Slapdown

Written By: - Date published: 7:45 am, November 7th, 2019 - 66 comments
Categories: iain lees galloway, immigration, jacinda ardern, labour, nz first, Politics, racism, racism, Shane Jones, uncategorized, winston peters - Tags:

 

Politics and particularly New Zealand First has become pretty ugly lately.

Changes in Immigration policy has meant that the partners of Kiwis who have entered into arranged marriages were finding it more and more difficult to come to New Zealand.

This caused considerable consternation among the Indian community who was particularly affected at the delays that were caused and the rapid decline in approvals being granted.

Shane Jones then went full Trumpian, got out the flamethrower and gave everyone a good spray.  From Jo Moir at Radio New Zealand:

… [S]enior New Zealand First MP and Cabinet minister Shane Jones told RNZ he was saddened by the “levels of verbiage that the Indian communal leadership have thrown at the party”.

“I would just say to the activists from the Indian community, tame down your rhetoric, you have no legitimate expectations in my view to bring your whole village to New Zealand and if you don’t like it and you’re threatening to go home – catch the next flight home.”

Peters had a spray as well.

Party leader and Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters was happy to take the credit for a tougher approach to partnership visas.

“Has New Zealand First had an influence on trying to tidy up the quality of information on which the immigration department relies? The answer is profoundly yes.”

It was simple, he said, you’re either a partner under New Zealand law, or you’re not.

“It’s clear as daylight – they’re not partners – full stop”, he said.

And to make sure that no one missed the dog whistle Jones gave it another blow last Tuesday.  From Collette Devlin at Stuff:

New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is making no apology for his “racist” comments aimed at the Indian community and wants to see a tougher crackdown on immigration with a national population policy.

He told Stuff on Tuesday he was speaking on behalf of “battalions” of “ordinary Kiwis who were highly anxious” about population growth putting stress on state services and infrastructure.

Things became that ridiculous Simon Bridges accurately described Jones’ comments as distasteful and wrong.  I wonder how he feels about National’s belief that two Chinese candidates are worth more than two Indian candidates.

Immigration New Zealand said that the policy was not racist.  New Zealand First was clearly trying its best to make it appear that the policy was racist.

I am pleased that Jacinda Ardern has stepped in and required Immigration New Zealand to reverse the policy.  From Derek Cheng at the Herald:

Immigration NZ is to blame for the partnership visa rules that have upset the Indian community and those changes will be reversed, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says.

The issue has upset the Indian community, which says that the stricter interpretation of the rules – including for couples to have lived together for 12 months – meant that many spouses in arranged marriages did not qualify.

It led to a verbal stoush between the Indian community and New Zealand First MP Shane Jones, whose fiery comments including telling immigrants to leave the country if they did not like the rules.

The Indian community accused Jones of racism, which he strongly rejected – though he said he would continue to be vocal on immigration issues as it was fertile vote-winning ground for New Zealand First.

Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway has said he would review the rules in light of the Indian community’s concerns, but Ardern went a step further today.

“That was changed as a result of Immigration NZ officials, changing the way they were operating,” Ardern said.

“They did not do that under the authority of Cabinet … it was a decision made arbitrarily by officials.

“My expectation is that will reverse back to the status quo and the way it was operating before.”

Well done Jacinda.  And if you need any reason to work for a Labour-Green coalition Government next year I think this is all that you need.

66 comments on “Slapdown ”

  1. Sanctuary 1

    The bitching and moaning from the Indian migrant community at New Zealand exercising it's right to set it's migration rules is, I suppose, a tribute to the robustness of Indian democracy. But not much else.

  2. Stuart Munro. 2

    There's no racism here – the Indian community self-selected this difficulty. The trials required of long term cohabiting spouses by Immigration are not trivial, but these activists expect a free pass on cultural grounds, and the real reason is that they have became accustomed to doing any damned thing they please under the ineffectual administration of the Key Kleptocracy.

    Labour will shed support big time on this issue, there is little or no support either for mass immigration or for the disingenuous faux racism claims of the kind raised against Corbyn/antisemitism, Twyford/Chinese names, and now Jones/Indians. Lees Galloway should concern himself with protecting NZ's enlightened best interests rather than trying to curry favour with a cynical interest group who won't be voting for him anyway.

    • mickysavage 2.1

      Why should it hurt? All that is happening is that the previous policy is being reinstated.

      • Stuart Munro. 2.1.1

        The previous policy of selectively not enforcing the law.

        Ask anyone who has brought a partner through the Byzantine malice and incompetence of the Immigration maze if they think an exception should be made for arranged marriages – they'll be speechless.

        • greywarshark 2.1.1.1

          Sounds like the immigration people are leaders in the cesspool division of New Zealand 'public servants'. 'Byzantine malice and incompetence of the Immigration maze'!

          Oranga Tamariki are in that division, and of course WINZ winding down the old, though grudging, respect for people as part of the overall citizens NZ population to – clients – customers – deplorables! Like a reverse of that sequence of ape ascending into proud man.

          • Stuart Munro. 2.1.1.1.1

            The stories coming out of folk interacting with MBIE would put them in the naughty corner too.

      • Dukeofurl 2.1.2

        How can that be . The rule of a stable permanent relationship was the previous policy and still is for all countries including those born and lived their whole life here.

