The birth of NZ’s very own Birther movement

Written By: - Date published: 9:07 pm, September 26th, 2013 - 81 comments
Categories: david cunliffe, labour, uncategorized, you couldn't make this shit up - Tags: ,

slaterThe right must be very afraid of David Cunliffe.  Because they are coming up with the most extraordinarily crazy conspiracy theories to try and discredit him.

It is becoming a bit like the Birther movement in the US.  Over in the land of the free and the brave some chose to exercise their freedom of speech by claiming that the President of the United States was not born there but was actually born in Kenya.  There is no proof that this actually occurred.  Their basic motivation appears to be that Obama is black.  Deep down they cannot accept that a black person could or should be their leader.  And so they have talked up an amazing conspiracy theory.  It is full of dog whistle, after all they are not complaining that their leader is black, just that he was born in a nation where most of the people had dark skins.  And he is obviously not an American, so why should he lead them.

And despite POTUS producing an unimpeachable piece of paper showing that he is American born, they refuse to believe this and still claim that he is an Alien.  As far as I am aware a poll has not been conducted but I suspect that a significant part of the Birther movement believe that Obama was born on one of Jupiter’s moons.  I guess that democracy requires an acceptance that some people may have the most bat shit crazy beliefs possible.

Despite their efforts, actually probably because of their efforts, Obama was recently reelected leader of the free world.  The last election was fascinating.  Obama probably won the first because he lifted everyone with his soaring oratory and vision, he won the last election because lefties and progressives, even while harbouring significant reservations, insisted that their country should be run by someone who was at least sane.

Over here things are developing in the same way.  David Cunliffe has recently received the overwhelming endorsement of Labour Party members and affiliates.  He has then engaged in a dream week where he has been concise and competent when interviewed by the media, sharp with his policy announcements and somehow he has made the Labour caucus look united.  He then had a significant bump in the latest Herald Digipoll and for the first time in 6 years Labour and National are suddenly getting close to equal pegging.

So what does National do?  It engages its social media geniuses to try and destroy Cunliffe’s reputation.

First off Matthew Hooton calls Cunliffe a liar because he said he had some involvement, not specified, in the formation of Fonterra.  Not once, but four times on National Radio.  An apology today by Kathryn Ryan shows what RNZ thinks of Hooton’s claims.

And then Cameron leaps to the fore and decides to attack Cunliffe’s release of a document showing that when he was with BCG he did work that led up to the formation of Fonterra.  Not just with one post, but with multiple posts where he quotes people such as “A Reader”, also known as a staffer of National’s Parliamentary Research Unit, as confirmation that there is something dodgy about the timesheet that Cunliffe produced.

So let me get this right.  Cunliffe produces a fake timesheet that he says was provided by Boston Consultancy Group, one of the most well respected consultancies in the world with offices in 75 countries and BCG will not notice if it is a fake?  Do you think that if the timesheet is false BCG may actually express its concern?

This has about the same chance as Obama being Kenya born.  Actually it is less likely.

We are witnessing the birth of our very own birther movement.

 

81 comments on “The birth of NZ’s very own Birther movement ”

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  1. Colonial Viper 1
    26 September 2013 at 9:13 pm

    The Righties appear to be spiralling out of control. This is developing into a big problem for Key. If he doesn’t rein them back in it will eat into the credibility of any future attacks on Cunliffe eg during the actual campaign next year.

    • chris73 1.1
      26 September 2013 at 9:54 pm

      This isn’t really required by the right, I’d suggest just sticking with Andrea Vances articles and keep leaking whats coming out of Labour

      • mickysavage 1.1.1
        26 September 2013 at 9:59 pm

        Chris do you get instructions from on high? In the past I agree that Labour leaked like a sieve but my impression is that the caucus is very resolute right now. Do you have any evidence of Labour MPs leaking? Or are you just running lines in the hope that your wishes match reality?

