The AUKUS Shell-game

Written By: - Date published: 3:54 pm, October 4th, 2021 - 44 comments
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While the agreement between the 19th Century anglophone maritime powers the US and the UK to admit Australia to the exclusive nuclear submarine club gained all the headlines, another much more significant and imminent agreement was reached between the US and Australian governments on expanding US bases in Australia in the AUSMIN statement. The US gains another unsinkable aircraft carrier.

They needed it because all their other carriers are eminently sinkable. The key wording in the statement is here:

Reestablished at AUSMIN 2020, the bilateral Force Posture Working Group convened in May 2021 to develop recommendations to promote a secure and stable Indo-Pacific region and deter our adversaries.The Secretaries and Ministers endorsed the following areas of force posture cooperation:

  • Enhanced air cooperation through the rotational deployment of U.S. aircraft of all types in Australia and appropriate aircraft training and exercises.
  • Enhanced maritime cooperation by increasing logistics and sustainment capabilities of U.S. surface and subsurface vessels in Australia.
  • Enhanced land cooperation by conducting more complex and more integrated exercises and greater combined engagement with Allies and Partners in the region.
  • Establish a combined logistics, sustainment, and maintenance enterprise to support high-end warfighting and combined military operations in the region.

Aircraft of all types could include nuclear-capable bombers B-52s and B-2s. Increasing logistics and sustainment capabilities of US subsurface vessels in Australia almost certainly means basing US nuclear-propelled and possibly nuclear-armed submarines in Western Australia. Setting up a base for high-end warfighting and combined military operations in the region is the classic American approach to preparing for war. Only this time it is not against countries such as Granada, Vietnam or Afghanistan but a major land-based power.

And Biden hasn’t ruled out the nuclear option in US attempts to contain China. In a statement released after the visit of Japanese Prime Minister Suga to Washington in April, the subsequent statement said:

The United States restated its unwavering support for Japan’s defense under the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security, using its full range of capabilities, including nuclear.

The Australian nuclear submarines will take years to arrive. The US bombers and submarines will be there much sooner. And missiles are on the way as well:

The Secretaries and Ministers discussed Australia’s intent to establish a Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise.  They committed to cooperate on delivering this complex, long-term endeavor, which will complement the United States industrial base and assure defense supply chains in the Indo-Pacific.

This is why the Chinese have warned that these arrangements make Australia a possible nuclear target.

Australia has chained itself strategically to the US for the foreseeable future. It is a  huge  one-way bet, as all the signs are that the anglophone maritime powers are the ones in decline, as China and the East become ascendant. As China seeks moderate prosperity for all, the neoliberal West sees inequality rising and its citizens see future prospects declining.

New Zealand has come important and crucial choices to  make. We are fortunate in that we are small and far away, and even more fortunate that we are forged by Treaty in two cultures and two languages, not to mention two sets of values and world-views. VietNam and Afghanistan at least should have taught us to stay out of “enhanced land cooperation by conducting more complex and more integrated exercises and greater combined engagement” with the Anglophone powers.

We should also reconsider our new-found foreign policy and defence establishment’s enthusiasm for locating us in the US-preferred and China-containing Indo-Pacific, and concentrate our efforts in support of our pacific neighbours. They need all the help we can give.

 

44 comments on “The AUKUS Shell-game ”

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  1. SPC 1
    4 October 2021 at 4:45 pm

    There are two distinct matters involved.

    One the security of Oz, and the confrontation with China over Taiwan and the South China sea atoll/aircraft carriers.

    To the extent that Oz is committed to participation in the second matter, it's now more at risk.

    To the extent that we are committed to Oz security, our risk has also increased – and we were not (apparently) consulted by Oz about this.

    If we were to withdraw from ANZUS as a result, one wonders what the consequences would be?

  2. Scud 2
    4 October 2021 at 4:49 pm

    A lovely picture of HMAS Melbourne doing heeling trials post refit, the wife’s Pop was in her first commissioning crew from the UK to Sydney prior to his discharge from the RAN late 56- early 57 as he reached his terminal rank on the lower deck for Air Defence & Fighter Direction. He could’ve taken a Commission which the RAN wanted him to do, but back in those days meant 18-24mths in UK unaccompanied with a young family & already having spent 5yrs away during the WW2 plus 18mths away on the HMAS Sydney during the Korean War a enough was enough for the CPO Gibson.

    Which was a shame, as rumour has it when CPO Gibson cross the bar. That he would’ve made Flag Rank had he stayed on as he was very highly regarded in RAN & the RN Training Establishments for his experience, training the Lower Deck, the Snotty’s & the Subbies incl Aircrew & the welfare of his Subordinates.

  3. Brigid 3
    4 October 2021 at 5:04 pm

    Analyses of the hilarious 60 Minutes Australia Episode "War with China"

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=od6Js490cWI&t=8776s

    • gsays 3.1
      4 October 2021 at 6:05 pm

      Good watching, although the humour is kinda dark and resigned to a grim outcome.

      Carl Zha's point is spot on. 'To American citizens, If the PRC 'integrates' Taiwan, your life will not change. If the US and China have a nuclear exchange, your life will change.'

      Edit: re-reading yr comment it was the 60 Minutes piece that was hilarious.

      The next point was how China has no reason to rush in regards to any action in Taiwan as it’s star is rising, however the fading US empire has a small and diminishing opportunity to ‘wave its MIC willy”

      Gives a new perspective to the observation ‘In the UK one hundred miles is a long way, in the US one hundred years is a long time.’

