Steve shuffles off his mortal coil

Written By: - Date published: 4:14 pm, March 10th, 2009 - 56 comments
Categories: scoundrels - Tags:

Protecting workers’ rights, protecting ACC, safeguarding jobs, public services, and SOEs, opposing privatisation. These are all important fights. But it’s a crime we’re having to fight them at all. While we are concerned with such things, the enviro/economic challenges to the sustainability of our society barely get a look in.

Peak oil, climate change, depletion of water, arable land, and minerals. These problems threaten the survival of billions of humans and our way of life. Yet, the urgent debate on how to handle these crises is confined to scientific and (increasingly) economic journals; we see nearly nothing about them in the political discourse. Maybe it’s the media’s incompetence. Perhaps it’s the short-term thinking of the Government and the reactive nature of opposition. Whatever, the fact is our political discourse is missing the big stuff and it’s maddening.

600fd200e03f523902e498c6ae2de530So, I’m taking a break from it.This is Steve Pierson’s last post. I want to get away from the partisan stuff for a while and I’ve accepted a contract that means it will be inappropriate to publicly voice my political opinions. Any posts I write in the future will be guest posts in my own name, and confined to the big issues I’m trying to get my head around, not partisan politics.

The Standard will, of course, continue to go from strength to strength. There’s a good pool of half a dozen writers and a cartoonist contributing regularly now. I know they’ll look to bring on others to maintain the diversity of Left voices. Remember though, the writers are only writing in their spare time and can’t be across every issue. That’s where you come in. If you think there’s a story that The Standard needs to cover, write a post and email it in. The Standard is for you; you can help make it better.

See ya.

56 comments on “Steve shuffles off his mortal coil ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. IrishBill 1
    10 March 2009 at 4:41 pm

    Well miss you bro.

  2. Billy 2
    10 March 2009 at 4:42 pm

    In related news, it is my sad duty to report that ‘sod is dead. In a blogging sense.

  3. gingercrush 3
    10 March 2009 at 4:47 pm

    Well good luck. While I’ve disagreed with many of the posts you’ve made. I’ve always felt that they’ve been informative, important and allowed numerous debates and discussions around important issues. Not only for the left but the right and more importantly the middle. Your ability to produce such outstanding posts against an awash of mediocrity is itself admirable. I use that phrase not to attack other authors at The Standard. But it is my personal belief that much of what is contained on the blogosphere is quite simply crap. Your posts were never crap.

    Your ability to produce unique and important posts will be a lost to the Standard. But as you’ve stated, there are many other excellent writers here that will continue that tradition. So best of luck in the future.

  4. djp 4
    10 March 2009 at 4:49 pm

    well you have certainly made your mark enjoy the break.

    I don’t get why you would engage in partisan politics though? Why not principled politics (eg like the Act supporters who are quite angry right now)?

  5. bobo 5
    10 March 2009 at 4:49 pm

    Best of luck Steve have enjoyed your posts 🙂

  6. Tim Ellis 6
    10 March 2009 at 4:50 pm

    That’s a shame SP. I try not to sound patronising, but I disagreed with most of what you write and I was frequently irritated with the inflammatory and blatantly partisan and one-eyed tone that filled many of your posts, but I did admire your sheer output of work, ability to wind people up, and to express an energetic opinion.

    We all have to make a living at some point. Good on you, and I hope to see you back from time to time.

  7. Billy 7
    10 March 2009 at 4:50 pm

    SP,

    I’ll say this for you: you’re the hardest working lefty I have ever seen. Good luck with this new thing.

  8. Freddy 8
    10 March 2009 at 4:56 pm

    No such thing as a coincidence

    • lprent 8.1
      10 March 2009 at 6:22 pm

      Often there is… For instance the deafening silence from the Sensible Sentencing Trust is an amazing coincidence earlier today.

      But you know our usual neither confirm nor deny policy that we borrowed from the Yanks.

