Sustainability Council: TPPA lets investors sue over climate change policies

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 7:30 am, January 22nd, 2016 - 98 comments
Categories: climate change, democracy under attack, global warming, Globalisation, national/act government, sustainability, you couldn't make this shit up - Tags: cop21

TPPA protest-9

You know how Paris and COP21 was meant to mark a new beginning, that climate change denial was dead and that man made anthropogenic change was now accepted to be real and that to address this most important of issues urgent action needed to be taken? Well no one told the people negotiating the Trans Pacific Partnership agreement.

The Sustainability Council has reported that the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement will allow investors to sue the Government should it take steps to address climate change in a way that affects corporate interests. And that references to climate change were washed out of an early draft of the agreement.

From the Sustainability Council website:

Close scrutiny of the final TPPA text reveals that its impact on the environment is even worse than had been expected from leaked drafts.

A new paper, prepared by Simon Terry as part of a series supported by a New Zealand Law Foundation grant, concludes that the environment is a significant casualty under the TPPA.

Analysis of the final text shows that the gains for the environment are few and small scale. By contrast, foreign investors can sue the Government for compensation if they believe new environmental protections will reduce their future profits, and this is a serious threat.

When challenged on the need for such Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) rules, ministers have repeatedly said that there would be no restraint on the government’s ability to regulate in the public interest. However, the text fails to protect the Government from being sued when taking such action.

The justification provided by the Government is essentially weasel words. Just as the TPPA would not result in increased prescription charges for individuals because the Government (that is the taxpayer) would pick up the tab and/or the quality of pharmaceuticals would go down, the government would have us believe that there will be no restraint on it being able to regulate, as long as it is willing to pay the cost of doing so.

The full report notes that there are provisions that protect governments from being sued for acting to reduce smoking but no similar protections when it comes to climate change. Clearly the absence of these safeguards means that almost anything goes as far as corporate litigation is concerned.

The report refers to the legal action taken by TransCanada against US Government for the vetoing of approval of the Keystone XL pipeline and suggests that this is an example of what may happen under the TPPA’s investor state dispute resolution procedure.

Two weeks ago, a Canadian company announced that it will use very similar rules to sue the US government for US$15 billion after President Obama vetoed approval for a pipeline that would have carried oil made from tar sands to the US.

In this country, ISDS rules could be used to sue the government if it increased emissions charges under the ETS, or restricted the mining of fossil fuels.

And the report notes that “climate change” is not mentioned in the TPPA text, and that global measures to address climate change are completely disconnected from the treaty. It is all about trade and nothing but trade and does not protect the Government from doing anything except for the limited exception relating to smoking.

To make matters worse apparently “climate change” was mentioned in an earlier draft but was taken out through the redrafting process. This passage …

The Parties acknowledge climate change as a global concern that requires collective action and recognize the importance of implementation of their respective commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its related legal instruments …

became this …

The Parties acknowledge that transition to a low emissions economy requires collective action.

How crazy that action a government takes to address the world’s most pressing environmental issue may result in it paying compensation to corporations that pollute. And how bizarre that some of the most sophisticated nations in the world should negotiate a treaty which provides this result.

98 comments on “Sustainability Council: TPPA lets investors sue over climate change policies ”

Comments are now closed

Paul 1

22 January 2016 at 7:54 am

TPPA’s Effect On The New Zealand Environment

Some examples of environmental protection measures which could be affected by ISDS if New Zealand signs up to the TPPA are:

Our Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), which is designed to reduce New Zealand’s contribution to global climate change, and to meet our obligations under the Kyoto protocol. The government has proposed legislation that will extend the transition period for full implementation of the ETS indefinitely. If New Zealand were to sign-up to the TPPA with the ETS in such a weakened form, any future changes to the scheme to seriously address climate change would risk ISDS litigation from overseas companies invested in New Zealand farming or industrial operations.

Water quality regulation.
Water quality in New Zealand’s rivers is decreasing, in large part because of an intensification of dairy farming. Increased regulation of dairy run-off will be required in future years if New Zealand is to have waterways safe for swimming, and to retain our clean green image. A recent landmark decision of the Environment Court shows this process is already underway. Under the TPPA, any tightening of water quality regulation will open the door to ISDS law suits from investors linked to the other ten countries.

Agricultural water use.
Commercial, industrial, and domestic water-users in New Zealand increasingly have to pay for water they use, but farmers are able to use water sources flowing through their land for free. This arrangement has significant implications for downstream water users, and has been criticised by the OECD. If New Zealand were to adopt the OECD recommendation of pricing argicultural water usage, that decision could be challenged by investors from the TPPA countries.

Dirty energy regulation.
If New Zealand were to introduce measures in addition to the ETS to shift us away from fossil fuels, such as altering electricity regulation, it could face significant challenges under ISDS. These risks are highlighted by an ISDS case for Euro 1.4 billion brought by Swiss power company Vattenfall against Germany. In that case, a coal electricity plant owned by Vattenfall was made to comply with environmental regulations around climate change and water quality. The parties settled out of court on unknown terms.

Regulation of deep-sea drilling in New Zealand’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
The government has recently introduced a new management system for New Zealand’s EEZ which, in the words of the Sustainability Council of New Zealand, has “the spine of a jellyfish”, and according to Greenpeace, is “declaring an open season for deep water drilling along our coastlines”. If the TPPA is in place, changing this law ( as Labour is suggesting it will) would risk major claims from the overseas corporations lining up to drill in our waters. New laws limiting fracking could face similar challenges.

Hazardous substances regulations:
If New Zealand brought in new rules to restrict the use of hazardous substances, overseas investors from TPPA countries could seek compensation under ISDS. This happened in Canada when the giant US chemical company DowAgroSciences sued Quebec for banning the use of a pesticide, using an agreement called NAFTA that introduced ISDS into free trade treaties. Although the Quebec government was ultimately successful, by bringing the case Dow Agro Sciences was able to continue to sell its product in Canada for three years while the case was resolved.

http://itsourfuture.org.nz/tppas-effect-on-the-new-zealand-environment/
Andre 2

22 January 2016 at 8:06 am

A brief look into the cases where investors have used ISDS procedures under NAFTA in Canada and Mexico suggests that when a country does attempt to regulate to protect the environment and its citizens health, it will be sued.
Pat 3

22 January 2016 at 8:12 am

“Most people would see that New Zealand was going to do well out of an FTA that better linked a country of 4.5 million with hundreds of millions of income-consumers.”

income consumers….is that the new name for corporations?

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11577635
- Sabine 3.1
  
  22 January 2016 at 10:04 am
  
  first they came for citizens
  then they came for consumers
  soon they come for income consumers
  
  this might just be corporate speech for ’employed’.
- billmurray 3.2
  
  22 January 2016 at 6:22 pm
  
  Roy Morgan , out to-day ,Labour down to 27.5 %, I put that downer for Labour for their ‘bob each way’ on the TPPA.
  - Pat 3.2.1
    
    22 January 2016 at 6:24 pm
    
    are Roy Morgan the one that always has Labour low?
    - Paul 3.2.1.1
      
      22 January 2016 at 6:28 pm
      
      Yes
      - Pat 3.2.1.1.1
        
        22 January 2016 at 8:14 pm
        
        thanks, knew there was one that was always that way
    - acrophobic 3.2.1.2
      
      23 January 2016 at 12:21 am
      
      In the polls immediately prior to the 2014 election, RM had Labour 1% and National 0.5% below their election day results. BUT…RM also had the Greens at around 3% higher than their election night result. In other words, RM polling overstated the combined L+G position by some 2%.
  - Paul 3.2.2
    
    22 January 2016 at 6:25 pm
    
    ‘During January support for National was down 2% to 47% although still well ahead of a potential Labour/Greens alliance 41.5% (unchanged) in the first Roy Morgan New Zealand Poll for 2016. If a New Zealand Election were held now the latest NZ Roy Morgan Poll shows National would be re-elected with the support of minor parties.
    Support for the National partners showed increased support for the Maori Party, up 1.5% to 3.0%, although Act NZ was 0.5% (unchanged) and United Future was 0% (down 0.5%).’
    
