Talleys: Corporate scum

Written By: - Date published: 2:14 pm, April 6th, 2009 - 41 comments
Categories: ACC, business, election funding, workers' rights - Tags: , , , , , ,

I’ve long been of the opinion that the Talley family, owners of the Talleys food empire, are a corrosive force in this country who have a complete contempt for their workforce, the public and our democratic institutions.

Sure enough, they’re at it again. NZPA reports:

The New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) plans to call South Island food company Talley’s today after a man found a bag of frozen peas he said was made up of nearly 50 percent poisonous black nightshade berries.

It is one of several reported case of contamination of Talley’s products.

Humphrey Elton, a father of preschoolers, said he complained to Talley’s six months ago after finding the berries in a bag of peas.

The company had simply sent him a $5 cheque to replace the peas and a letter saying the berries were not toxic, Mr Elton said.

This is not an isolated incident, it’s part of an ongoing pattern of behaviour.

The Talleys, after all, are the people who were revealed in The Hollow Men to have offered Don Brash $1 million for his corrupt 2005 election campaign.*

Their proposal was titled “The repackaging of Don Brash” and included a plan to funnel the million dollars through a front group in order to “avoid any declarations of political party funding”.

Following Brash and National’s election loss, the Talleys went on to secretly fund Tim Shadbolt’s campaign against transparency in political donations through the Electoral Finance Act last year.

More recently they ran a PR campaign in conjunction with National to try and make the taxpayer foot their $1 million contractual obligation with ACC to provide care for one of their workers who was shot on the job.

Last year they were fined $110,000 and forced to pay $33,000 reparations for recklessly subjecting eleven workers at their Blenheim plant to carbon monoxide poisoning.

And before that they were subject to, and eventually lost, a landmark sexual discrimination case over their refusal to let a woman work as a fish-filleter because she wasn’t a man. Andrew Talley decribed this ruling as ‘pathetic’ and a ‘joke’ and suggested women were better suited to being pole dancers.

Unlike the rest of us, these people seem immune to fines and public shame. They’re reptiles, and they’re laughing in our faces while they’re rolling around in the millions they’ve made at our expense.

I think it’s about time we stopped tolerating this kind of behaviour. How do you reckon we go about it?

[*For an idea of the secret agenda they were pushing look no further than managing director Peter Talley, who is on record as “pro-whaling, pro-genetic engineering, anti-animal rights, anti-MMP and sceptical about global warming“.]

UPDATE: MacDoctor has posted on the black nightshade contamination, encouraging the public to “stop buying Tally’s products immediately, throw out the stuff you have in your freezer and re-purchase a safer brand”. He’s also created the logo below.

talleys

41 comments on “Talleys: Corporate scum ”

  1. vto 1

    I’ve watched them over the years and tend to agree with most of what you allege. They are in fact one of NZ’s best examples of the pure capitalist / businessmanwoman in action.

    The sole focus is money and empire.

    Its pursuit has no boundaries, except the rubbery boundary of what they can get away with whether legal or not.

    They do not apologise for anything and have no shame.

    However, I disagree they’ve made their money “at our expense”. They have made their money by selling to people stuff those people want (except berries it seems).

    So anyway, get stuck into them. They could do with being brought down to size.

  2. Bender 2

    Question: “How do you reckon we go about it?”

    Answer: Our National Party leaders in central government won’t do anything. We should help the workers unionise so they can strike whenever the Talley bastards try to make them eat filth.

  3. I remember that there have been a few interesting enquiries in the past into Talley’s influence over the Nelson City Council. I might try and track them down again.
    Around things like the new convention centre in Nelson:
    http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/2052631/TDC-cagey-on-arts-centre

  4. outofbed 4

    And thier huge buying up of water rights and consents in the TDC district
    They have a natural ally in TDC one of the most environmentally unaware local councils in the country.

  5. Pat 5

    Bender wrote: “We should help the workers unionise so they can strike whenever the Talley bastards try to make them eat filth”.

    Gosh – I didn’t realise Talleys were holding workers down and forcing frozen peas down their throats. Or maybe Bender is just currently on a bender.