  9. Pascal's bookie 9
    10 March 2009 at 5:11 pm

    good luck man. thanks for all your output.

  10. Snail 10
    10 March 2009 at 5:14 pm

    Go Well, SP.. cheers!

  11. Mike Collins 11
    10 March 2009 at 5:48 pm

    Good luck with your new job.

  12. Ianmac 12
    10 March 2009 at 5:55 pm

    Thanks Steve. There was always a stimulus for me to think on. I often discussed the issues that you raised with others offline.

  13. Brett Dale 13
    10 March 2009 at 6:08 pm

    Good luck with your new job!

  14. Lew 14
    10 March 2009 at 6:21 pm

    Cue rampant and unfounded speculation about which branch of the public service Steve is now working for 🙂

    L

  15. Rachael Le Mer 15
    10 March 2009 at 6:24 pm

    Pubic and private
    xxx

  16. lprent 16
    10 March 2009 at 6:26 pm

    Cue rampant and unfounded speculation

    Yeah, but I thiink that we will leave that for the sewer..

    Been a great effort over the last year and a bit. I still love your writing, so hopefully you’ll be able to do the weekend stuff. I’m going to miss having all those posts to read. However I’ll recruit some more pseudonymous writers to fill the large gap.

  17. deemac 17
    10 March 2009 at 6:42 pm

    you are so smart it was only a matter of time before you were headhunted… the blogosphere will be poorer without you!

  18. Travellerev 18
    10 March 2009 at 6:55 pm

    You called my 911 stuff garbage and I think that sometimes you’re ill informed but you always kept them coming and for that I salute you.
    Perhaps now that you don’t have to come up with something new for the Standard every so often you can google 911 once in a while and educate yourself on the subject.

    I’m sure we’ll see your comments here. It’s just to damn attractive riling the trolls. LOL

  19. Killinginthenameof 19
    10 March 2009 at 7:08 pm

    Sentiments as above, sad too see you leaving The Standard, congratulations how ever on picking up what I’m sure must be an exceptionally good job. I’ve been continually impressed by the huge range of topics that you have managed to cover in exceptional depth. Hopefully I’ll manage to catch you at drinking liberally again some time!

    All the best for the future, and thanks for all the good posts.

  20. the sprout 20
    10 March 2009 at 7:23 pm

    you’ve made a fantastic contribution SP, best of luck and thanks for what you’ve done to help make The Standard what it is today.

  21. Chris G 21
    10 March 2009 at 7:32 pm

    stink,

    Well do enjoy your new job, but more importantly keep fighting for the left! Especially for the issues you mentioned that concern you most.

  22. Inventory2 22
    10 March 2009 at 7:50 pm

    All the best Steve – kia kaha

  23. Matthew Pilott 23
    10 March 2009 at 8:32 pm

    Are you taking over ACC?

  24. RedLogix 24
    10 March 2009 at 8:49 pm

    Missing you already SP. And you will leave a very big hole at The Standard that will be hard to fill. You are one very capable young man, who has earned my sincere respect. I wish you all the best wherever it is that you are off to.

    Regards RL.

  25. Quoth the Raven 25
    10 March 2009 at 8:54 pm

    At least it’s not the last we’ll hear from you. I’ll look forward to your posts on the bigger issues. Political theory and such is much more interesting than partisan politics.

  26. Julie 26
    10 March 2009 at 9:11 pm

    Good luck Steve, looking forward to your guest posts. And best wishes to the rest of The Standard’s writers as they work to fill the gap!

  27. David Farrar 27
    10 March 2009 at 9:26 pm

    Congrats on the new job. You’ve been a large part of the increased readership of The Standard.

