early leak of information that would have come out anyway will give him an advantage.

He is fixated on who released embarrassing information about him three days before it would have actually been released.

I have struggled for a while to understand why Bridges thinks he is on a winner with this issue and why he has continued to attack Trevor Mallard and Labour over the issue.   Richard Harman (thanks Neale Jones) may have discovered why.

https://twitter.com/nealejones/status/1033847006173646848

National’s leak problem may have become more intense although I should mention that Richard Harman has printed the following addition to his article:

(Bridges says this claim is false)

I bet he does.  Others stepping up and denying it would increase the validity of the claim.

If it did happen I can imagine a scene where Simon fixed Mallard with his lawyer’s eye and determined conclusively that he was lying.

If only the practice of law was so simple.

The weakness of the claim is that there may have been an awkward interaction between the two but Mallard lying was not necessarily the reason.  Mallard may have been thinking “you are an absolute tosser” and realising that in the interests of the proper functioning of Parliament he should hold that thought back.  That is not evidence Mallard was involved in the leak of the information.

And any good lawyer knows that you should always reassess your hypothesis against new information that may appears.

So when texts arrive from someone claiming to have been at National Party caucus meetings saying they are from the leaker and they are proof that they are a National MP there are a few things you would do.

Firstly you would ascertain if the information was accurate.  If so there are three possiblities:

  1. The texter was indeed either a National MP or a trusted staff member that had access to meetings or records of caucus discussions.
  2. National MPs are being loose with caucus discussions.
  3. National is being hacked.

Of course if the information was not true then you shout this to the rooftops and state that National is being subject to a false flag operation.

But Gerry Brownlee gave it all away yesterday.  He said that the information about the caucus meeting came from gossip or hacking.  Ergo it must have been accurate.

The claim conjures all sorts of visions.  I bet National’s caucus room is being swept for bugs and hidden cameras as I type this.

What proof is there that Mallard or Parliamentary Services leaked it?  Mallard was that confident he was willing to call for a formal investigation.  If he was wrong and his office did actually leak the information this would have been the end of his role as speaker and probably his career.

Mallard noted early that the format of the released information meant that it could not have been Parliamentary Services.  I am sure he was right.

What are the chances of National being hacked?  I guess nothing is impossible although Labour learned a while ago that the best way to do politics was not to play games but to be straight up and authentic.

Or was it the collation of gossip?  Only if you believe that the National Caucus leaks like a sieve and I have thought its discipline over the past few years was pretty good.

What about the other possibility, that the leaker was a National MP or staffer.

Everything points to this.  Sensitive information being released in a format that was not Parliamentary Services format, an anonymous texter providing accurate evidence of what happened in caucus meetings as proof that they are a National MP?  The counter hypothesis that the leaker is a Parliamentary Services employee that has access to confidential information does not gel.

And what about the counter evidence?  All we have is the fact that the release occurred and Parliamentary Services may have been in possession of a different form of the information.  And Simon thought that Trevor was acting strangely.

It seems that every time someone mentions this Simon doubles down.  Perhaps I should continue with daily posts on the subject.

But this is like a whodunnit over a shoplifting case.  You have to wonder at Simon’s judgment to keep it going.

I am sure under the last Government it would have been different.  I bet the conclusions of the police investigation would have been provided to the relevant Minister quicker than you could say “no surprises” and the assault on the leaker’s character would have started.

So six months into Simon’s career and everyone is already questioning his judgment.  This is what they say in the business is not a good start.

106 comments on “Simon’s first six months ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Chris T 1
    28 August 2018 at 9:12 am

    Simple answer

    Have the inquiry

    • te reo putake 1.1
      28 August 2018 at 9:26 am

      National are having an inquiry. Simon’s running it and he’s a former police prosecutor, doncha know. If any member of his caucus so much as smiles awkwardly when he questions them, he’ll know the truth.

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMuh33BMZYY

      • Chris T 1.1.1
        28 August 2018 at 9:49 am

        I meant that Mallard could flip flop for “apparently” no reason again and restart the proper inquiry.

        It would clear it all up

        • bwaghorn 1.1.1.1
          28 August 2018 at 10:42 am

          The cops should just tell him for fucks sake.

        • McFlock 1.1.1.2
          28 August 2018 at 12:52 pm

          What needs clarification from anyone other than the nats’ point of view? It’s obvious they leak like a seive.

          Whether thats the result of one or two tossers or general indiscipline, that;s a nat problem ratherthan a parliamentary issue.

          So soimon can hire his own damned QC.

          • Chris T 1.1.1.2.1
            28 August 2018 at 2:02 pm

            We won’t know this for certain till there is a proper inquiry

            Which both Ardern and Mallard seem extremely reluctant to have, to the point of Mallard suddenly shutting it down even though he just announced who was running it.

            • McFlock 1.1.1.2.1.1
              28 August 2018 at 2:11 pm

              All the more political capital for soimon when he pays for an inquiry more substantial than his magical psychic powers, then.

              Once I was in a flat when the drains blocked. I was going to call a plumber, then my flatmate pointed out it was the landlord’s problem. So I decided to not pay for a plumber and let the landlord sort it.

              That doesn’t mean I was “extremely reluctant” to have the drains fixed.

              It. Just. Wasn’t. My. Problem.

            • ianmac 1.1.1.2.1.2
              28 August 2018 at 2:18 pm

              ChrisT. When Labour had a problem with a sex thing at camp should the State have paid for an enquiry? No? Labour’s problem to fix.

              When National has a problem with leaking,should the State pay for an enquiry? No? National’s problem to fix.

              • alwyn …
                28 August 2018 at 6:09 pm

                Actually the State did pay for an enquiry.
                The Police did it and someone was charged. Still the Labour party seems to have covered it up and I don’t see any prospect of the case actually proceeding any further.
                Can’t embarrass the PM can we?

                • ankerawshark …
                  28 August 2018 at 6:50 pm

                  No Alwyn,

                  The police investigated a crime and pressed charges. Labour investigated what went wrong as the hosts…………

        • Drowsy M. Kram 1.1.1.3
          28 August 2018 at 5:05 pm

          The opposition National party can’t run a “proper inquiry”? Probably not.

  2. Pat 2
    28 August 2018 at 9:42 am

    The Police know the identity of the leaker….has Mallard sought clarification from the Police the position of that person?….the Police have said they wont identify the individual but they may well have confirmed or denied whether the person is a member of the National caucus (or a staffer) without revealing their identity….hence Mallards decision.

    • dukeofurl 2.1
      28 August 2018 at 10:11 am

      So do I ….Marinus van der Lubbe..LOL

    • alwyn 2.2
      28 August 2018 at 10:25 am

      And how do you interpret Mallard’s decision?
      Suppose he was told it was in the National Caucus?
      Mallard’s immediate inclination, being the ratbag that he is, would have been to push ahead at full speed with the inquiry.
      Suppose they said that it was someone in Parliamentary Services, or worse in the Labour Caucus?
      He would have shut it down and fled the country to keep away from questioning.

      Now what did he do?
      “Mallard has been asked for comment but he is on holiday abroad and after cancelling the inquiry on Friday said he would not be commenting further.”
      https://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=12114502

      Hmm. Methinks it stinks.

      • marty mars 2.2.1
        28 August 2018 at 10:39 am

        He’s too nice trying to save useless Simon. He is neutral as the speaker – it is you who is slanted al.

        • alwyn 2.2.1.1
          28 August 2018 at 11:12 am

          I’m glad I wasn’t drinking my cup of coffee when I read this comment of yours.
          “He is neutral as the speaker “.
          What an innocent little lad (or laddess) you are.
          Thank you for giving me such a good laugh.

