Teapot fiasco becomes an international embarrassment

Written By: - Date published: 7:48 am, November 18th, 2011 - 58 comments
Categories: International, Media - Tags: ,

I got an email from a mate in the UK this morning asking what the hell is going on over here. He’d just got into work and was being asked by his British workmates why the police were searching media outlets in the middle of an election campaign.

That’s not surprising, a quick scan of the UK media turns up stories about this fiasco in the Guardian and the BBC.

By upping the ante Key has turned this into an international embarrassment for New Zealand.

In fact “embarrassment” is too gentle a word. Having the cops serving warrants on political journalists less than two weeks out from an election because the Prime Minister doesn’t want people to find out what he said is bloody shameful – Key has made us look like a banana republic in the eyes of the world.

It’s not just brand Key that’s getting hammered here. It’s New Zealand’s reputation as a progressive and enlightened international citizen. What a mess.

58 comments on “Teapot fiasco becomes an international embarrassment ”

  1. vto 1

    It’s like one of them willy willys that spring out of nowhere in the desert sometimes. Usually they spring up and die away pretty quickly, but sometimes they grow and grow and turn into whilrwinds and tornadoes over which not a single person has control. They go all over the whole place shredding everything in sight and leaving a total mess and new order.

    Fingers crossed that new order is beneficial to NZ

  2. Uturn 2

    As above, I think what we’re seeing is the birth of a new kind of politics, conceived by people who don’t give a damn about anyone or thing but themselves and their goals. There is no tradition, consensus, gradual evolution or deferal to “how things are done” in Team Key’s behaviour. These are the attitudes of not just born to rule, but meglomania.

  3. Fred 3

    “It’s not just brand Key that’s getting hammered here. It’s New Zealand’s reputation as a progressive and enlightened international citizen.”

    You said it, Irish !

    About bloody time ..

  4. Afewknowthetruth 4

    I think most people overseas have a lot more to worry about than the rantings of a pair of circus clowns in NZ.

    ‘World markets turmoil intensifies

    The turmoil in world markets intensified today as fears the eurozone will collapse were fuelled by a rise in borrowing costs for some of its biggest members.’

    http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/world-markets-turmoil-intensifies-6263548.html

    The pity is, the international debt crisis will not reach full intensity until after the NZ election, so the idiotic NZers who think National is doing a good job of managing the economy remain utterly deluded when it matters.

  5. TightyRighty 5

    [deleted]

    [lprent: bans mean you don’t write comments. All future comments will now go to spam. ]

    • freedom 5.1

      So a ‘secret Nat activist’ is going to the High Court to seek a judgement before deciding on going forward with a defamation case. Potential charges against your Leader is hardly a competent strategy.

      then again if they handle their campaign as they handled the economy . . . competence is a phantasm

      P.S. Tighty, care to offer any defense for why National refused to answer Policy questions for RNZ?

    • Jackal 5.2

      Vindication that John Key is a liar meme? Good god man where have you been the last three years? Keys cup runneth over with examples of lying… he is a con man through and through.

    • Draco T Bastard 5.3

      The only ones who care are those who have been looking for vindication on their john key is fucking liar meme.

      Key has been proven as a liar since before the election.

      • TightyRighty 5.3.1

        [deleted]

        [lprent: doubling the ban to eight weeks for wasting my time. Adding to auto spam so it doesn’t go into auto moderation again. ]

        • muzza 5.3.1.1

          So you’re comfortable voting for your Tory hero’s, even after admitting that they are in fact liers, just like the other party morons….Brilliant

          Please move to another country, you are an embarrassment to ours!

          Note – I do not buy into party politics, it is for the easily lead!

        • Draco T Bastard 5.3.1.2

          Got proof of these lies you accuse Labour and the Greens of?

  6. Jim Nald 6

    Joyce joins in and exhibits his well honed skill at belittling others … this time, the Fourth Estate is the most fortunate target:

    “I think there are one or two people in the media who need to do a little bit of self-assessment over this weekend.”

