The best Government that money can buy

Written By: - Date published: 9:31 am, October 11th, 2024 - 35 comments
Categories: act, election 2023, electoral systems, national, nz first, uncategorized - Tags:

There was some interesting news in a recent Radio New Zealand article where links between donations to National, Act and NZ First and entities who are getting the chance to have their fast track projects being prioritised under the Fast Track Approvals Bill were reported on.

It makes you wonder about the right’s campaign last election and the rather odd coincidence that entities who are currently getting their applications included in the Government’s fast track lists were previously signficiant donors to Government parties.

From Farah Hancock at Radio New Zealand:

Companies and shareholders associated with 12 fast-track projects gave more than $500,000 in political donations to National, Act and New Zealand First and their candidates, RNZ analysis shows.

The projects include a quarry extension into conservation land and a development whose owner was publicly supported by National MPs during a legal battle with Kāinga Ora.

…

An RNZ analysis of donations shows entities and individuals associated with 12 of the 149 projects that will be written into the Bill donated to National or its candidates in 2022 or 2023. These projects will be assessed by expert panels as to whether they proceed through the fast-track process.

Two also donated to NZ First or Shane Jones, and two donated a total of $150,000 to Act within the same period.

Of course Government spokespeople think that this unusual coincidence is nothing to worry about. According to Shane Jones all is ok since the donations have been reported.

In the event that entities donate to political parties, those donations are declared through the statutory process. I think it’s getting quite tiresome that people immediately leap toward the conclusion that something vile has happened.”

Has something vile happened? As reported by RNZ a big chunk of the donations that were made can be traced to Winton Land Limited. In the two years leading up to the election related entities gave $50,000 to Act and $156,154 to National.

Directors of the company include Steven Leonard Joyce whose name rings a bell for some reason. He was appointed as a director on June 22, 2023.

I previously covered this particular company’s activities in this post from 2023. At the time I noted that Winton had requested the Government to deal with its application to construct a village in South Auckland under the Urban Development Act 2020 so that the development could be speeded up.  This request was declined by Kainga Ora. The development was in the middle of a flood plain which does not seem to be a great place for the construction of new housing, particularly in these climate change enhanced times.

It is then that things become interesting as shown by this timeline:

  • October 2021 – application filed under the UDA.
  • November 19, 2021 – the application was declined.  The letter from Kainga Ora notes that “Winton’s proposal notes that it is a capable developer that is well-funded and does not require access to the funding and financing aspects of the Act, nor does it seek Kāinga Ora’s assistance with the completion of the development” in making its decision.  Flooding issues and the fact that the area is in the flight path of the Ardmore Airport are factors raised.
  • May 5 and 31, 2022 – Speargrass Holdings Ltd donates $52,894.70 to National.  Speargrass has one shareholder, Chris Meehan who is also a director of Winton.
  • October 20, 2022 – Winton files proceedings under the Commerce Act stating that the decision to decline its UDA application constitutes anti competitive conduct.
  • That same day Chris Bishop issues a press release stating the following:
    “The Government passed the Urban Development Act 2020 to enable developments like Sunfield, but now refuses to let the private sector use the powers under the Act. It’s no wonder Winton thinks this is anti-competitive behaviour, particularly when Kāinga Ora repeatedly outbids the private sector.“Ministers need to explain why they have said no to fast-tracking over 4000 new homes that would have created thousands of jobs. The excuse that Kāinga Ora is ‘too busy’ isn’t good enough. What exactly are the almost-2000 extra bureaucrats at the agency doing?”
  • March 15, 2023 – director Christopher Meehan donates $50,000 to Act.
  • Between May 25 and August 23, 2023 Meehan and his partner give National $103,260.
  • July 31, 2023 – Winton confirms that the quantum of damages it is seeking from the Crown is $138.5 million.

I said in my previous post then that if there was a change of Government I suspected the decision would be reversed rather quickly. Looks like the Government have chosen to fast track the application instead under the Fast Track Projects Bill.

Can anyone see a problem with this? Any concern that an entity in active dispute with the Government makes large donations to parties of the right, gets PR support for its dispute, and then gets included in the Fast Track Projects Bill?

The other examples also provide some interest. Fancy wanting to mine 65 square kilometers of Taranaki seabed  in blue whale and Māui dolphin habitat or to raise again the prospect of the Ruataniwha Dam in the Hawkes Bay.

Whether deliberate or not the impression created is that this Government is there for its sponsors and has an agenda that it does not necessarily want us to see.

35 comments on “The best Government that money can buy ”

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  1. Mike the Lefty 1
    11 October 2024 at 9:51 am

    The most corrupt government we have ever had in my lifetime, and I have seen quite a few.