        What had happened was the 'discretion exception for special cases' became the standard option for India only.

        What happens now for older male Kiwis who want mail order brides from Philippines or Ukraine. Do we have to say this is an appropriate way to give a relationship visa because 'these things happen' and picking women from a catalogue is an 'arranged marriage' too?

      • Sanctuary 2.1.3

        It will work because the neoliberal/establishment consensus around high levels of Asian and Indian immigration is (and always has been) actually just an elite consensus. New Zealanders were never asked if we wanted make 15% – and growing – of our population Asian and Indian within a generation and a lot of native born New Zealanders – including a ton of Ngati Pakeha and Maori (Maori can see the writing on the wall for their status under our current offically bi-cultural policies and of the centrality of the Treaty of Waitangi) – don't like it.

        NZ First was founded as an anti-immigration, and therefore anti-establishment, party. By rarking up simmering ambient resentment at unasked for mass immigration they can damage both Labour and National but especially Labour, because they are far more identified with identity politics (this will quickly morph into a Brexit style culture war) than National.

        • Sacha 2.1.3.1

          Damaging Labour? Winston First leaving themselves with only the Nats as coalition partners at the next election seems a tad risky given their current fraught relationships.

          • Dukeofurl 2.1.3.1.1

            The Clarke and Key rule of politics says that a the major party 'takes under its wing' as many coalition parties as possible, not the minimum number.

            Labour will always look to have Greens and NZF with them in government and any others that want to go along for the ride. Im sure the leaders of the Greens know that , even if many Greens supporters here seem to have the mistaken belief it may be Greens OR NZFirst.

            • Sacha 2.1.3.1.1.1

              It's not the Greens who have ruled out working with Winston First. Why do you think there are no Greens inside cabinet.

        • Paddington 2.1.3.2

          Labour have been damaged far more by perceptions around who is actually running the coalition, with NZF disrupting Labour policy on a number of occasions.

          This move by the PM is likely to help Labour, but watch out for more NZF outbursts as they try to differentiate themselves going into next years election.

    • observer 2.2

      You're mixing up multiple issues with a spurious label of "Indian community".

      The government has rightly moved to stop the fake diploma and visa scams, which was a significant part of the uncontrolled immigration. They've cracked down on unscrupulous employers too. This issue is not about "mass immigration", but individual rights. The PM understands this, even if you do not.

      And jibes like "Bollywood" from Jones are as unsubtle as it gets.

      • Stuart Munro. 2.2.1

        It's not a spurious label, though of course it should include the Pakistani community, who also practice arranged marriage. If Labour want to accommodate arranged marriages, they should draft appropriate legislation, not try to slip it under the radar like the sleazy crooks on the other side of the debating chamber.

        Our rules are not made in contemplation of such arrangements, any more than our social welfare rules were designed to accommodate the polygamous marriages of some refugee communities.

        The government has not gone far enough on immigration – 50 000 is better than 70 000, but the implicit design of massively increasing our population has neither a moral, nor a popular, nor in fact an economic mandate. WTF do they think they are doing?

        • Sacha 2.2.1.1

          If Labour want to accommodate arranged marriages, they should draft appropriate legislation, not try to slip it under the radar

          Agreed. However the PM is saying the agency's managers made that decision, not Ministers.

          • Stuart Munro. 2.2.1.1.1

            An opposition worthy of the name would make hay from such an assertion.

            "You can't control your officials? Golly – what are you doing in government?"

    • Sacha 2.3

      they have became accustomed to doing any damned thing they please under the ineffectual administration of the Key Kleptocracy.

      Bought and paid for.

  3. observer 3

    Shane Jones won't change. But his job can.

    The PM has been given plenty of reasons to sack him. If NZF don't like that and want to pull the government down, they will be signing their own suicide note. Let them.

    And it's not just about whether you agree with Jones or not. Ministers have specific roles, and need to stick to them, which is why James Shaw doesn't tell Hipkins what to do in the education portfolio, and David Clark doesn't pretend he's the Foreign Minister. Government discipline 101.

    But Shane Jones thinks he's too big for any of that. He needs to discover how small he really is.

    • Sacha 3.1

      I'd say the PM will be hoping for voters to solve the problem for her next year. Imagine having to put up with smug flaccid arsewipes like Jones every week.

    • Dukeofurl 3.2

      "And it's not just about whether you agree with Jones or not. Ministers have specific roles, and need to stick to them, "

      Havent read the Labour NZ First Coalition agreement which Ardern signed have you

      "As provided for in the Cabinet Manual, the Parties will “agree to disagree” where negotiated between party leaders, and in such circumstances the Parties will be free to express alternative views publicly, and in Parliament."

      Im still amazed at the people who think MMP hasnt arrived and Coalition governments havent changed the way rival parties speak on various issues.

      • observer 3.2.1

        No other minister abuses that agreement in the way that Jones does. It is simply not a matter of policy differences, it is a deliberate – and increasingly desperate – tactic to get NZF above 5%.

        The Greens disagree with many policies and still behave like grown-ups. Shane Jones is what he is – a man-child whose self-regard vastly outweighs his talents.

        • Dukeofurl 3.2.1.1

          So every time they have a disagreement , its should be like grownups and kept out of public ?

          What do you really know about politics ?