    Of the three Parliamentary Opposition parties – Labour’s support is now at 27.5% (down 1%), Greens 14% (up 1%), NZ First is 6.5% (up 0.5%). Of the parties outside Parliament the Conservative Party of NZ is 1% (up 0.5%), the Internet-Mana Party alliance is at 0% (unchanged) and support for Independent/ Others is 0.5% (unchanged).
    
    http://www.roymorgan.com/findings/6639-roy-morgan-new-zealand-voting-intention-january-2016-201601220219
    - mickysavage 3.2.2.1
      
      22 January 2016 at 6:47 pm
      
      “In a coup for Prime Minister John Key, Trade Minister Todd McClay has confirmed this week the signing ceremony for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) – which includes 12 countries that account for over 40 per cent of New Zealand’s exports – will be in Auckland in early February. The TPP agreement to lower trade barriers should provide a significant boost to the New Zealand economy over the next few years despite the continuing worries about a global economic slowdown.”
      
      Coup is probably the right word but not in the way that Morgan intended …
    - acrophobic 3.2.2.2
      
      23 January 2016 at 12:36 am
      
      When Helen Clark lost the 2008 election, Labour secured 34% of the vote (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand_general_election,_2008).
      
      When Phil Goff resigned, Labour had just secured 27.48% (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opinion_polling_for_the_New_Zealand_general_election,_2011) of the vote.
      
      When David Shearer resigned, Labour were polling at 31.6% (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opinion_polling_for_the_New_Zealand_general_election,_2014).
      
      When David Cunliffe resigned, Labour had just secured 25.13% (https://en.wikipedia.o%rg/wiki/Opinion_polling_for_the_New_Zealand_general_election,_2014) of the vote.
      
      In other words, after 7 years and 4 leaders (including Andrew Little), Labour’s vote has gone from 34% to 27.5%.
      
      Meanwhile, the Nats, 45% in 2008, 47% in the RM.
      - Pat 3.2.2.2.1
        
        23 January 2016 at 1:20 am
        
        https://tpplegal.wordpress.com/nzlf-expert-paper-series/
Detrie 4

22 January 2016 at 8:27 am

Your last statement says it all. “How crazy that action a government takes to address the world’s most pressing environmental issue may result in it paying compensation to [the] corporations that pollute… ”

The corrupt nature of todays politicians only interested in pandering to corporate interests on the other side of the planet – To ‘look good’ and to appease to some bizarre neo-liberal economic ideology long proven to have failed the majority.
Sacha 5

22 January 2016 at 9:30 am

Any NZ business organisations supporting TPP need their heads examined. The deal gives foreign-owned companies/farms/investors rights to sue or undermine regulation through threats that their local equivalents do not have. Hardly a level playing field. Bravo, Timmy. Top job.
grumpystilskin 6

22 January 2016 at 10:36 am

Yet again in regards to this deal, I can now ask all my friends that laughed at me when I told them of the possible impending outcome for NZ to apologise.
sigh..

It’s interesting that all the talk about it refers to us being able to access more markets, never that our doors are wide open too.
- Sacha 6.1
  
  22 January 2016 at 12:55 pm
  
  Yes, the government has been very sly on that – trumpeting how big NZ companies like Orion and Datacom will be able to supply services in Vietnam etc without acknowledging that our growing companies may well be outmuscled here before they have a chance to develop enough scale to bid for overseas work themselves.
  
  I’m not convinced that the low estimate of benefits to the US takes into account their likelihood of scoring more state-funded contracts here and elsewhere.
ianmac 7

22 January 2016 at 10:41 am

“The essence of the chilling process is the threat, not necessarily the actuality, of repercussions. The TPPA’s last-minute exclusion of big tobacco from the dispute process has only grazed the tip of a very large iceberg.”
Just one of the comments from “Research paper: The Economics of the TPPA found on Scoop.
And “It is striking how little the TPPA will deliver. Without the TPPA, our GDP will grow by 47% by 2030 at current growth rates. The TPPA would add only 0.9%”, says Barry Coates, who co-authored the section on modelling with Tim Hazledine.
So tell me why we (they) are signing TPPA?
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1601/S00118/research-paper-the-economics-of-the-tppa.htm
Hope that by quoting Scoop here does not interfere with their business model?
- Pat 7.1
  
  22 January 2016 at 11:03 am
  
  +1
Tc 8

22 January 2016 at 10:52 am

Hope the opposition have some short snappy slogans ready as natz and their msm mates will be going hard to smudge this and other shite aspects of this deal.

TPPA is basically large corporates wanting a single market with lowest cost to them possible so the trashing of soverignty and a nations ability to place its own values on them had to go.
Paul Campbell 9

22 January 2016 at 11:16 am

Off to read the TPPA to see if individual citizens can counter sue companies …. if we can’t the TPPA isn’t a level playing field
- ianmac 9.1
  
  22 January 2016 at 11:28 am
  
  After an ISDS resolution there is no appeal. Decision made by the Tribunal is final and binding. Imagine being sued by a massive corporation against our tiny resources.
- Bill 9.2
  
  22 January 2016 at 1:50 pm
  
  If you want to sue a company, you have to go through local courts and national legal systems. It takes years and many $$$$.
Gosman 10

22 January 2016 at 11:18 am

Say the NZ Government implements it’s side of the Paris agreement and puts in place policies to reduce Greenhouse gas emissions and a Investor takes a case against NZ and wins. Who would enforce the ruling given they judicial system would be controlled by parties also subject to the same Climate change agreement?
- mickysavage 10.1
  
  22 January 2016 at 11:39 am
  
  The trouble with the arbitration system is that it is not bound by the terms of the Paris agreement. All references to the agreement were taken out before the TPPA was signed. Get that? We are protected from being sued by the tobacco industry but not by any corporate who has to pay an increased carbon tax/emissions trading scheme payment.
  - b waghorn 10.1.1
    
    22 January 2016 at 12:36 pm
    
    Would the likes of Shanghai Peinxing be able to sue if agriculture comes under a carbon tax.
    - Lanthanide 10.1.1.1
      
      22 January 2016 at 12:42 pm
      
      I’m not sure if the China FTA includes an ISDS clause; I think it it doesn’t.
      
      China isn’t a party to the TPPA so any Chinese company wouldn’t be able to file a suit under it.
      - acrophobic 10.1.1.1.1
        
        22 January 2016 at 1:41 pm
        
        “New Zealand’s BITs with China (implemented in 1989) and
        Hong Kong (1995) include ISDS, as do a number of its
        FTAs. Once the recent Korea FTA enters into force, New
        Zealand will have ISDS provisions with 13 economies.
        The bulk of these ISDS agreements have occurred more
        recently, however, including in our FTAs with China
        (2008), ASEAN and Australia (2009) and South Korea
        (2015).9 As noted above, although the mechanism has
        existed for some time, no claims have been filed against
        New Zealand.”
        
        “Despite having had ISDS with 13 countries over the past
        27 years,12 the New Zealand government has never been
        sued by a foreign investor under an international treaty.
        That is likely to be due in large part to its open trade and
        investment regime, respect for the rule of law and clear
        and transparent legislative processes.
        It may also reflect the fact that launching ISDS claims isn’t
        cheap (firms can expect multi-million dollar costs), the
        probability of a win is low (see Figure 2) and the expected
        return per winning claim is just three cents on the dollar. ”
        
        https://nzier.org.nz/static/media/filer_public/bc/21/bc21a5b2-3a6b-4ba2-8cf7-2f90fd5c6909/isds_and_sovereignty.pdf
        
        This is a another spectacular piece of scare mongering by the SC.
        