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/5991288/Keys-handling-of-teapot-tape-defended

  7. In Vino Veritas 7

    Irish, to say that “Key has made us look like a banana republic in the eyes of the world” is a bit rich, given that for the 9 years between 1999 and 2008, we WERE a banana republic according to my mates in the UK and US. With for eg: a corrupt government that missappropriated $800,000 illegally in 05, then legislated to prevent a court case, bribed certain classes of voters (remember interest free student loans that are now costing hundreds of millions and the profligate, unsustainable spending in the public sector that we are paying for today.

    • The Voice of Reason 7.1

      Wow, I guess you’re saying that Labour’s failing was only going for $800k and sucking up to students when Key has shown us how it’s really done by stealing nearly $80 million to bribe Warners and Mediaworks and changing the law under urgency to allow the con to happen. Yep, when it comes to corruption, Labour are amateurs and National are the hardened pros.

      • kriswgtn 7.1.1

        oh and dont forget the billion or so he gave to his mates and himself in the form of tax cuts

        Bit rich draggin up the $800k when
        a billion is more u dumb cockfuk

        • In Vino Veritas 7.1.1.1

          Poor old kris from the socialist nirvana of Wellington. If someone steals something from you, and you get it back, you’d be happy wouldnt you? Let me see. Labour increased tax rates on people who earned over $70k or so, and now its given back. Theft on one hand, returned on the other. (I would point out that if they were still in power, $70K would still be the threshold, not the $150K they are spouting now).

          Labour illegally misappropriated from taxpayer funds.Then legislated to protect themselves. And hypocritically, many on this site are bleating about a secret recording and the police investigation into it.

          Kris, socialism is an unsustainable system that lowers the standard of living of the population living under it. Aspire to something, make a better life for yourself and your family, don’t expect others to do it for you via subsidies.

    • Afewknowthetruth 7.2

      IVV.

      ROTFLMHO. Your comment really is too amusing!

      ‘according to my mates in the UK and US. With for eg: a corrupt government that missappropriated $800,000 illegally’

      In the US about $2 billion a day goes missing, unaccounted for in military spending and kickbacks. Meanwhile the corrupt Wall St banksters have seen to it that a couple of trillion dollars of taxpayer money slipped out of the system and into their accounts via the corrupt, ‘war-is-peace’ Dubya and O’Bomber administrations.

      And I see the corrupt UK government of Macaroon is about to do a dirty deal to sell Northern Rock to Branson at well below valuation, having poured goodness knows how many hundreds of millions of public money into it. So nothing has changed in Britian, following the reigns of Tony B Liar and the Clown (who sold Britain’s gold at the lowest possible price to his money-lender mates).

      Keep posting. With the NZ economy slowly imploding we need plenty of laughs.

    • freedom 7.3

      let me translate for IVV

      WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH !!! Stop picking on my Pin Up Boy
      I like it when NZ is teetering on Bankruptcy after only one term. Give us another term so we can really drive the prospecting stake into the heart of New Zealand
      ==============================
      back in reality
      It is 2011 IVV, 2011. Give up the Labour did bad stuff too meme and get with the reality of today. National have ‘borrowed’ 40 Billion Dollars off our children’s future.

      They have lined up sales of Assets and Agriculture that will only come to light once the first few ‘Mum & Dad’ events run their course. The Chinese Construction Bank through the efforts of Jenny Shipley and other long time conspirators have finished their Magic Farmland Investment Tours of 2010 and are poised to invest Billions of Dollars into the export futures of NZ Industry, which will co-incidentally destroy much of what is left of our Land and Waterways. Billions of dollars to develop vast Dairy Farms and Processing Factories completely owned and operated by overseas interests. Then there are the mineral resources, Hooboy are there mineral resources. But i am confident such a well-informed commentator like yourself would already understand that. So guess what, those Billions of dollars are not going into our pockets. It will be going off shore. You remember off-shore? The place where our 40 Billion dollar debt must be paid to. That place where John Key lives? Where he said he is going if he does not win again! so i repeat . WAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH

      The next child you see, look closely,
      they are the people you are meant to be protecting, not selling off.