          • observer 3.2.1.1.1

            Enough to see a reductio ad absurdum.

            • Dukeofurl 3.2.1.1.1.1

              More like when you agree with the party who is airing the differences- Greens- its seen as 'Adult'

              What did you think of the 'slapdown' of Greens over the reversal by labour ministers of the Waihi tailings dam consent?

              • observer

                As I pointed out … the Ministers act in their portfolios. See? It's not hard.

                Disagreements aren't the problem. Bad faith is.

                Name one example in the last two years of Green or Labour Ministers doing what Jones is doing. Go on.

                • Dukeofurl

                  Didnt even read my comment either.

                  Coalition Party – NZF can speak out about any bloody issue they like Read it !

                  Parties will be free to express alternative views publicly, and in Parliament."

                  Sticking to your portfolio in this context is for labour ministers.

                  Whats the point of contributing when you have made your mind up regardless of the evidence to the contrary. Yes you dont agree, but its not some 'convention' at all.

  4. Sacha 4

    “They did not do that under the authority of Cabinet … it was a decision made arbitrarily by officials.

    That agency has had major culture problems for decades. Let's see some proper internal accountability for decisions like this. And if Winston First want to applaud the miscreants instead, let's at least hear their names and proud backgrounds.

    • Dukeofurl 4.1

      A Decision to stick to the long time policy of a 'stable and permanent relationship' ?

      https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/apply-for-a-visa/tools-and-information/support-family/partnership

      Assessing partnership

      When we assess if you meet our partnership requirements, we'll look at things like:

      • how long you’ve been together
      • how long you've been living together as a couple
      • your living arrangements
      • whether you support each other financially
      • how you share financial responsibilities
      • how committed you are to a life together
      • whether you own property together and/or share your property
      • any children you have together, including your arrangements for their care
      • whether you share common household tasks
      • whether other people recognise your relationship.

      Evidence of partnership

      You and your partner must provide enough evidence to show us that you're living together in a genuine and stable relationship.

      What was the Agency culture you have a problem with ?

  5. Blazer 5

    Marriages of convenience are reserved for Indian immigrants only…talk about…currying…favour.no

  6. tc 6

    Fantastic, NZF and national fighting over the dog whistle. This should be very entertaining and will allow JA to rise above the twitteratti styled spin with a clear concise campaign.

    Try not to F this one up labour.

  7. Stuart Munro. 7

    If Labour are serious about the responsibilities of a state soliciting migrants, and they want to create a system that accommodates arranged marriage, then it is desirable that they create some protections for dowry brides and the like.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/68721673/police-get-guidelines-on-investigating-forced-marriages

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12123831

    • Dukeofurl 7.1

      Thats the other big elephant in the room for arranged marriages . DOWRY

      A NZ residence visa for the male allows them to expect a hefty dowry for a female bride from India.

      Then there is the otherside of coin of young women already in NZ who are forced into arranged marriages mostly overseas

      Forced and underage marriage

      It’s not okay for your parents to force you to get married, whatever your age: it’s your right to stay at school or at work, and to choose your spouse or life partner. According to New Zealand law, both parties in a marriage or civil union must be consenting.

      Any form of marriage , no matter from what country or culture where the woman is treated as a chattel can never be acceptable.

      Mail order brides, arranged marriages , forced marriage of young women

      • Stuart Munro. 7.1.1

        I had some Pakistani friends awhile back, who had a perfectly happy and unobjectionable arranged marriage, so it's not all horror stories. ( I interviewed them about it as part of the requirements of a teaching diploma. ) But the number of stories of exploitation call for some kind of protection, which is in fact the purpose of the existing relationship requirements in the current immigration rules.

        I expect that such changes would be regulation rather than statute, and while he's at it Lees-Galloway might wish to rid himself of some of his more egregiously non-performing officials.

  8. Michelle Gray 8

    I am no fan of shame jones but I agree with him on this issue and labour better get their shit together because they have 7 Maori seats and they know many of our people aren't happy with the immigration rates and it ain't racism its our right to speak up. Many of those people come here and tramp on our culture and then they say how come Maori are getting this and that when we are getting fuck all. They want us to change our policies to suit their culture well sorry is doesn't work like that when we go to their countries we follow there rules, laws and customs.

  9. Ad 9

    Lees-Galloway needs to be reshuffled out fast.

    Jones is doing an excellent job for his party, leadership chances, and 2020 positioning.

  10. floribunda 10

    This is not about immigration, it is essentially a human rights issue – it is about the right of a woman to freely choose her partner.

    Until Indian women demand that right, NZ should not support the tradition of arranged marriage, just as we do not allow FGM

  11. Macro 11

    Good grief! The comments above clearly show racism is alive and well in NZ.

    • Anne 11.1

      Ditto! Some people need to actually read mickysavage's post.

    • OnceWasTim 11.2

      Absolutely. And suddenly everyone seems to be an expert on arranged marriages and Dowry.

      Deal with the problem cases (probably around 10%) otherwise we all better assimilate before the rush – or vote NZ First

      Christ! Reading a lot of the above, it’s no wonder the ‘left’ and so-called progressives are so good at tearing each other apart

      • tc 11.2.1

        Totally IMO that's a key part of NZF/national strategy. Riffing on prejudice, misinformation and ignorance and trusting in good old kiwi apathy.