        Lanthanide 10.1.1.1.1.1
        
        22 January 2016 at 1:46 pm
        
        Yes, and how comprehensive are those existing ISDS clauses, compared to the the one in the TPPA?
        
        It appears the TPPA allows us to make laws against smoking, but anything else is fair game.
        
        Bill 10.1.1.1.1.2
        
        22 January 2016 at 1:48 pm
        
        There is a huge difference in how ISDS provisions are drawn up now, and how they become actionable now, compared with 1989…or the 1950s when the first one was entered into.
        
        acrophobic …
        
        22 January 2016 at 2:04 pm
        
        Most likely the latest ISDS provisions favour governments more than previously.
        
        http://www.iea.org.uk/blog/proposed-isds-changes-risk-stacking-the-cards-against-investors
        
        mickysavage …
        
        22 January 2016 at 6:25 pm
        
        That is referring to the EU treaty. Are you sure that our representatives were as good at negotiating? Gawd it is like saying “look over that is green therefore this in front of me will be green too”.
        
        Any comment about the Keystone pipeline litigation or the Phillip Morris litigation that the Australian Government was subject to? I know they won that case but they still spent tens of millions on legal fees.
        
        Edit: Your link is to a think tank that proudly describes itself as being “free market”. Got anything better?
        
        acrophobic …
        
        22 January 2016 at 9:56 pm
        
        “That is referring to the EU treaty. Are you sure that our representatives were as good at negotiating? ”
        
        Yep.
        
        “Got anything better?”
        
        The link I provided is clear. Or would you like me to find one from a socialist source? Here, this may help:
        
        “More than 3000 bilateral investment treaties and other international agreements include ISDS. In fact the number of agreements providing ISDS protections for foreign investors greatly exceeds the number of cases brought under them over the years.
        
        According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), which monitors them, by the end of last year 356 investor-state cases had been concluded, of which 37 per cent were decided in favour of the state and 25 per cent ended in favour of the investor with monetary compensation awarded.
        
        About 28 per cent of cases were settled and a further 8 per cent discontinued for other reasons. In the remaining 2 per cent, a treaty breach was found but no monetary compensation was awarded to the investor.”
        
        http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=11445026
        
        Bill …
        
        22 January 2016 at 11:24 pm
        
        ISDS were originally intended to compensate a company if (essentially) their plant and machinery were trashed. Not now.
        
        Pat …
        
        23 January 2016 at 1:25 am
        
        https://tpplegal.wordpress.com/nzlf-expert-paper-series/
        
        acrophobic …
        
        23 January 2016 at 11:47 am
        
        Now rather than just post the link, extract a single citation from any of the papers that supports your concerns. Because I doubt you’ve even read them!
        
        Tony Veitch 10.1.1.1.1.3
        
        22 January 2016 at 2:19 pm
        
        Ah, but we’ve never been in bed with the most litigious country in the world before! That’s the difference – as exemplified by this interactive map of all ISDS cases!
        
        http://teamdata.oneworld.nl/projects/isds/movementmap-claimants/
        
        Anyone who believes this country won’t be sued by an American corporation, is living in cloud cuckoo land!
        
        acrophobic …
        
        22 January 2016 at 2:57 pm
        
        We’ve been trading with the US for decades. We’ve had ISDS provisions in free trade agreements for decades. We’ve never been sued.
        
        The expected return per winning claim is 3c in the $.
        
        Anyone scaremongering over this should read the SC claims about the China FTA from 2014. No sign of a lawsuit yet.
        
        Scott M …
        
        22 January 2016 at 5:24 pm
        
        Acrophobic – can you say with 100% certainty that NZ govt will not be sued once part of TPPA with US.
        
        Its a rhetorical question.
        
        Paul …
        
        22 January 2016 at 5:30 pm
        
        Nonstop 12 hours sound of dogs barking.
        Marginally less annoying than acrophobic.
        
        acrophobic …
        
        22 January 2016 at 5:42 pm
        
        No. Can you for certainty that a asteroid will not hit the planet in 2016?
        
        Scott M …
        
        22 January 2016 at 5:49 pm
        
        Does the TPPA include clauses on asteroids? If not， please try to stay on topic.
        
        acrophobic …
        
        22 January 2016 at 6:00 pm
        
        No, but it’s about as a silly a question as the one you asked.
        
        Scott M []
        
        22 January 2016 at 6:35 pm
        
        Not silly at all. Youre preaching “alls fine, nothing to worry about here”. And yet you cant guarantee that NZ wouldnt be sued under the TPPA. Therefore your down playing of the risk is pure BULLSHIT.
        
        acrophobic …
        
        22 January 2016 at 10:02 pm
        
        “And yet you cant guarantee that NZ wouldnt be sued under the TPPA. Therefore your down playing of the risk is pure BULLSHIT.”
        
        No, I am accurately representing the risk, based on the facts.
        
        “More than 3000 bilateral investment treaties and other international agreements include ISDS. In fact the number of agreements providing ISDS protections for foreign investors greatly exceeds the number of cases brought under them over the years.
        
        According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), which monitors them, by the end of last year 356 investor-state cases had been concluded, of which 37 per cent were decided in favour of the state and 25 per cent ended in favour of the investor with monetary compensation awarded.
        
        About 28 per cent of cases were settled and a further 8 per cent discontinued for other reasons. In the remaining 2 per cent, a treaty breach was found but no monetary compensation was awarded to the investor.”
        
        http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=11445026
        
        You, on the other hand, are buying the spectacular level of hysteria being spread by a group of anti-trade alarmists.
        
        Pat …
        
        22 January 2016 at 10:13 pm
        
        “According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), which monitors them, by the end of last year 356 investor-state cases had been concluded, of which 37 per cent were decided in favour of the state and 25 per cent ended in favour of the investor with monetary compensation awarded.”
        
        what you fail to note is on top of the 356 completed cases there are a further 252 (as of Dec 2014….and theres a few since then including the latest Canadian pipeline) yet to be heard….and the number of cases is growing exponentially….strangely the biggest increase shows a relationship to the introduction of NAFTA
        
        acrophobic …
        
        22 January 2016 at 10:22 pm
        
        “…what you fail to note is on top of the 356 completed cases there are a further 252 (as of Dec 2014) yet to be heard…”
        
        So? Doesn’t change the facts, and the facts are clear. The alarmism is nothing more than hysteria.
        
        Scott M []
        
        22 January 2016 at 10:31 pm
        
        Yes irrespective of the case numbers is the point that ISDS is completely inappropriate. A straight forward provision saying assets couldnt be confiscated by governments would suffice. Instead we have far reaching agreements like TPPA which seek to severely curtail democracy.
        
        Obviously democracy is a trifling matter to you?
        
        acrophobic …
        
        22 January 2016 at 10:38 pm
        
        “Yes irrespective of the case numbers is the point that ISDS is completely inappropriate. A straight forward provision saying assets couldnt be confiscated by governments would suffice. Instead we have far reaching agreements like TPPA which seek to severely curtail democracy.”
        
        So you have zero understanding of trade, or of international business. Read this, it may help.
        
        https://nzier.org.nz/static/media/filer_public/bc/21/bc21a5b2-3a6b-4ba2-8cf7-2f90fd5c6909/isds_and_sovereignty.pdf
        
        Scott M []
        
        22 January 2016 at 11:10 pm
        
        Just as you have zero understanding of the importance of democracy?
        
        TPPA/ISDS is a complete over reach by foreign investors. Investors profits are not more important than the wishes of citizens. It is the “indirect appropriation” that is most problematic and which in effect seeks to restrict the law making powers of governments.
        
        acrophobic …
        
        22 January 2016 at 11:17 pm
        
        “TPPA/ISDS is a complete over reach by foreign investors.”
        