  28. Dan 28
    10 March 2009 at 9:53 pm

    Steve, as I watch Granny Herald decline in readership, I can understand as readers look to alternative explanations of the world. Your contributions over the last election particularly were great, and although the blue team won, their Labour lite policies were a reflection of the effectiveness of Labour’s policies. It will be interesting as the Nats show their true colours: ACT is already fuming, and it won’t be long before Tariana has a few things to say.
    Thank you for flying the flag and working so hard at keeping a fair society in front of everyone.

  29. theaveragekeywi 29
    10 March 2009 at 10:16 pm

    Good work mate, now how about that on-line morning tea? (although it is sleep time now, awkward)

  30. jimbo 30
    10 March 2009 at 10:23 pm

    Good luck, Steve. Congrats.

  31. barnsleybill 31
    10 March 2009 at 10:30 pm

    anybody know what has happened to sod? As 33% of his readership I am a bit put out that there was no warning.

  32. Patrick 32
    10 March 2009 at 10:56 pm

    Cheers for all the amazing work!

    And this had better not stop you coming to Drinking Liberally…

  33. r0b 33
    11 March 2009 at 1:39 am

    Nooooooooooooooooo!

    Ahh, all good things must come to an end. Thanks SP, and go well.

  34. expat 34
    11 March 2009 at 2:18 am

    Good luck with that whole ‘working’ thing mate. It may come a sa struggle but never fear, millions of people do it.

  35. The Double Standard 35
    11 March 2009 at 7:46 am

    Well, at least you got the category right.

  36. Janet 36
    11 March 2009 at 8:20 am

    Thanks Steve. In those dark days when everyone was dazzled by the smiling assassin’s grin, it was Steve’s posts on the Standard, sometimes complete with graphs, that showed it was not just me worried where all this would lead.

    This is the difference between now and the similar era of the early 90s. In those days the MSM never allowed a peep from anyone who questioned the ‘There is no alternative’ mantra. And now we have the Standard and several other intelligent leftish blogs flourishing, shining the light on similar current deceptions.

    I do hope you are going to be paid well, and by the tax payer. It is particularly annoying that so much good tax payers’ money is currently going to the right wing NACT think tanks, researchers and push polling companies.

  37. Andy 37
    11 March 2009 at 8:46 am

    Cheers SP. well done, you produced some amazing work! Good luck in the future!

  38. Santi 38
    11 March 2009 at 8:51 am

    The world will not be the same without the towering, unsurpassable economics genius SP.
    What will we do without his brilliance, his enormous talent, his guiding light, his sharp knowledge of every thing under the sun? I despair while sobbing uncontrolably.

    I cannot express how sorry I am to see him going. How tragic to lose a man of his caliber to the public service (I refuse to believe he’d stoop to ever work for the dark forces of private enterprise)!

  39. vto 39
    11 March 2009 at 9:31 am

    Tho we never really saw eye to eye on much at all, you have at least been consistent and passionate and clearly energetic and hardworking. Charge on fulla..

  40. ak 40
    11 March 2009 at 9:48 am

    Yes, many, many thanks for your fantastic efforts Steve, and all the best in your new gig. As others have noted, your output, range and quality has really been remarkable – right up there with Campbell and the best of the international commentariat – and the plaudits from all sides are thoroughly deserved.
    You’ll go far – but not too far I hope – look forward to seeing the other Standardistas stepping into your big shoes, and your guest posts on the big issues. Again, huge thanks and all the best for the future.

  41. NeillR 41
    11 March 2009 at 11:06 am

    Well at least National’s succeeded in getting one p(i)erson a job. 😀

  42. Daveski 42
    11 March 2009 at 3:53 pm

    As TE noted, I’ve been a vocal opponent of much of what you have written. However, it is obvious that your posts consistently called to be read and that is the greatest compliment of any blogger.

    I look forward to your future posts. All the best.

  43. Felix 43
    11 March 2009 at 4:04 pm

    Yep, best of luck fella. Thanks for all the hard work and I hope they teach you to spell at your new gig.