        One of shonkys greatest political achievements IMO was to throw so much spin (via DP as well as himself and ministers) and drag the whole tone down so the average kiwi says 'they're all the bloody same those pollies'.

        Job well done sir shonky.

        • OnceWasTim 11.2.1.1

          Yup.

          As someone whose broader family comprises Maori/Pakeha/Indian (mainly Sikh), and not through design, and doing my very best to avoid a discussion on 'the effects of colonisation', I have to say that most Indians are closer to the values and practices of Maori culture than they are to its colonisers. Much fucking closer!

          The double standards and hypocrisy just astound me at times.

          I thought I'd give up on TDB and see what's going on here. It's fucking depressing.

          The claims that Indians are intent on bringing the whole village, and that they'll be a burden on Nu Zull Tex Paya, when as a select committee hearing not long ago heard that those immigrants becoming a drain on social services was less than 1%

          The Dowry thing. Us real Kiwis of course prefer to be showered with gifts and stuff and things, and then to battle out who gets what in the courts, when the marriage goes tits up and who gets custody of the possessions (including the chillin).

          And then (as some 'expert' over on TDB suggests), they're all bloody mysoginistic and anti-feminist – probably on the basis of knowing one or two curry munchers that are his or her best friend.

          As a nation, we really haven't progressed that much from being a pimple on the arse end of the Earth and Our Master's Voice and farmyard have we!

          Well done that Pretty Communist JacinTa for calling our Peter Dutton.

          Whilst Shane might be fucked if he's going be told what to do by some bloody immigrant. I'll be fucked if I'm going to buy into Shane's bloated fucking ego and grandstanding. He really should get a bit honest AND over his mid-life crisis.

          • OnceWasTim 11.2.1.1.1

            Oh! Quelle Horreur! In Breaking newz….. Jesse@ # RNZ; @ # BullshitandSpinGoingForward) tells us Our Munstry of bullshit and spin has apologised and failed us (OT).

            No surprises there. Next

          • I feel love 11.2.1.1.2

            Brilliant comment Tim!

            • OnceWasTim 11.2.1.1.2.1

              Well….we all know what to get him for Kirimete eh? It'd be one of those fairground concave mirrors that he could stand in front of looking a lot less of a a pudge, to practice his talking points – like "queue jumper", and "Mumbai Bollywood", and "village", and "retail politician". Wouldn't be too long before he could progress to "God I'm Gorgeous!.

              We'd probably have to pack it with a warning though. His dick might look a little bit .smaller than it actually is.

              I 'spose we could get "one of his rellies off the couch" to deliver it though, and train him in the art of worship and praising his master's superior intellect.

    • Dukeofurl 11.3

      So you dont agree with this then- "Any form of marriage , no matter from what country or culture where the woman is treated as a chattel can never be acceptable."

      jeez the Italians , especially from the Southern part had arranged marriages after they migrated to Australia… It wouldnt be accepted now

      The new film "Promised" covers such a combinare

      "The story told in Promised is of an arranged marriage between the children of Italian immigrants in Melbourne. The deal is struck in 1953, when Robert is a young boy and Angela is an infant in a crib. Twenty-one years later, and despite the fact Angela has a boyfriend, everyone expects the arrangement to be kept."

  12. Ken 12

    Rather than importing someone who they've never met – which is surely wide open to abuse – how about these men go over to India and marry the woman and return with a legal wife?

    • Dukeofurl 12.1

      Duh ….They are doing exactly that …the issue is INZ requires every other non Indian couple to prove ( thats documentary proof) THAT they are in a stable relationship , AND have lived together for at least a year ( they allow both legal marriage and de facto relationships)

      • Ken 12.1.1

        That's what I meant.

        • Dukeofurl 12.1.1.1

          No you didnt mean that . You said get a 'legal wife' . Thats always been happening , its not called arranged marriage for nothing. Its not some special rules for those just living together.

          Say you were a NZ guy/woman living in London or Singapore , meet and marry a local and want to come to NZ with new husband/wife, but if you have been married/relationship for say 3 months , its a no no, as its still 9 months to go and all the documentary proof to go with that.

      • Stuart Munro. 12.1.2

        They take the opportunity to ask for a bit more than that (quote from Facebook):

        I watched the stress and hoops my sister went through to get her husband in here . Why should it be automatic for just a few ? Was very expensive , many trips for xrays , blood tests , police records , character references . Its huge .

  13. Drowsy M. Kram 13

    Changing times: NZ projected % population increases by ethnic group, to 2038 from a 2013 ‘base’.

    European or Other: + 14.2%
    Maaori: + 53 %
    Pacific: + 71 %
    ME/Latin/African: +223 % (off a relatively small base)
    Chinese: +126 %
    Indian: +130 %

    http://nzdotstat.stats.govt.nz/wbos/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=TABLECODE7560

    "Ethnicity is the ethnic group or groups that people identify with or feel they belong to. Ethnicity is a measure of cultural affiliation, as opposed to race, ancestry, nationality, or citizenship. Ethnicity is self-perceived and people can belong to more than one ethnic group."

  14. peterlepaysan 14

    Arranged marriages happen all the all over the planet. just ask the royals, anywhere.

    Arranged marriages are not forced marriages. Arranged marriages are not child marriages.

