Tame shows media how to interview Luxon

Written By: - Date published: 8:05 am, April 26th, 2022 - 45 comments
Categories: benefits, Christopher Luxon, Economy, Living Wage, Media, minimum wage, politicans, tax, uncategorized, wages - Tags:

On Sunday on Q&A Chris Luxon received a grilling from Jack Tame the likes of which I have not seen yet.  It was a sight to behold.  An interviewer holding Luxon to account.  Up to now he has received a very easy ride from the media.  But Tame’s interview suggests that the post leadership change honeymoon may now be over and some very targeted questions demonstrated that Luxton does not really understand how difficult a job being Prime Minister would be.

Here is the video.

Tame did something which other media should take note of. He went past the generalised statements of policy grandeur and certainty Luxon is prone to utter and asked him specifics.  He called on Luxon to identify the spending that he would cut and what difference it would make. Luxon identified the Hamilton to Auckland Train service, the employment of more bureaucrats, spending on mental health most of which has not happened yet, and spending on the health restructure most of which has not happened yet.

Tame did the maths and showed that combined these items comprised a very small part of Government spending and even if cut completely would make a negligible difference.

Luxon has repeatedly said that unnecessary Government spending has added to inflation. When pressed to explain how he could change this he clearly could not.  And he later admitted that National’s tax cuts would be inflationary.  His minders must have been on high alert at this time.

Tame’s next series of questions were brutal. He asked Luxon which New Zealanders were being squeezed and who would benefit from National’s tax cuts. National’s focus is clearly on the “squeezed middle”. The poor do not feature in Luxon’s calculations. He could not adequately answer how he as Prime Minister would get a tax cut of $18,000 a year and how this helps the squeezed middle.

It was put to him that he had opposed the winter energy payment, the minimum wage increase, and the increase to benefits but he still supports someone on almost half a million dollars receiving a $18,000 tax cut.  That was such a good question.

He trotted out the need to attract wealthy people to New Zealand. A cut in the marginal rate which is still below that of most nations was thought necessary so that the wealthy would want to come here. How does that figure?

He conceded that he does not need the tax cut. He also conceded that his proposed tax cuts would be inflationary.

He admitted that National’s tax savings calculator on its website does not allow for the removal of the top tax rate. I am not surprised. This would have been the source for some pretty embarrassing graphics.

He admitted at one stage that he was not a polished, career, beltway politician.  If he wants to become Prime Minister he will have to learn these skills really quickly.  Being PM is way more complex and difficult than being chief executive of an Airline.

So it looks like the media honeymoon may be over.  At least outside the NZME media stable.  But it is about time.  Luxon has been spreading magical fairy dust all over the place for a while without being called to account.  Hopefully this will now change.

45 comments on “Tame shows media how to interview Luxon ”

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  1. Ad 1
    26 April 2022 at 8:37 am

    Last time we had an interviewer who could do this was Ian Fraser. Keep it up Jack.

    I would be slightly less anxious about a Tame-Ardern interview, because Ardern would do her homework and be ready with results.

    4 weeks to Budget and the Carbon Zero plan. Does Labour have what it takes to turn it around?

    • tc 1.1
      26 April 2022 at 2:22 pm

      David Beatson did similar to blinglish on community tv in their first term. He admitted they'd done no analysis on impact of the GST rise to 15%….simple question blinglish had to answer yes or no to he avoided but Beatson persisted.

      Community tv/freeview sorted out not long after

  2. Kat 2
    26 April 2022 at 8:57 am

    I haven't got a link handy but I do recall those early times when Key became opposition leader with similar gaffes and everyone expected Clark to wipe the floor with him. We know how that turned out. Luxon maybe way out of his league as a politician against Jacinda Ardern but his sound bites are bound to resonate with many of his target audience in the middle rows.

  3. Reality 3
    26 April 2022 at 9:18 am

    Luxon's personality comes over as very cold. He seems self-satisfied and unconcerned about making life tougher for those who are not on high incomes, while believing he is entitled to an $18,000 tax cut. Not admirable traits.

  4. peter hammington 4
    26 April 2022 at 9:22 am

    He stated the $55000/70000 are having a hard time and needed a tax cuts,and then 10 minutes later ,tax cuts would not cause inflation as most would put the money in savings

  5. Blazer 5
    26 April 2022 at 9:46 am

    Attracting wealthy people to NZ is something I just do not 'get'.

    From what I see their main activity is buying up property .

    The Peter Thiels of the world don't even bother living here.

    Citizenship should require that you have only 1 passport imo.

    • tc 5.1
      26 April 2022 at 2:36 pm

      Worth digging into just to hear trickle down or similar old world reasoning that's been outed as spin.

  6. Bearded Git 6
    26 April 2022 at 9:56 am

    The Nats screwed-up by releasing their tax proposals so far out from the election.

    The excluding on their website of the removal of the top 39% from their tax calculations is devious but also stupid-the voters will not be impressed.

    I thought Luxon was hopeless. Willis was also pretty useless on First Up (RNZ) this morning but wasn't picked up on her utterances the way Jack Tame did to Luxon.

    Still it will all be fine because Double-Dipton is to be the real finance minister.