        • chris73 1.1.1.1
          26 September 2013 at 10:32 pm

          Depends because from where I was sitting Phil Goff did an admirable job but was hamstrung by his ministers, David Shearer was set up and dropped by his ministers and Cunliffe was apparently a tad unpopular with some in the party as well

          Yet somehow everything has now changed and its all solidarity and teamwork…its also the same thing that was said during Goffs and Shearers tenure

          You have (mostly) the same people in (mostly) the same positions and yet you think you’re going to have a different outcome?

          I think the same people that stopped Goff from becoming PM, didn’t even let Shearer get to the campaign and actively tried to roadblock Cunliffe are still there and are leaking like a sieve

          Why they’re leaking is something I don’t get because whats the point of being a politician and not wanting to have the power?

        • David H 1.1.1.2
          27 September 2013 at 7:05 am

          Great article Micky, Except I think this “Over in the land of the free and the brave” Should really read ” Over in the land of the Paranoid and Insane.” Now that a way more apt description of the state of mind over there.

          Sorry did not meant to detract from the discussion, but with Chris73 up to his RWNJ Tricks.

      • billy fish 1.1.2
        26 September 2013 at 10:07 pm

        The article also forgot to mention the other facet of the “birther movement” here
        Continual claims that all the shit is coming from inside Labour in an ever increasing leak torrent

        Happy birther day Chris

      • Colonial Viper 1.1.3
        26 September 2013 at 10:08 pm

        Another bad poll or two and National is going to start leaking like Fukushima

        • Rhinocrates 1.1.3.1
          26 September 2013 at 10:21 pm

          Good point. To assume that National is united would be stupid; the would-be successors to Key will see any weakening of his position as an opportunity. Collins may not believe that she can take the leadership before the next election, but after that, surely…

          Keep an ear out for the leaks coming from what so far has been a tightly disciplined machine, but which won’t be for long.

        • Chooky 1.1.3.2
          26 September 2013 at 10:42 pm

          CV+1….smirk

      • mike e 1.1.4
        26 September 2013 at 10:35 pm

        C73 the birther movement has lead to a miscarriage of justice

  2. Hayden 2
    26 September 2013 at 9:22 pm

    WHAR TYMSHET? WHAR?

  4. irascible 4
    26 September 2013 at 9:27 pm

    On Planet Key life can be measured by the slaters which crawl from the woodwork a hooton’ and a hollering that they only have the true tin foil hats to preserve NZ from a Labour government.
    Mind you I’ve heard Key echo the tinfoil conspiracy recently when he proclaimed that a Labour-Green coalition would not be a genuine government if the only opposition was him and his National-ACT party.
    Me thinks the residents of Planet Key are losing their grip on the already shadowy reality they may have.

  5. Pete 5
    26 September 2013 at 9:57 pm

    I mentioned on Monday how Hooton sounded like a shrill Birther or a Truther. Do we have some Koch brothers to go along with it?

  6. Tim 6
    26 September 2013 at 10:10 pm

    He’s running lines. Polly wanna cracker?

  7. karol 7
    26 September 2013 at 10:12 pm

    excellent post, micky. I am amazed how some righties have chosen to keep on trying to claim something that has been proved to be incorrect.

    Mind you, I wonder how much of it is a diversionary tactic? Hard to tell how sincere they are. It means us lefties spend a little less time talking about important policy issues.

  8. QoT 8
    26 September 2013 at 10:15 pm

    Well, see, BCG are obviously part of the conspiracy. Notice the three letters in their name?

    B = Bolshevik
    C = Communist
    G = Gorbachev

    WAKE UP, SHEEPLE.