    Some fact checking is in order.

    Shane Jones ought not to be using Donald Chump as a mentor, tempting as it is.

    OBTW the whakapapa of a lot of iwi and hapu would reveal lots of arranged/agreed marriages.

    Jones is an ignoramus beating an immigration drum.

    NZF is a British biased party. It is time they grew up.

    Yes, I know the ethnicity of NZF leadership. Their support base (diminishing) are british colonialists and imperialists, (Robs mob).

  15. mpledger 15

    We heard a lot from Indian men about how the immigration policy was unfair and it was totally from the persepective of males going back to India to find a bride. What I would like to hear is the perspective of Indian women.

    There are some arranged marriages that work out well but I've witnessed/heard of (first hand/second hand) some arranged marriages there were horrific.

    • Mark 15.1

      Not sure why arranged marriages require special dispensation. Surely the issue is living together, regardless of whether or not one has first become married.

      For an arranged marriage just get married first and live together in the home country for a year.

      For others it is not get married first, and live together in the home country for a year.

      Can't understand why the former case should somehow be privileged.

    • Rosemary McDonald 15.2

      Someone not handicapped by phone use could perhaps provide a link to the interview today between Kim Hill and the woman from Shakti.

      Okay, she's just a woman (and what would she know etc…) but calling those criticizing arranged marriage 'racist' and 'ignorant ' is perhaps a little misogynistic?

      [lprent: https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/saturday/audio/2018721442/shakti-nz-founder-farida-sultana-on-arranged-marriage ]

      • Rosemary McDonald 15.2.1

        Many thanks.

        I was reading the comments here the other day….hoping within hope that Shakti would speak out on this issue.

  16. Mark 16

    There is a massive problem with Shane Jone's comments regardless of your views on arranged marriages and exceptions being made for Indian spouses.

    Different groups will have different demands at different times. Sometimes these demands are reasonable, other times not. On this one I don't know enough about it —but I'm inclined to think that the Indian spouses should be subjected to the same rules as everyone else.

    But for Shane Jones to indulge in a barrage of racist fear mongering verbal filth should be utterly condemned – regardless of one's views on this particular issue.

    That is, one could oppose the demands of the Indian community on this one particular issue, but also utterly condemn Shane Jone's for his racist comments. No contradiction whatsoever.

  17. Invisiphilia 17

    I agree that Shane Jones went too far with his comments, however, the government has really thrown its immigration officials under the bus with this one. The reality is that many of the applicants just don't meet the "bona fide" criteria (having an incentive to return in the case that the relationship doesn't work out) and if it's going to be fair then it will need to be applied across all cultures who have cultural marriages otherwise it will be discriminatory. There is also a huge problem in that there are "culturally arranged marriages" that are organised by the families and then those that claim to have a cultural marriage when they have gone overseas and self-selected their partner from within their own culture. There also needs to be a discussion about how the women in these situations in NZ are faring. Are they, in general, okay and happy with the situation or do they end up socially isolated away from their families back home.

  18. michelle 18

    Gee i didn't hear any of you lot condemning bob jones for his racist ongoing rants about Maori why is that because he is rich you are scared