        Wrong again. Did you read the cite?
        
        Bill …
        
        22 January 2016 at 11:28 pm
        
        I can say with certainty (I’ll only give you odds- on in any bet) that the public purse will be ‘right royally screwed’ if ANYTHING gets in the way of profit.
        
        Tony Veitch …
        
        23 January 2016 at 5:59 am
        
        Note the dichotomy – we’ve been trading with the US for decades.
        We’ve had ISDS provisions in free trade agreements for decades.
        BUT we’ve never had a free trade agreement with the US which contained IDSD provisions before!
        As a country we should be shit scared of this TPP!
        
        acrophobic …
        
        23 January 2016 at 11:48 am
        
        Why? The evidence is there are very few ISDS cases, with a very low success rate. Evidence based answers please. Not hysteria.
        
        Pat 10.1.1.1.1.4
        
        23 January 2016 at 1:21 am
        
        https://tpplegal.wordpress.com/nzlf-expert-paper-series/
      - b waghorn 10.1.1.1.2
        
        22 January 2016 at 3:16 pm
        
        Oh that’s right China isn’t part of it tppa thanks.
        
        Pat 10.1.1.1.2.1
        
        22 January 2016 at 4:15 pm
        
        nor does the China/NZ FTA haveISDS provisions
        
        acrophobic …
        
        22 January 2016 at 10:31 pm
        
        “New Zealand’s BITs with China (implemented in 1989) and Hong Kong (1995) include ISDS, as do a number of its FTAs. Once the recent Korea FTA enters into force, New Zealand will have ISDS provisions with 13 economies. The bulk of these ISDS agreements have occurred more
        recently, however, including in our FTAs with China (2008), ASEAN and Australia (2009) and South Korea (2015). As noted above, although the mechanism has existed for some time, no claims have been filed against
        New Zealand.”
        
        https://nzier.org.nz/static/media/filer_public/bc/21/bc21a5b2-3a6b-4ba2-8cf7-2f90fd5c6909/isds_and_sovereignty.pdf
        
        Bill …
        
        22 January 2016 at 11:30 pm
        
        And the wording and coverage of those ISDS clauses then,and now?
        
        acrophobic …
        
        22 January 2016 at 11:41 pm
        
        …has improved, with greater transparency in the process.
        
        “Many hearings are now highly transparent. Some are open to the public and are available to be viewed online. New Zealand’s FTA with Korea requires ISDS proceedings to be open to the public, for example. Importantly, the UN Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) has developed a set of rules on transparency which expressly require hearings to be accessible to the public, either physically or via the internet. As these rules become standard practice, transparency will increase further, and as with any international system of dispute resolution, practices are always developing and improving. Best practice ISDS clauses now promote transparency and ensure interested parties may participate by way of amicus briefs.”
        
        https://nzier.org.nz/static/media/filer_public/bc/21/bc21a5b2-3a6b-4ba2-8cf7-2f90fd5c6909/isds_and_sovereignty.pdf
        
        Pat …
        
        22 January 2016 at 11:41 pm
        
        I’ll rephrase that ….the disputes settlement provisions in the two agreements are very different…particularly it would appear in terms of compensation.
        
        acrophobic …
        
        23 January 2016 at 12:04 am
        
        NZ has many trade agreements that include ISDS clauses, concluded over a period of decades, the most recent being in 2005 (Korea). ISDS clauses have evolved considerably in that period, as shown in my cite above.
        
        If you have specific knowledge of a particular weakness in the TPP ISDS, please cite it.
        
        Pat …
        
        23 January 2016 at 12:24 am
        
        https://tpplegal.wordpress.com/nzlf-expert-paper-series/
        
        acrophobic …
        
        23 January 2016 at 12:43 am
        
        I asked if YOU have specific knowledge of a particular weakness in the TPP ISDS. I’m happy to review what you have, but sending me a link to papers that in some cases bear no relation to the topic is wasting my time. And try to avoid Jane Kelsey if possible. She’s been well and truly debunked elsewhere here.
        
        Pat …
        
        23 January 2016 at 1:03 am
        
        aaaa
        https://tpplegal.wordpress.com/nzlf-expert-paper-series/
        
        acrophobic …
        
        23 January 2016 at 11:42 am
        
        That’s the same link.
        
        Sacha …
        
        23 January 2016 at 12:11 pm
        
        From paper # 2, p17:
        
        “So far, and through a combination of BITs and FTAs, New Zealand has given binding consents to arbitrate potential claims by investors from China, Hong Kong, the ASEAN countries and Korea.
        
        New Zealand’s involvement in the investment treaty arbitration system will expand significantly through the TPPA, as will its exposure to claims.
        
        The increased exposure to claims results not just from the large number of TPPA parties, but also
        (a) from the fact that a significant proportion of investment into New Zealand is sourced from TPPA countries, including the most litigious in this arena – the United States,
        (b) the wider scope of the investor protections in Section A, relative to the other FTAs to which New Zealand is a party, and
        (c) the application of Section B to investment contracts and authorizations.”
        
        But braying dunces will always believe whatever suits them.
SGThree 11

22 January 2016 at 11:49 am

The reference to the TransCanada case is misleading. It suggests that TransCanada is suing simply because the President vetoed approval for the pipeline.
In fact, if you read the claim, it becomes apparent that the action alleges that the President acted beyond his statutory powers in vetoing the approval. It is not alleging that he breached the NAFTA, but that he breached the Constitution. That is where the claim lies.
If his is proved to be correct, then the action is quite justified. If it is proved that the President didn’t act beyond his powers, TransCanada will lose. The anti-TPPA brigade would argue that agreements like NAFTA and TPPA mean that valid actions of a Government can be over-ruled by the ISDS provisions. There is some irony in the fact that if the actions of the President are found to be valid, then the claim fails.
- mickysavage 11.1
  
  22 January 2016 at 6:29 pm
  
  There are two parts to the claim, one under NAFTA and the second as part of some sort of administrative review.
  
  https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2016/01/08/transcanada-is-suing-the-u-s-over-obamas-rejection-of-the-keystone-xl-pipeline-the-u-s-might-lose/
Matthew Whitehead 12

22 January 2016 at 11:55 am

While I agree the wording would open businesses to try and sue under the ISDS, I think the scare factor here is less the idea that they would win, (the trade lawyers would have to be suicidal to rule for compensation in that kind of case, it would literally scupper the TPPA on its own) and more the fact that the government would have to spend time and money on defending itself. (although potentially if the case is really obvious they might get awarded costs like the Aussie govt did against Phillip Morris in the plain packaging ISDS case)
- Sacha 12.1
  
  22 January 2016 at 1:00 pm
  
  The NZ govt’s reaction to the Philip Morris case shows the effect does not depend on winning.
- Scott M 12.2
  
  22 January 2016 at 5:26 pm
  
  Matthew – its the principle here that matters. The TPPA puts corporations ABOVE the law.
  
  That is totally inappropriate.
Bill 13

22 January 2016 at 1:45 pm

I’ve said as much elsewhere on recent threads. CC is a ‘hot potato’ that states are happy enough to chuck into an international arena where no-one and nothing is accountable.

When it all comes down, you and I, (as abstracted ‘rationally optimising economic units’ and as ‘consumers’) will be told we only have ourselves to blame…which amounts to saying that no-one and everyone is to blame. And so, governing institutions and their authority will persist.
acrophobic 14

22 January 2016 at 1:47 pm

If anyone is genuinely worried about NZ’s sovereignty, then the TPP pales into insignificance compared to Paris.

http://judithcurry.com/2016/01/20/the-trojan-horse-of-the-paris-climate-agreement/#more-20951
- Hanswurst 14.1
  
  22 January 2016 at 6:20 pm
  
  That’s just idiocy on your part, Acrophobic. Even before getting to questions of sovereignty, the Paris agreement is an attempt to minimise damage to our environment, whereas the TPPA is an attempt to ensure obscene corporate profits.
  