  44. Paul Williams 44
    11 March 2009 at 5:14 pm

    Bugger. Steve, I hope you find a way to keep blogging but I entirely understand the constraints of paid employment. My congratulations to you and your colleagues here for the fantastic job you’ve done facilitating an intelligent alternative leftwing voice. It’s been invaluable.

  45. XChequer 45
    11 March 2009 at 5:55 pm

    Good luck, Steve.

    I add my sentiments to those above about not always agreeing with you…….. but then isn’t that the point of blogs, the internet et al? To promote free speech, dialogue and helping exchange views in a full and frank fashion.

    All the best and we look forward to hearing from you in the future.

    XChequer
    http://thenzhomeoffice.blogspot.com/

  46. randal 46
    13 March 2009 at 1:33 pm

    seeya steve
    hope you make the most of your opportunity
    according to the dimpost the standard is insufferably dull
    and the dimpost accuses trevor mallard of taking his attacks on the right to there blog
    they might be right there perhaps
    time to rev this little baby up but everybody here is mostly, and I agree with the dimpost insufferably dull
    no wit
    false consciousness
    unable to grapple with any issue without descending into banalities and abuse
    no wit
    unable to comprehend the wider world
    no wit
    more worried about the mortgage than anything else
    no wit
    oh
    and the left is never going to win till they start matching the rights media apparatus
    they dont need all the capitalist infrastructure
    all it will take will be free tabloids at railway and bus stations in the morning and micropulse radio stations to play “real music”
    these are low cost options and just as effective
    but
    if you have no wit or creativity then these avenues will remain forever closed

  47. SjS 47
    13 March 2009 at 3:21 pm

    Will miss you posts Steve, but also looking forward to your new pieces from time to time. I really enjoyed your peak oil posts!! Hope to see more to come in the future.

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    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • While we wait patiently, our new Minister of Education is up and going with a 100-day action plan
    Sorry to say, the government’s official website is still out of action. When Point of Order paid its daily visit, the message was the same as it has been for the past week: Site under maintenance Beehive.govt.nz is currently under maintenance. We will be back shortly. Thank you for your ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago

  • DAVID FARRAR: Hysterical bullshit
    Radio NZ reports: Te Pāti Māori’s co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer has accused the new government of “deliberate .. systemic genocide” over its policies to roll back the smokefree policy and the Māori Health Authority. The left love hysterical language. If you oppose racial quotas in laws, you are a racist. And now if you sack ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #48 2023
    Open access notables From this week's government/NGO section, longitudinal data is gold and Leisorowitz, Maibachi et al. continue to mine ore from the US public with Climate Change in the American Mind: Politics & Policy, Fall 2023: Drawing on a representative sample of the U.S. adult population, the authors describe how registered ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • ELE LUDEMANN: It wasn’t just $55 million
    Ele Ludemann writes –  Winston Peters reckons media outlets were bribed by the $55 million Public Interest Journalism Fund. He is not the first to make such an accusation. Last year, the Platform outlined conditions media signed up to in return for funds from the PJIF: . . . ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago

  • Weekly Roundup 1-December-2023
    Wow, it’s December already, and it’s a Friday. So here are few things that caught our attention recently. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt covered the new government’s coalition agreements and what they mean for transport. On Tuesday Matt looked at AT’s plans for fare increases ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    5 days ago

  • Shane MacGowan Is Gone.
    Late 1996, The Dogs Bollix, Tamaki Makaurau.I’m at the front of the bar yelling my order to the bartender, jostling with other thirsty punters on a Friday night, keen to piss their wages up against a wall letting loose. The black stuff, long luscious pints of creamy goodness. Back down ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • The Hoon around the week to Dec 1
    Nicola Willis, Chris Bishop and other National, ACT and NZ First MPs applaud the signing of the coalition agreements, which included the reversal of anti-smoking measures while accelerating tax cuts for landlords. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • 2023 More Reading: November (+ Writing Update)
    Completed reads for November: A Modern Utopia, by H.G. Wells The Vampire (poem), by Heinrich August Ossenfelder The Corpus Hermeticum The Corpus Hermeticum is Mead’s translation. Now, this is indeed a very quiet month for reading. But there is a reason for that… You see, ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    6 days ago