          • marty mars 2.2.1.1.1
            28 August 2018 at 11:40 am

            I’m just not a cynic like you. Righties like you are so funny thinking everyone is venal, self serving, vain and unfunny like you guys ha Classic shoot your own foot al try aiming next time lol

            • alwyn 2.2.1.1.1.1
              28 August 2018 at 2:11 pm

              I don’t think everyone is as you describe.
              On the other hand I have seen an enormous number of examples of Trevor’s boorish ways over the years.

        • Rae 2.2.1.2
          29 August 2018 at 7:50 am

          Why would the govt want to get rid of Bridges, they are better off to leave National with him.

      • Pat 2.2.2
        28 August 2018 at 10:59 am

        have just demonstrated how i interpret Mallards decision…..have a straw

        • alwyn 2.2.2.1
          28 August 2018 at 11:13 am

          Keep up.
          Straws have been banned. Something about saving endangered ducks like Mallards.

          • Tricledrown 2.2.2.1.1
            29 August 2018 at 11:51 am

            Whiro are endangered mallards are in abundance.
            Your pathetic dog whistle isn’t original or funny.
            Simple Simon has fdup now his minions /backbenchers are baffling with BS it will be like water off a Ducks back as National Duck for cover with their duckshoveling.

      • dukeofurl 2.2.3
        28 August 2018 at 11:13 am

        The evidence is that its from the caucus, but Alwyn doesnt like evidence when it goes against Bridges. He still cant accept the various parties only got their own Mps numbers not the other side, which removes any doubt it was ‘labour’.

        • alwyn 2.2.3.1
          28 August 2018 at 11:41 am

          Parliamentary Services got the lot. Who did they leak to, and what happened then?

          Apart from the Police saying that they knew the persons name what happened between Thursday, when Trevor announced who was going to do the inquiry and Friday when, after getting a call from Jacinda, he scrapped it and fled the country?
          Well at about 7.00am on Friday the Police Minister got a “no surprises” head-up.
          Who did he then talk to, and exactly what had he been told?

          Just what is “The evidence is that its from the caucus”?
          Apart that is from Mallard and Ardern saying so with no evidence at all being provided?
          In a paraphrase of the immortal words of Mandy Rice-Davies.
          “Well they would say that, wouldn’t they?”.

          • dukeofurl 2.2.3.1.1
            28 August 2018 at 12:29 pm

            Where do get all this timeline. Its all fantasy.
            Bridges has confirmed its nationals caucus secrets…. which of course you ignore completely

            • McFlock 2.2.3.1.1.1
              28 August 2018 at 1:07 pm

              Alwyn’s trying to shovel shit uphill spinning this one.

              Has even gone so far as to pretend to not have read the post, for the information you point to was clearly mentioned…

          • Fireblade 2.2.3.1.2
            28 August 2018 at 1:24 pm

            Alwyn you are wrong.

            Police have confirmed no Government minister has been briefed on the identity of the texter.

            • alwyn 2.2.3.1.2.1
              28 August 2018 at 2:09 pm

              Trevor is not, of course, a Minister.
              Neither id someone like O’Connor who spent nearly 40 years in the force and would know everyone.

              • McFlock …
                28 August 2018 at 2:31 pm

                So you suspect that mallard or Ps leaked, and then the cops leaked to mallard or the cops leaked to Labour who leaked to mallard.

                Oh, and someone also hacked the nats in order to get details about caucus meeting conversations, lol.

                Option b: the nats are leaking like a seive.

              • Tricledrown …
                29 August 2018 at 12:18 pm

                Alwynger, Desperately dredging up deflection and distraction.

          • You_Fool 2.2.3.1.3
            28 August 2018 at 1:24 pm

            What happened in that time period? The txt became public knowledge.

            Not to do your work for you, but you realise that you and the rest of National & other RWNJ have got this all about face… You state the known fact, why did Mallard cancel the inquiry when he did, he had known about the txt and leaker for days. But instead of jumping to, he must be defending someone, the actual issue is why was he playing politics before the txt became public?

            So Mallard knew it wasn’t one of his staff, but kept the inquiry as it would hurt National, as if there was $100k inquiry into a $100k expense then the public will want to have it make sense, and if it is all internal politics by the factions of National, then the public wouldn’t have any of it and National will start to free-fall. So if Mallard only cancelled the inquiry when it became public knowledge that he knew it wasn’t from Parliamentary Services, and keeping it running meant he was no longer being neutral and was spending money on ruining national, something that would hurt him personally.

            Of course taking this line means admitting that the leak is internal and that Bridges was wrong….

            • Carolyn_Nth 2.2.3.1.3.1
              28 August 2018 at 7:06 pm

              But instead of jumping to, he must be defending someone, the actual issue is why was he playing politics before the txt became public?

              So Mallard knew it wasn’t one of his staff, but kept the inquiry as it would hurt National

              If Mallard had called off the inquiry after he received the text, how would he have explained to the public the reasons for calling off the enquiry? He could only have done that by revealing the existence of the text.

              He may also have had to wait til he talked with the police. But, as it is designated a mental health issue, he may have been reluctant to reveal the existence of the text and its content, before it was made public.

              • You_Fool …
                29 August 2018 at 8:19 am

                Still could have delayed it, or just sad he had new information, and that bridges had it too… o just sad he got a txt, it had been verified and the leaker was in national

          • mac1 2.2.3.1.4
            28 August 2018 at 2:22 pm

            And about whom was Mandy Rice-Davies speaking when she said that? Lord Astor denied having slept with her and her response in court was “Well, he would say that, wouldn’t he?”

            Point one was that even that quotation from court records has been modified from the actual words used, and second point is that the liar was a member of the Establishment who have been after all, even though they are ‘better people”, seen to be liars and habitués of prostitutes.

            Now we have our representatives of the “better people”, our conservative MPs and party, seen as leaking, lying, licentious spenders.

        • Tricledrown 2.2.3.2
          29 August 2018 at 2:14 pm

          Alwyn is one of Nationals caucus that’s why he’s playing the victim card and knows Mallards behaviour so well.
          National had John Carter who was less independent than lock wood Smith.
          So what.

      • miravox 2.2.4
        28 August 2018 at 11:40 am

        Hmm.

        I’m still trying to think why anyone in the Labour-led government would want to take Simon Bridges down. I’m thinking the pretty happy just to let him get on with the job in the same way as he has in the last 6 months.

        • Chris T 2.2.4.1
          28 August 2018 at 11:59 am

          Because National are still polling at 45% under him

          Undermine him, it undermines the party

          • miravox 2.2.4.1.1
            28 August 2018 at 12:22 pm

            He’s doing the job of undermining himself quite nicely and the longer he remains, the more he’ll erode soft National support.

          • Incognito 2.2.4.1.2
            28 August 2018 at 9:10 pm

            I can’t shake the impression that the Government is not losing any sleep over the polls and getting on with the job of governing this country. The only people who have an unhealthy fixation on (the) polls are the ones who are still smarting that a ‘majority’ of 44.4% was not enough for their beloved party to take its ‘rightful place’ in Government.

        • NZJester 2.2.4.2
          28 August 2018 at 8:59 pm

          I’m still trying to think why anyone in the Labour-led government would want to take Simon Bridges down.

          I know Simon has been a godsend for Labour. Labour would miss him if National found a competent double talk debater to twist their words as a replacement for him.
          Labour responses to his questions gives the government a lot of airtime to show just how much of a more competent of a job they are doing than the previous National government.

