Teapot tapes – Key backs down over Parliamentary Services payment

Written By: - Date published: 2:08 pm, March 22nd, 2016 - 66 comments
Categories: john key, national - Tags: ,

KEY1

The focus group results are in.  John Key is backing down from trying to get Parliamentary Services from paying the agreed damages to Bradley Ambrose.

From the Herald:

Prime Minister John Key will not pay his “teapot tapes” settlement with public money, his office confirmed this afternoon.

Mr Key said yesterday that it was “pragmatic” to pay a small settlement to freelance cameraman Bradley Ambrose out of his National Leader’s Office budget.

However, his office said today that after taking advice from Parliamentary Service, this would no longer take place.

The settlement costs, which have not be disclosed, would be met by the National Party or by private contributions.

“The costs involved in the settlement with Mr Ambrose will not be met by the taxpayer,” a spokeswoman said.

The legal costs which Mr Key had incurred so far in the case had already come out of his leader’s budget.

This was probably motivated in part by the failure to obtain prior Speaker’s approval.  A refusal would have been much more embarassing.  And the bad publicity would have swirled around while a decision was being made.  Best to end it now and bite the bullet, so to speak.

The whole incident suggests that National’s normally impressive handling of potentially bad news is floundering.  There is a difference between the state paying for the legal expenses when a Member of Parliament is sued in a representative capacity or for something that occurs while they are performing an official function and what occurred here, where a vendetta waged by Key against Ambrose and the rest of the media was motivated purely by political considerations.  To even think about using public money to settle this showed that Key and his office were severely out of touch with the predictable public response.

It is only fair that Key and the National Party should pay this bill.  But the same principle applies to the legal fees that the state has paid.  These should be paid back as well.

Meanwhile the masters of diversion are hard at work.  Giving the Herald the inside running on the story makes you wonder why …

Key letter seeking donations

 

66 comments on “Teapot tapes – Key backs down over Parliamentary Services payment ”

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  1. ianmac 1
    22 March 2016 at 2:17 pm

    ‘ But the same principle applies to the legal fees that the state has paid. These should be paid back as well.
    Hear Hear! Why should Parliamentary taxpayers money pay for a personal vendetta? Probably cost many thousands to be told that he had no defence.

  2. Jenny Kirk 2
    22 March 2016 at 2:24 pm

    “The whole incident suggests that National’s normally impressive handling of potentially bad news is floundering. ”

    Do you think that the sheeples are finally beginning to wake up to Shonkey and his shonky ways ? or has Crosby Textor abandoned Key ?

    • TC 2.1
      22 March 2016 at 2:34 pm

      Were CT consulted on this or is it all their own work as its been messy from the start with the cons outweighing the pros.

      Methinks shonky couldnt recall the exact chat with banksy so overeacted.

      CT would be reluctant to upset their message carriers.

      • Sacha 2.1.1
        22 March 2016 at 4:22 pm

        Nah this u-turn has all the whiff of some Farrar emergency polling.

        • Chris 2.1.1.1
          22 March 2016 at 4:38 pm

          Yes, but key and his minders will be annoyed they walked into it in the first place.

        • TC 2.1.1.2
          22 March 2016 at 4:48 pm

          I reckon that to. However was this whole saga the type of event CT would approve and supply lines for ?
          CT rely on a compliant msm, shonky just poked them In the eye with his and the nz polices behaviour.

          • Gristle 2.1.1.2.1
            22 March 2016 at 6:58 pm

            Either Key is exhibiting damage control or ethics. Damage control by swiftly fixing the cock-up and extinguishing a potential ignition point. (Little should take note.). Or ethics, by reading the rules and following them.

            Either way it is spun the saga is not being given the glee/viciousness that the msm dished up to Little last week.

            It will be interesting to hear commentators next week if they draw a narrative linking:
            – Lowering poll results for National
            – Losing to Ambrose in a defamation claim
            – losing the flag referendum
            – Whangerai (speculatively) going NF.
            And what they see as a trajectory.

  3. TC 3
    22 March 2016 at 2:28 pm

    More needs to be made of shonkys attempt to use public money for a national party issue.

    Opinion polls have probably driven this with the usual bs reasons trotted out as cover.

    If the tapes prove to be nothing more than a mangled chat between 2 right wing pollies about nothing special then he looks quite the drama queen.

  4. Murray Simmonds 4
    22 March 2016 at 2:34 pm

    Its was “pragmatic” to pay . . . ”

    Great word, that . . “pragmatic” . . .

    Actually it would be “pragmatic” for me to go out and rob the bank right now, ‘cos I’m a bit short of cash at the moment.

    But then again it might be equally pragmatic for me not to, ‘cos I don’t think I’d enjoy the jail term much.

    Still, its a GREAT word. Right up there with “akshully” and “you know . . . “

    • Raf 4.1
      22 March 2016 at 6:06 pm

      Indeed, but “small” is also interesting. I wonder he means by “a small settlement”. What’s small in his bankster eyes? Half a million? one and a half …?

      • Hami Shearlie 4.1.1
        22 March 2016 at 11:25 pm

        If the settlement is so small, why was “fund-raising” mentioned in a news report about it? Key knows that no-one is allowed to divulge the amount under the terms of settlement, so he feels free to say it’s “small” without fear of the truth coming out. Small to him may in fact be a large amount of money, why else would fund-raising be mentioned – we know the Nats have deep coffers, so the idea of fund-raising to pay this is quite telling.

