# Talleyban

Written By: - Date published: 5:50 pm, August 4th, 2015 - 47 comments
Categories: boycott, capitalism, class war, employment, same old national, Unions, workers' rights - Tags: , , ,

The Talleyban, eh? No, I’m not off to Afghanistan, but I have been thinking about another brutal organisation firmly opposed to the kiwi way of life. I’m boycotting Talley’s products until they negotiate a collective employment agreement with their AFFCO meat plant workers. If they’re going to behave like thugs, then they’re not getting any of my money. Simple.

These corporate shits put their employees through a lengthy lockout in 2012. Now they want to finish the job off using the new tools National have given them. The days when the law sought to have a level playing field and a bargaining environment based on good faith are gone.

Predictably, Talleys are the first company to use the Government’s new anti-union law change to destroy the existing CEA. After 18 months of what might well be deliberate non-negotiation they have gone to court to try and have the talks ended without an agreement being reached. They’ve also effectively forced workers into signing inferior individual contracts if they want work. Arise, Sir Peter Talley, knighted for services to class war!

Bravely, the unionised workforce have voted to strike to save their collective. Good on them!

Meatworkers Union national secretary Graham Cooke notes that Affco workers who predicted the company would be the first to use and abuse the new employment laws have proven to be correct.

Cooke says that during the current bargaining round the company added additional demands to reduce job security, threatened the union and others with legal action, and bullied staff at work. At mediation, Affco said it wanted to get rid of seniority, which gives long-time staffers priority for work when each season starts.

“Talley’s is an outlier in the meat industry in the way it deals with employment relations and health and safety.” Cooke says.

“It seems they were just waiting for the law to change so they could walk away. If they can’t be trusted to treat their workers fairly and safely at work, how can the public trust their brand?”.

A sign of how low they are prepared to go is a bullying lawyers letter sent to Helen Kelly at the CTU. It’s a sad, pathetic piece of work.

 

CLdWWLGVAAA-o_K.png large

I reckon the appropriate response to that letter is the reply in Arkell v Pressdram.  Helen Kelly’s response was to laugh it off and start her own personal consumer boycott. That’s an excellent idea. We can all do that. And it works. Remember when Progressive Enterprises locked out their distribution centre workers? The loss of market share drove that company back to the bargaining table and a fair deal was done.

So, I’m standing with Helen, I’m standing with the Meatworkers Union and I’m standing with the AFFCO workers and their families.

What about you?

 

https://www.facebook.com/jobsthatcount

#talleyban

 

47 comments on “# Talleyban ”

  1. Detrie 1

    Evil bean counters and managers within these bad companies only see the money, not people. The idea of boycotting particular products or services is a good one. Spreading the word quickly is the key. With everyone carrying cheap smartphones these days, why isn’t there “an app for that”? Something I can check to see the bad producers before entering the supermarket….. A local NZ version of http://www.buycott.com

  2. Bill 2

    How do these corporate legal fucks get jobs!? I guess they ain’t paid by performance.

    From a quick read of that letter and as a mere layperson…

    …if neither Helen Kelly nor the CTU are registered unions (true)…and if they are not Affco employees either (they aren’t)…. then how can they be in breach of any ‘good faith provisions’ of the ERA, when the ERA covers relationships between employers and employees and their authorised representatives? (they can’t)

    And yet they send the letter anyway…

    • Detrie 2.1

      It’s all about sounding tough and the assuming the reader [Helen] not knowing the law of the land… The law firm is the big winner here, charging out thousands for this effort…. Seems the nastier corporates (Talleys, McDonalds, Sky etc) always have ample money to throw at faceless lawyers, never its own workers who are there to be exploited.

      The other irony is that these same companies send their middle managers through NZIM (or similar) courses to learn how to manage and have some respect amd understanding of staff.

      • Charles 2.1.1

        In that case, it’d be best to reply to the letter, so the lawyers further charge Talley’s for their time, and keep them talking for as long as possible to incur maximum legitimate financial damage. Even better than not buying $5 of spinach from the supermarket, which is what I’ve been doing for years since I found out about these clowns.

    • Acting Up 2.2

      Absolutely correct, Bill. This letter shoots itself in the foot. Any decent employment lawyer would spot that contradiction, and not send the letter. Or maybe the big dollars on offer from the Talley overlords removed any last traces of professionalism for the lawyer concerned.

    • Anno1701 2.3

      because bullys like to shout a lot…

  3. Atiawa 3

    I can recall this company buying into AFFCO. If my recollection is correct they paid $60 million for the company from cash-flow, that is no need to borrow, they had the cash. I’m with Helen. Fuck ’em, let’s boycott their products and tell your friends and family to do the same.