    They are so arrogant and smug that they don't even care to try and hide it anymore. It is as one of their former campaign managers (Steven Joyce) used to say: Business as usual.

    Their Goebbels machine is directly funded and organized by the Atlas network and keeps the sheeple in ignorance of what is actually happening to them and to the country.

    • Macro 1.1
      11 October 2024 at 10:06 am

      The most corrupt government we have ever had in my lifetime, and I have seen quite a few.

      My thoughts too. Not only the most corrupt, but also the most incompetent. They have no idea of what their actual task is, and that is to govern a country for all, not just the "entitled" few.

    • Rosielee 1.2
      11 October 2024 at 10:35 am

      Not just arrogant, smug and corrupt – they are deliberately spiteful.

  2. ianmac 2
    11 October 2024 at 9:58 am

    Well done Miky. It certainly smells smelly to me. Am I surprised? No. This Government is intent on just normalising dishonesty.

  3. tWig 3
    11 October 2024 at 11:10 am

    Muldoon's was pretty corrupt, too. Some of the Think Big projects developed with public money somehow ended up in his mates’ hands. Just not reported on at the time.

    Look to RNZ getting its funding slashed to the bone for this hard-core political reporting.

    • James Simpson 3.1
      11 October 2024 at 12:10 pm

      Which Think Big projects ended up in his mate's hands? And how did Muldoon effect that?

    • Mike the Lefty 3.2
      11 October 2024 at 12:20 pm

      At least one of the Think Big projects was good – electrifying the main trunk railway line. One of the best things National ever did. A pity they never actually completely finished the job, though.

      • Belladonna 3.2.1
        11 October 2024 at 1:18 pm

        Not to mention the Clyde Dam, which has been a mainstay electricity source.

        • gsays 3.2.1.1
          11 October 2024 at 4:40 pm

          Right, ok, apart from electrifying main trunk line,

          Clyde Dam,

          Marsden Point refinery,

          expansion of NZ Steel @ Glenbrook

          what else did Think Big do for us?

          Oh how far the Nats have fallen. Bereft of courage and vision. I would tolerate a bit of corruption in return for multi generational benefits.

          New rail ferry ports, solar farms, continued electrification of the train set.

          • KJT 3.2.1.1.1
            11 October 2024 at 4:55 pm

            There were hits and misses, as you would expect, but on the whole think big contributed greatly to New Zealand. Clyde Dam, Marsden point, Rail etc.

            And, unfortunately even more to shareholders coffers at our expense, when they were sold off and privatised in the "Great fire sale" carried out by Governments after Muldoon. The earnings of many of those think big assets, for their shareholders after the sales, showed how daft selling most of them was.

            Never liked Muldoon at the time, but acknowledge he was the last Prime Minister we had with any sort of coherent longer term vision of building up assets, for New Zealanders future.

    • tc 3.3
      11 October 2024 at 12:49 pm

      Pity none of our owned MSM dont take a few swings at this cabal.

      My advice is you may as well folks as youre all surplus to requirements now.

      Im interested in seeing what the algorithms produce for the USA elections.

      Bezos Washington post IIRC had some deployed over voting result's data to produce copy for publishing last time out so wonder what that space will get up to this time around.

    • joe90 3.4
      11 October 2024 at 12:58 pm

      Some of the Think Big projects developed with public money somehow ended up in his mates’ hands.

      Do tell..

    • Belladonna 3.5
      11 October 2024 at 1:14 pm

      I doubt any of the Think Big projects ended up in private hands under Muldoon. His theory was all about state investment in large-scale projects.
      Many state assets did end up in private hands (Fay, Richwhite, Gibbs, etc.) during the sell-off under the 4th Labour government.

      • Patricia Bremner 3.5.1
        11 October 2024 at 5:37 pm

        Belladonna, you forgot to mention, it was widely known he had gone for many loans and NZ Inc was broke and needed to devalue 30%. However, after losing the Election, in a fit of pique Muldoon stalled handing over power, while all the elites shifted their wealth to safe havens and brought it back after the devaluation. This increased wealth allowed them to buy the Public assets. Muldoon has been reviled ever since, when the real crooks increased their wealth at the county's expense, and they are doing it again using their fast track vehicle. Smelly as!!

  5. gsays 5
    11 October 2024 at 12:21 pm

    While not wanting to distract from the issues raised here, I can't help but observe the most blatant example is the Real Estate 'industry' donations and policy outcome.

    As individuals what can we do?

    Wait and vote for another party with slightly fewer landlords in it?

  6. thinker 6
    11 October 2024 at 12:43 pm

    As a career public servant, spare a thought for the well-meaning people who work in places where these kind of rorts are happening.