    • mickysavage 8.1
      26 September 2013 at 10:16 pm

      😀
      😀
      😀

    • Pete 8.2
      26 September 2013 at 10:29 pm

      Just another one to add to The List:

      List of Conspirators Against the National Party, and Therefore New Zealand

      The Boston Consulting Group
      Public broadcasting, especially Radio New Zealand
      Timesheets
      Shower heads
      Gays
      Lesbians
      Artists
      Actors
      Anyone who didn’t like The Hobbit
      All columnists except Fran O’Sullivan
      People who move overseas
      People with student loans
      People who move overseas with student loans
      People who return from overseas with student loans
      Safety inspectors
      The entire city of Christchurch
      Maths
      Bloggers
      ASB Bank
      The Governor of the Reserve Bank
      BBC Hardtalk
      Scientists
      The Commerce Commission
      The Ombudsman
      John Campbell
      Parliamentary Services
      BMW
      Jon Stephenson
      Three-way handshakes
      Nicky Hagar
      Breakfast (the meal)
      Martyn Bradbury
      Environmentalists
      The Supreme Court
      Labour Unions
      The entire public service, except Treasury and the intelligence agencies
      Teachers
      Universities
      Academics
      Bernard Hickey
      Gareth Morgan

      Feel free to amend as you like

  9. karol 9
    26 September 2013 at 10:24 pm

    The suggestion on another thread that the documents Cunliffe provided to RNZ were obviously fake? Did this misguided person think that the documents hadn’t been scrutinised and accepted by RNZ’s lawyers/researchers?

    Or were they just not that bothered, with this issue that could have legal repercussions for them?

    • David H 9.1
      27 September 2013 at 8:18 am

      I think it was attributed to Whaleslime’s sewer site, and therefor a non event. But not positive.

  10. Rhinocrates 10
    26 September 2013 at 10:27 pm

    Vespasian, a Roman emperor (certainly one of the better ones), once said of a critic – “I will not kill a dog for barking at me,” and the effect was far more devastating than an execution would have been. David Cunliffe seems to have handled this well, by making an immediate link with the birthers.

    If this keeps up, they won’t look evil, they’ll look silly – and politically, that’s worse.

    An old proverb, attributed to every great philosopher is this: “who defines the terms wins the argument.” That’s why Gaffe and Mumblefuck lost – it was always “me too” or attacking beneficiaries and teachers. They let Key determine the terms of the argument, as Thatcher said that Blair was her greatest triumph. This time it’s “you’re not even Satan – he had depth”, and it works.

    • Rhinocrates 10.1
      26 September 2013 at 10:45 pm

      I’ll have to say, he certainly didn’t say “Bow wow!” either, which was what Gaffe and Mumblefuck did.

    • The Al1en 10.2
      26 September 2013 at 10:50 pm

      “If this keeps up, they won’t look evil, they’ll look silly – and politically, that’s worse.”

      Watch DC with Gower, he already does this by talking to him like a naughty 5 year old.
      Fun to see.

      • Rhinocrates 10.2.1
        27 September 2013 at 12:12 am

        Seeing Rat Boy put in his place would be nice – do you have a link?

        • The Al1en 10.2.1.1
          27 September 2013 at 9:12 am

          I don’t have a link, but if it helps, there’s a small example of it at the end of DC’s candidature press conference, which would be somewhere on the tv3 site I guess.
          It’s happened a few times before and a couple after, but just check the tone and manner of Cunliffe’s replies next time they’re both on if you can’t find one. I’m picking pre planned as a neutralising tactic, though accept it could well be a subconscious thing.

    • Mike S 10.3
      27 September 2013 at 6:34 am

      Exactly. They obviously didn’t even consider that Cunliffe would produce a timesheet and what’s more produce it immediately for scrutiny. Talk about thickwits.. This is a thing I see in Cunliffe, he is not afraid to stand up and defend himself instead of dismissing the issue as if beneath him or hiding from the issue. In my opinion his actions show someone who has a strong belief in what’s right and who will fight rather than flee or crumple.

      • Delia 10.3.1
        27 September 2013 at 12:24 pm

        He has been around enough that he knows all their dirty tricks and he knows what to do with them, he is not Helen’s ‘son’ for nothing.

    • Rodel 10.4
      27 September 2013 at 9:19 am

      Rhinocrates
      Your Vespasian,quote was on the button but the terminology maligns dogs…. For G and H It’s ‘rodents’.