  4. Ffloyd 4

    Is there a list of their products? I don’t think I have ever bought anything of theirs but would like to make sure I never do.

    • GregJ 4.1

      Go to their website: http://www.talleys.co.nz/

      Under each Division (Seafood; Vegetables; Meat; & Dairy) there is a list of products. Meat Division redirects you to the AFFCO website.

      • Rosemary McDonald 4.1.1

        “Nothing is wasted. AFFCO’s Allied Products division produces premium hides and pelts, casings, tallow, slipe wool, protein meals of the highest quality, and pharmaceutical blood serums.”

        from GregJ’s link.

        Now. I was chatting to a freezing worker the other day who told me that the profits from selling calf blood serum pays the wages of the entire plant for that day.

        Whew…there’s gold in them there spills…..

    • Skinny 4.2

      I am still angry at the Talley scum since the beastly lock out. I ‘never knowingly’ buy their food. The product boycott list never came out last scrap. Surely someone has a list of all the home brands they provide in supermarkets?

      The Tallyban is a fight that all unionists should fight boots and all. We must send a clear message that any employer trying to force workers out of a collective agreement
      will suffer a swift retaliation straight in their hip pocket.

      Organisering a rowdy wildcat Tallyban picket outside a local Pak n Slave that we have been inching to thump is not a problem.

      Top post TPR!
      Any contacts have a list outside of the obvious Talley label?

  5. Macro 5

    I haven’t bought Talley’s “produce” for at least 4 years now (after their other lockout). They are a despicable bunch of crap employers and while I sympathise with those who for survival reasons are forced to slave for them I will never ever grace my shopping basket with their goods.

  6. Clemgeopin 6

    Both Tally’s and this anti worker National government should be completely ashamed of themselves. What a disgrace!

    I am keen to support the bullied powerless workers and also keen to boycott all of Tally’s products until the dispute is settled fairly and amicably.

    It would be great if the readers here started to LIST the names of the individual Tally’s products here in order to give wider publicity to the boycott and to help us all boycott those particular products.

    Cheers and thanks in advance.

    • Jenny Kirk 6.1

      Talleys have a huge range of frozen foods – peas, beans, etc – as well as fried potato chips, hash-browns, and so on. i think you’d need to check the package out of the supermarket fridge bin to make sure it wasn’t a Talleys one. Then there is all their fish products as well – shellfish too.

      I did come across a bit of a list on their website but they do have an enormous range of products – and they also sell wholesale, not just to retail outlets. here’s the link:

      http://www.talleys.co.nz/about-us/our-company/

  7. adam 7

    I do wonder how the supermarkets would take it if they were targeted for selling talleys products?

    Many ways to bring it up with the supermarkets from a letter to a email. From a trolley full of frozen goods left at check out?

    Maybe protest out side?

    Or go to Foodstuffs directly?

    And that aussie mob?

    So many options in the 21st century we could try, not saying we should encourage that, just saying people could…

  8. Reddelusion 8

    [deleted – defamatory]. I for one won’t take up your offer of a silly boycott Unions are not to be trusted based on personal experience, they do workers more harm thsn good with their blinkered ideology. Ready for abuse but before you start I come from working class labour family, but grew up

    [lprent: You actually have a more basic problem than abuse. Annoyed moderators.

    Your first statement was a defamatory assertion of fact with no backing links or argument. I suspect it was actually an opinion based on the rest of what you said. However you clearly didn’t think, wrote it as a an assertion, and thereby put this site at risk. We don’t take kindly to that, and you are liable to do it on people and organisations who are less forgiving than unions. So an educational experience is in order.

    Banned for 2 weeks. Please read your language in future and separate your opinions from fact, and for “facts” provide links. You will find this will help you avoid moderator attentions. ]

    • Do tell how the MWU destroyed any jobs. It should be fascinating reading.

    • Skinny 8.2

      You forgot to mention your a huge fan of zero hours contracts. Large donators to National gets law changes like this and watered down health & safety laws. It’s called corruption. I would prefer to shut Talley’s down completely, ldeally every single operation. Fuck the jobs they pay bottom rates in most of their operation’s anyway.

      • One Anonymous Bloke 8.2.1

        Yep. there are plenty of good employers who don’t need Talley trash dragging them down.

    • Clemgeopin 8.3

      Links for your outrageous, defaming and scandalous assertions would be absolutely necessary here.

      Otherwise, apologise and retract.

      [lprent: Only the first statement was defamatory. The rest were clearly opinions. But thanks for the pointer. ]

    • b waghorn 8.4

      “”Ready for abuse but before you start I come from working class labour family, but grew up””
      TRANSLATION ; GOT A FREE EDUCATION MADE SOME MONEY AND PROMPTLY FORGOT WHERE I CAME FROM.