  4. garibaldi 4
    4 October 2021 at 5:09 pm

    Yes the deal is all about America having a huge presence in Australia because their aircraft carriers and their subs are basically obsolete with the new rockets the so called "enemy" have now (or soon will have).

    To me the big question is this….Is the crumbling ,near non existent "American Dream" worth giving up our lives for? Since WW2 that dream has become a bloody nightmare.
    Who will fire the first nuclear bombs? I know who I think it will be.

    • Tiger Mountain 4.1
      4 October 2021 at 5:24 pm

      Who has ever actually employed nuclear weapons?–bingo, full house…–yes, US Imperialism, against the largely civilian populations of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in WWII.

      With various tipping points being reached or approached around the world, maybe Climate Change will do the humans in before nukes do! Australia seems set to become a burnt out sand pit, that no amount of subs will save them from.

  5. Patricia Bremner 5
    4 October 2021 at 5:27 pm

    America is The Roman Empire. Decadent and past their best. Biden trying to patch the States together with the next "new thing" imo. AUKUS Awkward more like. Big money won't pay for this folly small taxpayers will. I know some here admire America, but I think you are looking backwards. America changed after Vietnam and The Bay of Pigs. Now 1.6 trillion USA arms and 8 billion to UNO.

  6. SPC 6
    4 October 2021 at 5:35 pm

    The Juice Media does a backgrounder.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vb5OKrYzZp8

  7. Gristle 7
    4 October 2021 at 7:05 pm

    For a course I was taking (in Australia) the then Collins Class Submarine replacement programme was studied in terms of project risks. Among the conclusions our group arrived at was that the project scope, which limited the solution set to diesel/electric propulsion, was at odds with true performance requirements, and as such the project had a potential flaw in it.

    Though at the time there was neither the political will or public acceptance of moving to nuclear propulsion. And the defence procurement organisation were fighting for the original $90b budget and would have seen that going for a nuclear option was a bridge too far.

    Accordingly, the performance spec would have to be down graded for lesser submersion periods, and smaller hotel load, and shorter patrol periods.

    The nuclear submarines will take at least 20 years to be delivered if Australia has the construction role. 8 to 12 submarines are going to take ages to build. The first one may be ready to leave the shipyard in 20 years, but just wait and see the problems in commissioning it and getting it accepted into the fleet.

    Meanwhile population predictions for China is that its population may well half in the next 35 years. The rise of China as a dominant super power will not be plain sailing. Economic downturn, climate change, population reduction will all stress China internally.

    • RedLogix 7.1
      5 October 2021 at 10:23 am

      Thanks. This is the kind of informed and thoughtful comment that's always really welcome here.

      and as such the project had a potential flaw in it.

      The night before last I was chatting to a marine tradie just arrived here from SA for a new job, straight from working on the Collins maintenance and upgrades – and as usual the people on the ground know what's going on. It was apparently common knowledge for ages the French contract was 'flawed' – although the word he used was the other one starting with f.

      • Subliminal 7.1.1
        5 October 2021 at 9:35 pm

        This flaw in the French subs is the lack of nuclear propulsion? Do you not think that a lot of discussion went into this prior to deciding what subs to get? So why were nuclear subs rejected? There is no nation with nuclear propulsion that doesnt also have a civil nuclear industry. At present it is ilegal for such an industry to exist in Australia. Does this matter? Australia could not sustain and maintain a nuclear propelled navy without this infrastructure. To the Australians this meant that if you can't maintain your own navy it is not sovereign. You do not have control of it. But even supposing they did want to go nuclear further down the track the French subs offered that possibility in their design and did not require the high levels of enrichment that now make the fuss over the Iranian JCPOA a complete joke if it were ever anything else. Malcolm Turnbull lays out the thinking behind the French deal here. Probably a little more insightful than a tradies "the French subs are f**ked

        • RedLogix 7.1.1.1
          6 October 2021 at 7:10 am

          So why were nuclear subs rejected?

          At the time the deal was first inked there was no obvious need for them – the diesel electrics would have sufficed for the coastal defense role that was required at the time – albeit with constraints.

          But that was back in 2013. Everyone was happy doing business with China – and it would be good if that state of affairs had remained.

          • Subliminal 7.1.1.1.1
            6 October 2021 at 8:01 am

            The calculus was still the same. No domestic nuclear infrastructure. On defence of Australia, the smaller more maneuverable French subs were and are better in the shallow local shipping lanes. What has changed is US desire to be able to close the SLOC and thus cripple China as a trading nation. This requires the ability to stay submerged and quiet for long lengths of time. The change is that the focus is now on attacking the percieved weakness of Chinas civilian trading and to drag Australia into this belligerence.

            • RedLogix 7.1.1.1.1.1
              6 October 2021 at 8:25 am

              No domestic nuclear infrastructure.

              Which given that AU is one of the larger suppliers of uranium ores, and has an exceptionally capable mineral processing industry – then it's only a matter of political will and time to change that.

              A decade ago there was not much appetite nor motivation to pursue a domestic nuclear industry, but it's my sense this is changing for a number of reasons. Not all of them related to China.

              What has changed is US desire to be able to close the SLOC and thus cripple China as a trading nation.