          • paul andersen 2.2.4.2.1
            28 August 2018 at 10:07 pm

            simon should stay leader for the natz for the next ten years. he is the best leader the the natz have had since jenny….lol

        • Rae 2.2.4.3
          29 August 2018 at 7:51 am

          Me too

    • xanthe 2.3
      28 August 2018 at 6:22 pm

      yes pat. i think thats most likely, the police without disclosing identity could still confirm not PS staff

  3. JanM 3
    28 August 2018 at 9:44 am

    What I can’t grasp in all of this is why all this uproar when the police already have the answer? Is there no way this can be resolved sensibly with their support even if there are privacy issues?

    • Anne 3.1
      28 August 2018 at 10:00 am

      My position too JanM. Some of us have been poking fun at Bishop and co. in the past few days but its now become ridiculous. Bridges is milking the uncertainty for all its worth – still banging on about a conspiracy between Mallard and Ardern.

      Why are the police being so cagey and protecting the person who did the leaking? The privacy excuse is a smoke screen. In doing so, they are aiding and abetting the ability of Bridges and Brownlee to smear their political opponents with impunity.

      • mary_a 3.1.1
        28 August 2018 at 11:05 am

        Anne (3.1) … “Why are the police being so cagey and protecting the person who did the leaking?”

        Dealing with a former minister of police perhaps?

      • Chris T 3.1.2
        28 August 2018 at 12:01 pm

        You are encouraging the police to ignore peoples right to privacy?

        • dukeofurl 3.1.2.1
          28 August 2018 at 12:26 pm

          The mental health is just a false flag to avoid getting exposed.

          • McFlock 3.1.2.1.1
            28 August 2018 at 1:08 pm

            Any politician willing to take that chance over a 3-day premature leak is a bit of a fuckwit.

            • Tricledrown 3.1.2.1.1.1
              29 August 2018 at 2:18 pm

              Mc Flock so that makes it very hard to figure out which National MP it is being most of them are.
              What’s worse is that what the leaker’s opinion was that Simon Brudghes is an arrogant fool.
              The truth hurts.

      • veutoviper 3.1.3
        28 August 2018 at 12:43 pm

        Over the last few days, plenty of us have put up opinions, reasons as to why the Police have had to maintain privacy re the identity of this leaker; and what the Police may or may not be able to say to at least narrow the field.

        The privacy reason is not a smoke screen – it is the law when they were dealing with a personal safety issue, not a suspected crime or similar.

        And plenty of us here and elsewhere (eg Richard Harman as per the link to Politik in Neale Jones’ tweet in the post above) have suggested ways that the Police possibly could – and may have to Mallard – ruled out things such as whether the person works in Parliamentary Service.

        My latest on the above re safety vs crime – https://thestandard.org.nz/national-plans-to-breach-privacy-rights-of-all-of-its-mps-to-find-leaker/#comment-1518548 Also see my 10 below.

        All Bridges and Brownlee are doing is further impugning their own reputations and credibility – long may it last.

        As Harman says in his Politik article:

        This escalation of tension between the Opposition and the Speaker is in itself surprising.

        Alleging that the Speaker is partisan is a serious issue and could well see Bridges face some sort of sanction when Parliament resumes.

        But again, even if National picks up on some of the wilder talk among people close to it and moves a motion of no confidence in Mallard, the motion would not succeed.

        Bridges and his party look to have painted themselves into a corner.

        Partly that is because an inquiry by the Opposition Leader is unlikely to have the clout to conduct investigations outside the National caucus which means that unless the leaker is a National MP or staff member, the issue will remain unresolved.

        … His problem now is that with no real way of identifying the leaker the issue is likely to remain unresolved and he will appear to have failed.

        Not a good look for a new leader struggling to gain traction in the polls.

    • Incognito 3.2
      28 August 2018 at 9:19 pm

      Bridges is trying to force Mallard to do the dirty work for him so that he can keep his hands clean. I reckon the Police should tell Bridges, and only Bridges, in strictest confidence who the leaker is. As a former Crown Prosecutor Bridges ought to be able to handle sensitive and confidential information and the cops are very experienced in reading his body language if he can’t or won’t …

      In any case, this ongoing witch-hunt won’t do any good for the mental health of the leaker.

  4. dukeofurl 4
    28 August 2018 at 9:56 am

    I remember way back in 2008 , a few months after the election, when a story about a election visit by Key to somewhere like Keri Keri came out.
    It was the famous ‘ he wanted wages to fall’ conversation. The exact details dont matter now but boy did Key and his acolytes go to town in getting the ‘news erased’.
    The local paper stood by the story as the journalist had taped the conversation for the write up ( as it was some months later the tape no longer existed), so the Nats and Key pushed for the Editor in Chief in Auckland to overule the local editor and journalist to have a retarction.
    Even that didnt work, so Key pulled strings and went to board members of the media company.
    Unbelievable in the context of what was likely for him to be a slip of words but fitted his mindset of ‘ labour market competitiveness’.

    The scorched earth tactics now by Bridges follow the same playbook. The reason why is to basically intimidate and bully the media from giving ‘normal coverage’. Im real sure Tova O’Brien will be watching her step in future along with the leaker inside caucus.

  5. Kevin 5
    28 August 2018 at 10:21 am

    Makes me wonder just who Bridges was trying to ‘connect’ with on his road trip jolly as the feedback on social media has been completely scathing. Its been hard to find anyone giving him any sympathy.

    No one seems to care who the leaker was, they are just pissed about the money he spent.

    If he is trying to show decisive leadership, it’s been a complete FUBAR.

  6. marty mars 6
    28 August 2018 at 10:37 am

    The bridge is over troubled waters indeed – unruly caucus, no name recognition, miss after miss politically, a wasted 6 months that has solidified the perception that bridges is useless. He will shudder with horror when he thinks of the next 6 months – and the leaker (high profile I’m betting) still to come. I think Simons about to cop a load.

  7. mary_a 7
    28 August 2018 at 10:57 am

    IMO Mallard has moved to quit the enquiry, because police have clarified it’s a Natz issue, without revealing the identity of the leak. As a result he has left it to Natz to sort out and clear up.

    If that is the case, then it makes sense not to pursue the original enquiry.

    • Anne 7.1
      28 August 2018 at 11:29 am

      Yes. It looks to me like Mallard received an assurance from the police last Friday that the leak did not come from Parliamentary Services. Therefore he no longer had any reason to go ahead with the inquiry.

      The problem as I see it is:

      a) The Nats are still in deep denial.
      b) They see everything in a political context and can’t conceive of the possibility others might take more nuanced considerations into account. In other words they’re dumb.

      My conclusion is that its a bit of both.

    • Rae 7.2
      29 August 2018 at 7:55 am

      I agree with that, and if it is indeed a mental health issue, then neither Mallard or I would want the person involved to be put at further risk, even though part of me thinks that could be a red herring.

  8. Nik 8
    28 August 2018 at 11:13 am

    Every day another headline about the scandalous leakage of information destined to go public anyway. I’d agree it warrants internal investigation but does it warrant two weeks plus of daily headlines??!
    Surely this is the very definition of strawman politics! What far more undesirable bad publicity are the opposition successfully choking with their fixation on this petty issue?

  9. Tricledrown 9
    28 August 2018 at 11:50 am

    Alwynger you should listen to simple Siomon’s speech pleading with the public not to release his/her name as the damage it would cause to said person.
    The damage it would do to National is what slyman Simon is the reality!

  10. veutoviper 10
    28 August 2018 at 12:11 pm

    As MS has put up a link to Richard Harman’s excellent blog post on his Politik.co.nz, people may also be interested in hearing what Harman had to say on RNZ’s The Panel yesterday afternoon so here is a link to just that part of the Panel’s discussion. Ten minutes but most of it is Harman.

    https://www.radionz.co.nz/audio/player?audio_id=2018659900

    In this audio, amongst other interesting points, Harman goes into more detail as to what – in theory – the Police could and could not tell Mallard. Harman is also of the view that perhaps they could have confirmed to Mallard that the person did not work in Parliamentary Service without disclosing their actual identity – in exactly the same way the Police handled the rumours about Clarke Gayford when they confirmed he had no police record.