    I think a better idea is to keep the Deadly Nightshade story in the news. Then the most powerful force used by consumers, otherwise know as Word-of-mouth, will mean shoppers will put Watties peas in their trolleys instead of Talleys. The same thing for their other products.

    Nothing makes a company act faster than a drastic drop in sales.

    • Pascal's bookie 5.1

      As long as they don’t grab ‘McCains’ with their thrice damned television ads, aah mccain you’ve done it again. Fuck off. Just fuck off.

      I hate hatidy hate those ads.

      Talleys too.

      • Rex Widerstrom 5.1.1

        Oooh those!! But have you seen the most stomach-turning food commercials in NZ yet? If not you’re in for treat.

        CU of mother beaming down at camera, talking in babyish voice: “Oh, who’s the cutest widdle baby then? Who’s the sweetest widdle thing? Oooo I could just eat you all up…” (blathers on for a good 15 seconds)

        Pull out to reveal she’s talking to a packet of baby peas.

        Cut to condescending voiceover.

        End on mid shot of father holding the peas in his arms and bending forward to make “Pfffffft” noise on the packet as one does on a newborn baby’s stomach.

        *retch*

        I can’t find them online or I’d post a link with which to torture you. I honestly don’t remember which brand they’re for, I’m too busy shrieking obscenities at the TV to notice.

    • Frank 5.2

      No I think the unionizing thing is a good idea unfortunately most people have been carefully conditioned to reject the best way to protect themselves and hold corporate shit bags in check… strangely enough.
      The only populace with any balls what so ever are the French and Italians they unlike the former British colonies stand up for themselves while we grovel and scrape or give up before we start and let these vermin corrupt our political officials despoil our children’s world and do what ever they want essentially. No wonder why these scum laugh at us all they must be thinking ” what else will these sheep stand still for, let’s find out” I have had enough, I treat these scumbags like the shit that they are and have extracted my revenge many many times and as they say it is a sweet sweet dish to savor indeed. Is there any body else out there with an ounce of guts to stand up for themselves or are you all just talking. If the former then good for you, you should be proud and know you are not alone as they like you to think. If the latter then spare us the pathetic posturing and please shut up and go back to your pathetic Televisions your masters are calling.

    • Frank 5.3

      No I think the unionizing thing is a good idea unfortunately most people have been carefully conditioned to reject the best way to protect themselves and hold corporate shit bags in check… strangely enough.
      The only populace with any balls what so ever are the French and Italians they unlike the former British colonies stand up for themselves while we grovel and scrape or give up before we start and let these vermin corrupt our political officials despoil our children’s world and do what ever they want essentially. No wonder why these scum laugh at us all they must be thinking ” what else will these sheep stand still for, let’s find out” I have had enough, I treat these scumbags like the shit that they are and have extracted my revenge many many times and as they say it is a sweet sweet dish to savor indeed. Is there any body else out there with an ounce of guts to stand up for themselves or are you all just talking. If the former then good for you, you should be proud and know you are not alone as they like you to think. If the latter then please spare us the pathetic posturing and please shut up and go back to your pathetic Televisions your masters are calling.

  6. Tim Ellis 6

    I also agree with much of this post, Tane. Talley’s has shown multiple examples of bad corporate behaviour.

    There’s only really one place you can hit Talley’s where it hurts: by not buying their products.

    I don’t buy Talley’s produce because of their conduct. Perhaps if more people did likewise they might get the message and start behaving more responsibly.

    • Pascal's bookie 6.1

      And perhaps we could set fines that hurt, rather than just being an occasional cost of doing business, Talley’s style.

      • Draco T Bastard 6.1.1

        Yep. It’s the one time that I agree with a hard on crime line. We actually have to have the fines set high enough so that crime doesn’t pay. Actually, the fines should just be set at the amount they made from those actions + courts costs.

  7. Regardless of previous corporate behaviour, Talley’s cavalier attitude to this contamination should be condemned completely. I consider this to be a potential public health emergency and yet Talley’s and the Food Safety Authority appear to be sitting on their hands.

    I invite everyone to join me in boycotting all Talley’s products until they fix this problem and apologise to the public. I have designed a logo to this effect, all bloggers are welcome to use it.

  8. ak 8

    Where’s our new gummint? Lock the bastards up and throw away the Key. Zero talleyrance for this sort of repea behaviour. Join the peas movement. Support the Talleyban. Three veg and you’re sprout.