  8. Gosman 8

    This reminds me of the apparently huge media interest, (well according to some left wing types), when the PM supposedly gave his support to Mubarek in Egypt. That’s not to say this thing hasn’t been badly handled just that, at this point in time, for many it is a non-issue. If the next round of polls show a collapse in support for National then this will matter.

    • Afewknowthetruth 8.1

      Gosman.

      We are unlikely to witness a collapse in support for National because a large sector of the populace is suffering from Stockholm Syndrome. Having fallen in love with their abuser, they are likely to run to his defence.

      It’s much the same with Winnie: the last time he got anywhere near the seat of power he made such a mess of it he was asked to leave.

      Of course people have incredibly short memories and fall for any old nonsense as long as it’s said with a rosy smile.

      All deceivers know that.

      • Gosman 8.1.1

        Then the members of the left of the politicl spectrum have failed miserably in doing their job of articulating an attractive alternative to the voting public.

        I’d agree with you on one point though. Most people in NZ tend to give Governments at least two terms so long as they haven’t majorly stuffed things up. I know people on the left think that the Key led Government has done so but currently it doesn’t look like the voters agree.

        Of course this could change in the last week but evidence to date suggests the last week leads to a solidifying in support for parties rather than any major collapse. There are of course exceptions to this.

        • bbfloyd 8.1.1.1

          wiffle waffle wiffle…. that’s about the sum of your contribution gossamer boy….. you obviously havn’t the attention span to actually read labour’s policy statement in their entirety without frequent rest stops…….otherwise you wouldn’t be displaying your ignorance so obviously…..

          i’ll make it easier for you… john(pink eyes) key is a sociopathic liar who hasn’t a shred of humanity in actuality…. his “folksy” patter is an act.. pure and simple…. one he perfected working to undermine sovereign countries economies for the benefit of the same banks that created the global economic meltdown as well as for personal profit….

          not a shred of decency to be found in that one i can assure you…..

          to defend and support that rubbish playacting as a leader of a society makes the supporters as disloyal and disconnected with humanity as he is…..

  9. Colonial Viper 9

    What does Key care about NZ’s international reputation? He already has his potrait with Obama. Case closed.

    • Draco T Bastard 9.1

      +1

      Key doesn’t give a shit about NZ. He’s just concerned with making himself and his rich (foreign) mates richer at our expense.

  10. tsmithfield 10

    Just shows how precious and infantile media around the world are generally.

    Firstly they want to focus on the most menial, trite rubbish when there are much more important things out there to focus on.

    Secondly, how dare anyone subject them to the same standards that ordinary folk are? They are obviously above the rule of law and should never be questioned. Let me say it again. There have been no search warrants. Police are only investigating whether or not charges should be laid. This isn’t persecution of the media by any stretch.

  11. tsmithfield 11

    Here is what Greg Conner had to say about the investigation.

    I realise this particular thread is about international media response. But there seems to be two conflicting memes going on this site at the moment:

    1. The police are in Keys pocket and are doing his bidding.
    2. The police action is terrible for National.

    Care to resolve the conflict?

    • locus 11.1

      @TS It’s incredibly embarrassing to have a goon for a prime minister. For the pm of a country to undermine the respect we all have for the police by dragging them into his own stupid little political mistake is inexcusable.

    • The Voice of Reason 11.2

      There isn’t a conflict between those positions, ts. There aren’t mutually exclusive and indeed seem complimentary. eg. The cops are in Key’s pocket and they way they are being used like mafia enforcers is embarrassing for National. And, given O’connor’s squirming, embarrassing for PC plod, too.

    • Jackal 11.3

      There is no clear lawful case for the tape to be suppressed and this shows that Key has overstepped the mark by getting the Police involved to raid media organisations. Perhaps Key thinks that National is polling so high he can do whatever he likes and it wont hurt National… but what is apparent is that Key is an idiot and did not think of the national consequences or the international ramifications.

      The problem for National is that the polls have given Key a false sense of security. The media backlash means that they will hopefully no longer give National a hospital pass and this will influence the sleepy hobbits who rely entirely upon the MSM. There are many undecided voters who will make a decision from the information they have leading up to an election. Most of which is not looking good.