      • half crown 8.4.1

        “TRANSLATION ; GOT A FREE EDUCATION MADE SOME MONEY AND PROMPTLY FORGOT WHERE I CAME FROM.”

        Nice one, As I have said before, reminds me of my nephew in the UK very successful and an out and out Randian right winger.

        Forgets if it was not for the socialistic systems when he was younger with good education and free university which my brother could never afford, he could have been just another peasant to be exploited.

        But I must not say these things as it shows envy sarc/

    • Anno1701 8.5

      “I come from working class labour family, but sold out”

      FIFY

    • infused 8.6

      Pretty much. Destroyed the factory I worked at some time ago.

  9. Penny 9

    I live in a small town that has an AFFCO works on the outskirts of it. And when the meat workers go on strike it hits badly & people complain. But, to me they are don’t see the bigger picture. They dont see people standing together & standing up for what they believe in. Just last month the local AFFCO meat works had a injured a worker very very badly. He had a hook that the carauses (sp) are put on go though his head & just miss his eye! The guy was in hospital for 2 days & then back at work on the 4th day!!! When I red that I was thinking ‘why go back to work so soon?’ Now I understand why. He was most likely told “get back to work or lose your job” which is not on to me. I agree on not buying Talleys products. Talleys pack store brand for Pak’nSave, McCain, Watties & I cant remember what other brand in way of frozen foods. I am all for voting with my dollar.

  10. venezia 10

    I’m boycotting. Here is the start of a list:
    Any brand that states “Talleys”.
    Dairy products: Creme de la Creme and Guilt Free ice cream.
    Logan Farm frozen veges/fruits.

    Please add to it.
    By the way Penny I just checked my frozen peas and beans. They say Heinz Watties Australia.

    • Clemgeopin 10.1

      Thanks venezia.

      I have never used Creme de la Creme and Guilt Free ice cream anyway.

      I will make sure not to buy ‘Logan Farm frozen veges/fruits’ from now on though.

      Cheers.

  11. millsy 11

    I think that AFFCO (or thier Ustache puppetmasters) would have no objection if unions were banned (like they will be if Key gets a third term)

  12. BR 12

    I’m like others here , as a family we’ve boycotted talleys since their lockout a few years back .
    We live in a rural area close to Princess Talley’s hometown and man do we ever get sick of the locals fawning over him ” He gives A LOT to charity you know ”

    Hope rising sea levels take his mansion out .

  13. Aspasia 13

    This law firm seems to be a Nelson outfit with Malone as its principal. What can Nelson Standardistas tell us about them?

  14. Tiger Mountain 14

    yes, support the TalleyBan!
    –a nasty union busting company, consumers have considerable power here if we use it

    buy nothing from Talleys until they settle the collective with the Meatworkers Union, and if that does not happen, make it a lifetime ban, I did after their 2009 Open Country Cheese lockout in Waikato, Talleys actually imported “replacement workers” (scabs) from as far away as Invercargill

    would be good to have info stands and leafleting at supermarkets because they will certainly not like it and will eventually pressure Talleys to ‘sort it out’ as the Iwi leaders assisted in the previous lockout

    just as some 21st century employers are seeing the benefit of “the Living Wage” campaign the knuckle draggers at Talleys want to reframe work as sadistic servitude

  15. Thanks all : would be good if you could tweet : and post on jobsthatcount Facebook page. Talleys monitor that so its a good way of letting them know what you think. They also monitor everything we say and threaten the union often. They even went as far as doing official information act requests on the MWU responses to their immigration applications. Our comments on those have now become part of their claim of breach of good faith and justification to end bargaining. Workers are now being threatened with being put on night shift after the strike on a lower paying job. Just one of many Talleys tricks. And if you’re in Wellington, come to the Talley Rally at 9am outside parliament on Tuesday 11th August. These are brave, courageous workers from heartland NZ. They will love your support. Darien, MWU

    • Skinny 15.1

      Hi Darien pretty brave of the Union members to take strike action, given Talley’s terrible track record of previous lock outs and victimising members.

      Fully prepared to picket outside supermarkets ‘Pack’n Slave’ in a TalleyBan boycott of their products. Aside from bullet point’s of the dispute we would need a list of all their food products to maximise the effect. If there is a go between that could kindly provide the details that would be great.

    • Rosie 15.2

      Thanks Darien. Hope to be able to make it to the rally next Tuesday. Hope it’s a good turnout 🙂

  16. Save NZ 16

    Consumer Boycotts work. The only thing these companies value is money, which they can’t get if people don’t buy their products.

    Yep keen for a list of foods to boycott. Make it easy for people so they can easily adjust their shopping.