  9. BLiP 9

    Yes, of course, Talleys is a disgusting example of the sort of corporate scum we have operating in New Zealand. Rock on with the “Talley-Ban”, count me in.

    For me, however, the real villian in this latest food poisoning is the so called Food Safety Authority. That’s the organisation charged with protecting me and my loved ones, that’s the organisation that should be protecting us from the worst crimes of Talleys – yet they are the fuckers who’ve given Talleys all sorts of approvals and exemptions for all sorts of otherwise regulated activities.

    The Authority has been played like a fiddle by the psychopaths running Talleys and should be made just as accountable. Lets have CEO Andrew McKenzie dragged into the limelight and see what he’s gotta say for his sorry arse self.

  10. teitei 10

    Dirty rotten baldheads keeping up their murderous scum traditions. proper pakehas in action.

    [lprent: I see that you still haven’t bothered to learn from previous warnings. Adding you to the anti-spam engine so I don’t have to see your idiotic trash again]

  11. justthefacts 11

    “More recently they ran a PR campaign in conjunction with National to try and make the taxpayer foot their $1 million contractual obligation with ACC to provide care for one of their workers who was shot on the job.”

    Shot by another person who had no connection to the company?

    There is no way that the company should be liable for the care of the victim and no way they should have to pay one cent, I hope to see National change this rule as soon as possible.

    • BLiP 11.1

      Can’t have been a very safe work space to leave your personal items if strangers can wander around there with loaded guns and murderous intent.

      • mickysavage 11.1.1

        justthefacts

        This has had a great deal of analysis. Tally went with the sweetheart deal offered by ACC but promised to take care of all worksite accidents. This happened and their sweetheart deal did not look so good. So they chose to contest the deal.

        I have no sympathy. They thought they would save more money than what they did but why should we pick up the tab if their bet goes wrong?

        Much of the problem is that the ACC system talks about “accidents” that can include what looks like deliberate actions. The no fault system means that all sorts of incidents get caught.

        If the Tallys did not want to pick up the liability they should not have gambled on picking up the saving.

        • justthefacts 11.1.1.1

          micky

          I appreciate the reasoned and polite reply, I wish others would keep to the issues.

          Anyway, where you and I disagree is that I do have sympathy with the company, if there is an option to do a sweetheart deal with ACC there should be another clause inserted that covers “acts of god” or “drive by shootings” etc.

          Of course this just proves what a total and utter mess ACC is in, not only are they broke but they cannot and do not provide the service the public need.

          Do away with it and let us all insure privately, far better for the workers, far better for the companies and far better for the tax payer.

  12. justthefacts – try looking at the facts, they agreed to take on extra liabilities in exchange for paying a tiny amount of their ACC levies. The incident took place on their grounds and the victim was an employee of theirs. A court decision was made that they were liable because of the contract they had signed. What part are you confused by? They made the decision to pay less in levies.

  13. justthefacts 13

    BLiP

    “Can’t have been a very safe work space to leave your personal items if strangers can wander around there with loaded guns and murderous intent”

    Surely you jest?, a company is supposed to protect their workers from gangs and guns now?

    The law needs to be changed now and changed it will be, NO company should be liable for situations such as that, as it happens neither should the tax payer but that is a different argument.

    Loco

    I am not arguing about what happened only who is liable, it does not matter what your political persuasion is there is no way that you can justify charging the company for this act.

    • Felix 13.1

      Then you know nothing about this case – the company agreed to take on more risk in return for lower premiums and then welched on the deal.

      An analogy you’ll (maybe) be able to follow:

      Say I decide to cut my car insurance costs by covering myself for damages to 3rd parties only. Then when someone runs into my shiny corolla I go back to the insurance company and scream “unfair – pay for my car!”. Am I being reasonable? Should the insurance company pay out even though I CHOSE not to cover myself so I could save a few bucks?

      I know you’re not very smart so:

      Talleys was played by me.
      ACC was played by the insurance co.
      The shooter was played by the other driver.

      To make it extra extra clear because I know you need it: Most companies will never, ever be in this position – Talleys were because they made a special deal with ACC.