  7. Tiger Mountain 7
    26 April 2022 at 9:59 am

    Sirkey got the rose water and hot towel treatment consistently from NZ media channels despite what was actually happening for working class people, so Micky’s take on Mr Luxon looks right. Tame’s was but one (very good) interview, there will countless “handie under the table” type ones ahead but this one may stick regardless.

    Baldrick presents as a bit of a cross between slightly creepy and a numpty, without the emotional intelligence to realise some might not share his pride in owning 7 pads–or more likely perhaps he bloody well knows and just does–not–care. Another hollow numbers man. If Sirkey could reply “well I can find other experts” when cornered on climate disaster on BBC “Hard Talk” then so can Mr Upper Room on NZ economics.

    I remember “Stevie’s hole” when Mr Joyce put up a bollocks financial contention on NZ Labour’s 2017 election platform. It was shot down by professionals all over, but nonetheless cost Labour several vital percentage points of vote share.

    As I say here regularly, it is now up to gens X Y & Z to step up and get political. My millennial son says that so many people he knows have had enough of renting over priced dumps, paying off student loans that did not get them the dream job, working for arseholes and now putting up with COVID and the fragile supply chain.
    Change is coming one way or another in 2023 and 2026 and lets make sure it will not be Natzos and ACT!

    • Bearded Git 7.1
      26 April 2022 at 1:53 pm

      Tiger-the election should be about Climate Change this time, at least in part. XYZ may get involved because of this.

      One of Baldrick's problems is that he doesn't seem to have a sense of humour…no amount of media work can change this.

      • Robert Guyton 7.1.1
        26 April 2022 at 2:04 pm

        Bearded Git – it will be! The Zero Carbon hoo-ha will be the cat, thrown, amongst the pigeons – we need to be ready – there will be heat!!!

        • Bearded Git 7.1.1.1
          26 April 2022 at 6:02 pm

          I hope you are right Robert….if the election follows the Australian election, where ScoMo and Albanese are avoiding CC like the plague, it will be a massive lost opportunity…though the Greens will poll well of course.

      • Tiger Mountain 7.1.2
        26 April 2022 at 2:11 pm

        yes

    • tc 7.2
      26 April 2022 at 2:27 pm

      A great example of nationals media bias that Joyce continued to get oxygen for something the experts had dismissed as politics i.e. BS.

  8. Reality 8
    26 April 2022 at 10:39 am

    Posted comment earlier on Open Mike but probably more relevant here – find time to read Dave Armstrong's hilariously funny send up of Luxon and his "crew" in the Dominion Post today. Brilliant.

  9. Tricledrown 9
    26 April 2022 at 11:05 am

    Trickle down economics is alive and well in the National Party.Austerity for the poor tax breaks for the very well off.Most of the stimulation packages ended up in the hands of the wealthy now the poor will have to pay the debt down under a National govt.Labour not much better with house prices going through the roof the only positive was the building industry creating a lot of jobs and increasing house supply.But now many headwinds face the economy the supply chains of just in time delivery have been turned upside down.Neo liberal economics has left the world divided and huge cracks are appearing fundamentalist fwits are gaining in popularity except in Estonia. Labour has to step up get seasonal workers in to keep food supplies going and reasonably priced.This could help with Pacific diplomacy we desperately need.Labour shortages in care facilities nurses and hospital staff.The next election is not that far away and if inflation is still high Labour will suffer a Backlash as JFK once said when reporters asked how his policies were being implemented was having an effect of his voter supported he retorted "its the economy stupid" its how the economy is going that affects my support

  10. Peter 10
    26 April 2022 at 11:15 am

    Luxon opposing the winter energy payment and a tax cut of $18,000 a year for someone on almost half a million dollars?

    For the average Joe and Joanne, Hohepa or Hoana that means nothing, It's ethereal, in some other universe, some other, "can't do anything about that" reality.

    In places like Whangarei someone says "3 Waters" or they drive past advertising and the shivers up the spine are like Muldoon in the mid 70's saying "Reds under the bed."

    The Labour MP of the time Murray Smith, accepted as a very good MP, the only Labour MP elected since the 1938 election, got booted by the dancing Cossacks. Emily Henderson will be washed away by the 3 Waters not Luxon.

  11. James Simpson 11
    26 April 2022 at 11:17 am

    Agree with what you have said, but just to clarify Jack is part of the NZME stable doing Saturday mornings on ZB and being a regular contributor to the Herald.

  12. Cricklewood 12
    26 April 2022 at 12:19 pm

    Wonder how many undecided voters actually watch Q&A…

  13. Patricia Bremner 13
    26 April 2022 at 12:31 pm

    Christopher Luxon was startled, which gave Jack an edge.

    He will study Jack on video and be ready next time I suggest.

    Jack could have asked him what differences we would see as he is taking 2B out of a 6B budget fund. What will be unfunded to cover that?

    I appreciated Jack reminding him of his voting record, which shows what he doesn't support…. Minimum wage rise, winter warmth payment, and the current Public Transport support.

    He will use slogans and sound bites in stand ups with reporters, but being interviewed in depth, he has to understand the nuances and details. His final smile was slightly teeth clenched. Jack forced him to answer the questions, and did not accept platitudes.