              Why should the rest of the world protect Chinese shipping? You take for granted the historically exceptional period since WW2 when it became normal for merchant ships to be able to go anywhere they liked without fear of constraint or raiding. It was for the most part the massive US Navy that provided that security guarantee for everyone – even for Soviet merchant ships during the Cold War.

              But all that is in the past now.

              • Subliminal …
                6 October 2021 at 10:01 am

                The rest of the world protecting Chinese shipping?! I think there was something in your tea this morning. The ability to attack and close Chinese SLOC is the point of nuclear subs. Protect?? Good grief!

    • SPC 7.2
      5 October 2021 at 10:06 pm

      A lot of money extending the Collins class subs out another 10 years to 2030 … then nothing … for 10 years

      For what to build hulls in Adelaide and then send them offshore to become an actual sub?

      If building hulls in Adelaide is more important than having any subs …

  8. Byd0nz 8
    4 October 2021 at 7:45 pm

    We are defending the People, (Governments of the world) say as they waste resources and money into weapons that become obsolete and are left to pollute the planet.

    If they are serious about defending 'The People then surely they should concentrate on the wellbeing of those people by supplying top class Health facilities, top class education facilities, top class infrastructure, top class everything but war shit and alliances with war monger bullies.

    Defenders of war shit will say that's simplistic and such a country would soon be swamped by war monger nations,but would they?, perhaps the country that follows a peaceful path may well inspire 'The People' of warmonger states by the success of putting the people first.

  9. Stuart Munro 9
    5 October 2021 at 10:08 am

    I don't think we need be particularly concerned about AUKUS as a threat to us, or as an immediate cause of war. But Australia does seem to be losing trade security with the EU over it, which is a testament to Slomo's truly stellar lack of ability.

    Some analysis from Caspian Report. (3) French fury as Australia scraps submarine deal – YouTube

    • SPC 9.1
      5 October 2021 at 3:15 pm

      It ties Oz more closely to the USA, thus a greater chance of Oz being involved in the US-China confrontation. And we are a security partner of Oz.

      • Stuart Munro 9.1.1
        5 October 2021 at 3:45 pm

        the US-China confrontation

        is largely theoretical at this point. The imposition of mainland rule on Hong Kong however, was real and forcible, and the rising frequency Chinese incursions of Taiwan's airspace suggests that Xi wants that territory sooner rather than later.

        A bunch of dated nuclear submarines a couple of decades away from delivery isn't especially scary – unless you're a French shipbuilder, or your navy is as green as China's.

  10. RedLogix 10
    5 October 2021 at 10:32 am

    In the meantime the PRC airforce flew a record number of military flights into Taiwanese airspace yesterday.

    That the OP is long on condemning an upgrade to the long standing alliance relationship between the US and AU, while remaining silent on the PRC's active and increasing military confrontation with at least Taiwan and Japan – is to say – remarkably selective.

      • RedLogix 10.1.1
        5 October 2021 at 10:56 am

        The when may well be sooner than imagined. The PRC leadership needs to make a calculation on timing that will look like this:

        Going now has the advantage that the PRC is already at peak readiness, and the US is at this moment distracted by multiple internal challenges and what they must perceive as a weak President.

        Waiting does not accrue the PRC more advantage, but allows their opponents more time to organise. While there is a chance Taiwan will rollover without resistance, this looks increasingly unlikely as each year goes by.

        If it happened next week I would not be surprised.

        • Scud 10.1.1.1
          5 October 2021 at 1:52 pm

          It’s been quite interesting looking at the composition of those PLA-AF Air Task Groups flying into the Taiwanese ADIZ. It’s not so much it’s Fighters, but it’s Maritime Aircraft, Signal’s & Electronic Warfare Aircraft & it’s H6 Bombers armed with underwing cruise missiles.

          Which gives the impression that Chinese are trying to bait the Taiwanese to fire the first shot by wearing down the Taiwanese Fighter Pilots & or the Air Defence Missile Units. So far the Chinese Psy-Ops on the Taiwanese ADIZ hasn’t worked. But it’s only a matter of time before someone on either side cocks up & my gut feeling knowing the psychological pressure of when to shoot or not to shoot from my time Peacekeeping that someone cracking pressure well be some poor bugger from Taiwan.

          This is a game of Chicken or Russia Roulette on Steroids.

          • SPC 10.1.1.1.1
            5 October 2021 at 3:07 pm

            I'm fairly sure the order to the fighter pilots is only shoot down anything that has used weapons on a target in Taiwan (maybe even then get permission).

            Besides if the "visiting" aircraft are coming without fighter cover, it's not to attack – it's to scout and to demonstrate its claim Taiwan is part of China.

            A fly(over) that cannot be removed (swatted away) creates a new normal environment.

    • SPC 10.2
      5 October 2021 at 3:20 pm

      The US fleet moves around the South China Sea, Chinese planes fly around and over Taiwan.

      Was this the point to the creation of atoll/aircraft carrier islands?

      Does no one remember Cuba? The Americans had missiles in Turkey, the Russians were placing some in Cuba. What happened?

      Or the 1980's? Russia with SS 20 missiles in Eastern Europe. So the Americans placed Pershing and Cruise in Western Europe. What happened?