    • Anne 4.2
      22 March 2016 at 6:38 pm

      @ Murray Simmonds
      You forgot “at the end of the day”.

  5. Richard Christie 5
    22 March 2016 at 2:50 pm

    The police shuld also fork out for slandering Ambrose by stepping beyond their place and saying that he was guilty of an offence.

  6. Richard Christie 6
    22 March 2016 at 2:56 pm

    Meanwhile the masters of diversion are hard at work.

    Patsy get rewarded for delivering (as per her off-record brief) the GCSB and SIS review.

  7. weka 7
    22 March 2016 at 3:01 pm

    Can I just say schadenfreude?

  8. maui 8
    22 March 2016 at 3:59 pm

    How’s he going to pay then?? He donates all of his salary apparently.. Seriously worried now the PM may be in serious financial trouble!

    • Chris 8.1
      22 March 2016 at 4:11 pm

      Don’t know why key didn’t just fork out himself to avoid any of this sort of bs. Even if it were a decent sized amount wouldn’t put a dent in his mooyens. Just a stupid strategic blunder I’d say. And one that sadly won’t cost him a single vote, to boot.

    • Sacha 8.2
      22 March 2016 at 4:21 pm

      “He donates all of his salary apparently.”

      Have we ever seen any evidence for this other than fanboi reckons?

      • TC 8.2.1
        22 March 2016 at 4:50 pm

        Shonky considers the national party a charity

        • Kiwiri 8.2.1.1
          22 March 2016 at 5:30 pm

          He considers himself a charity!

        • Lanthanide 8.2.1.2
          22 March 2016 at 8:00 pm

          Hmm, it would seem like a pretty good strategy to actually do this, and let the National Party leadership know that he’ll only be donating his PM salary (the entirety of it) as long as he stays PM and National’s leader.

          Good way to dampen down caucus spill attempts before they get off the ground.

      • Hami Shearlie 8.2.2
        22 March 2016 at 11:31 pm

        He said that he donated “a portion” of his salary to charity – a portion could in fact be $1NZD – he regards the National Party as a charity remember, I wonder who the lucky recipient of the chocolate fish bought with the money is? Maybe Steven Joyce?

  9. Ad 9
    22 March 2016 at 4:03 pm

    What an idiot

  10. Enough is Enough 10
    22 March 2016 at 4:11 pm

    Flippety Flop

    Flippety Flop

  11. Mrs Brillo 11
    22 March 2016 at 4:27 pm

    “Private sources” will pay?

    Not “from his own pocket”?

    So will it be the National Party itself, or one of its rich friends, that funds this payout?

    And if the latter, what will their reward be?

    Watch this space.

    • Chris 11.1
      22 March 2016 at 5:26 pm

      Key’s become so untouchable this is a non-story – so much so it even missed the attention of his advisers.

  12. Colonial Viper 12
    22 March 2016 at 4:40 pm

    Oddly out of touch decision by Key to use public money in the first place. His advisors are off the pace at the moment.

    Assuming the settlement is in the $20K to $30K range (I have no idea) Key would have got brownie points simply by paying out himself.

    His advisors are off the pace at the moment.

    • AmaKiwi 12.1
      22 March 2016 at 5:19 pm

      Let’s hope they stay there.

    • Stuart Munro 12.2
      22 March 2016 at 5:54 pm

      I imagine he REALLY doesn’t want to talk about it. Maybe he could wave a flag or … darn! Throw Paula under a bus? The way things are going it’d probably break an axle…

    • Chuck 12.3
      22 March 2016 at 6:40 pm

      Agree, the “safe” option would of been for Key to pay it him self…heck that could of added an extra 1 or 2% to the next poll result for National.

      Just shows his advisors are humans after all!

    • Sacha 12.4
      22 March 2016 at 7:30 pm

      Joyce was always oddly hysterical about this matter – and Fisher’s article today reinforces that.

  13. Gabby 13
    22 March 2016 at 5:22 pm

    Pet columnists to tell us what a manly wee Ponyboy it is, making the right decision after misspeaking and being misquoted.

  14. NZJester 14
    22 March 2016 at 5:25 pm

    It just shows his arrogance that he originally wanted the taxpayer to pay for his mistakes just like they are doing with all his parties other mistakes. If they got forced to pay for all the mistakes they have made we could pay back that big international debt they have run up.

    • Expat 14.1
      22 March 2016 at 5:59 pm

      NZJester

      “It just shows his arrogance that he originally wanted the taxpayer to pay for his mistakes just like they are doing with all his parties other mistakes”

      My sentiments, exactly, it’s like he thinks the public purse is his purse to use on what ever he likes.

      Having watched the interview of Key in Whangarei last week, the body language is quite telling, the spring has gone from his step, I feel that the “tide” is turning , finally, and there is room for the opposition parties to make as much political capital as they can while he’s on a down slide.

  15. William Joyce 15
    22 March 2016 at 6:16 pm

    I just wish the media would stop calling John Key’s settlement over this as a “backdown”.
    It is nothing of the sort.
    While he may have settled, he refuses to pay for it himself. If he wanted to get it out of the way than why not pay for it himself – he can afford it easily. Instead he first wanted taxpayers to pay for it. Then he wants the National party to pay for it or from private donations.

    For him to pay for it himself would be an admission of guilt. His language during interviews also indicate that he does not want to make any such admission. I.e. he is not sorry he did it – he still thinks the recorder was left on purpose.