  11. bad12 11
    26 September 2013 at 10:37 pm

    Now that Blubber Boy has destroyed the ‘news spit paper’ that they gave Him to play with,(Daddy’s attempt to make the little psycho grow up???), what’s the lump of lard do for a crust these days,

    Back on the sickness bene for psyche issues is it, could never quite work that one out either, what was the line there, Wee Cam the only sickness bene in the whole nation who wasn’t faking it…

    • Delia 11.1
      27 September 2013 at 12:30 pm

      He should be happy to be on a Job Seeker allowance and go find another job…just like he and his mate expect all those other ‘bludgers’ do do.

    • Delia 11.2
      27 September 2013 at 12:30 pm

      He should be happy to be on a Job Seeker allowance and go find another job…just like he and his mates expect all those other ‘bludgers’ do do.

    • Murray Olsen 11.3
      27 September 2013 at 3:23 pm

      I have heard that WhaleSpew uses private income insurance. The insurance company possibly thinks it’s better to just pay him than wrestle with a pig in mud. Of course, this probably also allows him to receive money from all sorts of sources that wouldn’t be possibly if he relied on Paula for his income.

      • lprent 11.3.1
        27 September 2013 at 4:29 pm

        I thought that his insurers had cut him off a few years ago.

        • Murray Olsen 11.3.1.1
          27 September 2013 at 8:22 pm

          It’s quite possible that what I heard was wrong. How he supports himself is hardly one of the things that excites my curiosity. On a sociological/psychological level, I am curious as to how he manages to be as influential as he is. I can see why NAct would have him around, as it’s hard to imagine a depth he wouldn’t sink to in his slavish devotion to his daddy’s legacy, but why on Earth does anyone put him on tv?

          • lprent 11.3.1.1.1
            28 September 2013 at 10:26 am

            TV in NZ has dropped to depths that make the news and much of the political commentary to be laughable. It has largely become infotainment and played as much for laughs are information. If you want information then most younger people just use the net – including what broadcast TV is worth .

            The other content on TV is just as useless, including Sky’s pay TV.

            It was kind of weird the other day realising that virtually no one at work watches more than a miniscule amount of broadcast TV any more. They pay reasonably small amounts of money to get their entertainment without ads and in their own time schedules. I’d thought that it was just my circle of friend and family who were doing that.

            I haven’t connected the TV aerial since I moved back into my apartment last september.

            Whaleoil is presumably entertaining and suits the content makers of a dying industry.

  12. mike e 12
    26 September 2013 at 11:08 pm

    hopefully bennett has him drug tested and ready for work!

  13. hellonearthis 13
    26 September 2013 at 11:26 pm

    Matthew Hooton made his claim 5 times before he was told to shut up. He was given a warning at four and then said it again.

  14. tracey 14
    27 September 2013 at 5:38 am

    never underestimate tgd power of the right. whoever controls the dialogue wins and murdoch controls the dialogue… gonna be hard work defying that.

  15. Aotearoean 15
    27 September 2013 at 7:01 am

    Mathew Hooton will have to decide who needs him after the next election?

    • Tim 15.1
      27 September 2013 at 7:24 am

      I think he has aspirations of a job with Crosby Textor

    • David H 15.2
      27 September 2013 at 10:01 am

      And he’s going to point to his “Liar Liar Liar etc etc ad naseum” debacle on his CV? Not a good look, accuser, then made to look a fool all in under 24hrs.

    • felix 15.3
      27 September 2013 at 10:25 am

      He’ll probably be hospitalised by then.

      Unfortunately there’s no cure for what Hooten has, so he’ll almost certainly live out his last days in the “Hospice For Failed Desperate Spinners Who Got Lucky A Couple Of Times And Don’t Know When They’ve Outlived Their Usefulness”.

      You know, where John Ansell lives.