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    Last week former National Party leader Simon Bridges was appointed by the Government as the new chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). You can read about the appointment in Thomas Coughlan’s article, Simon Bridges to become chair of NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi The fact that a ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    11 hours ago
  • Is Simon Bridges’ NZTA appointment a conflict of interest?
    Bryce Edwards writes – Last week former National Party leader Simon Bridges was appointed by the Government as the new chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). You can read about the appointment in Thomas Coughlan’s article, Simon Bridges to become chair of NZ Transport Agency ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    11 hours ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' at 10:10am on Tuesday, March 19
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Gavin Jacobson talks to Thomas Piketty 10 years on from Capital in the 21st Century The SalvoLocal scoop: Green MP’s business being investigated over migrant exploitation claims Stuff Steve KilgallonLocal deep-dive: The commercial contractors making money from School ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    12 hours ago
  • Bernard's six newsy things on Tuesday, March 19
    It’s a home - but Kāinga Ora tenants accused of “abusing the privilege” may lose it. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The Government announced a crackdown on Kāinga Ora tenants who were unruly and/or behind on their rent, with Housing Minister Chris Bishop saying a place in a state ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    13 hours ago
  • New Life for Light Rail
    This is a guest post by Connor Sharp of Surface Light Rail  Light rail in Auckland: A way forward sooner than you think With the coup de grâce of Auckland Light Rail (ALR) earlier this year, and the shift of the government’s priorities to roads, roads, and more roads, it ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    14 hours ago
  • Why Are Bosses Nearly All Buffoons?
    Note: As a paid-up Webworm member, I’ve recorded this Webworm as a mini-podcast for you as well. Some of you said you liked this option - so I aim to provide it when I get a chance to record! Read more ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    16 hours ago
  • Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6.06 pm on March 18
    TL;DR: In my ‘six-stack’ of substacks at 6.06pm on Monday, March 18:IKEA is accused of planting big forests in New Zealand to green-wash; REDD-MonitorA City for People takes a well-deserved victory lap over Wellington’s pro-YIMBY District Plan votes; A City for PeopleSteven Anastasiou takes a close look at the sticky ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Peters holds his ground on co-governance, but Willis wriggles on those tax cuts and SNA suspension l...
    Buzz from the Beehive Here’s hoping for a lively post-cabinet press conference when the PM and – perhaps – some of his ministers tell us what was discussed at their meeting today. Until then, Point of Order has precious little Beehive news to report after its latest monitoring of the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago
  • Labour’s final report card
    David Farrar writes –  We now have almost all 2023 data in, which has allowed me to update my annual table of how  went against its promises. This is basically their final report card. The promise The result Build 100,000 affordable homes over 10 ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • “Drunk Uncle at a Wedding”
    I’m a bit worried that I’ve started a previous newsletter with the words “just when you think they couldn’t get any worse…” Seems lately that I could begin pretty much every issue with that opening. Such is the nature of our coalition government that they seem to be outdoing each ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago
  • Wang Yi’s perfectly-timed, Aukus-themed visit to New Zealand
    Geoffrey Miller writes – Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on Dune 2, and images of Islam
    Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture ...
    1 day ago
  • New Rail Operations Centre Promises Better Train Services
    Last week Transport Minster Simeon Brown and Mayor Wayne Brown opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre. The new train control centre will see teams from KiwiRail, Auckland Transport and Auckland One Rail working more closely together to improve train services across the city. The Auckland Rail Operations Centre in ...
    2 days ago
  • Bernard's six newsy things at 6.36am on Monday, March 18
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson said in an exit interview with Q+A yesterday the Government can and should sustain more debt to invest in infrastructure for future generations. Elsewhere in the news in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 6:36am: Read more ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: Wang Yi’s perfectly-timed, Aukus-themed visit to New Zealand
    Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. It is more than just a happy ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    2 days ago
  • The Kaka’s diary for the week to March 25 and beyond
    TL;DR: The key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to March 18 include:China’s Foreign Minister visiting Wellington today;A post-cabinet news conference this afternoon; the resumption of Parliament on Tuesday for two weeks before Easter;retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson gives his valedictory speech in Parliament; ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Bitter and angry; Winston First
    New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters’s state-of-the-nation speech on Sunday was really a state-of-Winston-First speech. He barely mentioned any of the Government’s key policies and could not even wholly endorse its signature income tax cuts. Instead, he rehearsed all of his complaints about the Ardern Government, including an extraordinary claim ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    2 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    2 days ago
  • Out of Touch.
    “I’ve been internalising a really complicated situation in my head.”When they kept telling us we should wait until we get to know him, were they taking the piss? Was it a case of, if you think this is bad, wait till you get to know the real Christopher, after the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • The bewildering world of Chris Luxon – Guns for all, not no lunch for kids
    .“$10 and a target that bleeds” - Bleeding Targets for Under $10!.Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.This government appears hell-bent on either scrapping life-saving legislation or reintroducing things that - frustrated critics insist - will be dangerous and likely ...
    Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy
    3 days ago
  • Expert Opinion: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    It hardly strikes me as fair to criticise a government for doing exactly what it said it was going to do. For actually keeping its promises.”THUNDER WAS PLAYING TAG with lightning flashes amongst the distant peaks. Its rolling cadences interrupted by the here-I-come-here-I-go Doppler effect of the occasional passing car. ...
    3 days ago
  • Manufacturing The Truth.
    Subversive & Disruptive Technologies: Just as happened with that other great regulator of the masses, the Medieval Church, the advent of a new and hard-to-control technology – the Internet –  is weakening the ties that bind. Then, and now, those who enjoy a monopoly on the dissemination of lies, cannot and will ...
    3 days ago
  • A Powerful Sensation of Déjà Vu.
    Been Here Before: To find the precedents for what this Coalition Government is proposing, it is necessary to return to the “glory days” of Muldoonism.THE COALITION GOVERNMENT has celebrated its first 100 days in office by checking-off the last of its listed commitments. It remains, however, an angry government. It ...
    3 days ago
  • Can you guess where world attention is focussed (according to Greenpeace)? It’s focussed on an EPA...