    • Stuart Munro 15.1
      22 March 2016 at 7:30 pm

      There’s also the possibility that he’s a bit stretched at the moment – surely he wouldn’t have gone long on dairy futures with all those extra Chinese babies expected as the one child policy expires… would he?

  16. Nick 16
    22 March 2016 at 6:16 pm

    He has fudged whether he will pay costs already spent…. Seems odd he can differentiate.

  17. Expat 17
    22 March 2016 at 6:19 pm

    Mickysavage

    Love the Key email, lol.

    I believe charity begins at home, so no donations from me, not $1.

  18. mary_a 18
    22 March 2016 at 6:23 pm

    Oh well FJK is heading off to Washington at the end of the week (after the preliminary flag results are announced). So no questioning, no accountability.

    No doubt when he gets back in the country, he will be hoping all the “unpleasantness” against him will have disappeared and the world will be rosy once again on Planet Key.

    He could be in for one nasty big surprise though! Showtime hopefully!

    • Hanswurst 18.1
      23 March 2016 at 12:59 am

      Hopefully John Oliver will be waiting with a crowd of people dressed as ponytailed dildos to welcome him at the airport.

    • mickysavage 19.1
      22 March 2016 at 7:57 pm

      How about you provide some context? Clark made a comment as PM and was sued on that basis. Key made a comment as the leader of the National Party and went on a rampage against the media afterwards.

      Please explain how they are the same?

      • SurelyNot 19.1.1
        22 March 2016 at 8:36 pm

        Both were respective leaders of their party, both had legal action taken against them during their time as PM, both for defamation. I am sorry for having to point out the obvious – National and John Key were first elected to government in 2008.
        The tea-pot incident happened in 2011.
        Ergo, John Key was Prime Minister at the time.

        Heres the difference: Key has realised that his initial thought on the payment was wrong (and I agree it was wrong) and done the bigger thing to determine that it will be paid by the National Party. Helen Clark did not.

        • mickysavage 19.1.1.1
          22 March 2016 at 8:44 pm

          Did the NPRU supply you with the words to use?

          Being PM at the time does not mean that your actions were as PM. Did you not hear Key talk about his many hats? Otherwise he can answer the many questions he has refused to answer on the basis that he was not acting as PM at the time.

        • framu 19.1.1.2
          23 March 2016 at 7:50 am

          when electioneering you current role doesnt actually have any bearing on it. Your not working for the tax payer when your asking them to vote for you

          thats the difference

          you talk of pointing out the obvious yet fail on the actual context of the event in question

  20. Corokia 20
    22 March 2016 at 8:21 pm

    Key played the “Labour did it too” card on RNZ news this afternoon when he brought up Helen Clark. Unfortunately the sound bite will linger in the ears of listeners as the unedited clip is played where Key tries to present himself as being better because he has backed down on making the tax payers pay.
    Excuse me,yet again the slimy behaviour of our PM and the unquestioning acceptance of the MSN makes me want to be sick.

  21. Corokia 21
    22 March 2016 at 8:21 pm

    Key played the “Labour did it too” card on RNZ news this afternoon when he brought up Helen Clark. Unfortunately the sound bite will linger in the ears of listeners as the unedited clip is played where Key tries to present himself as being better because he has backed down on making the tax payers pay.
    Excuse me,yet again the slimy behaviour of our PM and the unquestioning acceptance of the MSM makes me want to be sick.

  22. Observer (Tokoroa) 22
    22 March 2016 at 8:34 pm

    Hi SurelyNot

    Will you and Bronagh put well bandaged Boxing Gloves on our John Key – with a sign in Bold saying: “Not to be removed until Broanagh and SurelyNot meet him at Auckland HAirport on his return.

    We pratts, the New Zealand voters, do not want any more humiliations from this sad man known as our leader, the disastrous Prime Minister of NZ. We are exhausted.

    The gloves will ensure the he cannot shamelessly tug the head and hair of USA blonde children. Not will he be able to tug the hair of President Obamas’ daughters.

    That will mean that Obama will only have his WhiteHouse finances to worry about. Our Prime Minister bludges everything he can from New Zealand voters. Just today he was going to steal from us – to pay for a defamation crime that he committed. About $1.5 million apparently.

    We New Zealanders Mr President have been through every gutter My key can find for us. We are exhausted.

  23. Molly 23
    22 March 2016 at 8:35 pm

    From the start, I think Key’s personality type gave him an initial WTF? reaction, when he realised that the device was on the table. Given the mediocre conversation that was recorded, he didn’t appear to be truly engaged and was probably concerned that in this fugue state he may have let something “real” and truly indicative of his feelings slip while in the presence of another narcissist.

    Now.

    This is the point that my son refers to as the “point of no return.” It is when he realises that the level of fuss he had made is not in proportion to the injury he has perceived. In fact it is completely OTT. However, if he admits that – then he is in the wrong – and has lost his rag for no reason. So, he has a choice – admit an overreaction – OR – ramp it up till it seems like a major incident has occurred.

    We all know the route our PM chose. Ever the opportunist, he managed to get a lot of political sympathy for the “deliberate” spying that took place at a staged media event. Oh, horrors! the dirty politics of the left!! Bring me my smelling salts – Jason…. (The irony is strong in this one.)

    (Note: My son no longer uses this technique, has grown out of it since he is no longer ten years old).

    • Puddleglum 23.1
      22 March 2016 at 8:53 pm

      A plausible explanation Molly.