    Luxon admitted his lack of experience, and said "I will learn." Though he has spent much of his tenure as Leader of the Opposition insisting he could do better and the Government has wasted money, he has not offered any new ideas.

    Jacinda Ardern spent 10 years honing her skills and working with people, Grant Robertson has kept us on track by keeping employment high the tax take remains high.

    Inflation is forcing property owners to pay more for their loans, which will slow the creation of more private debt. Public debt has kept us afloat and the direction of travel needs to stay people focussed, as those on fixed and low incomes will be most impacted by inflation. The disability allowance needs to be doubled and Public Transport free.

    We are facing a recession at least, or a depression at worst so keeping a circular economy going domestically while we strengthen our connections and trade through continuing to pivot to meet shortages through innovations. Government could support ventures replacing imported short supply materials and crops.

    As houses return to a truer value line, some who succumbed to FOMO will have to add to their deposit, or make an arrangement with their bank.

    Greed comes in many forms. Buying larger than you need. Borrowing to the hilt. Taking advantage of systems which are aimed at the well off only (Air B&B).

    However, citizens have shown courage and consideration in these two years. Most have complied, most are donating a third more to others, and many feel we have done well compared to other countries.

    This is a new situation, which is not over yet, and is still causing problems world wide. The added problem of Putin straining systems further. We are by the failure of Health Systems facing the world equity divide, the failure of Politics and Diplomacy facing war, the failure of meaningful Climate Change progress facing famines and storms droughts and resulting crop failures as never before.

    For Luxon and National to offer $200 a week to his high earners, $15 a week to the "squeezed middle, and $2 a week to the "bottom feeders" Wow!! That is going to achieve what?

    It will not assist our inflation fight and if I hear him say it will "create jobs" .@#&#***

    • JO 13.1
      26 April 2022 at 8:26 pm

      yesyes

      Luxon admitted his lack of experience, and said "I will learn."

      Hmmm, sounds faintly like somebody who decides to be an opera singer after hearing Pavarotti on a foreign trip. In spite of a tin ear, with a useful inheritance he has booked a few lessons and a large concert chamber in which to perform his favourite aria, 'None shall sleep' with its unattainable, interminable final note. Faint echoes of Florence Foster Jenkins maybe.

  14. ozaki 14
    26 April 2022 at 2:03 pm

    Tova gave a good interview today, I cannot find the link, but she gets stuck in about the tax Luxon will get back under the proposed Nat scheme & also the fact it's 4 white dudes up for National in Tauranga seat.

    FOund link https://www.todayfm.co.nz/home/politics/2022/04/nationals-bid-for-more-diversity-conjuring-up-more-white-men.html

    • mac1 14.1
      26 April 2022 at 3:43 pm

      She really quizzes Luxon about his commitment tp diversity. Four white men for Tauranga, replacing a Maori man.

      Tauranga is a National-held seat. Their candidate will be the MP most likely. So they are not going to give a safe MP place to diversified candidates.

      Luxon was all on about the need for diversity. I got the impression "but not just yet". He hasn't persuaded his party, if he has tried at all.

      He does recognise their need for talent, but I suspect that come Election '23 the diverse candidates will be in difficult seats and lower on the list.

      The start to the rebuild of the National Party MP talent base has not impressed.

      God forbid they win in 2023. But if they do, we Kiwis need a government that is more representative than National is promising to be at the moment.

      As Gordon Campbell wrote recently, in an April 26 article found here on The Standard and well worth reading, "a Luxon victory would prove once again that governments get voted out, not voted in."

      Be very wary, people.

      • Patricia Bremner 14.1.1
        26 April 2022 at 8:47 pm

        He would be Bill Birch all over again. Causing lasting harm to the fabric of society.

  15. Jenny how to get there 15
    26 April 2022 at 2:14 pm

    Being PM is way more complex and difficult than being chief executive of an Airline.

    Absolutomon.

    The difference being; CEOs and Directors and owners of private companies run their businesses as autocracies. The mental change in gears is too much for some.

    John Key managed it, (I think he found the experience quite novel for a while), but eventually Key found the whole concept of democracy tiresome, and chucked it all in to go back to the private sector.

    Luxon's struggles with being held accountable, indicate that Christopher Luxon will flame out in a much shorter time than Key.

    • tc 15.1
      26 April 2022 at 3:06 pm

      Different times as Key had mentors like Doug graham from the old school plus slater, eade etc for that new approach they took.

      • Jenny how to get there 15.1.1
        26 April 2022 at 3:49 pm

        Indeed. And Key was probably a quick study as well, which would have helped the transition. It begs the question; who today are the experienced National Party politicians to willing to help Luxon make the transition?