    Bob Edlin writes –  And what is the world watching today…? The email newsletter from Associated Press which landed in our mailbox early this morning advised: In the news today: The father of a school shooter has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter; prosecutors in Trump’s hush-money case ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Further integrity problems for the Greens in suspending MP Darleen Tana
    Bryce Edwards writes – Is another Green MP on their way out? And are the Greens severely tarnished by another integrity scandal? For the second time in three months, the Green Party has secretly suspended an MP over integrity issues. Mystery is surrounding the party’s decision to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Jacqui Van Der Kaay: Greens’ transparency missing in action
    For the last few years, the Green Party has been the party that has managed to avoid the plague of multiple scandals that have beleaguered other political parties. It appears that their luck has run out with a second scandal which, unfortunately for them, coincided with Golraz Ghahraman, the focus ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s Dawn Chorus with six newsey things at 6:46am for Saturday, March 16
    TL;DR: The six newsey things that stood out to me as of 6:46am on Saturday, March 16.Andy Foster has accidentally allowed a Labour/Green amendment to cut road user chargers for plug-in hybrid vehicles, which the Government might accept; NZ Herald Thomas Coughlan Simeon Brown has rejected a plea from Westport ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • How Did FTX Crash?
    What seemed a booming success a couple of years ago has collapsed into fraud convictions.I looked at the crash of FTX (short for ‘Futures Exchange’) in November 2022 to see whether it would impact on the financial system as a whole. Fortunately there was barely a ripple, probably because it ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    4 days ago
  • Elections in Russia and Ukraine
    Anybody following the situation in Ukraine and Russia would probably have been amused by a recent Tweet on X NATO seems to be putting in an awful lot of effort to influence what is, at least according to them, a sham election in an autocracy.When do the Ukrainians go to ...
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s six stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15
    TL;DR: Shaun Baker on Wynyard Quarter's transformation. Magdalene Taylor on the problem with smart phones. How private equity are now all over reinsurance. Dylan Cleaver on rugby and CTE. Emily Atkin on ‘Big Meat’ looking like ‘Big Oil’.Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15Photo by Jeppe Hove Jensen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Buzz from the Beehive Finance Minister Nicola Willis had plenty to say when addressing the Auckland Business Chamber on the economic growth that (she tells us) is flagging more than we thought. But the government intends to put new life into it:  We want our country to be a ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • National’s clean car tax advances
    The Transport and Infrastructure Committee has reported back on the Road User Charges (Light Electric RUC Vehicles) Amendment Bill, basicly rubberstamping it. While there was widespread support among submitters for the principle that EV and PHEV drivers should pay their fair share for the roads, they also overwhelmingly disagreed with ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Government funding bailouts
    Peter Dunne writes – This week’s government bailout – the fifth in the last eighteen months – of the financially troubled Ruapehu Alpine Lifts company would have pleased many in the central North Island ski industry. The government’s stated rationale for the $7 million funding was that it ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Two offenders, different treatments.
    See if you can spot the difference. An Iranian born female MP from a progressive party is accused of serial shoplifting. Her name is leaked to the media, which goes into a pack frenzy even before the Police launch an … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    4 days ago
  • Treaty references omitted
    Ele Ludemann writes  – The government is omitting general Treaty references from legislation : The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last Government in a bid to get greater coherence in the public service on Treaty ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • The Ghahraman Conflict
    What was that judge thinking? Peter Williams writes –  That Golriz Ghahraman and District Court Judge Maria Pecotic were once lawyer colleagues is incontrovertible. There is published evidence that they took at least one case to the Court of Appeal together. There was a report on ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 15
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Climate Scorpion – the sting is in the tail. Introducing planetary solvency. A paper via the University of Exeter’s Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.Local scoop: Kāinga Ora starts pulling out of its Auckland projects and selling land RNZ ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The day Wellington up-zoned its future
    Wellington’s massively upzoned District Plan adds the opportunity for tens of thousands of new homes not just in the central city (such as these Webb St new builds) but also close to the CBD and public transport links. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Wellington gave itself the chance of ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Weekly Roundup 15-March-2024
    It’s Friday and we’re halfway through March Madness. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt asked how we can get better event trains and an option for grade separating Morningside Dr. On Tuesday Matt looked into ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    5 days ago
  • That Word.
    Something you might not know about me is that I’m quite a stubborn person. No, really. I don’t much care for criticism I think’s unfair or that I disagree with. Few of us do I suppose.Back when I was a drinker I’d sometimes respond defensively, even angrily. There are things ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • The Hoon around the week to March 15
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:PM Christopher Luxon said the reversal of interest deductibility for landlords was done to help renters, who ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Labour’s policy gap
    It was not so much the Labour Party but really the Chris Hipkins party yesterday at Labour’s caucus retreat in Martinborough. The former Prime Minister was more or less consistent on wealth tax, which he was at best equivocal about, and social insurance, which he was not willing to revisit. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #11 2024
    Open access notables A Glimpse into the Future: The 2023 Ocean Temperature and Sea Ice Extremes in the Context of Longer-Term Climate Change, Kuhlbrodt et al., Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society: In the year 2023, we have seen extraordinary extrema in high sea surface temperature (SST) in the North Atlantic and in ...
    5 days ago
  • Melissa remains mute on media matters but has something to say (at a sporting event) about economic ...
     Buzz from the Beehive   The text reproduced above appears on a page which records all the media statements and speeches posted on the government’s official website by Melissa Lee as Minister of Media and Communications and/or by Jenny Marcroft, her Parliamentary Under-secretary.  It can be quickly analysed ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • The return of Muldoon
    For forty years, Robert Muldoon has been a dirty word in our politics. His style of government was so repulsive and authoritarian that the backlash to it helped set and entrench our constitutional norms. His pig-headedness over forcing through Think Big eventually gave us the RMA, with its participation and ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Will the rental tax cut improve life for renters or landlords?
    Bryce Edwards writes –  Is the new government reducing tax on rental properties to benefit landlords or to cut the cost of rents? That’s the big question this week, after Associate Finance Minister David Seymour announced on Sunday that the Government would be reversing the Labour Government’s removal ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: What Saudi Arabia’s rapid changes mean for New Zealand