    When you work in the public sector you have to accept that for the sake of democracy you'll have to work under policies that don't align with your own sometimes, but comments 1 and 1.1 paint a sorry picture of honest people working on some blatantly questionable policy outcomes, where Ministers are unwilling (afraid?) to unmask themselves to the public and are subject to ombudsman investigations into their actions.

    Easy to say "if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen", but when it's snowing outside and some of your colleagues who have already been pushed out the door are peering back at you through the window, it's a rock and a hard place choice.

  7. Obtrectator 7
    11 October 2024 at 1:18 pm

    " …. something vile has happened"

    I wonder what prompted Shame to come out with such a strong and emotive word. (Something like "untoward" would have been my choice.) Does he perhaps still have a dormant higher self which recognised the truth of that description and caused him to let it out?

  8. Adrian 8
    11 October 2024 at 2:54 pm

    Chippy needs to grow some and call on the G-G to sack the CoC for corruption.

  10. SPC 10
    11 October 2024 at 3:21 pm

    I wonder if the BBC will cover this?

    Transparency International?

    Those ranking nations for corruption?

    The backsliding on water quality and Paris Accord commitments, just the beginning.

    What low bar …

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/530476/revealed-all-the-300-fast-track-projects-and-ministers-conflicts-of-interest

  11. Burt 11
    11 October 2024 at 3:58 pm

    Absolute rubbish. Owen Glenn had the Clark government doing backflips.

    Stop rewriting history.

    • Macro 11.1
      11 October 2024 at 4:30 pm

      OMG! Your back!!!

      sad

    • SPC 11.2
      11 October 2024 at 4:31 pm

      Learn some before posting.

      Owen Glenn

      In 2002, Glenn donated $7.5 million to the University of Auckland for the development of the Business School's premises and facilities and ongoing improvements

      Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to philanthropy (2103 Key era).

      Glenn gave evidence to the New Zealand Parliament's Privileges Committee regarding the accuracy of statements made by Winston Peters, Leader of New Zealand First, about the donations Glenn had given to Peters. Parliament ultimately censured Peters for failing to declare the donations

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Owen_Glenn

    • SPC 11.3
      11 October 2024 at 4:32 pm

      What backflips?

  12. Bearded Git 12
    11 October 2024 at 4:39 pm

    Everybody seems to be forgetting this fast-track abomination. From the list:

    Westpower Limited

    Waitaha Hydro Project West Coast

    Renewable Energy
    The project will provide renewable energy equivalent to providing electricity to approximately 12,000 households.

    This will result in the damming of one of the pristine valleys on the West Coast between Harihari and Ross. Terrible idea, and stupid.

    Solar power stations on unremarkable landscape should be developed instead of wrecking the stunning West Coast valleys. These would also be cheaper.

  13. thinker 13
    11 October 2024 at 6:08 pm

    National takes hit in new TPU-Curia poll https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/530499/national-takes-hit-in-new-tpu-curia-poll

    "… people will like him more when they get to know him…"

    Yeah, Right

  14. feijoa 14
    11 October 2024 at 6:20 pm

    Excellent job RNZ. Top notch journalism. Won't hold my breath to see if any of the others pick it up.

    What's the bet RNZ will have their funding cut /and/ or privatised. (as punishment)

  15. Muttonbird 15
    11 October 2024 at 9:25 pm

    Instead of New Zealand people working hard to pay their share toward things like expert advice on the sense and viability of an infrastructure project and what the benefits are for all, Bishop and co have taken the money anyway but not put it back on we New Zealand people to do the expert work.

    They are saying to people worked to the bone and struggling to make a life for their families, 'we're going to let every cowboy do their pet project for profit regardless. We've removed the oversight you paid for, so you try and stop us'.

  16. Fred Evans 16
    12 October 2024 at 12:35 pm

    I am surprised no one has brought up Luxons post Larry Fink meeting press conference on his recent Washington DC trip where he revealed that the Fast Track Bill was specifically drafted with Black Rock investment in mind . Any potential kick backs could be huge .

  17. SPC 17
    12 October 2024 at 11:06 pm

    A Washington Post article about Trump swimming in the swamp, as if it is his personal swimming pool.

    Trump’s ties to Big Tobacco go deeper. The largest corporate donor to the primary super PAC supporting Trump’s presidential bid is a subsidiary of Reynolds American. One of the tobacco company’s lobbyists is Brian Ballard, a close associate of the former president who suggested the company donate to Trump’s political efforts, according to people familiar with the discussions. Ballard attended a lengthy meeting between Trump and Reynolds executives earlier this year in New York, said one of the people.

    https://wapo.st/485XSOL