    • Subliminal 10.3
      5 October 2021 at 9:54 pm

      Scud above recognizes the difference between Taiwanese air space and an ADIZ. An ADIZ is an air defense identification zone and is a non binding request for aircraft to identify themselves. The Taiwanese ADIZ was created by the US after the second world war and includes a chunk of mainland China. So I guess it goes without saying that there will be many incursions by China's air force into this zone… You can read more about this manufactured hysteria here. The US says it does not support any State applying it's ADIZ procedures to any aircraft not intending to enter into its national airspace. So I guess thats that then.

      • RedLogix 10.3.1
        6 October 2021 at 7:20 am

        The incursions of concern are not over mainland China – the majority of the larger ones happening to the south-west of Taiwan. The idea that the PRC is somehow the bumbling innocent in this matter is laughable:

        https://thediplomat.com/2021/10/what-do-taiwanese-think-of-chinas-record-setting-incursions-into-taiwans-adiz/

        • Subliminal 10.3.1.1
          6 October 2021 at 7:36 am

          Theres no bumbling innocence. Its difficult to take seriously a Taiwanese ADIZ that includes a chunk of Mainland China and seriously curtails flight paths along the Chinese coast. So exactly, as in the link above, as the US does in other ADIZ, China ignores the Taiwanese ADIZ when they are in transit. You could try looking at the map of the ADIZ in the wikipaedia link above with an unjaundiced eye and you may realise how ridiculous it is.

          • RedLogix 10.3.1.1.1
            6 October 2021 at 7:50 am

            A glance at plots of the incursions of concern invalidates your diversionary tactic here. The Taiwanese ADIZ has existed for decades with few serious concerns until very recently.

            I have a reliable connection who routinely pilots domestic traffic out of Xiamen City, well within the technical boundaries of the ADIZ, without invoking any response from the Taiwanese. Pretending that what we're talking about is ordinary traffic overflying mainland China is directly contradicted by my own personal knowledge.

            • Subliminal 10.3.1.1.1.1
              6 October 2021 at 10:05 am

              Oh well thats all good then. We now only need to refer to RedLogix' personal knowledge to understand China Taiwan relations. Diversionary tactics indeed!

      • Scud 10.3.2
        6 October 2021 at 4:34 pm

        Here’s an interesting map I’ve nicked from Twitter, which outlines the Taiwanese ADIZ & it’s Territorial Airspace. Almost most Civilian Aircraft including Cargo Aircraft are by international law must fly with their Radar transponder on at all times, the reason for this. Is to ensure that these Aircraft are not mistaken for Military Aircraft that don’t require to have its transponder on & get shot down. Unfortunately this is no always the case when it comes to “Human Error” & ones human paranoia towards one country or another.

        https://mobile.twitter.com/CIGeography/status/1445441000252399621/photo/1

        What the Chinese PLA-AF is doing IRT to the Taiwanese ADIZ at, is raging a massive Psychological Ops warfare on the Taiwanese ADIZ Radar Operators/ Air Defence Missile Bty Commanders by wearing them down both mentally & physical while to the same to the Taiwanese AF Pilots, Jets & the Technicians who service the Jets to a point the Jets start going U/S or the Pilots get over stress forcing to lose “face” and then dosomething equally stupid like shooting down a Chinese PLA-AF.

        The Chinese can keep doing this, till the cows come home for milking as they have the numbers to do this, where as the Taiwanese are on a hiding to nothing in more ways than one as they finite number IRT Personal & Equipment.

        • SPC 10.3.2.1
          6 October 2021 at 7:24 pm

          The stress test is a gathering information on Taiwanese capability (synchronised with satellite surveillance of defences).

          Ultimately to convince the Taiwanese, via constant war gaming, that they cannot defend the island.

          A fly that cannot be swatted away lands and has dominion.

          • Scud 10.3.2.1.1
            6 October 2021 at 9:35 pm

            Unfortunately I believe that the Taiwanese have the right to Self Defence under the UN Article 51, A Country has the right to Self Defence if it’s attacked by its neighbor or by any other aggressive country & has a right to Self Determination under the UN Charter as well.

            But I’m not entirely convinced about the Chinese Invasion of Tibet than compare with what happened with West Papua or Timor-Leste prior to us liberating East Timor with INTERFET in 99-00.

            • SPC 10.3.2.1.1.1
              6 October 2021 at 10:06 pm

              “Nothing in the present Charter shall impair the inherent right of individual or collective self-defence if an armed attack occurs against a Member of the United Nations, until the Security Council has taken measures necessary to maintain international peace and security.

              Taiwan is not a member of the United Nations.

              Technically, it does not have the right to protect itself, as it is not a member. And the charter authorises the collective defence, only of members of the United Nations.

              There is reference to

              the authority and responsibility of the Security Council under the present Charter to take at any time such action as it deems necessary in order to maintain or restore international peace and security.

              China has veto power on the UNSC, and regards Taiwan as part of its territory.

            • SPC 10.3.2.1.1.2
              6 October 2021 at 10:25 pm

              Taiwan fails the 4th test to become a state, or even begin a process/path to self determination via the UN (because of it lacks recognition by other states – because of the claim it is part of China's territory).

              a settled population, a defined territory, government and the ability to enter into relations with other states

              1933 Montevideo Convention

              • Scud …
                6 October 2021 at 11:14 pm

                Thanks for the clarification, as I’ve haven’t touched on International Law or the UN Charter since I’ve left the RAAF 2-3yrs ago, so Taiwan is pretty much screwed then?

                I still personally believe Taiwan still have a right to Self Defence & the right to Self Determination. So we are probably going to disagree on this one then?