  What you are arguing is like saying that the government is overall a more pervasive restrictive of my freedom than someone who breaks into my home, threatens me with a machete and ties me to a bedpost, and yet I vote for the one while supporting laws against the actions of the other.
  - mickysavage 14.1.1
    
    22 January 2016 at 6:30 pm
    
    Agreed. If we have to surrender some sovereignty to avoid the worst effects of climate change then where do we sign?
    - Bill 14.1.1.1
      
      22 January 2016 at 11:37 pm
      
      Your government will cede sovereignty to get itself off the hook. There is no ‘trade off’. There is no game plan bar, chuck the ‘hot potato’.
  - i'm right 14.1.2
    
    22 January 2016 at 7:02 pm
    
    I see the left are ‘outraged’ still about the TPP, yawwwn!
    
    You all know the signing next month just means ‘wee all agree with the contents’ then they have 2 years to actually ratify it?….yes you probably do, but it’s easier to feign indignation and shock to try and get more votes sigghhh.
    
    You guys have been saying the sky is falling for 7 years and the voting public have cottoned on to the left as just like the boy who cried wolf, too many cries and life has gone on as normal…keep it up, as a National voter, please keep it up! 🙂
    
    How did the Roy Morgan poll fare for Labour, heard it’s out today…?
    - mickysavage 14.1.2.1
      
      22 January 2016 at 7:07 pm
      
      Um Labour Green is 41.5, LGNZF 48. It is not that bad especially in the balm of summer.
      
      I would give your comment more credence if you understood how treaties were actually formed. How about you go away and learn that up and then come back?
    - Tautuhi 14.1.2.2
      
      23 January 2016 at 5:11 pm
      
      Labour still fence sitting on TPPA
  - acrophobic 14.1.3
    
    22 January 2016 at 9:51 pm
    
    No, Paris is an attempt to impose world Government via a spurious environmental cause.
    
    See we can al make alarmist claims without justification. The TPPA alarmists are just at the head of the cue.
    - McFlock 14.1.3.1
      
      22 January 2016 at 9:58 pm
      
      The TPPA alarmists are just at the head of the cue.
      
      🙄
      Chalk one up for the protestors, then.
      - acrophobic 14.1.3.1.1
        
        22 January 2016 at 10:20 pm
        
        …if you’re awarding points for alarmism. LOL>
    - Pat 14.1.3.2
      
      22 January 2016 at 10:00 pm
      
      https://www.google.co.nz/imgres?imgurl=https://f1.bcbits.com/img/a3994561754_10.jpg&imgrefurl=https://dbrouse.bandcamp.com/album/dead-cat-pi-ata-digital-comic-book-included-in-album-downloads&h=850&w=850&tbnid=xm0wjRKNYlCHPM:&docid=bN7higi-ypxOdM&ei=du-hVvO3LOa1mAWOqKaAAw&tbm=isch&client=safari&ved=0ahUKEwjzyrWBh73KAhXmGqYKHQ6UCTA4ZBAzCE8oTDBM
    - Colonial Viper 14.1.3.3
      
      22 January 2016 at 11:06 pm
      
      hey acrophobic dickhead, the TPPA is an attempt to institute “one world government ” where corporate (not citizens) interests are prioritised.
      
      It seems you are fine with that kind of global rule, though.
      - acrophobic 14.1.3.3.1
        
        22 January 2016 at 11:09 pm
        
        Haha..you’ve trumped everyone in alarmism!!
        
        Colonial Viper 14.1.3.3.1.1
        
        22 January 2016 at 11:13 pm
        
        why are you fine with foreign corporate rule over democracies and over the interests of citizens?
        
        acrophobic …
        
        22 January 2016 at 11:16 pm
        
        Why would you think I was?
        
        Colonial Viper …
        
        22 January 2016 at 11:19 pm
        
        pffffft youre going to have to do somewhat better than Troll diversion 101, mate.
        
        acrophobic …
        
        22 January 2016 at 11:24 pm
        
        You’ll need to do better than that. You made an accusation. Can you back it up?
        
        Colonial Viper 14.1.3.3.1.2
        
        22 January 2016 at 11:17 pm
        
        why do you think readers are too stupid and too unaware to observe what you have been doing, derailing the discussion?
        
        acrophobic …
        
        22 January 2016 at 11:23 pm
        
        I don’t. And I haven’t.
        
        Pat …
        
        23 January 2016 at 1:23 am
        
        hey acro…have you seen this?
        
        https://tpplegal.wordpress.com/nzlf-expert-paper-series/
        
        acrophobic …
        
        23 January 2016 at 11:46 am
        
        Yep. Now rather than just post the link, extract a single citation from any of the papers that supports your concerns.
- millsy 14.2
  
  22 January 2016 at 7:01 pm
  
  This is not the same as giving corporations the right to veto laws because it cuts into profit.
- Macro 14.3
  
  22 January 2016 at 10:10 pm
  
  So when are you announcing your engagement?
millsy 15

22 January 2016 at 6:43 pm

Where’s Wayne?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Release: 130,000 cattle saved from live export
Labour is calling for the Government to urgently rethink its coalition commitment to restart live animal exports, Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack said. ...
Labour Blog
19 hours ago

Central Bank makes clear Government is pouring fuel on housing crisis fire
Today’s Financial Stability Report has once again highlighted that poverty and deep inequality are political choices - and this Government is choosing to make them worse. ...
Greens
20 hours ago

New unemployment figures paint bleak picture
The Green Party is calling on the Government to do more for our households in most need as unemployment rises and the cost of living crisis endures. ...
Greens
21 hours ago

Release: National’s job cuts already starting to bite as unemployment rises
Unemployment is on the rise and it’s only going to get worse under this Government, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate grew to 4.3 percent in the March quarter from 4 percent in the December quarter. “This is the second rise in unemployment ...
Labour Blog
21 hours ago

Release: National hiking transport costs for families and young New Zealanders
Weekly expenses will grow for more than 1.6 million New Zealanders as the Government ends free and half price public transport fares tomorrow. ...
Labour Blog
2 days ago

Release: Labour welcomes EU free trade agreement
The New Zealand Labour Party welcomes the entering into force of the European Union and New Zealand free trade agreement. This agreement opens the door for a huge increase in trade opportunities with a market of 450 million people who are high value discerning consumers of New Zealand goods and ...
Labour Blog
2 days ago

Surprise: Landlord tax cuts don’t trickle down
The Green Party is renewing its call for rent controls following reports of rental prices hitting an all-time high. ...
Greens
2 days ago

Release: $1.7b for no increase in access to medicine
The National-led Government continues its fiscal jiggery pokery with its Pharmac announcement today, Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says. “The government has increased Pharmac funding but conceded it will only make minimal increases in access to medicine”, said Ayesha Verrall “This is far from the bold promises made to fund ...
Labour Blog
2 days ago

Release: National should heed Tribunal warning and scrap coalition commitment with ACT
This afternoon’s interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...
Labour Blog
3 days ago

Release: More accountability for preventable workplace deaths this Workers’ Memorial Day
Labour is calling for more accountability for preventable workplace deaths because everybody who goes to work deserves to come home safely. ...
Labour Blog
3 days ago

Gaza: Aotearoa Must Support Independent Investigation into Mass Graves
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Māori Party
6 days ago

Release: Working together on consistent support for veterans this Anzac Day
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Labour Blog
1 week ago

Release: Penny drops – but what about Seymour and Peters?
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Labour Blog
1 week ago

Another ‘Stolen Generation’ enabled by court ruling on Waitangi Tribunal summons
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
Māori Party
1 week ago

Release: Budget blunder shows Nicola Willis could cut recovery funding
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
Labour Blog
1 week ago