        • Hanswurst 15.1.1.1
          26 April 2022 at 5:21 pm

          This developing meme that "Luxon is no Key" has me rather puzzled. The Luxon I see in these interviews suggests to me that Luxon is exactly like Key. He has the same tactic of meeting straightforward questions with, "Yeah, so what you've got here is [completely unrelated tangent]," or, "What I can tell you right now is this: [on-message soundbite]," in an identical display of transparent weasel-flatulence that Key had. The difference is that Luxon has actually been called on it a couple of times. I can't say why interviewers let Key talk, instead of calmly returning to questions that he clumsily (more clumsily than Luxon, mind) and obviously refused to answer; perhaps it was because Clark's style was so familiar by that stage that they wanted a change; perhaps it was because they could feel that Key's matey-potatey style resonated with the electorate; perhaps it was because they sensed that the slow creep of minor government scandals fuelled by the dirty politics machine and the NZ-First implosion provided them with enough political red meat; perhaps it was because the general tenor of fiscal and economic analysis was uncritical of cuts to tax and spending; perhaps it was simply that, at that point in time, the generation of still energetic but established journalists consisted of Tracy Watkins and her tiresome ilk. Regardless of the reasons, Key in 2007/8/9 was just a leaden-tongued version of Luxon as he is now. If Luxon fails, it will not be because he is "no Key", it will be because he is Key, but the tide has gone out on that political brand for the time being. Good.

          • Incognito 15.1.1.1.1
            26 April 2022 at 6:02 pm

            Yes, good points.

            I think that Key and now Luxon literally went to the same School of Media Training.

            Of course, they both went through the same internal ‘selection process’ withing the National Party.

            So, no wonder they come across as clones of each other.

          • Patricia Bremner 15.1.1.1.2
            26 April 2022 at 8:55 pm

            I think his glaring at Jacinda Ardern at question time, was a signal to those protestors that he hated her too. imo He is dangerously cheerful and engaging when he is with his peers, but has shown expressions that do not go with balanced Leadership. imo

          • newsense 15.1.1.1.3
            26 April 2022 at 9:01 pm

            Nah, Key would have either just owned the 18k (yeh, Jack I’m pretty relaxed about it. If I was on 60k, I’d be ambitious to earn 100k and we believe in incentives and rewards for endeavor and ambition etc etc, plus 880 is a good amount of…), or he would have had a percentage or he would have cut it from his manifesto that moment. He wouldn’t have been surprised by the most obvious criticism of his flagship policy.

            Wasn’t prepped or thought the top NZ TV politics show would be a soft ball, which might be worse.

            Edit: read your full comment and maybe I’m comparing vintage Key to early Luxon, but I don’t remember Key being so sloppy?

  16. pat 16
    26 April 2022 at 6:28 pm

    It matters not how incompetent Luxon is, or the policies he promotes …National have an assist to win the next election…Labour.

    • Incognito 16.1
      26 April 2022 at 6:34 pm

      Confidence often trumps competence.

    • Patricia Bremner 16.2
      26 April 2022 at 9:10 pm

      Pat, more like shortages supply disruptions and inflation caused by covid spend world wide in an already shaky system topped off by Putin. However the simplistic view is "they failed" chorus from Nat supporters. Even when we have not, and we are in the same wave of money chasing assets worldwide.

  17. newsense 17
    26 April 2022 at 8:54 pm

    Wowee, what a dishonest slippery…didn’t expect him to be so bad. Perhaps he thought the media were in line.

    Happy to say day is night and so on. Guna be a messy campaign- Key was never as much of a bs artist as this guy.

    When someone like Andrey Young criticizes him for being an opportunist and not having much moral spine…

    Heard mixed things, and perhaps he’s been stitched up on the tax package, but it’s his now so he should at least have some honest seeming deflection. It could be a nasty campaign. He just wants to make the wealth transfer worse and he doesn’t give a f-. And he’s going to try to coast that into government, with, you’d assume, one or two other targeted pork promises closer to the election.

  18. observer 18
    27 April 2022 at 9:31 am

    Kim Hill interviewed him on Morning Report today. He's hopeless.

    How can he possibly still be waffling on Matariki and Labour Day? Kim asked him SEVEN times before she got an answer. Count them …

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018839587/most-new-zealanders-don-t-know-what-co-governance-means-christopher-luxon

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    Buzz from the Beehive  Oh, dear.  We have nothing to report from the Beehive. At least, we have nothing to report from the government’s official website. But the drones have not gone silent.  They are out on the election campaign trail, busy buzzing about this and that in the hope ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • Play it, Elvis
    Election Hell special!! This week’s quiz is a bumper edition featuring a few of the more popular questions from last weekend’s show, as well as a few we didn’t have time for. You’re welcome, etc. Let us press on, etc. 1.  What did Christopher Luxon use to his advantage in ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • Pure class warfare
    National unveiled its fiscal policy today, announcing all the usual things which business cares about and I don't. But it did finally tell us how National plans to pay for its handouts to landlords: by effectively cutting benefits: The biggest saving announced on Friday was $2b cut from the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • Ask Me Anything about the week to Sept 29
    Photo by Anna Ogiienko on UnsplashIt’s that time of the week for an ‘Ask Me Anything’ session for paying subscribers about the week that was for an hour, including:duelling fiscal plans from National and Labour;Labour cutting cycling spending while accusing National of being weak on climate;Research showing the need for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Weekly Roundup 29-September-2023
    Welcome to Friday and the last one for September. This week in Greater Auckland On Monday, Matt highlighted at the latest with the City Rail Link. On Tuesday, Matt covered the interesting items from Auckland Transport’s latest board meeting agendas. On Thursday, a guest post from Darren Davis ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    3 days ago