  11. Philj 11
    28 August 2018 at 12:42 pm

    Shouldn’t the blog title be “Brudges LAST sux months”.

  12. Cinny 12
    28 August 2018 at 1:05 pm

    Wait… what?

    simon bridges wants to stop Chelsea Manning coming to speak.

    LMFAO !!! Sounds like a distraction…. or could it be an attack on free speech?

    “National is calling on the Government to bar ex-US army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning from visiting the country next month.”

    Standby…… for the backlash.

    Oh dear simon the stupid it really hurts.

    Can’t stop laughing, he’s the gift that keeps on giving.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/106620364/national-wants-chelsea-manning-barred-from-new-zealand

    • Bewildered 12.1
      28 August 2018 at 2:28 pm

      He has some pretty serious convictions thus could easily fail good character test in regard to an entry visa

    • ianmac 12.2
      28 August 2018 at 2:30 pm

      Simon would certainly try the distraction to get him off the front page but Gerry and Simon are still able to get themselves on the pages over a minor leak. But what a dumb way to do it using Mannering.

      • ianmac 12.2.1
        28 August 2018 at 3:07 pm

        As No Right Turn says:
        “Compare and contrast

        Bridges backs free speech for far-right writers banned from Auckland Council venues, New Zealand Herald, 9 July 2018:
        National leader Simon Bridges says two Canadian far-right writers …
        …I (Simon) think freedom of speech was important”

        And:
        “National is calling on the Government to bar ex-US army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning from visiting the country next month.
        National wants Chelsea Manning barred from New Zealand, Stuff, 28 August 2018:”

        http://norightturn.blogspot.com/2018/08/compare-and-contrast.html

    • Anne 12.3
      28 August 2018 at 3:14 pm

      I look forward to the Free Speech Coalition attacking the Nats for trying to deny Nzers the right to come to NZ and express their views. I might even consider joining them at their next rally in Aotea Square. 😈

      • Carolyn_Nth 12.3.1
        28 August 2018 at 3:18 pm

        Here ya go

        http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1808/S00358/coalition-condemns-campaign-to-bar-chelsea-manning.htm

        “We agree with the reported comments Green Party MP Golriz Ghahraman that Mr Woodhouse’s campaign for censorship is offensive. New Zealanders should not be denied an opportunity to hear a personal account of military use of power, even by an ally. The Free Speech Coalition hopes Ms Ghahraman continues to support the principle of free speech, no matter the politics of the individual speakers.”

        • Anne 12.3.1.1
          28 August 2018 at 3:24 pm

          Goodness that was prescient of me wasn’t it. More likely coincidence. 😀

          • Carolyn_Nth 12.3.1.1.1
            28 August 2018 at 4:15 pm

            It looks like it came from Trotter. I understand Brash refused to comment on the Nats’ stance initially.

            • Anne 12.3.1.1.1.1
              28 August 2018 at 5:25 pm

              It didn’t take long for the fractures to develop. Not surprising. They seem like a fairly disparate bunch of individuals.

      • Cinny 12.3.2
        28 August 2018 at 3:23 pm

        Lmao

      • paul andersen 12.3.3
        28 August 2018 at 10:19 pm

        I look forward to don brash and the tax avoiders onion also attacking the natz for trying to block free speech. but I expect brash and co to try and dance on the head of a pin and agree with the natz on a point of principle(which is hilarious in itself, principle and right winger, hah!)

    • Bill 12.4
      28 August 2018 at 3:40 pm

      Oh dear simon – and every other idiot who confuses political outcomes and principles – the stupid it really hurts.

  13. Aaron 13
    28 August 2018 at 1:41 pm

    The first sign of Bridges poor judgement was thinking that being the leader after 9 years in power was a good idea.

  14. WILD KATIPO 14
    28 August 2018 at 2:17 pm

    ‘ Mhmmmm…. the plot thickens’….

    Life and death while preparing sandwiches: Emilio’s death – Kill Bill 2 …
    Video for kill bill the plot thickens you tube▶ 2:17
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldEh0cyGVm4

  15. ianmac 15
    28 August 2018 at 2:45 pm

    Tracey Watkins in the Press today:
    “National in contrast seems to be morphing from an well oiled machine to just another Opposition party barking at every passing car…
    It has even started to look a little ragged as the first signs of its legendary discipline and unity start to unravel over the leaking of Simon Bridges travel expenses…
    …will rattle the confidence of his MPs in his judgement…”

    I reckon she is about right.

  17. Ad 17
    28 August 2018 at 3:51 pm

    Hang in there Simon great work, and keep going to 2020.

    The country needs you. 🙂

    • paul andersen 17.1
      28 August 2018 at 10:22 pm

      you are correct ad, we need a new sideshow. sideshow bob has left the building, step up, sideshow simon.

    • mac1 17.2
      29 August 2018 at 10:05 am

      Simon Bridges admitted in a public meeting I attended that National would not win the next election ‘unless someone got kicked in the head”. It was a metaphor for Labour doing something very, very stupid and even Simon disallowed that.

      So, do National want to keep this self-admitted loser or is this a cunning plan to be used to motivate the troops, like sports coaches do when they downplay their team’s chances?

      What a team member is saying now is that there is “a tight housing market” which is “presenting problems”. His suggested fix is to convert unused office space into inner living apartments. I note he is also highlighting the local problem which really grew under his and former National governments of many empty shop fronts.

      https://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/106592719/Empty-spaces-above-shops-perfect-for-living-but-NZ-isn-t-using-them-enough

      This government is putting $1 billion into the regions which his government let founder. Now the wine industry is needing workers as it grows. Two thousand more workers needing accommodation in an industry which is 80% owned outside the region, in Auckland or overseas. This region has a very low average wages income.

      The solution was not to put money into the regions, nor to address, let alone admit to a ‘housing crisis’, by building more affordable houses. Nope, his bright idea is to convert empty offices built by developers looking for big dollars in a market that was over-supplied into apartments.

      Not purpose built apartments. Not affordable one bedroom units while 50 rough sleepers find accommodation under bridges, in disused spectator stands, in children’s play houses and under trees in church grounds. Not affordable houses whilst 80 people had high priority housing needs identified by state agencies. Not affordable houses while upwards of 50 people line up to inspect a rental property.

      Not under National’s long nine year watch.

      What Bridges should fear is a collapse in National’s vote, as in 2002, which his mediocre performance and poor judgement is facilitating.

      I wonder if he ever went to Mangapurua during his recent $100,000 rural jaunt and had a selfie with the Bridge to Nowhere? I can see it clearly. Like the photo at Bluff of Simon and the AA Direction sign, him in black overcoat pointing to a sign saying “Nowhere”. For that was where NZ was going in the regions in 2017, and would again under the promise of a Simon ’10’ Bridges’ government.

      • cleangreen 17.2.1
        29 August 2018 at 12:22 pm

        Yes mac1

        We expect better from this new Labour lead Government;- as they are not very good at fixing anything that is now adversely affecting our environment now are they ?

        Labour need to clean house now, as they are making many errors including doing nothing much about lowering the monster trucks causing road gridlock!!!!!

        While our Kiwirail public owned rail still withers sadly!!!!!

        So labour wake up!!!!!!!

        ‘Lets do this’, – and kick Phil Twyfords ass while you are at it and wake him up.!!!!!