      Unsurprisingly, Tracy Watkins goes for what she sees as the “simplest explanation“:

      “When the recording later emerged it seems that the simplest explanation was also the right one since there was nothing particularly inflammatory about the conversation. Key was genuinely angry and affronted.”

      So, either Key was expressing a moral outrage on behalf of all decent human beings (Watkins’ version) or, as you and your son suggest, he was taken off guard and was in a panic that he had said something that might burst the bubble within which his mythical political persona and personal ambitions flourish.

  24. repateet 24
    22 March 2016 at 9:09 pm

    Now wait for Mike Hosking to do a little spiel on how Mr Key has made the right decision yadda yadda yadda. Turn it into a positive.

    I don’t watch him on tv so may have already done it.

  25. Observer (Tokoroa) 25
    22 March 2016 at 9:15 pm

    Apology
    .
    Apologies for the grammatical errors in my piece above. My computer failed to let me go to Edit.

    John our strange Prime Minister, will no doubt give you a new Flag, Mr President.

    With his usual lack of attention to detail, he got four or five cobbers together to design a new flag for some unfortunate country. He appointed no trained or practising designer to the brave, if stupid, lil group. Just buddies. The Country turned out to be ours. ! God help us.

    You will recognise it Mr President. It has a long white feather on it. With a daggy black panel and a few strange dots.

    Most of us in New Zealand are hoping the gift of a white feather will not be bestowed on us bewildered citizens. A white feather is the accoutrement of a coward.

  26. North 26
    22 March 2016 at 9:30 pm

    It’s the emperor with no clothes that just routinely had it thought that public funds should be utilised. Then, come to senses……..do the proper thing…….what a fine chap ! Soper will drone, Henry will squeal virago-like, Hosking will lament on how “poor me me me…….” is abused. One consolation…….the stench is more and more detectable.

  27. peterlepaysan 27
    22 March 2016 at 9:34 pm

    Actually the rules governing mp’s expenses expressly forbid using tax payers money for damages in defamation cases.

    Key should have known that.

    MP’s are able to use tax payers money to pay lawyers to defend themselves in defamation cases.

    Key would have assumed that.

    The Nat/ Wall street “born to rule” arrogance is breathtaking.

    Ambrose is hardly the “anti jk Nat” type.

    I suspect his microphone was blue so no one noticed it.

  28. Observer (Tokoroa) 28
    23 March 2016 at 7:26 am

    Profile of National
    .
    Yesterday John Key wanted to steal money from us – to pay for his Defamation Crime. Possibly up to NZD1,5 Million. Who knows?

    He will be visiting Mr Obama very soon. I hope he won’t attempt to steal money from him ! But again – who knows?

    Also, do you think he will keep his creepy hands away from Obama’s daughters? Anybody’s guess I expect. He harasses girls in his own suburb, with impunity.

    How gutter low the National party of NZ really is. Mismanagers; bullies; self centered; arrogant; thieves – stealing assets from the common man; secretive over stupid TPPA negotiations; flogging off NZ land and resources to foreigners (to get kick backs for national party funds); callous about jobs and workers conditions. And so on and so on …

    They say Piggy Muldoon another national politician was bad. At least he was not evil like Key and English.

    • mary_a 28.1
      23 March 2016 at 12:30 pm

      @ Observer (Tokoroa) –

      NatzKEY profile spot on there.

      FJK might have to explain to the hierarchy in Washington this week why Kiwis voted to keep the NZ flag, after his (expensive) attempt to change it.

      Bet the thieving slimy little reptile won’t be wearing his favoured tea towel flag design lapel badge when he steps back in NZ again, with his tail between his legs, after receiving a good telling off in the USA for failing part of his masters’ grand plan!

      Not such a good year for FJK so far is it? Losing to Bradley Ambrose. Failed flag change. And then next month there will be the “prominent NZer’s” court case beginning Monday 4 April. However to protect beloved leader, there could be a media blackout as well as no public admittance on that one!

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    However much I'm falling downNever enoughHowever much I'm falling outNever, never enough!Whatever smile I smile the mostNever enoughHowever I smile I smile the mostSongwriters: Robert James Smith / Simon Gallup / Boris Williams / Porl ThompsonToday in Nick’s Kōrero:A death in the Emergency Department at Rotorua Hospital.A sad homecoming and ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Question Two of The Kākā Project of 2026 for 2050 (TKP 26/50)

    Kia ora.Last month I proposed restarting The Kākā Project work done before the 2023 election as The Kākā Project of 2026 for 2050 (TKP 26/50), aiming to be up and running before the 2025 Local Government elections, and then in a finalised form by the 2026 General Elections.A couple of ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Why is God Obsessed with Spanking?

    Hi,If you’ve read Webworm for a while, you’ll be aware that I’ve spent a lot of time writing about horrific, corrupt megachurches and the shitty men who lead them.And in all of this writing, I think some people have this idea that I hate Christians or Christianity. As I explain ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • Inside the public service

    In 2023, there were 63,117 full-time public servants earning, on average, $97,200 a year each. All up, that is a cost to the Government of $6.1 billion a year. It’s little wonder, then, that the public service has become a political whipping boy castigated by the Prime Minister and members ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago
  • New Models Show Stronger Atlantic Hurricanes, and More of Them

    This is a re-post from This is Not Cool Here’s an example of some of the best kind of climate reporting, especially in that it relates to impacts that will directly affect the audience. WFLA in Tampa conducted a study in collaboration with the Department of Energy, analyzing trends in ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago
  • Where ever do they find these people?