                I still believe if & when China does make a move on Taiwan, it’s going to spell disaster Sth Korea & Japan in the Nth and the rest of us in the Sth who depend on Japanese & Sth Korea Trade. Regardless of what China says, just like poor old Neville with his piece paper that Herr Hitler had signed in 38.

                • SPC …
                  7 October 2021 at 12:36 am

                  Only a moral cause, as to self-governance, not an international "right" to self-determination".

                  The Americans made things worse by promoting democracy in Hong Kong and planned weapon sales to Taiwan (also dim-witted to promote TPP as a counter to China, then not join).

                  And Biden and Blinken are no better than Trump and Pompeo – no one takes their moral authority or security leadership seriously after Afghanistan. The Chinese will note Biden did not support the liberation of Kuwait (an actual member state of the UN) but did the regime change in Iraq – so they'll see him as weak on standing by Taiwan and yet also willing to threaten governments of nation states, such as their own. This is going to add a number of complications to diplomatic efforts.

                  • Scud …
                    7 October 2021 at 3:40 pm

                    Thence my Moral, Ethical & Values dilemma I have that we must have to stand up for Taiwan against China’s bulling, but US Politics over the decades on this matter doesn’t help either. Or else we will end up like our Grandparents generation failed to do with Herr Hitler or the Japanese until it was to too late.

                    • SPC …
                      7 October 2021 at 6:59 pm

                      My preference would be

                      1. end of NATO.

                      A EU-Russia-Ukraine agreement recognising Crimea as part of Russia, eastern areas of Ukraine also (as determined by plebiscite). Russia takes over a share of the Ukraine debt in compensation and of course sanctions on Russia end.

                      EU-Russia-Ukraine FTA and defence co-operation agreement involving basing of EU forces alongside Russians in Kaliningrad oblast.

                      2. The UNSC permanent members (Russia, China, USA, France and UK) formally sign up to an agreement to guarantee the security of South Korea to replace the need for US forces to be stationed there.

                      The point of these two things is to take Russia and North Korea out of the game.

                      NATO has driven Russia into the arms of China, and North Korea without American forces as an excuse for belligerence is neutered as an attack dog for China (threatening Japan and Oz recently). Restrained by Russian and Chinese guarantees to South Korea, it has no viable future but by improved relations with the South.

                      These two things to isolate China if it continues on a path of ambition for hegemony.

                      3. Offer China the end of weapons sales to Taiwan, in return for Beijing agreeing with Taipei a 50 year continued self-governance period.

                      This might be enough to placate Chinese nationalism.

                      4. Allow China and Taiwan into TPP.

                      5. Wait for population decline in China (that tempers its rise to no more than equality with the USA as an economic and military power) and widespread middle class prosperity to both establish an equal place/status and yet also diminish nationalism (especially as America recedes form its imperial hubris).

  11. Adrian Thornton 11
    6 October 2021 at 8:21 am

    As usual the usual suspects around here put logic on the torture rack to try and explain and justify US/Western global aggression….and as usual there is no special analysis needed on the subject…the US are actively kicking off a new cold war with China/Russia/ Iran at the behest of their military industrial complex, Silicon Valley elite and masters

    “defense stocks outperformed the stock market overall by 58 percent during the Afghanistan War.”

    https://theintercept.com/2021/08/16/afghanistan-war-defense-stocks/

    This is all about defending western elite corporate hegemony and has nothing whatsoever to do with the interests or the welfare or well being of any of the citizens in any of the countries involved that is for sure.

    I have to admit I have been quite surprised at how it has become so obvious and overt over the past little while that a really brutal imperialist, authoritarian streak runs so deeply embedded within the liberal centrists ideology…we see it expressed here on The Standard almost daily in some form or another.

    But the funny(?) thing is I bet all these ‘liberal centrists” would consider themselves to be quite sophisticated urbane free thinkers….where as by piecing together their comments on world affairs over the past while they are really not that different than the English toff in a pith hat lording it around in India not so long ago…funny, sort of.

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    Note: this blog post has been put together over the course of the week I followed the happenings at the conference virtually. Should recordings of the Great Debates and possibly Union Symposia mentioned below, be released sometime after the conference ends, I'll include links to the ones I participated in. ...
    Skeptical Science
    13 hours ago

  • Submission on “Fast Track Approvals Bill”
    The following was my submission made on the “Fast Track Approvals Bill”. This potential law will give three Ministers unchecked powers, un-paralled since the days of Robert Muldoon’s “Think Big” projects.The submission is written a bit tongue-in-cheek. But it’s irreverent because the FTAB is in itself not worthy of respect. ...
    Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy
    13 hours ago

  • The Case for a Universal Family Benefit
    One Could Reduce Child Poverty At No Fiscal CostFollowing the Richardson/Shipley 1990 ‘redesign of the welfare state’ – which eliminated the universal Family Benefit and doubled the rate of child poverty – various income supplements for families have been added, the best known being ‘Working for Families’, introduced in 2005. ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    15 hours ago

  • A who’s who of New Zealand’s dodgiest companies
    Submissions on National's corrupt Muldoonist fast-track law are due today (have you submitted?), and just hours before they close, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop has been forced to release the list of companies he invited to apply. I've spent the last hour going through it in an epic thread of bleats, ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    16 hours ago