        Tywfords office will not allow Twyford to meet community groups since November last year and he seems to be busy helping road upgrades and trucks.

        While twyford was in my town (Napier) on friday his Weliington office said he was to busy to meet with our committee in Napier!!!!!

        Bad feelings here for you twyford.
        See this.

        He wanted to just take some glory in the local press for himself while turning his back on the community.

        Another less than perfect politician again we see sadly.

        https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503462&objectid=12113074

        • mac1 17.2.1.1
          29 August 2018 at 3:17 pm

          I don’t want a huge argument, cleangreen, but there are some logical errors in what you write.
          Eg Do monster trucks cause gridlock, or is it the sheer volume of traffic and the accidents which have cause that. Proponents of larger trucks would argue that they should reduce the number of trucks, and drivers, on the road.

          Your first paragraph is one large generalisation. It’s a bit hard to ask you to cite an example of something that you say has not happened, but to prove it a false generalisation, take these examples from the NZLP web site.

          “We’ve joined the United Nations-led CleanSeas campaign to rid our oceans of plastic waste and reduce the use of non-recoverable and single-use plastics.
          We’ve committed to becoming a net zero emissions economy by 2050 and to making our electricity system 100% renewable by 2035.
          We’ve stopped granting offshore oil and gas exploration permits, and are supporting communities that have traditionally relied on fossil fuels to transition to a sustainable economy.
          We’ve started planting one billion trees to tackle environmental issues like erosion, improve water quality and reduce the effects of climate change.
          We’ve announced there will be no new mines on conservation land, to make sure our precious native species and ecosystems are protected.
          We are tackling climate change by establishing the Green Investment Fund, which will stimulate investment in low-carbon industries and clean technology.
          We’ve launched a six-week public consultation on the Zero Carbon Bill.”

          As for meeting or not meeting Twyford with your unspecified committee. That is what happens with a busy Minister. Your slagging of him as a headline glory boy would be seen by others as a Minister interacting with the media on an important local issue- that of road safety on a 10 times lethal road.

          Just think, cleangreen, if he did not take the time to talk to the media, then people like yourself would not know what it is this Labour-led government is achieving.

          My post above was to point out the situation laying the blame at the previous government’s feet and pointing out the richness of a situation whereby a local MP comes up with a very partial solution to a problem that he, and his party, still do not fully agree is a crisis, as I hope my local examples showed.

        • mac1 17.2.1.2
          31 August 2018 at 9:58 pm

          As a result of that busy time that Phil Twyford has been having recently…….

          https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/08/government-reveals-16-9-billion-transport-investment-plan.html

          • mac1 17.2.1.2.1
            31 August 2018 at 10:13 pm

            In contrast to Simon’s first non-bridge building six months……

            Transport Minister Phil Twyford unveiled details of $16.9 billion investment in the land transport system over the next three years- $4.3 billion towards preventing and reducing the severity of accidents, focusing on dangerous intersections, median barriers in high-risk areas, and increased road policing.

            Most roading investment goes to the regions. Regional roads will get $5.8b in funding compared to $5b in metro areas. Four billion will be invested in public transport, rapid transit and rail, and $390 has been put aside for walking and cycling improvements.

            “State highways continue to receive the largest share of funding with a total of $5.7b. $3.5b in new state highway projects and $2.2b in state highway maintenance.”

            $12.9b comes from the National Land Transport Fund, generated through fuel excise, road user charges, and other revenue sources; $3.4b from local government, generated through rates and Auckland’s Regional Fuel Tax; and $557m in other Crown investments.

  18. Ken 18
    28 August 2018 at 9:24 pm

    Six months!
    Congratulations Soimun, I hope you’re still there for the next election……something tells me that you won’t, though.

    • Muttonbird 18.1
      28 August 2018 at 11:06 pm

      I’m still backing the four Nat leaders in one calendar year scenario. He assumed office on 27 Feb 2018 so if he’s stabbed in the back before then there will be three for starters.

      But then if it’s Collins who rolls him before summer she will do something completely stupid in short time. The adrenaline of power will go to her head, the needling of the media, the scrutiny of her dodgy past, and the rapidly inflating ego will combine to make her tenure brief.

      Then it’s all on to find the fourth National Party leader within a year.

      Bingles didn’t last much more than a year so there were three leaders in the space of a bit over a year. There’s form already…

  19. WILD KATIPO 19
    29 August 2018 at 12:46 am

    Flogging Molly – Kiss my Irish Ass – YouTube
    Video for kiss my irish arse you tube▶ 4:06
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cbenhxn8Xwo

  20. cleangreen 20
    29 August 2018 at 4:38 am

    100% Mickey,

    Quote; “I am sure under the last Government it would have been different. I bet the conclusions of the police investigation would have been provided to the relevant Minister quicker than you could say “no surprises” and the assault on the leaker’s character would have started.
    So six months into Simon’s career and everyone is already questioning his judgment. This is what they say in the business is not a good start.” Un-quote;

    Mickey; – John Key/Bill English/Simon Bridges policy was = “plunder the ccountry and sell it at any price”.

    Our rail Company was next on the chopping block.

    http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK1709/S00053/national-party-transport-policy-for-hbgisborne.htm

    Last election in 2017, we watched the first leaders debate on TV One between Jacinda Ardern & Bill English then as our current PM.

    The debate never actually tackled the thorny issues of transport issues we all face deficits from in our East Coast regions.

    That has provoked the need for our press release to clarify our Community concerns at those current deficiencies we all face in our regions of HB/Gisborne since the National Party have assumed the mantle of governance over our regions and lives.

    When the National Party took over in November 2008 the former Helen Clark Labour lead Government had just bought back the rail system from Toll Rail, an Australian Company for $650 thousand dollars and had set aside a track Maintenance Company called Ontrack who were given a $200 Million reserve account to rely on to keep the rail line in service, for the new Kiwirail operator to run their services.

    National’s new Minister of Transport Steven Joyce somehow reorganised the Kiwirail Company and folded the On Track rail line Maintenance Company up and the $200 million somehow disappeared.

    Since 2009 we have witnessed two events of large rail washouts on the rail line between Gisborne and Central HB, first the washout around Otane in Central HB and later the larger washout at Beach Loop near Mahia Northern HB/Gisborne.

    That $200 million was setup for the track maintenance to deal with these washouts, as we have seen many other washouts around NZ rail have been repaired since.

    So we must now ask the Labour lead Government: “where is our share of that $200 million to repair the Gisborne Beach Loop washouts so our rail to Gisborne is finally repaired after being left closed since March 2012?”

    Will this be left for the new Government to find that lost $200 Million that was robbed from our Public Rail Company account?

    That was how the last National John Key/Bill English Government plundered our country.

    The National Government robbed anything that was pubically owned they possibly could to our total loss of services and taxpaid assets for their own financial gain and did this in a criminal way.

  21. Dennis Frank 21
    29 August 2018 at 7:57 am

    Soper’s view from 48 hours ago (Herald): “this was undoubtedly an inside job to undermine his leadership. The texter obviously knew his cellphone number and that of the Speaker and knew the workings of Parliament and the way National’s caucus operates. In cancelling the inquiry Mallard was in no doubt: the texter and the leaker were one and the same person and said they had details of events that anyone outside the National Party wouldn’t be privy to.”

    “Still National maintains it’s determined to find out who it is. But if that’s the case why did Bridges say the process would mean MPs would have to give their consent to their systems being checked which they’re unlikely to agree to, so what’s the point? To know the enemy from within”.

    Commentators here often depict Soper as a Nat supporter. Those above trying to deflect guilt onto Mallard and/or PS seem Nat supporters too. Seems Nat supporters aren’t on the same page on this situation. Identify the enemy within, or not? Bit like Hamlet’s “to be or not to be”?