    A riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma, is how Winston Churchill described the Soviet Union in 1939.  How might the great man have described the 2024 government of New Zealand, do we think? I can't imagine he would have thought them all that mysterious or enigmatic. I think ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Motorway madness

    How mad is National's obsession with roads? One of their pet projects - a truck highway to Whangārei - is going to eat 10% of our total infrastructure budget for the next 25 years: Official advice from the Infrastructure Commission shows the government could be set to spend 10 ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • Our transport planning system is fundamentally broken

    Ever since Wayne Brown became mayor (nearly two years ago now) he’s been wanting to progress an “integrated transport plan” with the government – which sounded a lot like the previous Auckland Transport Alignment Project (ATAP) with just a different name. It seems like a fair bit of work progressed ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    3 days ago
  • Thou Shalt Not Steal

    And they taught usWhoa-oh, black woman, thou shalt not stealI said, hey, yeah, black man, thou shalt not stealWe're gonna civilise your black barbaric livesAnd we teach you how to kneelBut your history couldn't hide the genocideThe hypocrisy to us was realFor your Jesus said you're supposed to giveThe oppressed ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • How mismanagement, not wind and solar energy, causes blackouts

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections In February 2021, several severe storms swept across the United States, culminating with one that the Weather Channel unofficially named Winter Storm Uri. In Texas, Uri knocked out power to over 4.5 million homes and 10 million people. Hundreds of Texans died as a ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago
  • The ‘Infra Boys’ Highway to Budget Hell

    Chris Bishop has enthusiastically dubbed himself and Simeon Brown “the Infra Boys”, but they need to take note of the sums around their roading dreams. Photo: Lynn GrievesonMōrena. Long stories short, here’s my top six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Tuesday, September ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Media Link: “AVFA” on the politics of desperation.

    In this podcast Selwyn Manning and I talk about what appears to be a particular type of end-game in the long transition to systemic realignment in international affairs, in which the move to a new multipolar order with different characteristics … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    4 days ago
  • The cost of flying blind

    Just over two years ago, when worries about immediate mass-death from covid had waned, and people started to talk about covid becoming "endemic", I asked various government agencies what work they'd done on the costs of that - and particularly, on the cost of Long Covid. The answer was that ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Seymour vs The Clergy

    For paid subscribers“Aotearoa is not as malleable as they think,” Lynette wrote last week on Homage to Simeon Brown:In my heart/mind, that phrase ricocheted over the next days, translating out to “We are not so malleable.”It gave me comfort. I always felt that we were given an advantage in New ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    4 days ago
  • Unstoppable Minister McKee

    All smiles, I know what it takes to fool this townI'll do it 'til the sun goes downAnd all through the nighttimeOh, yeahOh, yeah, I'll tell you what you wanna hearLeave my sunglasses on while I shed a tearIt's never the right timeYeah, yeahSong by SiaLast night there was a ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Could outdoor dining revitalise Queen Street?

    This is a guest post by Ben van Bruggen of The Urban Room,.An earlier version of this post appeared on LinkedIn. All images are by Ben. Have you noticed that there’s almost nowhere on Queen Street that invites you to stop, sit outside and enjoy a coffee, let alone ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    4 days ago
  • Hipkins challenges long-held Labour view Government must stay below 30% of GDP

    Hipkins says when considering tax settings and the size of government, the big question mark is over what happens with the balance between the size of the working-age population and the growing number of Kiwis over the age of 65. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMōrena. Long stories short; here’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Your invite to Webworm Chat (a bit like Reddit)

    Hi,One of the things I love the most about Webworm is, well, you. The community that’s gathered around this lil’ newsletter isn’t something I ever expected when I started writing it four years ago — now the comments section is one of my favourite places on the internet. The comments ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    4 days ago
  • Seymour’s Treaty bill making Nats nervous

    A delay in reappointing a top civil servant may indicate a growing nervousness within the National Party about the potential consequences of David Seymour’s Treaty Principles Bill. Dave Samuels is waiting for reappointment as the Chief Executive of Te Puni Kokiri, but POLITIK understands that what should have been a ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #36

    A listing of 34 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, September 1, 2024 thru Sat, September 7, 2024. Story of the week Our Story of the Week is about how peopele are not born stupid but can be fooled ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago
  • Time for a Change

    You act as thoughYou are a blind manWho's crying, crying 'boutAll the virgins that are dyingIn your habitual dreams, you knowSeems you need more sleepBut like a parrot in a flaming treeI know it's pretty hard to seeI'm beginning to wonderIf it's time for a changeSong: Phil JuddThe next line ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Security Politics in Peripheral Democracies: Excerpt Six.

    The “double shocks” in post Cold War international affairs. The end of the Cold War fundamentally altered the global geostrategic context. In particular, the end of the nuclear “balance of terror” between the USA and USSR, coupled with the relaxation … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    5 days ago
  • Buried deep

    Here's a bike on Manchester St, Feilding. I took this photo on Friday night after a very nice dinner at the very nice Vietnamese restaurant, Saigon, on Manchester Street.I thought to myself, Manchester Street? Bicycle? This could be the very spot.To recap from an earlier edition: on a February night ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago
  • Security Politics in Peripheral Democracies, Excerpt Five.