  17. JanMeyer 17

    Lest we forget, Labour solicits funds from Sir Peter Talley …

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=11463054

  18. Jenny Kirk 18

    I don’t think you can call Talley just donating to Damien O’Connor – known conservative among Labour MPs – as Labour soliciting funds from Sir P T. that would have been a more personal donation from Sir P T to O’Connor.

    read the Herald story right through to the end please :

    Last election, Talley donated to nine candidates. The only Labour MP was West Coast Tasman MP Damien O’Connor.

    • JanMeyer 18.1

      This is the bit I was referring to:

      “Labour has set about trying to rectify its deficit. It has set up a database, by Jove. It has proposed increasing “business etc” contacts (but only small businesses, not those big ones). It might even use professional fundraisers. As part of this, it will hold five events a year at which MPs will be expected to schmooze donors. The first of these has already happened. Sir Peter Talley – the chief bogeyman of the Labour unionist ranks – was among those present. He emerged unscathed.”

  19. Rosie 19

    I have boycotted Talleys since the late 2000’s. Their worker’s right abuses are all over the show – union busting, H&S disasters and now the first company to use the new employer “spray and walk away” from bargaining clause, not to mention the boss that heads it all, who buys his way into such personally beneficial legislative changes.

    With all these abuses I had forgotten why I boycotted them in the first place. Tiger Mountain reminds us – it was the Open Country dairy workers lock out and use of replacement labour.

    If only we had a socially minded journalist with their own show who could get this latest issue into the mainstream…….oh wait, they sacked him.

    One of John Campbell’s last big stories was about the preventable and horrific injuries of workers at AFFCO plants. If he were still on our screens today real head way could have been made with bringing this latest Talleys issue to everyone’s attention which could have contributed to a very successful boycott.

    In the mean time, it’s up to us to spread the word. Ideally it would be good to see a group like Action Station do a campaign around Talleys. In this instance, people could sign up to a pledge to boycott their products until they act in good faith and return to the bargaining table and settle these negotiations that have been going for over and year and a half.

  20. Rosemary McDonald 20

    Big mistake String Bean King, taking this line….

    “The Talley’s Group, run by the recently knighted Sir Peter Talley, has campaigned hard against health and safety reforms introduced in the wake of the Pike River Mine disaster.
    His submission against the Bill opposes workers electing health and safety representatives, saying it’s “unreasonable” and that “unscrupulous unions” could use them to “intentionally damage or destroy a business”.

    Read more: http://www.3news.co.nz/nznews/talleys-pays-worker-6000-over-unsafe-workplace-2015061517#ixzz3hu619QcO

    Methinks the gathering in Wellington next week might attract quite a few participants.

    Stupid, really.

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    As I reported about the city centre, Auckland’s rail network is also going through a difficult and disruptive period which is rapidly approaching a culmination, this will result in a significant upgrade to the whole network. Hallelujah. Also like the city centre this is an upgrade predicated on the City ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    3 days ago
  • Four kilograms of pain

    Today, a 4 kilogram report will be delivered to Parliament. We know this is what the report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care weighs, because our Prime Minister told us so.Some reporter had blindsided him by asking a question about something done by ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Wednesday, July 24, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Beehive: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced plans to use PPPs to fund, build and run a four-lane expressway between Auckland ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Luxon gets caught out

    NewstalkZB host Mike Hosking, who can usually be relied on to give Prime Minister Christopher Luxon an easy run, did not do so yesterday when he interviewed him about the HealthNZ deficit. Luxon is trying to use a deficit reported last year by HealthNZ as yet another example of the ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago
  • A worrying sign

    Back in January a StatsNZ employee gave a speech at Rātana on behalf of tangata whenua in which he insulted and criticised the government. The speech clearly violated the principle of a neutral public service, and StatsNZ started an investigation. Part of that was getting an external consultant to examine ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Are we fine with 47.9% home-ownership by 2048?

    Renting for life: Shared ownership initiatives are unlikely to slow the slide in home ownership by much. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:A Deloitte report for Westpac has projected Aotearoa’s home-ownership rate will ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Let's Win This

    You're broken down and tiredOf living life on a merry go roundAnd you can't find the fighterBut I see it in you so we gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsWe gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsAnd I'll rise upI'll rise like the dayI'll rise upI'll rise unafraidI'll rise upAnd I'll ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Waimahara: The Singing Spirit of Water

    There’s been a change in Myers Park. Down the steps from St. Kevin’s Arcade, past the grassy slopes, the children’s playground, the benches and that goat statue, there has been a transformation. The underpass for Mayoral Drive has gone from a barren, grey, concrete tunnel, to a place that thrums ...
    Greater AucklandBy Connor Sharp
    4 days ago
  • A major milestone: Global climate pollution may have just peaked