  • Protest at Parliament: The Reunion.
    Brian’s god spoke to him. He, for of course the Lord in Tamaki’s mind was a male god, with a mighty rod, and probably some black leathers. He, told Brian - “you must put a stop to all this love, hope, and kindness”. And it did please the Brian.He said ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • Labour cuts $50m from cycleway spending
    Labour is cutting spending on cycling infrastructure while still trying to claim the higher ground on climate. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The Labour Government released a climate manifesto this week to try to claim the high ground against National, despite having ignored the Climate Commission’s advice to toughen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • The Greater Of Two Evils.
    Not Labour: If you’re out to punish the government you once loved, then the last thing you need is to be shown evidence that the opposition parties are much, much worse.THE GREATEST VIRTUE of being the Opposition is not being the Government. Only very rarely is an opposition party elected ...
    Bowalley Road
    3 days ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #39 2023
    Open access notables "Net zero is only a distraction— we just have to end fossil fuel emissions." The latter is true but the former isn't, or  not in the real world as it's likely to be in the immediate future. And "just" just doesn't enter into it; we don't have ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • Chris Trotter: Losing the Left
    IN THE CURRENT MIX of electoral alternatives, there is no longer a credible left-wing party. Not when “a credible left-wing party” is defined as: a class-oriented, mass-based, democratically-structured political organisation; dedicated to promoting ideas sharply critical of laissez-faire capitalism; and committed to advancing democratic, egalitarian and emancipatory ideals across the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago

  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More than a fieldingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Hipkins fires up in leaders’ debate, but has the curtain already fallen on the Labour-led coalitio...
    Labour’s  Chris Hipkins came out firing, in the  leaders’ debate  on Newshub’s evening programme, and most of  the pundits  rated  him the winner against National’s  Christopher Luxon. But will this make any difference when New  Zealanders  start casting their ballots? The problem  for  Hipkins is  that  voters are  all too ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    4 days ago

  • Govt is energising housing projects with solar power – and fuelling the public’s concept of a di...
    Buzz from the Beehive  Not long after Point of Order published data which show the substantial number of New Zealanders (77%) who believe NZ is becoming more divided, government ministers were braying about a programme which distributes some money to “the public” and some to “Maori”. The ministers were dishing ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • MIKE GRIMSHAW: Election 2023 – a totemic & charisma failure?
    The D&W analysis Michael Grimshaw writes –  Given the apathy, disengagement, disillusionment, and all-round ennui of this year’s general election, it was considered time to bring in those noted political operatives and spin doctors D&W, the long-established consultancy firm run by Emile Durkheim and Max Weber. Known for ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • FROM BFD: Will Winston be the spectre we think?
    Kissy kissy. Cartoon credit BoomSlang. The BFD. JC writes-  Allow me to preface this contribution with the following statement: If I were asked to express a preference between a National/ACT coalition or a National/ACT/NZF coalition then it would be the former. This week Luxon declared his position, ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • California’s climate disclosure bill could have a huge impact across the U.S.
    This re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Andy Furillo was originally published by Capital & Main and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. The California Legislature took a step last week that has the potential to accelerate the fight against climate ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • Untangling South East Queensland’s Public Transport
    This is a cross post Adventures in Transitland by Darren Davis. I recently visited Brisbane and South East Queensland and came away both impressed while also pondering some key changes to make public transport even better in the region. Here goes with my take on things. A bit of ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    4 days ago

  • Try A Little Kindness.
    My daughter arrived home from the supermarket yesterday and she seemed a bit worried about something. It turned out she wanted to know if someone could get her bank number from a receipt.We wound the story back.She was in the store and there was a man there who was distressed, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • What makes NZFirst tick
    New Zealand’s longest-running political roadshow rolled into Opotiki yesterday, with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters knowing another poll last night showed he would make it back to Parliament and National would need him and his party if they wanted to form a government. The Newshub Reid Research poll ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago

  • September AMA
    Hi,As September draws to a close — I feel it’s probably time to do an Ask Me Anything. You know how it goes: If you have any burning questions, fire away in the comments and I will do my best to answer. You might have questions about Webworm, or podcast ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    5 days ago

  • Bludgers lying in the scratcher making fools of us all
    The mediocrity who stands to be a Prime Minister has a litany.He uses it a bit like a Koru Lounge card. He will brandish it to say: these people are eligible. And more than that, too: These people are deserving. They have earned this policy.They have a right to this policy. What ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • More “partnerships” (by the look of it) and redress of over $30 million in Treaty settlement wit...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point of Order has waited until now – 3.45pm – for today’s officially posted government announcements.  There have been none. The only addition to the news on the Beehive’s website was posted later yesterday, after we had published our September 26 Buzz report. It came from ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago

  • ALEX HOLLAND: Labour’s spending
    Alex Holland writes –  In 2017 when Labour came to power, crown spending was $76 billion per year. Now in 2023 it is $139 billion per year, which equates to a $63 billion annual increase (over $1 billion extra spend every week!) In 2017, New Zealand’s government debt ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • If not now, then when?
    Labour released its fiscal plan today, promising the same old, same old: "responsibility", balanced books, and of course no new taxes: "Labour will maintain income tax settings to provide consistency and certainty in these volatile times. Now is not the time for additional taxes or to promise billions of ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago

  • THE FACTS:  77% of Kiwis believe NZ is becoming more divided
    The Facts has posted –        KEY INSIGHTSOf New Zealander’s polled: Social unity/division 77%believe NZ is becoming more divided (42% ‘much more’ + 35% ‘a little more’) 3%believe NZ is becoming less divided (1% ‘much less’ + 2% ‘a little less’) ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the cynical brutality of the centre-right’s welfare policies
    The centre-right’s enthusiasm for forcing people off the benefit and into paid work is matched only by the enthusiasm (shared by Treasury and the Reserve Bank) for throwing people out of paid work to curb inflation, and achieve the optimal balance of workers to job seekers deemed to be desirable ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    5 days ago

  • Wednesday’s Chorus: Arthur Grimes on why building many, many more social houses is so critical
    New research shows that tenants in social housing - such as these Wellington apartments - are just as happy as home owners and much happier than private tenants. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The election campaign took an ugly turn yesterday, and in completely the wrong direction. All three ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • Bennie Bashing.
    If there’s one thing the mob loves more than keeping Māori in their place, more than getting tough on the gangs, maybe even more than tax cuts. It’s a good old round of beneficiary bashing.Are those meanies in the ACT party stealing your votes because they think David Seymour is ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • The kindest cuts
    Labour kicks off the fiscal credibility battle today with the release of its fiscal plan. National is expected to follow, possibly as soon as Thursday, with its own plan, which may (or may not) address the large hole that the problems with its foreign buyers’ ban might open up. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago

  • Green right turn in Britain? Well, a start
    While it may be unlikely to register in New Zealand’s general election, Britain’s PM Rishi Sunak has done something which might just be important in the long run. He’s announced a far-reaching change in his Conservative government’s approach to environmental, and particularly net zero, policy. The starting point – ...
    Point of OrderBy xtrdnry
    6 days ago

  • At a glance – How do human CO2 emissions compare to natural CO2 emissions?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • How could this happen?
    Canada is in uproar after the exposure that its parliament on September 22 provided a standing ovation to a Nazi veteran who had been invited into the chamber to participate in the parliamentary welcome to Ukrainian President Zelensky. Yaroslav Hunka, 98, a Ukrainian man who volunteered for service in ...
    Open ParachuteBy Ken
    6 days ago

  • Always Be Campaigning
    The big screen is a great place to lay out the ways of the salesman. He comes ready-made for Panto, ripe for lampooning.This is not to disparage that life. I have known many good people of that kind. But there is a type, brazen as all get out. The camera ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • STEPHEN FRANKS: Press seek to publicly shame doctor – we must push back
    The following is a message sent yesterday from lawyer Stephen Franks on behalf of the Free Speech Union. I don’t like to interrupt first thing Monday morning, but we’ve just become aware of a case where we think immediate and overwhelming attention could help turn the tide. It involves someone ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Competing on cruelty
    The right-wing message calendar is clearly reading "cruelty" today, because both National and NZ First have released beneficiary-bashing policies. National is promising a "traffic light" system to police and kick beneficiaries, which will no doubt be accompanied by arbitrary internal targets to classify people as "orange" or "red" to keep ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago

  • Further funding for Pharmac (forgotten in the Budget?) looks like a $1bn appeal from a PM in need of...
    Buzz from the Beehive One Labour plan  – for 3000 more public homes by 2025 – is the most recent to be posted on the government’s official website. Another – a prime ministerial promise of more funding for Pharmac – has been released as a Labour Party press statement. Who ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: The Vested interests shaping National Party policies
    As the National Party gets closer to government, lobbyists and business interests will be lining up for influence and to get policies adopted. It’s therefore in the public interest to have much more scrutiny and transparency about potential conflicts of interests that might arise. One of the key individuals of ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    6 days ago

  • Labour may be on way out of power and NZ First back in – but will Peters go into coalition with Na...
    Voters  are deserting Labour in droves, despite Chris  Hipkins’  valiant  rearguard  action.  So  where  are they  heading?  Clearly  not all of them are going to vote National, which concedes that  the  outcome  will be “close”. To the Right of National, the ACT party just a  few weeks  ago  was ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    6 days ago

  • GRAHAM ADAMS: Will the racists please stand up?
    Accusations of racism by journalists and MPs are being called out. Graham Adams writes –    With the election less than three weeks away, what co-governance means in practice — including in water management, education, planning law and local government — remains largely obscure. Which is hardly ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on whether Winston Peters can be a moderating influence
    As the centre-right has (finally!) been subjected to media interrogation, the polls are indicating that some voters may be starting to have second thoughts about the wisdom of giving National and ACT the power to govern alone. That’s why yesterday’s Newshub/Reid Research poll had the National/ACT combo dropping to 60 ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    6 days ago

  • Tuesday’s Chorus: RBNZ set to rain on National's victory parade
    ANZ has increased its forecast for house inflation later this year on signs of growing momentum in the market ahead of the election. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: National has campaigned against the Labour Government’s record on inflation and mortgage rates, but there’s now a growing chance the Reserve ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • After a Pittsburgh coal processing plant closed, ER visits plummeted
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Katie Myers. This story was originally published by Grist and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. Pittsburgh, in its founding, was blessed and cursed with two abundant natural resources: free-flowing rivers and a nearby coal seam. ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • September-23 AT Board Meeting
    Today the AT board meet again and once again I’ve taken a look at what’s on the agenda to find the most interesting items. Closed Agenda Interestingly when I first looked at the agendas this paper was there but at the time of writing this post it had been ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    6 days ago