    Military politics as a distinct “partial regime.” Notwithstanding their peripheral status, national defense offers the raison d’être of the combat function, which their relative vulnerability makes apparent, so military forces in small peripheral democracies must be very conscious of events … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    6 days ago
  • Leadership for Dummies

    If you’re going somewhere, do you maybe take a bit of an interest in the place? Read up a bit on the history, current events, places to see - that sort of thing? Presumably, if you’re taking a trip somewhere, it’s for a reason. But what if you’re going somewhere ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago
  • Home again

    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on anything you may have missed. Share Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • Dead even tie for hottest August ever

    Long stories short, here’s the top six news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above between Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer:The month of August was 1.49˚C warmer than pre-industrial levels, tying with 2023 for the warmest August ever, according ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • The Hoon around the week to Sept 7

    The podcast above of the weekly ‘Hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers on Thursday night features co-hosts and talking about the week’s news with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent on the latest climate science on rising temperatures and the debate about how to responde to climate disinformation; and special guest ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • Have We an Infrastructure Deficit?

    An Infrastructure New Zealand report says we are keeping up with infrastructure better than we might have thought from the grumbling. But the challenge of providing for the future remains.I was astonished to learn that the quantity of our infrastructure has been keeping up with economic growth. Your paper almost ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    7 days ago
  • Councils reject racism

    Last month, National passed a racist law requiring local councils to remove their Māori wards, or hold a referendum on them at the 2025 local body election. The final councils voted today, and the verdict is in: an overwhelming rejection. Only two councils out of 45 supported National's racist agenda ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    7 days ago
  • Homage to Simeon Brown

    Open to all - happy weekend ahead, friends.Today I just want to be petty. It’s the way I imagine this chap is -Not only as a political persona. But his real-deal inner personality, in all its glory - appears to be pure pettiness & populist driven.Sometimes I wonder if Simeon ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    7 days ago
  • Government of deceit

    When National cut health spending and imposed a commissioner on Te Whatu Ora, they claimed that it was necessary because the organisation was bloated and inefficient, with "14 layers of management between the CEO and the patient". But it turns out they were simply lying: Health Minister Shane Reti’s ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    7 days ago
  • The professionals actually think and act like our Government has no fiscal crisis at all

    Treasury staff at work: The demand for a new 12-year Government bond was so strong, Treasury decided to double the amount of bonds it sold. Photo: Lynn GrievesonMōrena. Long stories short; here’s my top six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Friday, September ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    7 days ago
  • Weekly Roundup 6-September-2024

    Welcome to another Friday and another roundup of stories that caught our eye this week. As always, this and every post is brought to you by the Greater Auckland crew. If you like our work and you’d like to see more of it, we invite you to join our regular ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 week ago
  • Security Politics in Peripheral Democracies; Excerpt Four.

    Internal versus external security. Regardless of who rules, large countries can afford to separate external and internal security functions (even if internal control functions predominate under authoritarian regimes). In fact, given the logic of power concentration and institutional centralization of … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    1 week ago
  • A Hole In The River

    There's a hole in the river where her memory liesFrom the land of the living to the air and skyShe was coming to see him, but something changed her mindDrove her down to the riverThere is no returnSongwriters: Neil Finn/Eddie RaynerThe king is dead; long live the queen!Yesterday was a ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Bright Blue His Jacket Ain’t But I Love This Fellow: A Review and Analysis of The Rings of Power E...

    My conclusion last week was that The Rings of Power season two represented a major improvement in the series. The writing’s just so much better, and honestly, its major problems are less the result of the current episodes and more creatures arising from season one plot-holes. I found episode three ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    1 week ago
  • Who should we thank for the defeat of the Nazis

    As a child in the 1950s, I thought the British had won the Second World War because that’s what all our comics said. Later on, the films and comics told me that the Americans won the war. In my late teens, I found out that the Soviet Union ...
    Open ParachuteBy Ken
    1 week ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #36 2024

    Open access notables Diurnal Temperature Range Trends Differ Below and Above the Melting Point, Pithan & Schatt, Geophysical Research Letters: The globally averaged diurnal temperature range (DTR) has shrunk since the mid-20th century, and climate models project further shrinking. Observations indicate a slowdown or reversal of this trend in recent decades. ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago
  • Join us for the weekly Hoon on YouTube Live at 5pm

    Photo by Jenny Bess on UnsplashCome and join us for our weekly ‘Hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm.Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream for our chat about the week’s news with special guests:5.00 pm - 5.10 pm - Bernard and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Media Link: Discussing the NZSIS Security Threat Report.

    I was interviewed by Mike Hosking at NewstalkZB and a few other media outlets about the NZSIS Security Threat Report released recently. I have long advocated for more transparency, accountability and oversight of the NZ Intelligence Community, and although the … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    1 week ago
  • How do I make this better for people who drive Ford Rangers?