      New Zealand has many ties with other countries with over a million Kiwi’s living abroad. This fiasco might be just the right impetus they need to vote… historically these people favour the left and therefore Keys miscalculation about the reaction to his fascism could be highly detrimental for National. Game on.

    • Colonial Viper 11.4

      Care to resolve the conflict?

      Yeah, Key and his handlers fucked up by panic escalating this issue.

  12. The international political embarrassment will continue, as NZ’s ‘perceived’ status as ‘the least corrupt country in the world’ comes under scrutiny………….

    FYI

    http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/decisive-enforcement-clear-guidance-wanted-fma-ne-104521#comment-233761

    How about the FMA simply applying ‘ONE LAW FOR ALL’ equally to Don Brash and John Banks, fellow former Directors of Huljich Wealth Management (NZ) Ltd?

    How come only Peter Huljich was charged?

    All three Directors equally signed a Registered Prospectus which contained untrue statements.

    And Brash and Banks effectively asked investors to trust them – they had commercial expertise and knew what they were doing.

    They didn’t.

    And Brash and Banks want to help run NZ – when they couldn’t competently or with ‘due diligence’ properly run a Huljich Kiwisaver scheme?

    Did Brash and Banks receive political protection at the highest levels given that Brash was the former Leader of the National Party (now ACT Party) and Banks was the former National Minister of POLICE and Local Government?

    Because that’s how I for one ‘perceive’ it.

    Why is John Key having a ‘cup of tea’ with someone who is, in my opinion, a yet to be charged or convicted ‘white collar’ criminal – John Banks?

    FMA CEO’s stated reasons below for why Banks and Brash didn’t have the ‘ONE LAW FOR ALL’ that they espouse for others – equally applied to themselves….
    __________________________________________________________________________

    ” 13 November 2011

    Dear Ms Bright

    Thank you for your letter, which was handed in to my Auckland office on 8 November 2011.

    I have reviewed your latest correspondence carefully, noting that it does not raise any new or significantly different issues to those raised by you on 27 September 2011.

    FMA’s position is unchanged from that expressed in my email to you on 28 September 2011.

    I am satisfied that the position of both Mr Banks and Dr Brash was carefully considered by the Securities Commission and that competent advice was received in relation to the entities or persons against whom charges ought to be brought.

    Unless you have new information or evidence to bring to light which was not previously considered by the Securities Commission, FMA does not consider you have any basis on which to suggest it should bring proceedings against either Mr Banks or Dr Brash in relation to Huljich Wealth Management.

    Yours faithfully

    Sean Hughes

    –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
    Sean Hughes | Chief Executive | Financial Markets Authority
    T: + 64 4 472 9830 | E: sean.hughes@fma.govt.nz
    Level 8, Unisys House, 56 The Terrace, Wellington, New Zealand

    Level 5, Ernst & Young Building, 52-70 Galway Street, Britomart, Auckland, New Zealand

    PO Box 1179, Wellington 6140, New Zealand

    http://www.fma.govt.nz
    ________________________________________________________________________

    I’m waiting to hear back today from the SFO – if they are going to pick up the ball that the CEO of the FMA, Sean Hughes, has effectively run away from, (in my considered opinion).

    Penny Bright
    Independent Candidate for Epsom
    Campaigning against ;white collar’ CRIME, CORRUPTION (and its root cause – PRIVATISATION) and ‘CORPORATE WELFARE.

    [email deleted]

    • KerryC 12.1

      Penny if the Securities Commission and FMA are Govt Organisations, is an OIA request for trascript of the papers – findings & decision for this possible?
      Might be able to put pressure on the decision makers if the thr process is flawed.(You’ve probably already been through this)

  13. Ste3e 13

    Do we remember the last election and the little boy John Key running off to his meeting offshore to show the world how it was done. Do we remember him enlightening the world as to Al Qaeda’s involvement in the Norwegian massacre as Obama looked on. The guy is a legend in his own country and a joke everywhere else.