  • Electorate Watch: West Coast-Tasman
    Continuing my series on interesting electorates, today it’s West Coast-Tasman.A long thin electorate running down the northern half of the west coast of the South Island. Think sand flies, beautiful landscapes, lots of rain, Pike River, alternative lifestylers, whitebaiting, and the spiritual home of the Labour Party. A brief word ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • Big money brings Winston back
    National leader Christopher Luxon yesterday morning conceded it and last night’s Newshub poll confirmed it; Winston Peters and NZ First are not only back but highly likely to be part of the next government. It is a remarkable comeback for a party that was tossed out of Parliament in ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    7 days ago

  • 20 days until Election Day, 7 until early voting begins… but what changes will we really see here?
    As this blogger, alongside many others, has already posited in another forum: we all know the National Party’s “budget” (meaning this concept of even adding up numbers properly is doing a lot of heavy, heavy lifting right now) is utter and complete bunk (read hung, drawn and quartered and ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    7 days ago

  • A night out
    Everyone was asking, Are you nervous? and my response was various forms of God, yes.I've written more speeches than I can count; not much surprises me when the speaker gets to their feet and the room goes quiet.But a play? Never.YOU CAME! THANK YOU! Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago

  • A pallid shade of Green III
    Clearly Labour's focus groups are telling it that it needs to pay more attention to climate change - because hot on the heels of their weaksauce energy efficiency pilot programme and not-great-but-better-than-nothing solar grants, they've released a full climate manifesto. Unfortunately, the core policies in it - a second Emissions ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago

  • New Zealand resumes peacekeeping force leadership
    New Zealand will again contribute to the leadership of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) in the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt, with a senior New Zealand Defence Force officer returning as Interim Force Commander. Defence Minister Andrew Little and Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta have announced the deployment of New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 hour ago

  • New national direction provides clarity for development and the environment
    The Government has taken an important step in implementing the new resource management system, by issuing a draft National Planning Framework (NPF) document under the new legislation, Environment Minister David Parker said today. “The NPF consolidates existing national direction, bringing together around 20 existing instruments including policy statements, standards, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 hours ago

  • Government shows further commitment to pay equity for healthcare workers
    The Government welcomes the proposed pay equity settlement that will see significant pay increases for around 18,000 Te Whatu Ora Allied, Scientific, and Technical employees, if accepted said Health Minister Ayesha Verrall. The proposal reached between Te Whatu Ora, the New Zealand Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours ago