    Home, home again to a long warm embrace. Plenty of reasons to be glad to be back.But also, reasons for dejection.You, yes you, Simeon Brown, you odious little oik, you bible thumping petrol-pandering ratfucker weasel. You would be Reason Number One. Well, maybe first among equals with Seymour and Of-Seymour ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago
  • A missed opportunity

    The government introduced a pretty big piece of constitutional legislation today: the Parliament Bill. But rather than the contentious constitutional change (four year terms) pushed by Labour, this merely consolidates the existing legislation covering Parliament - currently scattered across four different Acts - into one piece of legislation. While I ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago
  • Nicola Willis Seeks New Sidekick To Help Fix NZ’s Economy

    Synopsis:Nicola Willis is seeking a new Treasury Boss after Dr Caralee McLiesh’s tenure ends this month. She didn’t listen to McLiesh. Will she listen to the new one?And why is Atlas Network’s Taxpayers Union chiming in?Please consider subscribing or supporting my work. Thanks, Tui.About CaraleeAt the beginning of July, Newsroom ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 week ago
  • Inflation alive and kicking in our land of the long white monopolies

    The golden days of profit continue for the the Foodstuffs (Pak’n’Save and New World) and Woolworths supermarket duopoly. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMōrena. Long stories short; here’s my top six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Thursday, September 5:The Groceries Commissioner has ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The thermodynamics of electric vs. internal combustion cars

    This is a re-post from The Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler I love thermodynamics. Thermodynamics is like your mom: it may not tell you what you can do, but it damn well tells you what you can’t do. I’ve written a few previous posts that include thermodynamics, like one on air capture of ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago
  • Security Politics in Peripheral Democracies: Excerpt Three.

    The notion of geopolitical  “periphery.” The concept of periphery used here refers strictly to what can be called the geopolitical periphery. Being on the geopolitical periphery is an analytic virtue because it makes for more visible policy reform in response … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    1 week ago
  • Venus Hum

    Fill me up with soundThe world sings with me a million smiles an hourI can see me dancing on my radioI can hear you singing in the blades of grassYellow dandelions on my way to schoolBig Beautiful Sky!Song: Venus Hum.Good morning, all you lovely people, and welcome to the 700th ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • I Went to a Creed Concert

    Note: The audio attached to this Webworm compliments today’s newsletter. I collected it as I met people attending a Creed concert. Their opinions may differ to mine. Read more ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    1 week ago
  • Government migration policy backfires; thousands of unemployed nurses

    The country has imported literally thousands of nurses over the past few months yet whether they are being employed as nurses is another matter. Just what is going on with HealthNZ and it nurses is, at best, opaque, in that it will not release anything but broad general statistics and ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 week ago
  • A Time For Unity.

    Emotional Response: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon addresses mourners at the tangi of King Tuheitia on Turangawaewae Marae on Saturday, 31 August 2024.THE DEATH OF KING TUHEITIA could hardly have come at a worse time for Maoridom. The power of the Kingitanga to unify te iwi Māori was demonstrated powerfully at January’s ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 week ago
  • Climate Change: Failed again

    National's tax cut policies relied on stealing revenue from the ETS (previously used to fund emissions reduction) to fund tax cuts to landlords. So how's that going? Badly. Today's auction failed again, with zero units (of a possible 7.6 million) sold. Which means they have a $456 million hole in ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago
  • Security Politics in Peripheral Democracies: Excerpt Two.

    A question of size. Small size generally means large vulnerability. The perception of threat is broader and often more immediate for small countries. The feeling of comparative weakness, of exposure to risk, and of potential intimidation by larger powers often … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    1 week ago

  • New Bill to crack down on youth vaping

    The coalition Government has introduced legislation to tackle youth vaping, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello announced today. “The Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Amendment Bill (No 2) is aimed at preventing youth vaping.  “While vaping has contributed to a significant fall in our smoking rates, the rise in youth vaping ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    17 hours ago
  • Interest in agricultural and horticultural products regulatory review welcomed

    Regulation Minister David Seymour, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds, and Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard have welcomed interest in the agricultural and horticultural products regulatory review. The review by the Ministry for Regulation is looking at how to speed up the process to get farmers and growers access to the safe, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago
  • Bill to allow online charity lotteries passes first reading

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government is moving at pace to ensure lotteries for charitable purposes are allowed to operate online permanently. Charities fundraising online, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust and local hospices will continue to do ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago
  • Tax exempt threshold changes to benefit startups

    Technology companies are among the startups which will benefit from increases to current thresholds of exempt employee share schemes, Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Revenue Minister Simon Watts say. Tax exempt thresholds for the schemes are increasing as part of the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2024-25, Emergency ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago
  • Getting the healthcare you need, when you need it

    The path to faster cancer treatment, an increase in immunisation rates, shorter stays in emergency departments and quick assessment and treatments when you are sick has been laid out today. Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has revealed details of how the ambitious health targets the Government has set will be ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago
  • Targeted supports to accelerate reading

    The coalition Government is delivering targeted and structured literacy supports to accelerate learning for struggling readers. From Term 1 2025, $33 million of funding for Reading Recovery and Early Literacy Support will be reprioritised to interventions which align with structured approaches to teaching. “Structured literacy will change the way children ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago
  • Survivors invited to Abuse in Care national apology

    With two months until the national apology to survivors of abuse in care, expressions of interest have opened for survivors wanting to attend. “The Prime Minister will deliver a national apology on Tuesday 12 November in Parliament. It will be a very significant day for survivors, their families, whānau and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Rangatahi inspire at Ngā Manu Kōrero final

    Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini kē - My success is not mine alone but is the from the strength of the many. Aotearoa New Zealand’s top young speakers are an inspiration for all New Zealanders to learn more about the depth and beauty conveyed ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Driving structured literacy in schools

    The coalition Government is driving confidence in reading and writing in the first years of schooling. “From the first time children step into the classroom, we’re equipping them and teachers with the tools they need to be brilliant in literacy. “From 1 October, schools and kura with Years 0-3 will receive ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Labour’s misleading information is disappointing