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections Global society may have finally slammed on the brakes for climate-warming pollution released by human fossil fuel combustion. According to the Carbon Monitor Project, the total global climate pollution released between February and May 2024 declined slightly from the amount released during the same ...
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Tuesday, July 23 are:Deep Dive: Penlink: where tolling rhetoric meets reality BusinessDesk-$$$’s Oliver LewisScoop: Te Pūkenga plans for regional polytechs leak out ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Tuesday, July 23, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Health: Shane Reti announced the Board of Te Whatu Ora- Health New Zealand was being replaced with Commissioner Lester Levy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • HealthNZ and Luxon at cross purposes over budget blowout

    Health NZ warned the Government at the end of March that it was running over Budget. But the reasons it gave were very different to those offered by the Prime Minister yesterday. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon blamed the “botched merger” of the 20 District Health Boards (DHBs) to create Health ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • 2500-3000 more healthcare staff expected to be fired, as Shane Reti blames Labour for a budget defic...

    Long ReadKey Summary: Although National increased the health budget by $1.4 billion in May, they used an old funding model to project health system costs, and never bothered to update their pre-election numbers. They were told during the Health Select Committees earlier in the year their budget amount was deficient, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    4 days ago
  • Might Kamala Harris be about to get a 'stardust' moment like Jacinda Ardern?

    As a momentous, historic weekend in US politics unfolded, analysts and commentators grasped for precedents and comparisons to help explain the significance and power of the choice Joe Biden had made. The 46th president had swept the Democratic party’s primaries but just over 100 days from the election had chosen ...
    PunditBy Tim Watkin
    5 days ago
  • Solutions Interview: Steven Hail on MMT & ecological economics

    TL;DR: I’m casting around for new ideas and ways of thinking about Aotearoa’s political economy to find a few solutions to our cascading and self-reinforcing housing, poverty and climate crises.Associate Professor runs an online masters degree in the economics of sustainability at Torrens University in Australia and is organising ...
    The KakaBy Steven Hail
    5 days ago
  • Reported back

    The Finance and Expenditure Committee has reported back on National's Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Bill. The bill sets up water for privatisation, and was introduced under urgency, then rammed through select committee with no time even for local councils to make a proper submission. Naturally, national's select committee ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Vandrad the Viking, Christopher Coombes, and Literary Archaeology

    Some years ago, I bought a book at Dunedin’s Regent Booksale for $1.50. As one does. Vandrad the Viking (1898), by J. Storer Clouston, is an obscure book these days – I cannot find a proper online review – but soon it was sitting on my shelf, gathering dust alongside ...
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On The Biden Withdrawal

    History is not on the side of the centre-left, when Democratic presidents fall behind in the polls and choose not to run for re-election. On both previous occasions in the past 75 years (Harry Truman in 1952, Lyndon Johnson in 1968) the Democrats proceeded to then lose the White House ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    5 days ago
  • Joe Biden's withdrawal puts the spotlight back on Kamala and the USA's complicated relatio...

    This is a free articleCoverageThis morning, US President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the Presidential race. And that is genuinely newsworthy. Thanks for your service, President Biden, and all the best to you and yours.However, the media in New Zealand, particularly the 1News nightly bulletin, has been breathlessly covering ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    5 days ago
  • Why we have to challenge our national fiscal assumptions

    A homeless person’s camp beside a blocked-off slipped damage walkway in Freeman’s Bay: we are chasing our tail on our worsening and inter-related housing, poverty and climate crises. Photo: Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Existential Crisis and Damaged Brains

    What has happened to it all?Crazy, some'd sayWhere is the life that I recognise?(Gone away)But I won't cry for yesterdayThere's an ordinary worldSomehow I have to findAnd as I try to make my wayTo the ordinary worldYesterday morning began as many others - what to write about today? I began ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • A speed limit is not a target, and yet…

    This is a guest post from longtime supporter Mr Plod, whose previous contributions include a proposal that Hamilton become New Zealand’s capital city, and that we should switch which side of the road we drive on. A recent Newsroom article, “Back to school for the Govt’s new speed limit policy“, ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Monday, July 22 are:Today’s Must Read: Father and son live in a tent, and have done for four years, in a million ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Monday, July 22, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:US President Joe Biden announced via X this morning he would not stand for a second term.Multinational professional services firm ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #29

    A listing of 32 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, July 14, 2024 thru Sat, July 20, 2024. Story of the week As reflected by preponderance of coverage, our Story of the Week is Project 2025. Until now traveling ...
    6 days ago
  • I'd like to share what I did this weekend

    This weekend, a friend pointed out someone who said they’d like to read my posts, but didn’t want to pay. And my first reaction was sympathy.I’ve already told folks that if they can’t comfortably subscribe, and would like to read, I’d be happy to offer free subscriptions. I don’t want ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • For the children – Why mere sentiment can be a misleading force in our lives, and lead to unex...