  • Forward to 2017
    The coalition party agreements are mainly about returning to 2017 when National lost power. They show commonalities but also some serious divergencies.The two coalition agreements – one National and ACT, the other National and New Zealand First – are more than policy documents. They also describe the processes of the ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    6 days ago

  • Questions a nine year old might ask the new Prime Minister
    First QuestionYou’re going to crack down on people ram-raiding dairies, because you say hard-working dairy owners shouldn’t have to worry about getting ram-raided.But once the chemist shops have pseudoephedrine in them again, they're going to get ram-raided all the time. Do chemists not work as hard as dairy owners?Second QuestionYou ...
    More than a fieldingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • Questions a nine year old might ask the new Prime Minister
    First QuestionYou’re going to crack down on people ram-raiding dairies, because you say hard-working dairy owners shouldn’t have to worry about getting ram-raided.But once the chemist shops have pseudoephedrine in them again, they're going to get ram-raided all the time. Do chemists not work as hard as dairy owners?Second QuestionYou ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • Finally
    Henry Kissinger is finally dead. Good fucking riddance. While Americans loved him, he was a war criminal, responsible for most of the atrocities of the final quarter of the twentieth century. Cambodia. Bangladesh. Chile. East Timor. All Kissinger. Because of these crimes, Americans revere him as a "statesman" (which says ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago

  • Government in a hurry – Luxon lists 49 priorities in 100-day plan while Peters pledges to strength...
    Buzz from the Beehive Yes, ministers in the new government are delivering speeches and releasing press statements. But the message on the government’s official website was the same as it has been for the past several days, when Point of Order went looking for news from the Beehive that had ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • DAVID FARRAR: Luxon is absolutely right
    David Farrar writes  –  1 News reports: Christopher Luxon says he was told by some Kiwis on the campaign trail they “didn’t know” the difference between Waka Kotahi, Te Pūkenga and Te Whatu Ora. Speaking to Breakfast, the incoming prime minister said having English first on government agencies will “make sure” ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Top 10 at 10 am for Thursday, Nov 30
    There are fears that mooted changes to building consent liability could end up driving the building industry into an uninsured hole. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Here’s my pick of the top 10 news and analysis links elsewhere as of 10 am on Thursday, November 30, including:The new Government’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on how climate change threatens cricket‘s future
    Well that didn’t last long, did it? Mere days after taking on what he called the “awesome responsibility” of being Prime Minister, M Christopher Luxon has started blaming everyone else, and complaining that he has inherited “economic vandalism on an unprecedented scale” – which is how most of us are ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    6 days ago

  • We need to talk about Tory.
    The first I knew of the news about Tory Whanau was when a tweet came up in my feed.The sort of tweet that makes you question humanity, or at least why you bother with Twitter. Which is increasingly a cesspit of vile inhabitants who lurk spreading negativity, hate, and every ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • Dangling Transport Solutions
    Cable Cars, Gondolas, Ropeways and Aerial Trams are all names for essentially the same technology and the world’s biggest maker of them are here to sell them as an public transport solution. Stuff reports: Austrian cable car company Doppelmayr has launched its case for adding aerial cable cars to New ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    6 days ago

  • November AMA
    Hi,It’s been awhile since I’ve done an Ask-Me-Anything on here, so today’s the day. Ask anything you like in the comments section, and I’ll be checking in today and tomorrow to answer.Leave a commentNext week I’ll be giving away a bunch of these Mister Organ blu-rays for readers in New ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago

  • National’s early moves adding to cost of living pressure
    The cost of living grind continues, and the economic and inflation honeymoon is over before it began. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: PM Christopher Luxon unveiled his 100 day plan yesterday with an avowed focus of reducing cost-of-living pressures, but his Government’s initial moves and promises are actually elevating ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • Backwards to the future
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has confirmed that it will be back to the future on planning legislation. This will be just one of a number of moves which will see the new government go backwards as it repeals and cost-cuts its way into power. They will completely repeal one ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago

  • New initiatives in science and technology could point the way ahead for Luxon government
    As the new government settles into the Beehive, expectations are high that it can sort out some  of  the  economic issues  confronting  New Zealand. It may take time for some new  ministers to get to grips with the range of their portfolio work and responsibilities before they can launch the  changes that  ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    7 days ago

  • Treaty pledge to secure funding is contentious – but is Peters being pursued by a lynch mob after ...
    TV3 political editor Jenna Lynch was among the corps of political reporters who bridled, when Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters told them what he thinks of them (which is not much). She was unabashed about letting her audience know she had bridled. More usefully, she drew attention to something which ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    7 days ago

  • How long does this last?
    I have a clear memory of every election since 1969 in this plucky little nation of ours. I swear I cannot recall a single one where the question being asked repeatedly in the first week of the new government was: how long do you reckon they’ll last? And that includes all ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    7 days ago

  • National’s giveaway politics
    We already know that national plans to boost smoking rates to collect more tobacco tax so they can give huge tax-cuts to mega-landlords. But this morning that policy got even more obscene - because it turns out that the tax cut is retrospective: Residential landlords will be able to ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago

  • CHRIS TROTTER: Who’s driving the right-wing bus?
    Who’s At The Wheel? The electorate’s message, as aggregated in the polling booths on 14 October, turned out to be a conservative political agenda stronger than anything New Zealand has seen in five decades. In 1975, Bill Rowling was run over by just one bus, with Rob Muldoon at the wheel. In 2023, ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 week ago

  • GRAHAM ADAMS:  Media knives flashing for Luxon’s government
    The fear and loathing among legacy journalists is astonishing Graham Adams writes – No one is going to die wondering how some of the nation’s most influential journalists personally view the new National-led government. It has become abundantly clear within a few days of the coalition agreements ...
    Point of OrderBy gadams1000
    1 week ago

  • Top 10 news links for Wednesday, Nov 29
    TL;DR: Here’s my pick of top 10 news links elsewhere for Wednesday November 29, including:The early return of interest deductibility for landlords could see rebates paid on previous taxes and the cost increase to $3 billion from National’s initial estimate of $2.1 billion, CTU Economist Craig Renney estimated here last ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

  • Smokefree Fallout and a High Profile Resignation.
    The day after being sworn in the new cabinet met yesterday, to enjoy their honeymoon phase. You remember, that period after a new government takes power where the country, and the media, are optimistic about them, because they haven’t had a chance to stuff anything about yet.Sadly the nuptials complete ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago

  • As Cabinet revs up, building plans go on hold
    Wellington Council hoardings proclaim its preparations for population growth, but around the country councils are putting things on hold in the absence of clear funding pathways for infrastructure, and despite exploding migrant numbers. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Cabinet meets in earnest today to consider the new Government’s 100-day ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

  • National takes over infrastructure
    Though New Zealand First may have had ambitions to run the infrastructure portfolios, National would seem to have ended up firmly in control of them.  POLITIK has obtained a private memo to members of Infrastructure NZ yesterday, which shows that the peak organisation for infrastructure sees  National MPs Chris ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 week ago

  • At a glance – Evidence for global warming
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago

  • Who’s Driving The Right-Wing Bus?
    Who’s At The Wheel? The electorate’s message, as aggregated in the polling booths on 14 October, turned out to be a conservative political agenda stronger than anything New Zealand has seen in five decades. In 1975, Bill Rowling was run over by just one bus, with Rob Muldoon at the wheel. In ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 week ago