    Labour’s misinformation about firearms law is dangerous and disappointing, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee says.   “Labour and Ginny Andersen have repeatedly said over the past few days that the previous Labour Government completely banned semi-automatic firearms in 2019 and that the Coalition Government is planning to ‘reintroduce’ them.   ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Govt takes action on mpox response, widens access to vaccine

    The Government is taking immediate action on a number of steps around New Zealand’s response to mpox, including improving access to vaccine availability so people who need it can do so more easily, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti and Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. “Mpox is obviously a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Next steps agreed for Treaty Principles Bill

    Associate Justice Minister David Seymour says Cabinet has agreed to the next steps for the Treaty Principles Bill. “The Treaty Principles Bill provides an opportunity for Parliament, rather than the courts, to define the principles of the Treaty, including establishing that every person is equal before the law,” says Mr Seymour. “Parliament ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government unlocking potential of AI

    Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins today announced a programme to drive Artificial Intelligence (AI) uptake among New Zealand businesses. “The AI Activator will unlock the potential of AI for New Zealand businesses through a range of support, including access to AI research experts, technical assistance, AI tools and resources, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government releases Wairoa flood review findings

    The independent rapid review into the Wairoa flooding event on 26 June 2024 has been released, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown and Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced today. “We welcome the review’s findings and recommendations to strengthen Wairoa's resilience against future events,” Ms ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Promoting faster payment times for government

    The Government is sending a clear message to central government agencies that they must prioritise paying invoices in a timely manner, Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Andrew Bayly says. Data released today promotes transparency by publishing the payment times of each central government agency. This data will be published quarterly ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Acknowledgement to Kīngi Tuheitia speech

    E te māngai o te Whare Pāremata, kua riro māku te whakaputa i te waka ki waho moana. E te Pirimia tēnā koe.Mr Speaker, it is my privilege to take this adjournment kōrero forward.  Prime Minister – thank you for your leadership. Taupiri te maunga Waikato te awa Te Wherowhero ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Interim fix to GST adjustment rules to support businesses

    Inland Revenue can begin processing GST returns for businesses affected by a historic legislative drafting error, Revenue Minister Simon Watts says. “Inland Revenue has become aware of a legislative drafting error in the GST adjustment rules after changes were made in 2023 which were meant to simplify the process. This ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Strong uptake for cervical screening self-test

    More than 80 per cent of New Zealand women being tested have opted for a world-leading self-test for cervical screening since it became available a year ago. Minister of Health Dr Shane Reti and Associate Minister Casey Costello, in her responsibility for Women’s Health, say it’s fantastic to have such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Ministry for Regulation’s first Strategic Intentions document sets ambitious direction

    Regulation Minister David Seymour welcomes the Ministry for Regulation’s first Strategic Intentions document, which sets out how the Ministry will carry out its work and deliver on its purpose. “I have set up the Ministry for Regulation with three tasks. One, to cut existing red tape with sector reviews. Two, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Māori Education Advisory Group established

    The Education Minister has established a Māori Education Ministerial Advisory Group made up of experienced practitioners to help improve outcomes for Māori learners. “This group will provide independent advice on all matters related to Māori education in both English medium and Māori medium settings. It will focus on the most impactful ways we can lift ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government welcomes findings of NZ Superannuation Fund review

    The Government has welcomed the findings of the recent statutory review into the Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation and the New Zealand Superannuation Fund, Minister of Finance Nicola Willis says. The 5-yearly review, conducted on behalf of Treasury and tabled in Parliament today, found the Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • First of five new Hercules aircraft takes flight

    Defence Minister Judith Collins today welcomed the first of five new C-130J-30 Hercules to arrive in New Zealand at a ceremony at the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s Base Auckland, Whenuapai. “This is an historic day for our New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) and our nation. The new Hercules fleet ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Have your say on suicide prevention

    Today, September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day, a time to reflect on New Zealand’s confronting suicide statistics, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “Every death by suicide is a tragedy – a tragedy that affects far too many of our families and communities in New Zealand. We must do ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Action to grow the rural health workforce

    Scholarships awarded to 27 health care students is another positive step forward to boost the future rural health workforce, Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “All New Zealanders deserve timely access to quality health care and this Government is committed to improving health outcomes, particularly for the one in five ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Pharmac delivering more for Kiwis following major funding boost

    Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Pharmac David Seymour has welcomed the increased availability of medicines for Kiwis resulting from the Government’s increased investment in Pharmac. “Pharmac operates independently, but it must work within the budget constraints set by the Government,” says Mr Seymour. “When our Government assumed office, New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Sport Minister congratulates NZ’s Paralympians

    Sport & Recreation Minister Chris Bishop has congratulated New Zealand's Paralympic Team at the conclusion of the Paralympic Games in Paris.  “The NZ Paralympic Team's success in Paris included fantastic performances, personal best times, New Zealand records and Oceania records all being smashed - and of course, many Kiwis on ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Government progresses response to Abuse in Care recommendations

    A Crown Response Office is being established within the Public Service Commission to drive the Government’s response to the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care. “The creation of an Office within a central Government agency was a key recommendation by the Royal Commission’s final report.  “It will have the mandate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Passport wait times back on-track

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says passport processing has returned to normal, and the Department of Internal Affairs [Department] is now advising customers to allow up to two weeks to receive their passport. “I am pleased that passport processing is back at target service levels and the Department ...
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