  • On Lee’s watch, Economic Development seems to be stuck on scoring points from promoting sporting e...
    Buzz from the Beehive A few days ago, Point of Order suggested the media must be musing “on why Melissa is mute”. Our article reported that people working in the beleaguered media industry have cause to yearn for a minister as busy as Melissa Lee’s ministerial colleagues and we drew ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    17 hours ago

  • New Zealand has never been closed for business
    1. What was The Curse of Jim Bolger?a. Winston Peters b. Soon after shaking his hand, world leaders would mysteriously lose office or shuffle off this mortal coilc. Could never shake off the Mother of All Budgetsd. Dandruff2. True or false? The Chairman of a Kiwi export business has asked the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    18 hours ago

  • Stop the panic – we’ve been here before
    Jack Vowles writes – New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    21 hours ago

  • Melissa Lee and the media: ending the quest
    Chris Trotter writes –  MELISSA LEE should be deprived of her ministerial warrant. Her handling – or non-handling – of the crisis engulfing the New Zealand news media has been woeful. The fate of New Zealand’s two linear television networks, a question which the Minister of Broadcasting, Communications ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    22 hours ago

  • The Hoon around the week to April 19
    TL;DR: The podcast above features co-hosts and , along with regular guests Robert Patman on Gaza and AUKUS II, and on climate change.The six things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    22 hours ago

  • The ‘Humpty Dumpty’ end result of dismantling our environmental protections
    Policymakers rarely wish to make plain or visible their desire to dismantle environmental policy, least of all to the young. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s the top five 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 ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    23 hours ago

  • Nicola's Salad Days.
    I like to keep an eye on what’s happening in places like the UK, the US, and over the ditch with our good mates the Aussies. Let’s call them AUKUS, for want of a better collective term. More on that in a bit.It used to be, not long ago, that ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    24 hours ago

  • Study sees climate change baking in 19% lower global income by 2050
    TL;DR: The global economy will be one fifth smaller than it would have otherwise been in 2050 as a result of climate damage, according to a new study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and published in the journal Nature. (See more detail and analysis below, and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago

  • Weekly Roundup 19-April-2024
    It’s Friday again. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week on Greater Auckland On Tuesday Matt covered at the government looking into a long tunnel for Wellington. On Wednesday we ran a post from Oscar Simms on some lessons from Texas. AT’s ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    1 day ago

  • Jack Vowles: Stop the panic – we’ve been here before
    New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’.  The data is from February this ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    1 day ago

  • Clearing up confusion (or trying to)
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters is understood to be planning a major speech within the next fortnight to clear up the confusion over whether or not New Zealand might join the AUKUS submarine project. So far, there have been conflicting signals from the Government. RNZ reported the Prime Minister yesterday in ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 day ago

  • How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log iPhone Without Computer
    How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log on iPhone Without a Computer: A Step–by–Step Guide Losing your iPhone call history can be frustrating, especially when you need to find a specific number or recall an important conversation. But before you panic, know that there are ways to retrieve deleted call logs on your iPhone, even without a computer. This guide will explore various methods, ranging from simple checks to utilizing iCloud backups and third–party applications. So, let‘s dive in and recover those lost calls! 1. Check Recently Deleted Folder: Apple understands that accidental deletions happen. That‘s why they introduced the “Recently Deleted“ folder for various apps, including the Phone app. This folder acts as a safety net, storing deleted call logs for up to 30 days before permanently erasing them. Here‘s how to check it: Open the Phone app on your iPhone. Tap on the “Recents“ tab at the bottom. Scroll to the top and tap on “Edit“. Select “Show Recently Deleted“. Browse the list to find the call logs you want to recover. Tap on the desired call log and choose “Recover“ to restore it to your call history. 2. Restore from iCloud Backup: If you regularly back up your iPhone to iCloud, you might be able to retrieve your deleted call log from a previous backup. However, keep in mind that this process will restore your entire phone to the state it was in at the time of the backup, potentially erasing any data added since then. Here‘s how to restore from an iCloud backup: Go to Settings > General > Reset. Choose “Erase All Content and Settings“. Follow the on–screen instructions. Your iPhone will restart and show the initial setup screen. Choose “Restore from iCloud Backup“ during the setup process. Select the relevant backup that contains your deleted call log. Wait for the restoration process to complete. 3. Explore Third–Party Apps (with Caution): ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • How to Factory Reset iPhone without Computer: A Comprehensive Guide to Restoring your Device
    Life throws curveballs, and sometimes, those curveballs necessitate wiping your iPhone clean and starting anew. Whether you’re facing persistent software glitches, preparing to sell your device, or simply wanting a fresh start, knowing how to factory reset iPhone without a computer is a valuable skill. While using a computer with ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • How to Call Someone on a Computer: A Guide to Voice and Video Communication in the Digital Age
    Gone are the days when communication was limited to landline phones and physical proximity. Today, computers have become powerful tools for connecting with people across the globe through voice and video calls. But with a plethora of applications and methods available, how to call someone on a computer might seem ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #16 2024
    Open access notables Glacial isostatic adjustment reduces past and future Arctic subsea permafrost, Creel et al., Nature Communications: Sea-level rise submerges terrestrial permafrost in the Arctic, turning it into subsea permafrost. Subsea permafrost underlies ~ 1.8 million km2 of Arctic continental shelf, with thicknesses in places exceeding 700 m. Sea-level variations over glacial-interglacial cycles control ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago

  • Where on a Computer is the Operating System Generally Stored? Delving into the Digital Home of your ...
    The operating system (OS) is the heart and soul of a computer, orchestrating every action and interaction between hardware and software. But have you ever wondered where on a computer is the operating system generally stored? The answer lies in the intricate dance between hardware and software components, particularly within ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • How Many Watts Does a Laptop Use? Understanding Power Consumption and Efficiency
    Laptops have become essential tools for work, entertainment, and communication, offering portability and functionality. However, with rising energy costs and growing environmental concerns, understanding a laptop’s power consumption is more important than ever. So, how many watts does a laptop use? The answer, unfortunately, isn’t straightforward. It depends on several ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • How to Screen Record on a Dell Laptop A Guide to Capturing Your Screen with Ease
    Screen recording has become an essential tool for various purposes, such as creating tutorials, capturing gameplay footage, recording online meetings, or sharing information with others. Fortunately, Dell laptops offer several built-in and external options for screen recording, catering to different needs and preferences. This guide will explore various methods on ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • How Much Does it Cost to Fix a Laptop Screen? Navigating Repair Options and Costs
    A cracked or damaged laptop screen can be a frustrating experience, impacting productivity and enjoyment. Fortunately, laptop screen repair is a common service offered by various repair shops and technicians. However, the cost of fixing a laptop screen can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article delves into the ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • How Long Do Gaming Laptops Last? Demystifying Lifespan and Maximizing Longevity
    Gaming laptops represent a significant investment for passionate gamers, offering portability and powerful performance for immersive gaming experiences. However, a common concern among potential buyers is their lifespan. Unlike desktop PCs, which allow for easier component upgrades, gaming laptops have inherent limitations due to their compact and integrated design. This ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Climate Change: Turning the tide
    The annual inventory report of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions has been released, showing that gross emissions have dropped for the third year in a row, to 78.4 million tons: All-told gross emissions have decreased by over 6 million tons since the Zero Carbon Act was passed in 2019. ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago

  • How to Unlock Your Computer A Comprehensive Guide to Regaining Access
    Experiencing a locked computer can be frustrating, especially when you need access to your files and applications urgently. The methods to unlock your computer will vary depending on the specific situation and the type of lock you encounter. This guide will explore various scenarios and provide step-by-step instructions on how ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Faxing from Your Computer A Modern Guide to Sending Documents Digitally
    While the world has largely transitioned to digital communication, faxing still holds relevance in certain industries and situations. Fortunately, gone are the days of bulky fax machines and dedicated phone lines. Today, you can easily send and receive faxes directly from your computer, offering a convenient and efficient way to ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Protecting Your Home Computer A Guide to Cyber Awareness
    In our increasingly digital world, home computers have become essential tools for work, communication, entertainment, and more. However, this increased reliance on technology also exposes us to various cyber threats. Understanding these threats and taking proactive steps to protect your home computer is crucial for safeguarding your personal information, finances, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Server-Based Computing Powering the Modern Digital Landscape
    In the ever-evolving world of technology, server-based computing has emerged as a cornerstone of modern digital infrastructure. This article delves into the concept of server-based computing, exploring its various forms, benefits, challenges, and its impact on the way we work and interact with technology. Understanding Server-Based Computing: At its core, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Vroom vroom go the big red trucks
    The absolute brass neck of this guy.We want more medical doctors, not more spin doctors, Luxon was saying a couple of weeks ago, and now we’re told the guy has seven salaried adults on TikTok duty. Sorry, doing social media. The absolute brass neck of it. The irony that the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago

  • Jones finds $410,000 to help the government muscle in on a spat project
    Buzz from the Beehive Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones relishes spatting and eagerly takes issue with environmentalists who criticise his enthusiasm for resource development. He relishes helping the fishing industry too. And so today, while the media are making much of the latest culling in the public service to ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago

  • Again, hate crimes are not necessarily terrorism.
    Having written, taught and worked for the US government on issues involving unconventional warfare and terrorism for 30-odd years, two things irritate me the most when the subject is discussed in public. The first is the Johnny-come-lately academics-turned-media commentators who … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    2 days ago

  • Despair – construction consenting edition
    Eric Crampton writes – Kainga Ora is the government’s house building agency. It’s been building a lot of social housing. Kainga Ora has its own (but independent) consenting authority, Consentium. It’s a neat idea. Rather than have to deal with building consents across each different territorial authority, Kainga Ora ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Coalition promises – will the Govt keep the commitment to keep Kiwis equal before the law?
    Muriel Newman writes – The Coalition Government says it is moving with speed to deliver campaign promises and reverse the damage done by Labour. One of their key commitments is to “defend the principle that New Zealanders are equal before the law.” To achieve this, they have pledged they “will not advance ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • An impermanent public service is a guarantee of very little else but failure
    Chris Trotter writes –  The absence of anything resembling a fightback from the public servants currently losing their jobs is interesting. State-sector workers’ collective fatalism in the face of Coalition cutbacks indicates a surprisingly broad acceptance of impermanence in the workplace. Fifty years ago, lay-offs in the thousands ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • What happens after the war – Mariupol
    Mariupol, on the Azov Sea coast, was one of the first cities to suffer almost complete destruction after the start of the Ukraine War started in late February 2022. We remember the scenes of absolute destruction of the houses and city structures. The deaths of innocent civilians – many of ...
    Open ParachuteBy Ken
    2 days ago