    • Kat 21.1
      29 August 2018 at 11:51 am

      Barry Soper isn’t so much a Nat supporter but someone who just criticizes what he does’t understand. All the while calling it his right to an “opinion”. Such is the majority of “opinion piece scribblers” masquerading as journos we have in the media at these days.

      • Incognito 21.1.1
        29 August 2018 at 10:57 pm

        Barry Soper isn’t so much a Nat supporter but someone who just criticizes what he does’t understand.

        QFT

        And he’s not alone in this by a long shot.

  22. Rae 22
    29 August 2018 at 8:24 am

    I have to say, Simon Bridges is singing an entirely different song to that he sang about Winston Peters taking matters further over the disclosure of his super payment stuff ups. He reckoned Peters should just get on with the business of governing rather than setting out on a witch hunt.
    The info about Simon that was leaked was going to come out in a couple of days anyway, whereas Winston’s should never have been made public, especially seeing as the mistake wasn’t his and it had already been sorted.
    Simon Bridges is making himself look foolish, as it comes across that the slight sleight against him is way more important than the possibility that someone may be in a fragile mental state.

  23. Dennis Frank 23
    29 August 2018 at 9:19 am

    Gordon Campbell’s view (Mental As Anything): http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1808/S00142/gordon-campbell-on-counting-the-cost-from-the-bridges-leak.htm

    “Thank goodness we will soon have the waka jumping legislation in place, to ensure that any other erring wretches are forced to remain in caucus, where they can get the re-education help they need.”

  24. Agora 24
    29 August 2018 at 1:48 pm

    “The weakness of the claim is that there may have been an awkward interaction between the two but Mallard lying was not necessarily the reason. Mallard may have been thinking “you are an absolute tosser” and realising that in the interests of the proper functioning of Parliament he should hold that thought back. That is not evidence Mallard was involved in the leak of the information”

    I have a friend from overseas who cannot understand the meaning of tossing.

    Could you expain in more detail what this may involve ?

  25. 4th_estate 25
    29 August 2018 at 6:45 pm

    I think the RH Jian Yang would have the resources to find out…being a spy handler and all.
    Nudge nudge
    Wink wink

Recent Posts

  • Can taxpayers be confident PIJF cash was spent wisely?
    Graham Adams writes about the $55m media fund — When Patrick Gower was asked by Mike Hosking last week what he would say to the many Newstalk ZB callers who allege the Labour government bribed media with $55 million of taxpayers’ money via the Public Interest Journalism Fund — and ...
    Point of OrderBy gadams1000
    5 hours ago

  • EGU2024 – An intense week of joining sessions virtually
    Note: this blog post has been put together over the course of the week I followed the happenings at the conference virtually. Should recordings of the Great Debates and possibly Union Symposia mentioned below, be released sometime after the conference ends, I'll include links to the ones I participated in. ...
    Skeptical Science
    7 hours ago

  • Submission on “Fast Track Approvals Bill”
    The following was my submission made on the “Fast Track Approvals Bill”. This potential law will give three Ministers unchecked powers, un-paralled since the days of Robert Muldoon’s “Think Big” projects.The submission is written a bit tongue-in-cheek. But it’s irreverent because the FTAB is in itself not worthy of respect. ...
    Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy
    8 hours ago

  • The Case for a Universal Family Benefit
    One Could Reduce Child Poverty At No Fiscal CostFollowing the Richardson/Shipley 1990 ‘redesign of the welfare state’ – which eliminated the universal Family Benefit and doubled the rate of child poverty – various income supplements for families have been added, the best known being ‘Working for Families’, introduced in 2005. ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    9 hours ago

  • A who’s who of New Zealand’s dodgiest companies
    Submissions on National's corrupt Muldoonist fast-track law are due today (have you submitted?), and just hours before they close, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop has been forced to release the list of companies he invited to apply. I've spent the last hour going through it in an epic thread of bleats, ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    11 hours ago

  • On Lee’s watch, Economic Development seems to be stuck on scoring points from promoting sporting e...
    Buzz from the Beehive A few days ago, Point of Order suggested the media must be musing “on why Melissa is mute”. Our article reported that people working in the beleaguered media industry have cause to yearn for a minister as busy as Melissa Lee’s ministerial colleagues and we drew ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    12 hours ago

  • New Zealand has never been closed for business
    1. What was The Curse of Jim Bolger?a. Winston Peters b. Soon after shaking his hand, world leaders would mysteriously lose office or shuffle off this mortal coilc. Could never shake off the Mother of All Budgetsd. Dandruff2. True or false? The Chairman of a Kiwi export business has asked the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    12 hours ago

  • Stop the panic – we’ve been here before
    Jack Vowles writes – New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    15 hours ago

  • Melissa Lee and the media: ending the quest
    Chris Trotter writes –  MELISSA LEE should be deprived of her ministerial warrant. Her handling – or non-handling – of the crisis engulfing the New Zealand news media has been woeful. The fate of New Zealand’s two linear television networks, a question which the Minister of Broadcasting, Communications ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    17 hours ago

  • The Hoon around the week to April 19
    TL;DR: The podcast above features co-hosts and , along with regular guests Robert Patman on Gaza and AUKUS II, and on climate change.The six things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    17 hours ago

  • The ‘Humpty Dumpty’ end result of dismantling our environmental protections
    Policymakers rarely wish to make plain or visible their desire to dismantle environmental policy, least of all to the young. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s the top five news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above between Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    17 hours ago

  • Nicola's Salad Days.
    I like to keep an eye on what’s happening in places like the UK, the US, and over the ditch with our good mates the Aussies. Let’s call them AUKUS, for want of a better collective term. More on that in a bit.It used to be, not long ago, that ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    18 hours ago

  • Study sees climate change baking in 19% lower global income by 2050
    TL;DR: The global economy will be one fifth smaller than it would have otherwise been in 2050 as a result of climate damage, according to a new study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and published in the journal Nature. (See more detail and analysis below, and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    18 hours ago

  • Weekly Roundup 19-April-2024
    It’s Friday again. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week on Greater Auckland On Tuesday Matt covered at the government looking into a long tunnel for Wellington. On Wednesday we ran a post from Oscar Simms on some lessons from Texas. AT’s ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    19 hours ago

  • Jack Vowles: Stop the panic – we’ve been here before
    New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’.  The data is from February this ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    21 hours ago

  • Clearing up confusion (or trying to)
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters is understood to be planning a major speech within the next fortnight to clear up the confusion over whether or not New Zealand might join the AUKUS submarine project. So far, there have been conflicting signals from the Government. RNZ reported the Prime Minister yesterday in ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    22 hours ago