    Saudi Arabia is rarely far from the international spotlight. The war in Gaza has brought new scrutiny to Saudi plans to normalise relations with Israel, while the fifth anniversary of the controversial killing of Jamal Khashoggi was marked shortly before the war began on October 7. And as the home ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    5 days ago
  • Racism’s double standards
    Questions need to be asked on both sides of the world Peter Williams writes –   The NRL Judiciary hands down an eight week suspension to Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu , an Auckland-born Samoan, after he calls Ezra Mam, Sydney-orn but of Aboriginal and Torres Strait ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • It’s not a tax break
    Ele Ludemann writes – Contrary to what many headlines and news stories are saying, residential landlords are not getting a tax break. The government is simply restoring to them the tax deductibility of interest they had until the previous government removed it. There is no logical reason ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • The Plastic Pig Collective and Chris' Imaginary Friends.
    I can't remember when it was goodMoments of happiness in bloomMaybe I just misunderstoodAll of the love we left behindWatching our flashbacks intertwineMemories I will never findIn spite of whatever you becomeForget that reckless thing turned onI think our lives have just begunI think our lives have just begunDoes anyone ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Who is responsible for young offenders?
    Michael Bassett writes – At first reading, a front-page story in the New Zealand Herald on 13 March was bizarre. A group of severely intellectually limited teenagers, with little understanding of the law, have been pleading to the Justice Select Committee not to pass a bill dealing with ram ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on National’s fantasy trip to La La Landlord Land
    How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is: (a) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was ...
    5 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 14
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Jonathon Porritt calling bullshit in his own blog post on mainstream climate science as ‘The New Denialism’.Local scoop: The Wellington City Council’s list of proposed changes to the IHP recommendations to be debated later today was leaked this ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • No, Prime Minister, rents don’t rise or fall with landlords’ costs
    TL;DR: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • Cartoons: ‘At least I didn’t make things awkward’
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Tom Toro Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in Playboy, the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. Related: What 10 EV lovers ...
    6 days ago
  • Solving traffic congestion with Richard Prebble
    The business section of the NZ Herald is full of opinion. Among the more opinionated of all is the ex-Minister of Transport, ex-Minister of Railways, ex MP for Auckland Central (1975-93, Labour), Wellington Central (1996-99, ACT, then list-2005), ex-leader of the ACT Party, uncle to actor Antonia, the veritable granddaddy ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    6 days ago
  • I Think I'm Done Flying Boeing
    Hi,Just quickly — I’m blown away by the stories you’ve shared with me over the last week since I put out the ‘Gary’ podcast, where I told you about the time my friend’s flatmate killed the neighbour.And you keep telling me stories — in the comments section, and in my ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • Invoking Aristotle: Of Rings of Power, Stones, and Ships
    The first season of Rings of Power was not awful. It was thoroughly underwhelming, yes, and left a lingering sense of disappointment, but it was more expensive mediocrity than catastrophe. I wrote at length about the series as it came out (see the Review section of the blog, and go ...
    6 days ago
  • Van Velden brings free-market approach to changing labour laws – but her colleagues stick to distr...
    Buzz from the Beehive Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden told Auckland Business Chamber members they were the first audience to hear her priorities as a minister in a government committed to cutting red tape and regulations. She brandished her liberalising credentials, saying Flexible labour markets are the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Why Newshub failed
    Chris Trotter writes – TO UNDERSTAND WHY NEWSHUB FAILED, it is necessary to understand how TVNZ changed. Up until 1989, the state broadcaster had been funded by a broadcasting licence fee, collected from every citizen in possession of a television set, supplemented by a relatively modest (compared ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Māori Party on the warpath against landlords and seabed miners – let’s see if mystical creature...
    Bob Edlin writes  –  The Māori Party has been busy issuing a mix of warnings and threats as its expresses its opposition to interest deductibility for landlords and the plans of seabed miners. It remains to be seen whether they  follow the example of indigenous litigants in Australia, ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Government moves to quickly ratify the NZ-EU FTA
    "The Government is moving quickly to realise an additional $46 million in tariff savings in the EU market this season for Kiwi exporters,” Minister for Trade and Agriculture, Todd McClay says. Parliament is set, this week, to complete the final legislative processes required to bring the New Zealand – European ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours ago
  • Positive progress for social worker workforce
    New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    9 hours ago
  • Minister confirms reduced RUC rate for PHEVs
    Cabinet has agreed to a reduced road user charge (RUC) rate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. Owners of PHEVs will be eligible for a reduced rate of $38 per 1,000km once all light electric vehicles (EVs) move into the RUC system from 1 April.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    11 hours ago
  • Trade access to overseas markets creates jobs
    Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay, says that today’s opening of Riverland Foods manufacturing plant in Christchurch is a great example of how trade access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand.  Speaking at the official opening of this state-of-the-art pet food factory the Minister noted that exports ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    12 hours ago
  • NZ and Chinese Foreign Ministers hold official talks
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Kāinga Ora instructed to end Sustaining Tenancies
    Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber: Growth is the answer
    Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Singapore rounds out regional trip
    Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships.      “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister van Velden represents New Zealand at International Democracy Summit
    Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Insurance Council of NZ Speech, 7 March 2024, Auckland
    ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland  Acknowledgements and opening  Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho.  Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau  My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Five-year anniversary of Christchurch terror attacks
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says.  “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024
    Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024  Acknowledgements and opening  Morena, Nga Mihi Nui.  Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau  Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Early visit to Indonesia strengthens ties
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country.   “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • China Foreign Minister to visit
    Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week.  “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister opens new Auckland Rail Operations Centre
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
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