Further environmental mismanagement on the cards
The Government’s resource management reforms will add to the heavy and ever-growing burden this Government is loading on to our environment. ...
Greens
1 week ago

Release: RMA changes will be a disaster for environment
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour Blog
1 week ago

Release: Labour supports urgent changes to emergency management system
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
Labour Blog
1 week ago

Release: Labour calls for New Zealand to recognise Palestine
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Labour Blog
1 week ago

Release: Three strikes law political posturing of worst kind
The Government is bringing back a law that has little evidential backing just to look tough, Labour justice spokesperson Duncan Webb said. ...
Labour Blog
1 week ago

Release: Government cuts unbelievably target child exploitation, violent extremism, ports and airpor...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
Labour Blog
1 week ago

Three strikes has failed before and will fail again
Resurrecting the archaic three-strikes legislation is an unwelcome return to a failed American-style approach to justice. ...
Greens
1 week ago

Release: Environmental protection vital, not ‘onerous’
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
Labour Blog
1 week ago

Ferris – Three Strikes targets those ‘too brown to be white’
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Māori Party
1 week ago

Release: Govt cuts doctors and nurses in hiring freeze
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Fast-track submissions period must be extended
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Release: Progress on climate will be undone by Govt
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Release: Dark day for Kiwi kids as a third of Govt cuts affect them
News that 1000 jobs at the Ministry of Education and Oranga Tamariki could go is devastating for future generations of New Zealanders. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Release: Alarm as Government signals further blow to school lunches
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Oranga Tamariki cuts commit tamariki to state abuse
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
Māori Party
2 weeks ago

Release: Quick, submit – stop Govt’s dodgy approvals bill
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Government throws coal on the climate crisis fire
The Government’s policy announced today to ease consenting for coal mining will have a lasting impact across generations. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Release: Public transport costs to double as National looks at unaffordable roading project instead
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Release: Cost of living in Auckland still not a priority
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Te Pāti Māori to visit Queensland to strengthen ties with Māori in Australia
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, and Mema Paremata mō Tāmaki-Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, will travel to the Gold Coast to strengthen ties with Māori in Australia next week (15-21 April). The visit, in the lead-up to the 9th Australian National Kapa haka Festival, will be an opportunity for both ...
Māori Party
3 weeks ago

Greens look to fast-track submissions on harmful law
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
Greens
3 weeks ago

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What junior doctors’ unpaid overtime tells us about the toxic side of medicine
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Claire Hooker, Senior Lecturer and Coordinator, Health and Medical Humanities, University of Sydney PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock What’s been described as the largest underpayment class action in Australian legal history has just been settled. Who was allegedly underpaid? Thousands of junior ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
59 mins ago

We think we control our health – but corporations selling forever chemicals, fossil fuels and ult...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nick Chartres, Senior Research Fellow, Faculty of Medicine & Health, University of Sydney shutterstock Ahmet Misirligul/Shutterstock You go to the gym, eat healthy and walk as much as possible. You wash your hands and get vaccinated. You control your health. This is ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
60 mins ago

Here’s how you can talk to your kids about gendered violence, and 7 ways to model good behaviour
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jacqueline Hendriks, Research Fellow and Lecturer, Curtin University Children and young people may be seeing news headlines about men murdering women or footage of people rallying to call for action. Perhaps they or their friends have even gone to the protests. ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
60 mins ago

Why are adults without kids hooked on Bluey? And should we still be calling it a ‘kids’ show’?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jessica Balanzategui, Senior Lecturer in Media, RMIT University ABC “Bluey mania” shows no sign of abating. Bluey’s season finale, The Sign, was the most viewed ABC program of all time on iView. A “hidden” follow-up episode, aptly named The Surprise, created ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
60 mins ago

Winston Peters still trying to find out what Aukus Pillar 2 is about
The Foreign Minister says he is continuing work started by the previous Labour government. ...
Radio NZ – political
2 hours ago

Unemployment up, business confidence down
Labour market figures came in softer than the Reserve Bank had forecast, but they won’t be enough to move the needle on interest rates, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. Unemployment ...
The SpinoffBy Catherine McGregor
2 hours ago

Luxon’s leadership test: what would it take to win back unimpressed NZ voters?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Suze Wilson, Senior Lecturer, School of Management, Massey University Christopher Luxon’s sacking of two struggling cabinet ministers last week was praised by pundits as a sign of decisive – even “brutal” and “ruthless” – leadership. But this week’s 1News-Verian poll suggests the ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
2 hours ago

Government to tweak Building Act to make building a home easier
Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says it takes nearly 600 days to build a house in NZ - and that is simply too long. ...
Radio NZ – political
2 hours ago

Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act 1982 Bill Steering Committee Launches Community Engagement Campaign
The campaign will engage the community and encourage submissions on the bill to the New Zealand government by the closing submission deadline of Friday 31st of May 2024 4pm. ...
Scoop politics
4 hours ago

Shaky Foundations: Why Our Democracy Needs Trust | Limit Urgency To Rebuild Trust: New Research
The paper raises concerns about declining trust in New Zealand's political institutions and democratic processes, and the role that the overuse of Parliamentary urgency plays in that. ...
Scoop politics
4 hours ago

My co-housing project failed, but I still think it’s a great idea
The Urban Habitat Collective was an attempt to built an innovative new form of apartment building in Wellington. Here’s why it failed, and why the idea could still work, writes co-founder Bronwen Newton. When we started the Urban Habitat Collective in November 2018, we thought we were starting a revolution, ...
The SpinoffBy Bronwen Newton
4 hours ago

A new generation of activism: Marking 20 years since the foreshore and seabed hīkoi
Two decades ago this week, a controversial law that attempted to define ownership of the foreshore and seabed prompted a formidable display of outrage and kōtahitanga as 15,000 marched to parliament. Jamie Tahana looks back. ‘Hīkoi, hīkoi,” they chanted by the thousands as the biggest Māori march in a generation ...
The SpinoffBy Jamie Tahana
4 hours ago

New push for corporate killing laws
A Labour Party Member’s Bill aims to plug a culpability gap between manslaughter and health and safety breaches The post New push for corporate killing laws appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Andrew Bevin
4 hours ago

Book of the Week: The naked civil servant
Terence O’Brien had the rare and no doubt undesired distinction of rising to one of the most exalted positions in New Zealand diplomacy, then being unceremoniously recalled to Wellington without explanation just when his career was at its zenith. What is perhaps more surprising is that he appears to have ...
NewsroomBy Karl du Fresne
4 hours ago

Concerning proliferation of working groups, jobs for mates
Governments are increasingly opting for working groups – led by their mates – over the core public service The post Concerning proliferation of working groups, jobs for mates appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Laura Walters
4 hours ago

Concerns of spending spree if disability funding changes were consulted on
Whaikaha had no intention of giving anyone – even other agencies – advance warning of its plan to limit what disabled people and their carers could buy The post Concerns of spending spree if disability funding changes were consulted on appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Emma Hatton
4 hours ago

Newsroom daily quiz, Thursday 2 May
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A,DIV,A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Thursday 2 May appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Newsroom Puzzles
4 hours ago

Daily crossword, Thursday 2 May
The post Daily crossword, Thursday 2 May appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Newsroom Puzzles
4 hours ago

Palestinian activist ‘perplexed’ by minister’s special visa argument
As Palestinians escape the war zone in Gaza, activists say emergency visas, like those issued to Ukrainians, are needed The post Palestinian activist ‘perplexed’ by minister’s special visa argument appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Fox Meyer
4 hours ago

When dying well is out of reach
Why has New Zealand slipped from third to 12th on Quality of Death Indexes over the past decade or so? Hospice New Zealand Chief Executive Wayne Naylor has a list of reasons. “We don’t have a current national strategy – the Government hasn’t renewed our 2001 strategy, so we don’t ...
NewsroomBy Sharon Brettkelly
4 hours ago