  • PISA results show urgent need to teach the basics
    With 2022 PISA results showing a decline in achievement, Education Minister Erica Stanford is confident that the Coalition Government’s 100-day plan for education will improve outcomes for Kiwi kids.  The 2022 PISA results show a significant decline in the performance of 15-year-old students in maths compared to 2018 and confirms ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    17 hours ago

  • Collins leaves for Pacific defence meeting
    Defence Minister Judith Collins today departed for New Caledonia to attend the 8th annual South Pacific Defence Ministers’ meeting (SPDMM). “This meeting is an excellent opportunity to meet face-to-face with my Pacific counterparts to discuss regional security matters and to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to the Pacific,” Judith Collins says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Working for Families gets cost of living boost
    Putting more money in the pockets of hard-working families is a priority of this Coalition Government, starting with an increase to Working for Families, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says. “We are starting our 100-day plan with a laser focus on bringing down the cost of living, because that is what ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Lake Onslow pumped hydro scheme scrapped
    The Government has axed the $16 billion Lake Onslow pumped hydro scheme championed by the previous government, Energy Minister Simeon Brown says. “This hugely wasteful project was pouring money down the drain at a time when we need to be reining in spending and focussing on rebuilding the economy and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • NZ welcomes further pause in fighting in Gaza
    New Zealand welcomes the further one-day extension of the pause in fighting, which will allow the delivery of more urgently-needed humanitarian aid into Gaza and the release of more hostages, Foreign Minister Winston Peters said. “The human cost of the conflict is horrific, and New Zealand wants to see the violence ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Condolences on passing of Henry Kissinger
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters today expressed on behalf of the New Zealand Government his condolences to the family of former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, who has passed away at the age of 100 at his home in Connecticut. “While opinions on his legacy are varied, Secretary Kissinger was ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Backing our kids to learn the basics
    Every child deserves a world-leading education, and the Coalition Government is making that a priority as part of its 100-day plan. Education Minister Erica Stanford says that will start with banning cellphone use at school and ensuring all primary students spend one hour on reading, writing, and maths each day. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • US Business Summit Speech – Regional stability through trade
    I would like to begin by echoing the Prime Minister’s thanks to the organisers of this Summit, Fran O’Sullivan and the Auckland Business Chamber.  I want to also acknowledge the many leading exporters, sector representatives, diplomats, and other leaders we have joining us in the room. In particular, I would like ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Keynote Address to the United States Business Summit, Auckland
    Good morning. Thank you, Rosemary, for your warm introduction, and to Fran and Simon for this opportunity to make some brief comments about New Zealand’s relationship with the United States.  This is also a chance to acknowledge my colleague, Minister for Trade Todd McClay, Ambassador Tom Udall, Secretary of Foreign ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • India New Zealand Business Council Speech, India as a Strategic Priority
    Good morning, tēnā koutou and namaskar. Many thanks, Michael, for your warm welcome. I would like to acknowledge the work of the India New Zealand Business Council in facilitating today’s event and for the Council’s broader work in supporting a coordinated approach for lifting New Zealand-India relations. I want to also ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Coalition Government unveils 100-day plan
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has laid out the Coalition Government’s plan for its first 100 days from today. “The last few years have been incredibly tough for so many New Zealanders. People have put their trust in National, ACT and NZ First to steer them towards a better, more prosperous ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • New Zealand welcomes European Parliament vote on the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement
    A significant milestone in ratifying the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was reached last night, with 524 of the 705 member European Parliament voting in favour to approve the agreement. “I’m delighted to hear of the successful vote to approve the NZ-EU FTA in the European Parliament overnight. This is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Further humanitarian support for Gaza, the West Bank and Israel
    The Government is contributing a further $5 million to support the response to urgent humanitarian needs in Gaza, the West Bank and Israel, bringing New Zealand’s total contribution to the humanitarian response so far to $10 million. “New Zealand is deeply saddened by the loss of civilian life and the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago

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