    National: The Party of ‘Law and Order’ IntroductionThis weekend, the Government formally kicked off one of their flagship policy programs: a military style boot camp that New Zealand has experimented with over the past 50 years. Cartoon credit: Guy BodyIt’s very popular with the National Party’s Law and Order image, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • A friend in uncertain times

    Day one of the solo leg of my long journey home begins with my favourite sound: footfalls in an empty street. 5.00 am and it’s already light and already too warm, almost.If I can make the train that leaves Budapest later this hour I could be in Belgrade by nightfall; ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • The Chaotic World of Male Diet Influencers

    Hi,We’ll get to the horrific world of male diet influencers (AKA Beefy Boys) shortly, but first you will be glad to know that since I sent out the Webworm explaining why the assassination attempt on Donald Trump was not a false flag operation, I’ve heard from a load of people ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • It's Starting To Look A Lot Like… Y2K

    Do you remember Y2K, the threat that hung over humanity in the closing days of the twentieth century? Horror scenarios of planes falling from the sky, electronic payments failing and ATMs refusing to dispense cash. As for your VCR following instructions and recording your favourite show - forget about it.All ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Bernard’s Saturday Soliloquy for the week to July 20

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts being questioned by The Kākā’s Bernard Hickey.TL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 20 were:1. A strategy that fails Zero Carbon Act & Paris targetsThe National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government finally unveiled ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Pharmac Director, Climate Change Commissioner, Health NZ Directors – The latest to quit this m...

    Summary:As New Zealand loses at least 12 leaders in the public service space of health, climate, and pharmaceuticals, this month alone, directly in response to the Government’s policies and budget choices, what lies ahead may be darker than it appears. Tui examines some of those departures and draws a long ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 week ago
  • Flooding Housing Policy

    The Minister of Housing’s ambition is to reduce markedly the ratio of house prices to household incomes. If his strategy works it would transform the housing market, dramatically changing the prospects of housing as an investment.Leaving aside the Minister’s metaphor of ‘flooding the market’ I do not see how the ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago
  • A Voyage Among the Vandals: Accepted (Again!)

    As previously noted, my historical fantasy piece, set in the fifth-century Mediterranean, was accepted for a Pirate Horror anthology, only for the anthology to later fall through. But in a good bit of news, it turned out that the story could indeed be re-marketed as sword and sorcery. As of ...
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā's Chorus for Friday, July 19

    An employee of tobacco company Philip Morris International demonstrates a heated tobacco device. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy on Friday, July 19 are:At a time when the Coalition Government is cutting spending on health, infrastructure, education, housing ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 8:30 am on Friday, July 19 are:Scoop: NZ First Minister Casey Costello orders 50% cut to excise tax on heated tobacco products. The minister has ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Roundup 19-July-2024

    Kia ora, it’s time for another Friday roundup, in which we pull together some of the links and stories that caught our eye this week. Feel free to add more in the comments! Our header image this week shows a foggy day in Auckland town, captured by Patrick Reynolds. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: A market-led plan for failure

    TL;DR : Here’s the top six items climate news for Aotearoa this week, as selected by Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer. A discussion recorded yesterday is in the video above and the audio of that sent onto the podcast feed.The Government released its draft Emissions Reduction ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Tobacco First

    Save some money, get rich and old, bring it back to Tobacco Road.Bring that dynamite and a crane, blow it up, start all over again.Roll up. Roll up. Or tailor made, if you prefer...Whether you’re selling ciggies, digging for gold, catching dolphins in your nets, or encouraging folks to flutter ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Trump’s Adopted Son.

    Waiting In The Wings: For truly, if Trump is America’s un-assassinated Caesar, then J.D. Vance is America’s Octavian, the Republic’s youthful undertaker – and its first Emperor.DONALD TRUMP’S SELECTION of James D. Vance as his running-mate bodes ill for the American republic. A fervent supporter of Viktor Orban, the “illiberal” prime ...
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 19, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:The PSA announced the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) had ruled in the PSA’s favour in its case against the Ministry ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The Hoon around the week to July 19

    TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent talking about the National-ACT-NZ First Government’s release of its first Emissions Reduction Plan;University of Otago Foreign Relations Professor and special guest Dr Karin von ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #29 2024

    Open access notables Improving global temperature datasets to better account for non-uniform warming, Calvert, Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society: To better account for spatial non-uniform trends in warming, a new GITD [global instrumental temperature dataset] was created that used maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) to combine the land surface ...
    1 week ago