New SASS Talk podcast sparks convo in sport
While women’s sport is exploding in Aotearoa and around the world, you still don’t hear a lot of talk about athletes and their periods, RED-S, breastfeeding and visible panty-lines. SASS (Suze and Sez Sports) Talk isn’t afraid to have that kōrero. LockerRoom founder Suzanne McFadden and Olympian broadcaster Sarah ...
NewsroomBy Sarah Cowley Ross and Suzanne McFadden
4 hours ago

Season two of The Boy in the Water
On an unusually hot night in January 2019, a little boy’s lifeless body was found face up in a small town’s sewage oxidation pond. To the police, it was an open and shut case: three-year-old Lachlan Jones had run away from his home in the Southland town of Gore, climbed ...
NewsroomBy Melanie Reid
4 hours ago

Green MP Julie Anne Genter apologises for 'intimidating' actions in Parliament
Rongotai MP Julie Anne Genter has apologised in Parliament after National accused her of intimidating and attacking one of its ministers in the House. ...
Radio NZ – political
11 hours ago

Politics with Michelle Grattan: Anne Summers says we need much more information on male perpetrators...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The Prime Minister and state and territory leaders met on Wednesday as the national cabinet to discuss a crisis gripping Australia – the horrific number of women murdered this year. The killings have shocked ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
11 hours ago

Live cattle exports help farmers diversify income – Associate Agriculture Minister
The government is hoping live animal exports will resume next year, but with a strict gold standard in place. ...
Radio NZ – political
13 hours ago

Who were the real courtesans at the heart of Netflix’s Heeramandi?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Radhika Raghav, Teaching Fellow, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Otago Netflix Indian director Sanjay Leela Bhansali is known for his big-budget Bollywood production, featuring grand sets, star casts, meticulously choreographed dance sequences and lavish costumes, jewellery and furnishings. ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
13 hours ago

Police Minister Mark Mitchell heads to Australia to discuss crime trends, youth offenders
Mark Mitchell will be chewing the fat with police chiefs as officers in this country talk openly about the appeal of crossing the Tasman. ...
Radio NZ – political
14 hours ago

Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission Pays Tribute To Sir Robert Martin MNZM
Sir Robert devoted his life to disability rights after living in institutions in his younger years, says Kaihautū Tika Hauātanga | Disability Rights Commissioner Prudence Walker. ...
Scoop politics
15 hours ago

Passing Of Sir Robert Martin KNZM
People First New Zealand Ngā Tāngata Tuatahi is deeply saddened by the passing of Life Member Sir Robert Martin KNZM. ...
Scoop politics
15 hours ago

James Shaw's valedictory – and his new role
Shaw has bowed out of Parliament, and has already revealed details of what he is doing next. ...
Radio NZ – political
15 hours ago

James Shaw's valedictory – and his new roles
Shaw has bowed out of Parliament, and has already revealed details of what he is doing next. ...
Radio NZ – political
15 hours ago

AUKUS: Winston Peters says NZ 'long way' from deciding on Pillar 2
Peters spoke about the military pact in an annual 'scene setter' speech at Parliament on Wednesday evening. ...
Radio NZ – political
15 hours ago

National Cabinet has committed to a range of strategies to stop violence against women, but has it d...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anastasia Powell, Professor, Family and Sexual Violence, RMIT University Violence against women is not a women’s problem to solve, it is a whole of society problem to solve; and men in particular have to take responsibility. Those were the ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
15 hours ago

Is bioenergy ever truly green? It depends on 5 key questions
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jessica Allen, Senior Lecturer in Chemical and Renewable Energy Engineering, University of Newcastle Snapshot freddy/Shutterstock Plans to revive an old coal-fired power station using bioenergy are being considered in the Hunter region of New South Wales. Similar plans for the station ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
16 hours ago

Free school lunches scheme to get temporary funding until review is complete
Funding for the scheme is set to continue for the "immediate few years" while officials work out what the alternative programme will look like. ...
Radio NZ – political
16 hours ago

Taxpayers’ Union Slams Secret List Of Judges’ Perks
Responding to the long-awaited release of judges’ special allowances, including free air travel and hotels for spouses, generous sabbaticals, and access to limousines, Taxpayers’ Union spokesman Alex Murphy said: “In what world does your employer ...
Scoop politics
16 hours ago

Winston Peters expected to give update on AUKUS talks in speech
Analysis - The United States has unveiled plans to boost the weapons trade with Australia and the UK, on the same day that Winston Peters is expected to sketch NZ's position on AUKUS. ...
Radio NZ – political
16 hours ago

Why did the Voice referendum fail? We crunched the data and found 6 reasons
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrea Carson, Professor of Political Communication, Department of Politics, Media and Philosophy, La Trobe University Since Australia’s First Nations Voice to Parliament referendum in October 2023, diverse commentaries have sought to explain why it failed. But what does an analysis of media ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
16 hours ago

Court hears appeal of Waitangi Tribunal summons decision
Lawyers representing two iwi as well as the Māori Women’s Welfare League on Wednesday asked the Court of Appeal to overturn last week’s High Court decision on the Waitangi Tribunal’s decision to summons Children’s Minister Karen Chhour. The Tribunal is currently investigating the Government’s decision to repeal section 7AA of ...
NewsroomBy Marc Daalder
17 hours ago

Former MPs Louisa Wall, Simon O'Connor claim to be targets of China-backed cyber attack
The spy agencies are being questioned after two former MPs claim they were never informed they were victims of a China-backed cyber-attack. ...
Radio NZ – political
17 hours ago

Kāinga Ora home vacancies 'trending downwards' after minister's letter
The agency recently changed the way it counts vacancies so it is more accurate. ...
Radio NZ – political
17 hours ago

Albanese government flags measures to tackle online misogyny in the battle against violence towards ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The Albanese government will introduce legislation to ban deepfake pornography and provide more funding for the eSafety Commission to pilot age-assurance technologies. The contribution of internet sites to gender-based violence was one major issue ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
17 hours ago

Average Hourly Earnings Up 5.2 Percent Annually – Stats NZ
Average ordinary time hourly earnings, as measured by the Quarterly Employment Survey (QES), increased 5.2 percent in the year to the March 2024 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today. Annual wage cost inflation, as measured by the ...
Scoop politics
18 hours ago

Job scams are on the rise. What are they, and how can you protect yourself?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dimitrios Salampasis, FinTech Capability Lead | Senior Lecturer, Emerging Technologies and FinTech, Swinburne University of Technology Clem Onojeghuo/Unsplash In the digital era, the job market is increasingly becoming a minefield – demanding and difficult to navigate. According to the Australian Bureau ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
18 hours ago

Two Decades Of Youth Employment And Education – Stats NZ
As of the March 2024 quarter, we can now look back on 20 years of data related to youth not in employment, education, or training (NEET), as collected by the Household Labour Force Survey (HLFS), according to figures released by Stats NZ today. "The ...
Scoop politics
18 hours ago

May Day: The Biggest Threat To NZ Workers In 2024 Is Our Government
Thousands of workers attended public events in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch today to celebrate International Workers’ Day (May Day), but union representatives are urging caution and vigilance over the Government’s blatantly "anti-worker" ...
Scoop politics
18 hours ago

Unemployment Rate At 4.3 Percent – Stats NZ
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.3 percent in the March 2024 quarter, compared with 4.0 percent in the previous quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today. ...
Scoop politics
18 hours ago

David Seymour wants to stop 'lazily' categorising by race
The ACT leader rails against "lazily looking at everyone through the lens of race" in latest episode of RNZ's new in depth interview show. ...
Radio NZ – political
18 hours ago

Private Info Of New Zealanders Will Be Breached By Latest Government Cuts
The PSA is warning the Government that the sensitive information of New Zealanders held by various agencies will fall into the wrong hands if the latest round of proposed cuts goes ahead. ...
Scoop politics
18 hours ago