  • 100 new public EV chargers to be added to national network
    The public EV charging network has received a significant boost with government co-funding announced today for over 100 EV chargers – with over 200 charging ports altogether – across New Zealand, and many planned to be up and running on key holiday routes by Christmas this year. Minister of Energy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Safeguarding Tuvalu language and identity
    Tuvalu is in the spotlight this week as communities across New Zealand celebrate Vaiaso o te Gagana Tuvalu – Tuvalu Language Week. “The Government has a proven record of supporting Pacific communities and ensuring more of our languages are spoken, heard and celebrated,” Pacific Peoples Minister Barbara Edmonds said. “Many ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • New community-level energy projects to support more than 800 Māori households
    Seven more innovative community-scale energy projects will receive government funding through the Māori and Public Housing Renewable Energy Fund to bring more affordable, locally generated clean energy to more than 800 Māori households, Energy and Resources Minister Dr Megan Woods says. “We’ve already funded 42 small-scale clean energy projects that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Huge boost to Te Tai Tokerau flood resilience
    The Government has approved new funding that will boost resilience and greatly reduce the risk of major flood damage across Te Tai Tokerau. Significant weather events this year caused severe flooding and damage across the region. The $8.9m will be used to provide some of the smaller communities and maraes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Napier’s largest public housing development comes with solar
    The largest public housing development in Napier for many years has been recently completed and has the added benefit of innovative solar technology, thanks to Government programmes, says Housing Minister Dr Megan Woods. The 24 warm, dry homes are in Seddon Crescent, Marewa and Megan Woods says the whanau living ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Te Whānau a Apanui and the Crown initial Deed of Settlement I Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me...
    Māori: Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna te Whakaaetanga Whakataunga Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna i tētahi Whakaaetanga Whakataunga hei whakamihi i ō rātou tāhuhu kerēme Tiriti o Waitangi. E tekau mā rua ngā hapū o roto mai o Te Whānau ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Plan for 3,000 more public homes by 2025 – regions set to benefit
    Regions around the country will get significant boosts of public housing in the next two years, as outlined in the latest public housing plan update, released by the Housing Minister, Dr Megan Woods. “We’re delivering the most public homes each year since the Nash government of the 1950s with one ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Immigration settings updates
    Judicial warrant process for out-of-hours compliance visits 2023/24 Recognised Seasonal Employer cap increased by 500 Additional roles for Construction and Infrastructure Sector Agreement More roles added to Green List Three-month extension for onshore Recovery Visa holders The Government has confirmed a number of updates to immigration settings as part of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Poroporoaki: Tā Patrick (Patu) Wahanga Hohepa
    Tangi ngunguru ana ngā tai ki te wahapū o Hokianga Whakapau Karakia. Tārehu ana ngā pae maunga ki Te Puna o te Ao Marama. Korihi tangi ana ngā manu, kua hinga he kauri nui ki te Wao Nui o Tāne. He Toa. He Pou. He Ahorangi. E papaki tū ana ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Renewable energy fund to support community resilience
    40 solar energy systems on community buildings in regions affected by Cyclone Gabrielle and other severe weather events Virtual capability-building hub to support community organisations get projects off the ground Boost for community-level renewable energy projects across the country At least 40 community buildings used to support the emergency response ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • COVID-19 funding returned to Government
    The lifting of COVID-19 isolation and mask mandates in August has resulted in a return of almost $50m in savings and recovered contingencies, Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. Following the revocation of mandates and isolation, specialised COVID-19 telehealth and alternative isolation accommodation are among the operational elements ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Appointment of District Court Judge
    Susie Houghton of Auckland has been appointed as a new District Court Judge, to serve on the Family Court, Attorney-General David Parker said today.  Judge Houghton has acted as a lawyer for child for more than 20 years. She has acted on matters relating to the Hague Convention, an international ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government invests further in Central Hawke’s Bay resilience
    The Government has today confirmed $2.5 million to fund a replace and upgrade a stopbank to protect the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant. “As a result of Cyclone Gabrielle, the original stopbank protecting the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant was destroyed. The plant was operational within 6 weeks of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Govt boost for Hawke’s Bay cyclone waste clean-up
    Another $2.1 million to boost capacity to deal with waste left in Cyclone Gabrielle’s wake. Funds for Hastings District Council, Phoenix Contracting and Hog Fuel NZ to increase local waste-processing infrastructure. The Government is beefing up Hawke’s Bay’s Cyclone Gabrielle clean-up capacity with more support dealing with the massive amount ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Taupō Supercars revs up with Government support
    The future of Supercars events in New Zealand has been secured with new Government support. The Government is getting engines started through the Major Events Fund, a special fund to support high profile events in New Zealand that provide long-term economic, social and cultural benefits. “The Repco Supercars Championship is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • There is no recession in NZ, economy grows nearly 1 percent in June quarter
    The economy has turned a corner with confirmation today New Zealand never was in recession and stronger than expected growth in the June quarter, Finance Minister Grant Robertson said. “The New Zealand economy is doing better than expected,” Grant Robertson said. “It’s continuing to grow, with the latest figures showing ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Highest legal protection for New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs
    The Government has accepted the Environment Court’s recommendation to give special legal protection to New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs, Te Waikoropupū Springs (also known as Pupū Springs), Environment Minister David Parker announced today.   “Te Waikoropupū Springs, near Takaka in Golden Bay, have the second clearest water in New Zealand after ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • More support for victims of migrant exploitation
    Temporary package of funding for accommodation and essential living support for victims of migrant exploitation Exploited migrant workers able to apply for a further Migrant Exploitation Protection Visa (MEPV), giving people more time to find a job Free job search assistance to get people back into work Use of 90-day ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Strong export boost as NZ economy turns corner
    An export boost is supporting New Zealand’s economy to grow, adding to signs that the economy has turned a corner and is on a stronger footing as we rebuild from Cyclone Gabrielle and lock in the benefits of multiple new trade deals, Finance Minister Grant Robertson says. “The economy is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Funding approved for flood resilience work in Te Karaka
    The Government has approved $15 million to raise about 200 homes at risk of future flooding. More than half of this is expected to be spent in the Tairāwhiti settlement of Te Karaka, lifting about 100 homes there. “Te Karaka was badly hit during Cyclone Gabrielle when the Waipāoa River ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Further business support for cyclone-affected regions
    The Government is helping businesses recover from Cyclone Gabrielle and attract more people back into their regions. “Cyclone Gabrielle has caused considerable damage across North Island regions with impacts continuing to be felt by businesses and communities,” Economic Development Minister Barbara Edmonds said. “Building on our earlier business support, this ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • New maintenance facility at Burnham Military Camp underway
    Defence Minister Andrew Little has turned the first sod to start construction of a new Maintenance Support Facility (MSF) at Burnham Military Camp today. “This new state-of-art facility replaces Second World War-era buildings and will enable our Defence Force to better maintain and repair equipment,” Andrew Little said. “This Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Foreign Minister to attend United Nations General Assembly
    Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta will represent New Zealand at the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York this week, before visiting Washington DC for further Pacific focussed meetings. Nanaia Mahuta will be in New York from Wednesday 20 September, and will participate in UNGA leaders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Midwives’ pay equity offer reached
    Around 1,700 Te Whatu Ora employed midwives and maternity care assistants will soon vote on a proposed pay equity settlement agreed by Te Whatu Ora, the Midwifery Employee Representation and Advisory Service (MERAS) and New Zealand Nurses Association (NZNO), Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. “Addressing historical pay ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • New Zealand provides support to Morocco
    Aotearoa New Zealand will provide humanitarian support to those affected by last week’s earthquake in Morocco, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced today. “We are making a contribution of $1 million to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to help meet humanitarian needs,” Nanaia Mahuta said. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago

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