    • Pascal's bookie 13.2

      Surely you jest?, a company is supposed to protect their workers from gangs and guns now?

      Wrong question. A company is supposed to honour contracts it signs. In this case:

      Affco is liable for $1 million towards the lifetime support of the employee shot in its carpark. That might seem odd, but it is the very clear implication of the contract Affco (and its private insurer) signed with ACC to become an Accredited Employer. As an Accredited Employer, Affco took responsibility for injuries on its property, up to the value of $1 million (Storey’s lifetime support will come in at 10 times that, with the balance paid by ACC) — in exchange for paying virtually no standard employer levies.

      But rather than honour its contract, Affco hired top-flight spin (Richard Griffin) and got National’s Anne Tolley on the case, whereupon the facts started to go west.

      (From the public address link in the post)

      The law needs to be changed now and changed it will be, NO company should be liable for situations such as that, as it happens neither should the tax payer but that is a different argument.

      What law is going to be changed? Will we no longer have to honour contracts if they become inconvenient? Are National getting rid of ‘no fault’ and giving us back the right to sue? Are they doing away with the Accredited Employer scheme? What are you talking about?

      I am not arguing about what happened only who is liable

      Good. According to the contract they signed, the company is liable. As the courts found. Liability is surely a matter of law. Unless you have some other method of determining these things, one that overrides legally binding contracts signed by the people involved.

      it does not matter what your political persuasion is there is no way that you can justify charging the company for this act.

      Evidently not. If you believe in contracts you can certainly justify it. Afterall, that’s what they agreed to be liable for. In fact the only way you can justify them not being liable is if you don’t believe in properly formed contracts being binding. I suggest that that is a pretty fringe political viewpoint in the NZ context, and so the above quote from you gets it almost 100 percent barse ackwards,

    • BLiP 13.3

      How typically National of you – sign up for one thing and then renege. Sigh . . . such are our leaders these days.

    • There is a saying about how the tories want losses to be socialised and profits privatised. If Talley was willing to socialise its profits I am sure that we could look at socialising the losses that it may have suffered from this deal.

  14. justthefacts 14

    Felix

    Clearly you are an imbecile so I will not bother replying.

    Pascal’s

    For the second time, I am not debating what the law currently is, my argument is (and one that I hope the Nat’s share) is that there is no way that any company should be held liable for the actions of an outside force or influence, it is simply crazy.

    If you want to discuss the merits of ACC then perhaps that is best reserved for another thread but the issue here is the sheer lunacy of the current law and how that law must be changed to stop situations like this happening again.

    If the COMPANY were negligent then yes, by all means go them for at least one million but in this case they were clearly the innocent party, I note that as per normal when dealing with the left you do not let little things like the facts get in the way of your naked hatred of business, there is NO WAY that AFFCO agreed to cover its employees for drive by shootings.

    Story should have his own private cover as should the rest of the population, if Story elected not to provide cover for himself then tough luck, either way it is not the companies fault nor should it fall back on the tax payer.

    I suggest you get used to the idea of change Pascal, the Nat’s will be in power for at least nine years, there are lots of things they will change during that time, hopefully this law will be one of them.

    • BLiP 14.1

      Its not about fault, or ACC Its about contract law. Its about Talleys saying one thing and then wriggling like John Key in a pile of money when having to keep its word.

      If there’s any fault in the car park shooting scenario its Talleys’ lawyers not recognising the exposure to liability in the (apparently) sweetheart deal they negotiated. Any decent brief would have elminated the car park zone from the contract. However, Talleys’ usual practise is to do everything on the cheap so they must have got some bozo ambulance chaser to draft the contract.

      And now you’re telling us the tax payers, having been short changed in the first instance, should also pay for Talleys’ fuck up? You twat.

    • justthefacts

      Felix’s analysis is very good and very relevant. Insurance companies every day take money from citizens promising to protect them from the effects of criminal behaviour. Imagine what would happen if your insurance company refused to pay out for the burglary that you suffered on the basis that it was “the actions of an outside force or influence”.

      The market and the rule of law applies. If a private entity chooses to assume the risk that an adverse event may occur why should the state (ie all of us) pick up the tab if the bet was not a good one?