  • Joint statement from the Prime Ministers of Canada, Australia and New Zealand

    Australia, Canada and New Zealand today issued the following statement on the need for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the risk of expanded conflict between Hizballah and Israel. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue.  We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    16 hours ago
  • AG reminds institutions of legal obligations

    Attorney-General Judith Collins today reminded all State and faith-based institutions of their legal obligation to preserve records relevant to the safety and wellbeing of those in its care. “The Abuse in Care Inquiry’s report has found cases where records of the most vulnerable people in State and faith‑based institutions were ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago
  • More young people learning about digital safety

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government’s online safety website for children and young people has reached one million page views.  “It is great to see so many young people and their families accessing the site Keep It Real Online to learn how to stay safe online, and manage ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago
  • Speech to the Conference for General Practice 2024

    Tēnā tātou katoa,  Ngā mihi te rangi, ngā mihi te whenua, ngā mihi ki a koutou, kia ora mai koutou. Thank you for the opportunity to be here and the invitation to speak at this 50th anniversary conference. I acknowledge all those who have gone before us and paved the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago
  • Employers and payroll providers ready for tax changes

    New Zealand’s payroll providers have successfully prepared to ensure 3.5 million individuals will, from Wednesday next week, be able to keep more of what they earn each pay, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Revenue Minister Simon Watts.  “The Government's tax policy changes are legally effective from Wednesday. Delivering this tax ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago
  • Experimental vineyard futureproofs wine industry

    An experimental vineyard which will help futureproof the wine sector has been opened in Blenheim by Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson. The covered vineyard, based at the New Zealand Wine Centre – Te Pokapū Wāina o Aotearoa, enables controlled environmental conditions. “The research that will be produced at the Experimental ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Funding confirmed for regions affected by North Island Weather Events

    The Coalition Government has confirmed the indicative regional breakdown of North Island Weather Event (NIWE) funding for state highway recovery projects funded through Budget 2024, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Regions in the North Island suffered extensive and devastating damage from Cyclone Gabrielle and the 2023 Auckland Anniversary Floods, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Indonesian Foreign Minister to visit

    Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, will visit New Zealand next week, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.   “Indonesia is important to New Zealand’s security and economic interests and is our closest South East Asian neighbour,” says Mr Peters, who is currently in Laos to engage with South East Asian partners. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Strengthening partnership with Ngāti Maniapoto

    He aha te kai a te rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the aspirations of Ngāti Maniapoto, Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka says. “My thanks to Te Nehenehenui Trust – Ngāti Maniapoto for bringing their important kōrero to a ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Transport Minister thanks outgoing CAA Chair

    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has thanked outgoing Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority, Janice Fredric, for her service to the board.“I have received Ms Fredric’s resignation from the role of Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority,” Mr Brown says.“On behalf of the Government, I want to thank Ms Fredric for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Test for Customary Marine Title being restored

    The Government is proposing legislation to overturn a Court of Appeal decision and amend the Marine and Coastal Area Act in order to restore Parliament’s test for Customary Marine Title, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says.  “Section 58 required an applicant group to prove they have exclusively used and occupied ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Opposition united in bad faith over ECE sector review

    Regulation Minister David Seymour says that opposition parties have united in bad faith, opposing what they claim are ‘dangerous changes’ to the Early Childhood Education sector, despite no changes even being proposed yet.  “Issues with affordability and availability of early childhood education, and the complexity of its regulation, has led ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Kiwis having their say on first regulatory review

    After receiving more than 740 submissions in the first 20 days, Regulation Minister David Seymour is asking the Ministry for Regulation to extend engagement on the early childhood education regulation review by an extra two weeks.  “The level of interest has been very high, and from the conversations I’ve been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government upgrading Lower North Island commuter rail

    The Coalition Government is investing $802.9 million into the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines as part of a funding agreement with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), KiwiRail, and the Greater Wellington and Horizons Regional Councils to deliver more reliable services for commuters in the lower North Island, Transport Minister Simeon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government moves to ensure flood protection for Wairoa

    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced his intention to appoint a Crown Manager to both Hawke’s Bay Regional and Wairoa District Councils to speed up the delivery of flood protection work in Wairoa."Recent severe weather events in Wairoa this year, combined with damage from Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 have ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM speech to Parliament – Royal Commission of Inquiry’s Report into Abuse in Care

    Mr Speaker, this is a day that many New Zealanders who were abused in State care never thought would come. It’s the day that this Parliament accepts, with deep sorrow and regret, the Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.  At the heart of this report are the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges torture at Lake Alice

    For the first time, the Government is formally acknowledging some children and young people at Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital experienced torture. The final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care “Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light,” was tabled in Parliament ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges courageous abuse survivors