  14. O2B 14

    @Afewknowthetruth

    Exactly right about Stockholm Syndrome. For some reason these people think that Key will make millionaires out of all of them. But I do feel the tide turning. I was chatting to few small business owners and they have stated that they will not be voting NAct.

    By the way, why do many people in this country think that having more money equates you being a better person? After earthquakes, shipping disasters and mine tragedies, does money REALLY matter.

  15. [you’re not allowed to post your party’s press releases here as comments. Eddie]

    [lprent: And I really have to write something to limits Penny’s ability to do it as well in all blitheness. She is the worst offender. I need a flag that limits selected people to 140 chars or so… ]

    • Gee lprent – silly me.

      Here I was thinking that in this current sea of mainsteam media BLACKOUT in my fight to help expose ‘white collar crime, corruption and ‘corporate welfare’ that ‘The Standard’ was a beacon of light?

      Apologise is all I can do.

      PS: I don’t actually expect to become the next MP for Epsom.
      As I have done in the last three election campaigns in which I have stood as a candidate – I have used the electoral process in order to help focus public attention on issues no one else is consistently or persistently raising.

      Penny Bright
      Independent Candidate for Epsom
      Campaigning against ;white collar’ CRIME, CORRUPTION (and its root cause – PRIVATISATION) and ‘CORPORATE WELFARE.

      [email deleted]

      [lprent: summaries with links are best because they don’t take up so much real estate to scroll through. The idea is to induce people to want to read what you have said and to go to your site to find more rather than having them cursing as they scroll down the page. Have a look at our front page. There are a lot imaginative excerpts there drawing people intoe posts. Jackal, Mickey and usually PG usually restrain themselves to relevant links in posts, or OpenMike for stuff that we haven’ written about. So do many of the people here. The nets are about linking rather than plastering. ].

  16. TEAPOT TEAPOT TEAPOT TEAPOT TEAPOT TEAPOT TEAPOT TEAPOT

    lets swing some mud and some of it will stick. Labour is playing into National’s hand, this is hook line and sinker.

    The only person who should be worried is [defamatory. do it again and you’re banned. Eddie] and the media who is using him.

    • insider 16.1

      “I’m a teapot. I’m a teapot” is what Tim Brooke-Taylor on the Goodies used to shout when under pressure. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STgPZvR36zo

    • framu 16.2

      “Labour is playing into National’s hand, this is hook line and sinker.”

      what are you on about brett?

      • Brett Dale 16.2.1

        Framu:

        The tape will be released and the public will think. “thats it????”

        There will be a backlase against the media and Labour.

        • hawk 16.2.1.1

          In addition to that what has the media been covering over the election in the last week- A perhaps illegal tape recording.

          How does that help Labour or other gain to much traction on policies etc, as it is all about policies and not personality. The polls have been interesting with the smaller parties being the only ones gaining support.

          Peters is very interesting, is he lying or have people further broken the law by leaking info ?? (Not totally sure but woud info of the tape being released equal breaking the law ?)

        • framu 16.2.1.2

          so what exactly have labour got to do with that?

          all theyve said is (paraphrasing)

          privacy should be respected
          it was a media event so the convo wasnt that private
          and that key should man up and release the tape so everyone can get on with things.

          I fail to see how labour are playing into nationals hands when the players here are national, act and the media.

          apart from those couple of comments from labour they’ve hardly gotten a mention in the press

        • kriswgtn 16.2.1.3

          wtf has Labour got to do with this ya dick???

          Fuk even senile Brash has admitted the tape should be released

          Keystone and his cops ARE BULLIES simple as that

          why the fuk the msm like Espiner and co are still up his ass is beyond me

          Theyll be next………………

    • Brett Dale 16.3

      Eddie:

      Bradly Ambrose use to be called Bradley White, that is true isnt it?

  17. framu 17

    does anyone else get a weird bug where after commenting you can click the browsers back button multiple times and it just loops back and forth instead of going back sequentially?

    using win XP and chrome

  18. Draco T Bastard 18

    Key has made us look like a banana republic in the eyes of the world.

    That’s because, under this government, we are a Banana Republic.