      If AFFCO did not want to cover its employees from being shot then it should first look to its lawyers to see why the contract it signed did not say this.

      This is a classic example of why ACC must be preserved and cover not trusted to insurance companies. Otherwise every third claim will be disputed and will need to be litigated.

    • Pascal's bookie 14.3

      This doesn’t make sense jtf.

      On the one hand you say you only want to discuss the facts, rather than what the law is. But ‘what the law is’ is the relevant fact of this case. On the other hand you seem to be wanting to discuss (though it is unclear), the merits of the no fault system and ACC. But you tell me that should be left for another thread. I agree.

      When you say what you you think ‘should’ be the law, and who ‘should’ have insurance, and what that ‘should’ cover you are moving away from the facts and into opinion about the things you think should be left for another thread. Strange.

      It honestly seems to me that you are the one avoiding the facts. The facts of this case are the contract and what it left AFFCO legally liable for. The courts are the judge of that, and the contract was quite clear. It really is simple, you are entitled to think that some laws are stupid, but that is not a fact, that’s opinion. Opinion about the merits of the ACC system.

      Feel free to talk about the facts of this case anytime you feel up to it, and we’ll leave, as you suggest, opinions about the merits of ACC for another thread.

  15. If you boycott Talley’s they may end up being bought out by some foreign company who won’t give a rat’s arse about anything to do with NZ….and engineer their “costs” so they end up not paying any tax in NZ…..as so many of our foreign-owned corporates do. I used to work for one that paid a 40% “royalty” to head office in the US. This was their way of transferring local profits out of NZ. This company is not intended to make a big profit in New Zealand….and they usually don’t. The aim to make as close to nothing as possible…..

    A Talley’s like that would be worse than the one we have now.

  16. ripp0 16

    jtf,

    is that there is no way that any company should be held liable for the actions of an outside force or influence

    How come you never told all the corps who fell victim to cds/cdo about this BEFORE it happened..?

    yeah, I know you’re in a thread relating acc stuff, but it also has the words ‘corporate’ and ‘scum’ in the title..