  • Babies and benefits – no good news
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – Ten years ago, I wrote the following in a Listener column: Every year around one in five new-born babies will be reliant on their caregivers benefit by Christmas. This pattern has persisted from at least 1993. For Maori the number jumps to over one in three.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Should the RBNZ be looking through climate inflation?
    Climate change is expected to generate more and more extreme events, delivering a sort of structural shock to inflation that central banks will have to react to as if they were short-term cyclical issues. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours, as of 9:16 am on Thursday, April 18 are:Housing: Tauranga residents living in boats, vans RNZ Checkpoint Louise TernouthHousing: Waikato councillor says wastewater plant issues could hold up Sleepyhead building a massive company town Waikato Times Stephen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the public sector carnage, and misogyny as terrorism
    It’s a simple deal. We pay taxes in order to finance the social services we want and need. The carnage now occurring across the public sector though, is breaking that contract. Over 3,000 jobs have been lost so far. Many are in crucial areas like Education where the impact of ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    2 days ago

  • Meeting the Master Baiters
    Hi,A friend had their 40th over the weekend and decided to theme it after Curb Your Enthusiasm fashion icon Susie Greene. Captured in my tiny kitchen before I left the house, I ending up evoking a mix of old lesbian and Hillary Clinton — both unintentional.Me vs Hillary ClintonIf you’re ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago

  • How extreme was the Earth's temperature in 2023
    This is a re-post from Andrew Dessler at the Climate Brink blog In 2023, the Earth reached temperature levels unprecedented in modern times. Given that, it’s reasonable to ask: What’s going on? There’s been lots of discussions by scientists about whether this is just the normal progression of global warming or if something ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago

  • Backbone, revisited
    The schools are on holiday and the sun is shining in the seaside village and all day long I have been seeing bunches of bikes; Mums, Dads, teens and toddlers chattering, laughing, happy, having a bloody great time together. Cheers, AT, for the bits of lane you’ve added lately around the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • Ministers are not above the law
    Today in our National-led authoritarian nightmare: Shane Jones thinks Ministers should be above the law: New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of over-stepping its mandate by subpoenaing a minister for its urgent hearing on the Oranga Tamariki claim. The tribunal is looking into the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • What’s the outfit you can hear going down the gurgler? Probably it’s David Parker’s Oceans Sec...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point  of Order first heard of the Oceans Secretariat in June 2021, when David Parker (remember him?) announced a multi-agency approach to protecting New Zealand’s marine ecosystems and fisheries. Parker (holding the Environment, and Oceans and Fisheries portfolios) broke the news at the annual Forest & ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Bryce Edwards writes  – Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Matt Doocey doubles down on trans “healthcare”
    Citizen Science writes –  Last week saw two significant developments in the debate over the treatment of trans-identifying children and young people – the release in Britain of the final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review into gender healthcare, and here in New Zealand, the news that the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • A TikTok Prime Minister.
    One night while sleeping in my bed I had a beautiful dreamThat all the people of the world got together on the same wavelengthAnd began helping one anotherNow in this dream, universal love was the theme of the dayPeace and understanding and it happened this wayAfter such an eventful day ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • Texas Lessons
    This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    3 days ago

  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links at 6:06 am
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours as of 6:06 am on Wednesday, April 17 are:Must read: Secrecy shrouds which projects might be fast-tracked RNZ Farah HancockScoop: Revealed: Luxon has seven staffers working on social media content - partly paid for by taxpayer Newshub ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Fighting poverty on the holiday highway
    Turning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago

  • Bernard's six-stack of substacks at 6:26 pm
    Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • At a glance – Is the science settled?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • Apposite Quotations.
    How Long Is Long Enough? Gaza under Israeli bombardment, July 2014. This posting is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...
    Bowalley Road
    4 days ago

  • What’s a life worth now?
    You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Howling at the Moon
    Karl du Fresne writes –  There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Newshub is Dead.
    I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • Seymour is chuffed about cutting early-learning red tape – but we hear, too, that Jones has loose...
    Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago

  • Was Hawkesby entirely wrong?
    David Farrar  writes –  The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • PRC shadow looms as the Solomons head for election
    PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time. A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Climate Change: Criminal ecocide
    We are in the middle of a climate crisis. Last year was (again) the hottest year on record. NOAA has just announced another global coral bleaching event. Floods are threatening UK food security. So naturally, Shane Jones wants to make it easier to mine coal: Resources Minister Shane Jones ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago

  • Is saving one minute of a politician's time worth nearly $1 billion?
    Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • Long Tunnel or Long Con?
    Yesterday it was revealed that Transport Minister had asked Waka Kotahi to look at the options for a long tunnel through Wellington. State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    4 days ago

  • $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
    New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    17 hours ago

  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
    The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago

  • Judicial appointments announced
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago

  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago

  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
    A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago

  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago

  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago

  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
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  • Government backing mussel spat project
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  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
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  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
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  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
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  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
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  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
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  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
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  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
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  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
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  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
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  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
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  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
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  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
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  • New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
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  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
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  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board.   “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti.  “I have asked her to ...
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  • Roads of National Significance planning underway
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  • Navigating an unstable global environment
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  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
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  • NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
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  • Joint US and NZ declaration
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  • NZ and US to undertake further practical Pacific cooperation
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