    The Government has acknowledged the nearly 2,400 courageous survivors who shared their experiences during the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care. The final report from the largest and most complex public inquiry ever held in New Zealand, the Royal Commission Inquiry “Whanaketia – through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Half a million people use tax calculator

    With a week to go before hard-working New Zealanders see personal income tax relief for the first time in fourteen years, 513,000 people have used the Budget tax calculator to see how much they will benefit, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “Tax relief is long overdue. From next Wednesday, personal income ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Paid Parental Leave improvements pass first reading

    Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says a bill that has passed its first reading will improve parental leave settings and give non-biological parents more flexibility as primary carer for their child. The Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill (No3), passed its first reading this morning. “It includes a change ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Rebuilding the economy through better regulation

    Two Bills designed to improve regulation and make it easier to do business have passed their first reading in Parliament, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. The Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Bill and Regulatory Systems (Immigration and Workforce) Amendment Bill make key changes to legislation administered by the Ministry ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • ‘Open banking’ and ‘open electricity’ on the way

    New legislation paves the way for greater competition in sectors such as banking and electricity, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Competitive markets boost productivity, create employment opportunities and lift living standards. To support competition, we need good quality regulation but, unfortunately, a recent OECD report ranked New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Charity lotteries to be permitted to operate online

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says lotteries for charitable purposes, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, and local hospices, will soon be allowed to operate online permanently. “Under current laws, these fundraising lotteries are only allowed to operate online until October 2024, after which ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Accelerating Northland Expressway

    The Coalition Government is accelerating work on the new four-lane expressway between Auckland and Whangārei as part of its Roads of National Significance programme, with an accelerated delivery model to deliver this project faster and more efficiently, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “For too long, the lack of resilient transport connections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Sir Don to travel to Viet Nam as special envoy

    Sir Don McKinnon will travel to Viet Nam this week as a Special Envoy of the Government, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.    “It is important that the Government give due recognition to the significant contributions that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made to New Zealand-Viet Nam relations,” Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Grant Illingworth KC appointed as transitional Commissioner to Royal Commission

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says newly appointed Commissioner, Grant Illingworth KC, will help deliver the report for the first phase of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons, due on 28 November 2024.  “I am pleased to announce that Mr Illingworth will commence his appointment as ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ to advance relationships with ASEAN partners

    Foreign Minister Winston Peters travels to Laos this week to participate in a series of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-led Ministerial meetings in Vientiane.    “ASEAN plays an important role in supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Mr Peters says.   “This will be our third visit to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Backing mental health services on the West Coast

    Construction of a new mental health facility at Te Nikau Grey Hospital in Greymouth is today one step closer, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “This $27 million facility shows this Government is delivering on its promise to boost mental health care and improve front line services,” Mr Doocey says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ support for sustainable Pacific fisheries

    New Zealand is committing nearly $50 million to a package supporting sustainable Pacific fisheries development over the next four years, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones announced today. “This support consisting of a range of initiatives demonstrates New Zealand’s commitment to assisting our Pacific partners ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Students’ needs at centre of new charter school adjustments

    Associate Education Minister David Seymour says proposed changes to the Education and Training Amendment Bill will ensure charter schools have more flexibility to negotiate employment agreements and are equipped with the right teaching resources. “Cabinet has agreed to progress an amendment which means unions will not be able to initiate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Commissioner replaces Health NZ Board

    In response to serious concerns around oversight, overspend and a significant deterioration in financial outlook, the Board of Health New Zealand will be replaced with a Commissioner, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti announced today.  “The previous government’s botched health reforms have created significant financial challenges at Health NZ that, without ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister to speak at Australian Space Forum

    Minister for Space and Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins will travel to Adelaide tomorrow for space and science engagements, including speaking at the Australian Space Forum.  While there she will also have meetings and visits with a focus on space, biotechnology and innovation.  “New Zealand has a thriving space ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Climate Change Minister to attend climate action meeting in China

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts will travel to China on Saturday to attend the Ministerial on Climate Action meeting held in Wuhan.  “Attending the Ministerial on Climate Action is an opportunity to advocate for New Zealand climate priorities and engage with our key partners on climate action,” Mr Watts says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Oceans and Fisheries Minister to Solomons

    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is travelling to the Solomon Islands tomorrow for meetings with his counterparts from around the Pacific supporting collective management of the region’s fisheries. The 23rd Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Committee and the 5th Regional Fisheries Ministers’ Meeting in Honiara from 23 to 26 July ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Government launches Military Style Academy Pilot

    The Government today launched the Military Style Academy Pilot at Te Au rere a te Tonga Youth Justice residence in Palmerston North, an important part of the Government’s plan to crackdown on youth crime and getting youth offenders back on track, Minister for Children, Karen Chhour said today. “On the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
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  • Nine priority bridge replacements to get underway

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