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    Stuck In The Middle With You: As Christopher Luxon feels the hot breath of Act’s and NZ First’s extremists on the back of his neck and, as he reckons with the damage their policies are already inflicting upon a country he’s described as “fragile”, is there not some merit in reaching out ...
    2 days ago
  • A clear warning
    The unpopular coalition government is currently rushing to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act. The clause is Oranga Tamariki's Treaty clause, and was inserted after its systematic stealing of Māori children became a public scandal and resulted in physical resistance to further abductions. The clause created clear obligations ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago
  • Poll results and Waitangi Tribunal report go unmentioned on the Beehive website – where racing tru...
    Buzz  from the Beehive The government’s official website – which Point of Order monitors daily – not for the first time has nothing much to say today about political happenings that are grabbing media headlines. It makes no mention of the latest 1News-Verian poll, for example.  This shows National down ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago
  • Listening To The Traffic.
    It Takes A Train To Cry: Surely, there is nothing lonelier in all this world than the long wail of a distant steam locomotive on a cold Winter’s night.AS A CHILD, I would lie awake in my grandfather’s house and listen to the traffic. The big wooden house was only a ...
    2 days ago
  • Comity Be Damned! The State’s Legislative Arm Is Flexing Its Constitutional Muscles.
    Packing A Punch: The election of the present government, including in its ranks politicians dedicated to reasserting the rights of the legislature in shaping and determining the future of Māori and Pakeha in New Zealand, should have alerted the judiciary – including its anomalous appendage, the Waitangi Tribunal – that its ...
    2 days ago
  • Ending The Quest.
    Dead Woman Walking: New Zealand’s media industry had been moving steadily towards disaster for all the years Melissa Lee had been National’s media and communications policy spokesperson, and yet, when the crisis finally broke, on her watch, she had nothing intelligent to offer. Christopher Luxon is a patient man - but he’s not ...
    2 days ago
  • Will political polarisation intensify to the point where ‘normal’ government becomes impossible,...
    Chris Trotter writes –  New Zealand politics is remarkably easy-going: dangerously so, one might even say. With the notable exception of John Key’s flat ruling-out of the NZ First Party in 2008, all parties capable of clearing MMP’s five-percent threshold, or winning one or more electorate seats, tend ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Bernard’s pick 'n' mix for Tuesday, April 30
    TL;DR: Here’s my top 10 ‘pick ‘n’ mix of links to news, analysis and opinion articles as of 10:30am on Tuesday, May 30:Scoop: NZ 'close to the tipping point' of measles epidemic, health experts warn NZ Herald Benjamin PlummerHealth: 'Absurd and totally unacceptable': Man has to wait a year for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Why Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating in the country
    Bryce Edwards writes – Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Worst poll result for a new Government in MMP history
    Luxon will no doubt put a brave face on it, but there is no escaping the pressure this latest poll will put on him and the government. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Pinning down climate change's role in extreme weather
    This is a re-post from The Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler In the wake of any unusual weather event, someone inevitably asks, “Did climate change cause this?” In the most literal sense, that answer is almost always no. Climate change is never the sole cause of hurricanes, heat waves, droughts, or ...
    2 days ago
  • Serving at Seymour's pleasure.
    Something odd happened yesterday, and I’d love to know if there’s more to it. If there was something which preempted what happened, or if it was simply a throwaway line in response to a journalist.Yesterday David Seymour was asked at a press conference what the process would be if the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Webworm LA Pop-Up
    Hi,From time to time, I want to bring Webworm into the real world. We did it last year with the Jurassic Park event in New Zealand — which was a lot of fun!And so on Saturday May 11th, in Los Angeles, I am hosting a lil’ Webworm pop-up! I’ve been ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • “Feel good” school is out
    Education Minister Erica Standford yesterday unveiled a fundamental reform of the way our school pupils are taught. She would not exactly say so, but she is all but dismantling the so-called “inquiry” “feel good” method of teaching, which has ruled in our classrooms since a major review of the New ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago
  • 6 Months in, surely our Report Card is “Ignored all warnings: recommend dismissal ASAP”?
    Exactly where are we seriously going with this government and its policies? That is, apart from following what may as well be a Truss-Lite approach on the purported economic plan, and Victorian-era regression when it comes to social policy. Oh it’ll work this time of course, we’re basically assured, “the ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    3 days ago
  • Bread, and how it gets buttered
    Hey Uncle Dave, When the Poms joined the EEC, I wasn't one of those defeatists who said, Well, that’s it for the dairy job. And I was right, eh? The Chinese can’t get enough of our milk powder and eventually, the Poms came to their senses and backed up the ute ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Why Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating in the country
    Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is higher than for any other mayor ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago
  • Justice for Gaza?
    The New York Times reports that the International Criminal Court is about to issue arrest warrants for Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, over their genocide in Gaza: Israeli officials increasingly believe that the International Criminal Court is preparing to issue arrest warrants for senior government officials on ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • If there has been any fiddling with Pharmac’s funding, we can count on Paula to figure out the fis...
    Buzz from the Beehive Pharmac has been given a financial transfusion and a new chair to oversee its spending in the pharmaceutical business. Associate Health Minister David Seymour described the funding for Pharmac as “its largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff”. ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • FastTrackWatch – The case for the Government’s Fast Track Bill
    Bryce Edwards writes – Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Bernard’s pick 'n' mix for Monday, April 29