  • How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log iPhone Without Computer
    How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log on iPhone Without a Computer: A Step–by–Step Guide Losing your iPhone call history can be frustrating, especially when you need to find a specific number or recall an important conversation. But before you panic, know that there are ways to retrieve deleted call logs on your iPhone, even without a computer. This guide will explore various methods, ranging from simple checks to utilizing iCloud backups and third–party applications. So, let‘s dive in and recover those lost calls! 1. Check Recently Deleted Folder: Apple understands that accidental deletions happen. That‘s why they introduced the “Recently Deleted“ folder for various apps, including the Phone app. This folder acts as a safety net, storing deleted call logs for up to 30 days before permanently erasing them. Here‘s how to check it: Open the Phone app on your iPhone. Tap on the “Recents“ tab at the bottom. Scroll to the top and tap on “Edit“. Select “Show Recently Deleted“. Browse the list to find the call logs you want to recover. Tap on the desired call log and choose “Recover“ to restore it to your call history. 2. Restore from iCloud Backup: If you regularly back up your iPhone to iCloud, you might be able to retrieve your deleted call log from a previous backup. However, keep in mind that this process will restore your entire phone to the state it was in at the time of the backup, potentially erasing any data added since then. Here‘s how to restore from an iCloud backup: Go to Settings > General > Reset. Choose “Erase All Content and Settings“. Follow the on–screen instructions. Your iPhone will restart and show the initial setup screen. Choose “Restore from iCloud Backup“ during the setup process. Select the relevant backup that contains your deleted call log. Wait for the restoration process to complete. 3. Explore Third–Party Apps (with Caution): ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • How to Factory Reset iPhone without Computer: A Comprehensive Guide to Restoring your Device
    Life throws curveballs, and sometimes, those curveballs necessitate wiping your iPhone clean and starting anew. Whether you’re facing persistent software glitches, preparing to sell your device, or simply wanting a fresh start, knowing how to factory reset iPhone without a computer is a valuable skill. While using a computer with ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • How to Call Someone on a Computer: A Guide to Voice and Video Communication in the Digital Age
    Gone are the days when communication was limited to landline phones and physical proximity. Today, computers have become powerful tools for connecting with people across the globe through voice and video calls. But with a plethora of applications and methods available, how to call someone on a computer might seem ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #16 2024
    Open access notables Glacial isostatic adjustment reduces past and future Arctic subsea permafrost, Creel et al., Nature Communications: Sea-level rise submerges terrestrial permafrost in the Arctic, turning it into subsea permafrost. Subsea permafrost underlies ~ 1.8 million km2 of Arctic continental shelf, with thicknesses in places exceeding 700 m. Sea-level variations over glacial-interglacial cycles control ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 day ago

  • Where on a Computer is the Operating System Generally Stored? Delving into the Digital Home of your ...
    The operating system (OS) is the heart and soul of a computer, orchestrating every action and interaction between hardware and software. But have you ever wondered where on a computer is the operating system generally stored? The answer lies in the intricate dance between hardware and software components, particularly within ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • How Many Watts Does a Laptop Use? Understanding Power Consumption and Efficiency
    Laptops have become essential tools for work, entertainment, and communication, offering portability and functionality. However, with rising energy costs and growing environmental concerns, understanding a laptop’s power consumption is more important than ever. So, how many watts does a laptop use? The answer, unfortunately, isn’t straightforward. It depends on several ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • How to Screen Record on a Dell Laptop A Guide to Capturing Your Screen with Ease
    Screen recording has become an essential tool for various purposes, such as creating tutorials, capturing gameplay footage, recording online meetings, or sharing information with others. Fortunately, Dell laptops offer several built-in and external options for screen recording, catering to different needs and preferences. This guide will explore various methods on ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • How Much Does it Cost to Fix a Laptop Screen? Navigating Repair Options and Costs
    A cracked or damaged laptop screen can be a frustrating experience, impacting productivity and enjoyment. Fortunately, laptop screen repair is a common service offered by various repair shops and technicians. However, the cost of fixing a laptop screen can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article delves into the ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • How Long Do Gaming Laptops Last? Demystifying Lifespan and Maximizing Longevity
    Gaming laptops represent a significant investment for passionate gamers, offering portability and powerful performance for immersive gaming experiences. However, a common concern among potential buyers is their lifespan. Unlike desktop PCs, which allow for easier component upgrades, gaming laptops have inherent limitations due to their compact and integrated design. This ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • Climate Change: Turning the tide
    The annual inventory report of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions has been released, showing that gross emissions have dropped for the third year in a row, to 78.4 million tons: All-told gross emissions have decreased by over 6 million tons since the Zero Carbon Act was passed in 2019. ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago

  • How to Unlock Your Computer A Comprehensive Guide to Regaining Access
    Experiencing a locked computer can be frustrating, especially when you need access to your files and applications urgently. The methods to unlock your computer will vary depending on the specific situation and the type of lock you encounter. This guide will explore various scenarios and provide step-by-step instructions on how ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • Faxing from Your Computer A Modern Guide to Sending Documents Digitally
    While the world has largely transitioned to digital communication, faxing still holds relevance in certain industries and situations. Fortunately, gone are the days of bulky fax machines and dedicated phone lines. Today, you can easily send and receive faxes directly from your computer, offering a convenient and efficient way to ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • Protecting Your Home Computer A Guide to Cyber Awareness
    In our increasingly digital world, home computers have become essential tools for work, communication, entertainment, and more. However, this increased reliance on technology also exposes us to various cyber threats. Understanding these threats and taking proactive steps to protect your home computer is crucial for safeguarding your personal information, finances, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • Server-Based Computing Powering the Modern Digital Landscape
    In the ever-evolving world of technology, server-based computing has emerged as a cornerstone of modern digital infrastructure. This article delves into the concept of server-based computing, exploring its various forms, benefits, challenges, and its impact on the way we work and interact with technology. Understanding Server-Based Computing: At its core, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • Vroom vroom go the big red trucks
    The absolute brass neck of this guy.We want more medical doctors, not more spin doctors, Luxon was saying a couple of weeks ago, and now we’re told the guy has seven salaried adults on TikTok duty. Sorry, doing social media. The absolute brass neck of it. The irony that the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago

  • Jones finds $410,000 to help the government muscle in on a spat project
    Buzz from the Beehive Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones relishes spatting and eagerly takes issue with environmentalists who criticise his enthusiasm for resource development. He relishes helping the fishing industry too. And so today, while the media are making much of the latest culling in the public service to ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago

  • Again, hate crimes are not necessarily terrorism.
    Having written, taught and worked for the US government on issues involving unconventional warfare and terrorism for 30-odd years, two things irritate me the most when the subject is discussed in public. The first is the Johnny-come-lately academics-turned-media commentators who … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    2 days ago

  • Despair – construction consenting edition
    Eric Crampton writes – Kainga Ora is the government’s house building agency. It’s been building a lot of social housing. Kainga Ora has its own (but independent) consenting authority, Consentium. It’s a neat idea. Rather than have to deal with building consents across each different territorial authority, Kainga Ora ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Coalition promises – will the Govt keep the commitment to keep Kiwis equal before the law?
    Muriel Newman writes – The Coalition Government says it is moving with speed to deliver campaign promises and reverse the damage done by Labour. One of their key commitments is to “defend the principle that New Zealanders are equal before the law.” To achieve this, they have pledged they “will not advance ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • An impermanent public service is a guarantee of very little else but failure
    Chris Trotter writes –  The absence of anything resembling a fightback from the public servants currently losing their jobs is interesting. State-sector workers’ collective fatalism in the face of Coalition cutbacks indicates a surprisingly broad acceptance of impermanence in the workplace. Fifty years ago, lay-offs in the thousands ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • What happens after the war – Mariupol
    Mariupol, on the Azov Sea coast, was one of the first cities to suffer almost complete destruction after the start of the Ukraine War started in late February 2022. We remember the scenes of absolute destruction of the houses and city structures. The deaths of innocent civilians – many of ...
    Open ParachuteBy Ken
    2 days ago

  • Babies and benefits – no good news
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – Ten years ago, I wrote the following in a Listener column: Every year around one in five new-born babies will be reliant on their caregivers benefit by Christmas. This pattern has persisted from at least 1993. For Maori the number jumps to over one in three.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Should the RBNZ be looking through climate inflation?
    Climate change is expected to generate more and more extreme events, delivering a sort of structural shock to inflation that central banks will have to react to as if they were short-term cyclical issues. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours, as of 9:16 am on Thursday, April 18 are:Housing: Tauranga residents living in boats, vans RNZ Checkpoint Louise TernouthHousing: Waikato councillor says wastewater plant issues could hold up Sleepyhead building a massive company town Waikato Times Stephen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the public sector carnage, and misogyny as terrorism
    It’s a simple deal. We pay taxes in order to finance the social services we want and need. The carnage now occurring across the public sector though, is breaking that contract. Over 3,000 jobs have been lost so far. Many are in crucial areas like Education where the impact of ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    2 days ago