  19. Draco?

    In the eyes of the world we wool like a banana republic??

    Do you really think the world gives a fuck about what is happening in a tiny south Pacific Island at the bottom of the world???, heck that statement is worse than OUR sports media thinking the world is shooting their load over the all blacks winning the world cup and not knowing that its the most insignificant team sport on earth (well apart from netball).

    • Draco T Bastard 19.1

      Well, considering that their media have picked up on it, yes, I suspect they do give some consideration to it.

      I also noted that you didn’t address my concern that we are a banana republic.

  20. newsense 20

    Alamein Kopu, I can hear you, slopping in your slippers down to Shipley’s door…

    remember Lange doing an absolute Lange on the 6pm news with Campbell …banana republic was mentioned and Campbell was just sitting there his jaw dropping to the floor not quite able to believe what he was hearing…

    Look who’s back Banana republic Men!

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    2 days ago
  • Throwback Thursday – Thinking about Expressways

    Some of the recent announcements from the government have reminded us of posts we’ve written in the past. Here’s one from early 2020. There were plenty of reactions to the government’s infrastructure announcement a few weeks ago which saw them fund a bunch of big roading projects. One of ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Thursday, July 25

    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 Thursday, July 25 are:News: Why Electric Kiwi is closing to new customers - and why it matters RNZ’s Susan EdmundsScoop: Government drops ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • The Possum: Demon or Friend?

    Hi,I felt a small wet tongue snaking through one of the holes in my Crocs. It explored my big toe, darting down one side, then the other. “He’s looking for some toe cheese,” said the woman next to me, words that still haunt me to this day.Growing up in New ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • Not a story

    Yesterday I happily quoted the Prime Minister without fact-checking him and sure enough, it turns out his numbers were all to hell. It’s not four kg of Royal Commission report, it’s fourteen.My friend and one-time colleague-in-comms Hazel Phillips gently alerted me to my error almost as soon as I’d hit ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Thursday, July 25

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Thursday, July 25, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day were:The Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry published its final report yesterday.PM Christopher Luxon and The Minister responsible for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • A tougher line on “proactive release”?

    The Official Information Act has always been a battle between requesters seeking information, and governments seeking to control it. Information is power, so Ministers and government agencies want to manage what is released and when, for their own convenience, and legality and democracy be damned. Their most recent tactic for ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • 'Let's build a motorway costing $100 million per km, before emissions costs'

    TL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:Transport and Energy Minister Simeon Brown is accelerating plans to spend at least $10 billion through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to extend State Highway One as a four-lane ‘Expressway’ from Warkworth to Whangarei ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Lester's Prescription – Positive Bleeding.

    I live my life (woo-ooh-ooh)With no control in my destinyYea-yeah, yea-yeah (woo-ooh-ooh)I can bleed when I want to bleedSo come on, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)You can bleed when you want to bleedYea-yeah, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)Everybody bleed when they want to bleedCome on and bleedGovernments face tough challenges. Selling unpopular decisions to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Casey Costello gaslights Labour in the House

    Please note:To skip directly to the- parliamentary footage in the video, scroll to 1:21 To skip to audio please click on the headphone icon on the left hand side of the screenThis video / audio section is under development. ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    3 days ago
  • Why is the Texas grid in such bad shape?

    This is a re-post from the Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler Headline from 2021 The Texas grid, run by ERCOT, has had a rough few years. In 2021, winter storm Uri blacked out much of the state for several days. About a week ago, Hurricane Beryl knocked out ...
    3 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on a textbook case of spending waste by the Luxon government

    Given the crackdown on wasteful government spending, it behooves me to point to a high profile example of spending by the Luxon government that looks like a big, fat waste of time and money. I’m talking about the deployment of NZDF personnel to support the US-led coalition in the Red ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Wednesday, July 24

    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 7:40 am on Wednesday, July 24 are:Deep Dive: Chipping away at the housing crisis, including my comments RNZ/Newsroom’s The DetailNews: Government softens on asset sales, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • LXR Takaanini

    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
    21 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
    24 hours 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
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