    TL;DR: Here’s my top 10 ‘pick ‘n’ mix of links to news, analysis and opinion articles as of 10:10am on Monday, April 29:Scoop: The children's ward at Rotorua Hospital will be missing a third of its beds as winter hits because Te Whatu Ora halted an upgrade partway through to ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on Iran killing its rappers, and searching for the invisible Dr. Reti
    span class=”dropcap”>As hideous as David Seymour can be, it is worth keeping in mind occasionally that there are even worse political figures (and regimes) out there. Iran for instance, is about to execute the country’s leading hip hop musician Toomaj Salehi, for writing and performing raps that “corrupt” the nation’s ...
    3 days ago
  • Auckland Rail Electrification 10 years old
    Yesterday marked 10 years since the first electric train carried passengers in Auckland so it’s a good time to look back at it and the impact it has had. A brief history The first proposals for rail electrification in Auckland came in the 1920’s alongside the plans for earlier ...
    3 days ago
  • Coalition's dirge of austerity and uncertainty is driving the economy into a deeper recession
    Right now, in Aotearoa-NZ, our ‘animal spirits’ are darkening towards a winter of discontent, thanks at least partly to a chorus of negative comments and actions from the Government Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Disability Funding or Tax Cuts.
    You make people evil to punish the paststuck inside a sequel with a rotating castThe following photos haven’t been generated with AI, or modified in any way. They are flesh and blood, human beings. On the left is Galatea Young, a young mum, and her daughter Fiadh who has Angelman ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Of the Goodness of Tolkien’s Eru
    April has been a quiet month at A Phuulish Fellow. I have had an exceptionally good reading month, and a decently productive writing month – for original fiction, anyway – but not much has caught my eye that suggested a blog article. It has been vaguely frustrating, to be honest. ...
    4 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #17
    A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 21, 2024 thru Sat, April 27, 2024. Story of the week Anthropogenic climate change may be the ultimate shaggy dog story— but with a twist, because here ...
    4 days ago
  • Pastor Who Abused People, Blames People
    Hi,I spent about a year on Webworm reporting on an abusive megachurch called Arise, and it made me want to stab my eyes out with a fork.I don’t regret that reporting in 2022 and 2023 — I am proud of it — but it made me angry.Over three main stories ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    4 days ago
  • Vic Uni shows how under threat free speech is
    The new Victoria University Vice-Chancellor decided to have a forum at the university about free speech and academic freedom as it is obviously a topical issue, and the Government is looking at legislating some carrots or sticks for universities to uphold their obligations under the Education and Training Act. They ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Winston remembers Gettysburg.
    Do you remember when Melania Trump got caught out using a speech that sounded awfully like one Michelle Obama had given? Uncannily so.Well it turns out that Abraham Lincoln is to Winston Peters as Michelle was to Melania. With the ANZAC speech Uncle Winston gave at Gallipoli having much in ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • 25
    She was born 25 years ago today in North Shore hospital. Her eyes were closed tightly shut, her mouth was silently moving. The whole theatre was all quiet intensity as they marked her a 2 on the APGAR test. A one-minute eternity later, she was an 8.  The universe was ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • Fact Brief – Is Antarctica gaining land ice?
    Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Is Antarctica gaining land ice? ...
    5 days ago
  • Policing protests.
    Images of US students (and others) protesting and setting up tent cities on US university campuses have been broadcast world wide and clearly demonstrate the growing rifts in US society caused by US policy toward Israel and Israel’s prosecution of … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    5 days ago
  • Open letter to Hon Paul Goldsmith
    Barrie Saunders writes – Dear Paul As the new Minister of Media and Communications, you will be inundated with heaps of free advice and special pleading, all in the national interest of course. For what it’s worth here is my assessment: Traditional broadcasting free to air content through ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: FastTrackWatch – The Case for the Government’s Fast Track Bill
    Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its arguments for such a bold reform. ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    5 days ago
  • Luxon gets out his butcher’s knife – briefly
    Peter Dunne writes –  The great nineteenth British Prime Minister, William Gladstone, once observed that “the first essential for a Prime Minister is to be a good butcher.” When a later British Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan, sacked a third of his Cabinet in July 1962, in what became ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • More tax for less
    Ele Ludemann writes – New Zealanders had the OECD’s second highest tax increase last year: New Zealanders faced the second-biggest tax raises in the developed world last year, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) says. The intergovernmental agency said the average change in personal income tax ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Real News vs Fake News.
    We all know something’s not right with our elections. The spread of misinformation, people being targeted with soundbites and emotional triggers that ignore the facts, even the truth, and influence their votes.The use of technology to produce deep fakes. How can you tell if something is real or not? Can ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Another way to roll
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.Share ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago
  • Simon Clark: The climate lies you'll hear this year
    This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Simon Clark. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). This year you will be lied to! Simon Clark helps prebunk some misleading statements you'll hear about climate. The video includes ...
    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

  • NZ not backing down in Canada dairy dispute
    Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    47 mins ago
  • Stronger oversight for our most vulnerable children
    The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 hours ago
  • Streamlining Building Consent Changes
    The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says.      “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    8 hours 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
    19 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
    19 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
    21 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
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  • Minister welcomes hydrogen milestone
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