  • Meeting the Master Baiters
    Hi,A friend had their 40th over the weekend and decided to theme it after Curb Your Enthusiasm fashion icon Susie Greene. Captured in my tiny kitchen before I left the house, I ending up evoking a mix of old lesbian and Hillary Clinton — both unintentional.Me vs Hillary ClintonIf you’re ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago

  • How extreme was the Earth's temperature in 2023
    This is a re-post from Andrew Dessler at the Climate Brink blog In 2023, the Earth reached temperature levels unprecedented in modern times. Given that, it’s reasonable to ask: What’s going on? There’s been lots of discussions by scientists about whether this is just the normal progression of global warming or if something ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago

  • Backbone, revisited
    The schools are on holiday and the sun is shining in the seaside village and all day long I have been seeing bunches of bikes; Mums, Dads, teens and toddlers chattering, laughing, happy, having a bloody great time together. Cheers, AT, for the bits of lane you’ve added lately around the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago

  • Ministers are not above the law
    Today in our National-led authoritarian nightmare: Shane Jones thinks Ministers should be above the law: New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of over-stepping its mandate by subpoenaing a minister for its urgent hearing on the Oranga Tamariki claim. The tribunal is looking into the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago

  • What’s the outfit you can hear going down the gurgler? Probably it’s David Parker’s Oceans Sec...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point  of Order first heard of the Oceans Secretariat in June 2021, when David Parker (remember him?) announced a multi-agency approach to protecting New Zealand’s marine ecosystems and fisheries. Parker (holding the Environment, and Oceans and Fisheries portfolios) broke the news at the annual Forest & ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago

  • Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Bryce Edwards writes  – Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Matt Doocey doubles down on trans “healthcare”
    Citizen Science writes –  Last week saw two significant developments in the debate over the treatment of trans-identifying children and young people – the release in Britain of the final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review into gender healthcare, and here in New Zealand, the news that the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • A TikTok Prime Minister.
    One night while sleeping in my bed I had a beautiful dreamThat all the people of the world got together on the same wavelengthAnd began helping one anotherNow in this dream, universal love was the theme of the dayPeace and understanding and it happened this wayAfter such an eventful day ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • Texas Lessons
    This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    3 days ago

  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links at 6:06 am
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours as of 6:06 am on Wednesday, April 17 are:Must read: Secrecy shrouds which projects might be fast-tracked RNZ Farah HancockScoop: Revealed: Luxon has seven staffers working on social media content - partly paid for by taxpayer Newshub ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Fighting poverty on the holiday highway
    Turning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago

  • Bernard's six-stack of substacks at 6:26 pm
    Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • At a glance – Is the science settled?
    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
    3 days ago

  • Apposite Quotations.
    How Long Is Long Enough? Gaza under Israeli bombardment, July 2014. This posting is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...
    Bowalley Road
    3 days ago

  • What’s a life worth now?
    You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • Howling at the Moon
    Karl du Fresne writes –  There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Newshub is Dead.
    I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • Seymour is chuffed about cutting early-learning red tape – but we hear, too, that Jones has loose...
    Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago

  • Was Hawkesby entirely wrong?
    David Farrar  writes –  The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • PRC shadow looms as the Solomons head for election
    PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time. A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Climate Change: Criminal ecocide
    We are in the middle of a climate crisis. Last year was (again) the hottest year on record. NOAA has just announced another global coral bleaching event. Floods are threatening UK food security. So naturally, Shane Jones wants to make it easier to mine coal: Resources Minister Shane Jones ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago

  • Is saving one minute of a politician's time worth nearly $1 billion?
    Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • Long Tunnel or Long Con?
    Yesterday it was revealed that Transport Minister had asked Waka Kotahi to look at the options for a long tunnel through Wellington. State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    4 days ago

  • Smoke And Mirrors.
    You're a fraud, and you know itBut it's too good to throw it all awayAnyone would do the sameYou've got 'em goingAnd you're careful not to show itSometimes you even fool yourself a bitIt's like magicBut it's always been a smoke and mirrors gameAnyone would do the sameForty six billion ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • What is Mexico doing about climate change?
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections The June general election in Mexico could mark a turning point in ensuring that the country’s climate policies better reflect the desire of its citizens to address the climate crisis, with both leading presidential candidates expressing support for renewable energy. Mexico is the ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • State of humanity, 2024
    2024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?When I say 2024 I really mean the state of humanity in 2024.Saturday night, we watched Civil War because that is one terrifying cliff we've ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Govt’s Wellington tunnel vision aims to ease the way to the airport (but zealous promoters of cycl...
    Buzz from the Beehive A pet project and governmental tunnel vision jump out from the latest batch of ministerial announcements. The government is keen to assure us of its concern for the wellbeing of our pets. It will be introducing pet bonds in a change to the Residential Tenancies Act ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • The case for cultural connectedness
    A recent report generated from a Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) survey of 1,224 rangatahi Māori aged 11-12 found: Cultural connectedness was associated with fewer depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms and better quality of life. That sounds cut and dry. But further into the report the following appears: Cultural connectedness is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Useful context on public sector job cuts
    David Farrar writes –    The Herald reports: From the gory details of job-cuts news, you’d think the public service was being eviscerated.   While the media’s view of the cuts is incomplete, it’s also true that departments have been leaking the particulars faster than a Wellington ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell On When Racism Comes Disguised As Anti-racism
    Remember the good old days, back when New Zealand had a PM who could think and speak calmly and intelligently in whole sentences without blustering? Even while Iran’s drones and missiles were still being launched, Helen Clark was live on TVNZ expertly summing up the latest crisis in the Middle ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    5 days ago

  • Govt ignored economic analysis of smokefree reversal
    Costello did not pass on analysis of the benefits of the smokefree reforms to Cabinet, emphasising instead the extra tax revenues of repealing them. Photo: Hagen Hopkins, Getty Images TL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me at 7:26 am today are:The Lead: Casey Costello never passed on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • True Blue.
    True loveYou're the one I'm dreaming ofYour heart fits me like a gloveAnd I'm gonna be true blueBaby, I love youI’ve written about the job cuts in our news media last week. The impact on individuals, and the loss to Aotearoa of voices covering our news from different angles.That by ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • Who is running New Zealand’s foreign policy?
    While commentators, including former Prime Minister Helen Clark, are noting a subtle shift in New Zealand’s foreign policy, which now places more emphasis on the United States, many have missed a key element of the shift. What National said before the election is not what the government is doing now. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago

  • $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
    New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    11 hours ago

  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
    The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago

  • Judicial appointments announced
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    14 hours ago

  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago

  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
    A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago

  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago

  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago

  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector.    "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
    Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
    Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.  During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner.  The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
    Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.  “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
    The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
    State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel.    “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says.    "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
    Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board.   “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti.  “I have asked her to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Roads of National Significance planning underway
    The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Navigating an unstable global environment
    New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States.    “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
    New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Joint US and NZ declaration
    April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • NZ and US to undertake further practical Pacific cooperation
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced further New Zealand cooperation with the United States in the Pacific Islands region through $16.4 million in funding for initiatives in digital connectivity and oceans and fisheries research.   “New Zealand can achieve more in the Pacific if we work together more urgently and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-04-19T15:19:09+00:00