Curious Kids: how do sugar rushes work?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Talitha Best, Professor of Psychology, CQUniversity Australia Victoria Rodriguez/Unsplash How do sugar rushes work? – W.H, age nine, from Canberra What a terrific question W.H! Let’s explore this, starting with some of the basics. What is sugar? ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
19 hours ago

Our research shows a strong link between unemployment and domestic violence: what does this mean for...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Karinna Saxby, Research Fellow, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, The University of Melbourne MART PRODUCTION/Pexels Increasing income support could help keep women and children safe according to new work demonstrating strong links between financial insecurity and domestic violence. ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
19 hours ago

From Gallipoli to Gaza: remembering the Anzacs not as a ‘coming of age’ tale but as a lesson for...
ANALYSIS: By Olli Hellmann, University of Waikato When New Zealanders commemorate Anzac Day today on April 25, it’s not only to honour the soldiers who lost their lives in World War I and subsequent conflicts, but also to mark a defining event for national identity. The battle of Gallipoli against ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
19 hours ago

‘A major shakeup’: the Optus outage has been investigated. What’s going to change now?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark A Gregory, Associate Professor, School of Engineering, RMIT University The telecommunications industry faces a major shakeup following the release of the post-incident report on last November’s 12-hour Optus outage. Telecommunications companies will have to share more information with customers during future ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
19 hours ago

‘There is some properly foul content in this book’: What a bookseller reads
Welcome to The Spinoff Bookseller Confessional, in which we get to know Aotearoa’s booksellers. This week: Eden Denyer, bookseller at Unity Books Auckland. Weirdest question/request you’ve had on the shop floor A mother came in looking for anything we might have on Alaskan bison as that was her little boy’s ...
The SpinoffBy The Spinoff Review of Books
19 hours ago

Unemployment Data Shows Need For Govt To Act Now
NZCTU Economist Craig Renney said new data released by Statistics New Zealand shows the need for Government to act now, with unemployment rising from 3.4% to 4.3%. ...
Scoop politics
19 hours ago

Polls are nothing if not a bit of political theatre
The outpouring of anger over Maiki Sherman’s hyperbolic presentation of this week’s ‘nightmare’ poll is itself an overreaction, argues Stewart Sowman-Lund. Politicians love nothing more than to pretend they don’t care about polls. This week, deputy prime minister Winston Peters said he didn’t give a “rat’s derriere” about a TVNZ ...
The SpinoffBy Stewart Sowman-Lund
19 hours ago

Ngāti Kahungunu becomes NZ’s first iwi to call for a Gaza ceasefire
Asia Pacific Report Ngāti Kahungunu in Aotearoa New Zealand’s Hawkes Bay region has become the first indigenous Māori iwi (tribe) to sign a resolution calling for a “ceasefire in Palestine”, reports Te Ao Māori News. Reporter Te Aniwaniwa Paterson talked to Te Otāne Huata, who has been organising peace rallies ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
20 hours ago

PNG businesses want grants, not loans over Black Wednesday riots
By Dale Luma in Port Moresby “We want grants and not concessional loans,” is the crisp message from Papua New Guinea businesses directly affected by the Black Wednesday looting four months ago. The businesses, which lost millions after the January 10 rioting and looting, say they need grants as part ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
20 hours ago

Pay bump for politicians: What you need to know
Explainer - MPs are about to get a pay bump, but is it fair and how does it compare to other countries? ...
Radio NZ – political
21 hours ago

School lunches funding likely to be time-limited
It's an approach to funding the government has spent months criticising Labour over - calling them "fiscal cliffs" . ...
Radio NZ – political
21 hours ago

Cum chairs, stolen pay and shitting bans: Workers share their horror stories with us
Happy May Day. Join a union. Q: What’s worse than a staff break room where the only place to sit and have a cup of tea is on a teetering stack of old pornography magazines? A: Your boss replacing the magazine stacks with chairs that are “heartily encrusted with ...
The SpinoffBy Hera Lindsay Bird
21 hours ago

Landlord Government Once Again Pushes Renters Into The Cold
The Coalition is trying to axe yet another opportunity to improve rentals by dropping the Residential Property Managers Bill. ...
Scoop politics
22 hours ago

Ready, set, go in Solomons PM race – Jeremiah Manele vs Matthew Wale
By Koroi Hawkins, RNZ Pacific editor Former opposition leader Matthew Wale has been announced as the second prime ministerial candidate ahead of the election in Solomon Islands tomorrow. He will face off against former foreign affairs minister Jeremiah Manele, who was announced by the Coalition for National Unity and Transformation ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
22 hours ago

Unemployment rate rises to 4.3%
Fewer jobs are created and immigration is increasing the size of the workforce, Stats NZ says. ...
Radio NZ – political
22 hours ago

The art of the three-day birthday
We get but one birthday a year – why not make it last as long as possible by scheduling as many meals with friends and family as you can? This is an excerpt from our weekly food newsletter, The Boil Up. How do you celebrate your birthday? Do you celebrate at ...
The SpinoffBy Lucinda Bennett
23 hours ago

If the industry is to survive, journalists need to convince the public of their worth
A Koi Tū discussion paper released today proposes sweeping changes to New Zealand’s media industry. The principal’s key author, Gavin Ellis, explains how journalists have a key role to play in making others value their role in society. This is an abridged version of a piece first published on knightlyviews.com ...
The SpinoffBy Gavin Ellis
23 hours ago

Government Risks Wellbeing Of Māori With Proposed Cuts To Te Puni Kōkiri
The Government’s spending cuts are again targeting support for Māori with proposed reform of the agency charged with advising on Māori wellbeing and development. ...
Scoop politics
23 hours ago

What just happened to Bonza? Why new budget airlines always struggle in Australia
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Douglas, Honorary Senior Lecturer, UNSW Aviation., UNSW Sydney The history of budget jet airlines in Australia is a long road littered with broken dreams. New entrants have consistently struggled to get a foothold. Low-cost carrier Bonza has just become the industry’s ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
23 hours ago

Free trade deal with the European Union comes into force
The European Union ambassador says the FTA will have immediate wins for kiwifruit, apple, and onion growers. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

Violence against women is both a legal and cultural problem. What can we do to address it?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rosalind Dixon, Director, Gilbert + Tobin Centre of Public Law, UNSW Sydney Australia is finally having a sustained conversation about violence against women and what we can do about it. It is more than time. Australian women and girls continue to experience ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

GP clinics are going to pay more payroll tax, which could reduce bulk billing
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Duckett, Honorary Enterprise Professor, School of Population and Global Health, and Department of General Practice and Primary Care, The University of Melbourne stockfour/Shutterstock Preliminary bulk billing data released this week shows a 2.1% rise in bulk billing up to March. ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

‘Make me a sandwich’: our survey’s disturbing picture of how some boys treat their teachers
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Samantha Schulz, Senior Lecturer, University of Adelaide Australia is once again grappling with how we can stop gendered violence in our country. Protests over the weekend show there is enormous community anger over the number of women who are dying and National ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

Australians lose $5,200 a minute to scammers. There’s a simple thing the government could do to re...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Martin, Visiting Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University AnastasiaDudka/Shutterstock What if the government was doing everything it could to stop thieves making off with our money, except the one thing that could really work? That’s how it ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

Psychological drama, wilderness reality and everyone’s favourite dog: the best of streaming this M...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Erin Harrington, Senior Lecturer in English and Cultural Studies, University of Canterbury The Conversation It seems to be a time of old favourites. This month our experts have recommended two new seasons – the second season of Alone Australia (although ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

Te Tiriti o Waitangi could be heading home after 'long and arduous journey'
After 184 years, Te Tiriti o Waitangi may be on its way home. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

Sustainability Council: TPPA lets investors sue over climate change policies

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