  16. Saarbo 16
    27 September 2013 at 9:26 am

    These idiots can say what they like about Cunliffe, but they (Hooten, Whale, Farrar, Armstrong, Vance) who have a go at him and his CV wouldn’t get close to being employed by BCG. BCG are a clever bunch and to become a BCG consultant requires serious brain power and qualifications. In my 15 year corporate career (I’m out of that scene now, too constraining, they can go and stick their “performance appraisals” up their arse, you know what I mean, the indignity of corporate life) I learned more when the company I worked for contracted BCG than in any other environment I worked in. They come out with some amazing thinking and tools to boost business performance, so I’m very interested to see what DC comes out with in terms of economic development.

    And I have a chuckle when I think about DC versus Steven Joyce, the small time radio man from New Plymouth who made good by rationalising a few radio stations into national format…that is his one claim to fame and he now thinks he has the know-how to create economic development in New Zealand (Lets be honest, he is doing fuck all). In my 15 year corporate career I worked beside heaps of consultants, and BCG would be the only consultant that I reckon were worth the money paid to them, and its fair to say it was serious money too. Steven Joyce wouldn’t get close to being employed by BCG, he’s a lightweight and his performance shows it.

    • tinfoilhat 16.1
      27 September 2013 at 10:08 am

      Strange I also used to work in the corporate sector many years ago and also had dealings with BCG (not David Cunliffe) though, my impression was that they were very expensive buffoons and yes men (very few woman) and generally pretty crap.

      • Saarbo 16.1.1
        27 September 2013 at 6:22 pm

        @tinfoilhat

        There were more women than men on the Fletcher Challenge Paper job, many process engineers with phd’s from US and Aus universities from memory.

        • karol 16.1.1.1
          27 September 2013 at 6:30 pm

          When I was researching Cunliffe, BCG & Fonterra, I found a couple of ex BCG women and men now with Fonterra.

    • Cemetery Jones 16.2
      27 September 2013 at 11:12 am

      One of the most comedic moments from Whale’s Birther/Bircher threads on Cunliffe’s document was the one where a WO moderator, ‘Petal’ indignantly posted that BCG hadn’t replied to his email request for info confirming the legitimacy of the document, so he phoned them. He added that when he told them what blog he was from, they forwarded him to a voicemail. Then, after a dramatic line-break, added ‘I think I’m being stonewalled.’

      I actually sprayed coffee. The idea of the conceited little knob calling BCG and trying to strong-arm his way past reception with an Aaron Gilmore-esque ‘do you know what blog I am from?’ bluff had me in stitches.The dramatic line-break followed with the ‘I think I’m being stonewalled’ might just have damaged my bladder for good in my effort to retain continence.

      The evident cognitive dissonance was fantastic. He may as well have posted a video sobbing “But I thought big business was on our side?”

    • newsense 16.3
      1 October 2013 at 12:59 am

      let’s wait and see him prove that. A dullard with a club can beat a knight with a sword if he hits him first and when he’s not ready…proof of the pudding is the results.

  17. trickldrown 17
    27 September 2013 at 11:02 am

    Hooten is going to work for fisher and paykel so they can do
    research on machines that a permanently stuck on spin cycle.

    • Sable 17.1
      27 September 2013 at 1:01 pm

      I thought he might be working with agricultural research to develop his own brand of extra strength fertilizer..

  18. Sable 18
    27 September 2013 at 1:00 pm

    I think Shakespeare said it best: why stoop to pick up nothing…

    • billy fish 18.1
      27 September 2013 at 6:10 pm

      Is there nothing that Shakespeare had no quote for? I am always awed by the mans skill. The Motzart of the English language

  19. Rhinocrates 19
    27 September 2013 at 11:52 pm

    Funny that Hoots hasn’t shown up here – you know, to “stand by” his excretions. He’s got moral courage and facts by his side – or so he he says, so he’ll “stand by” what he says, I expect.

    Mind you, I once stood in a paddock by a cow pat, so I guess I “stood by” that and so it’s pretty easy.

  20. the sprout 20
    28 September 2013 at 10:27 am

    such fear and loathing towards Cunliffe from the right, and yet they seemed to love Shearer and the ABC.
    funny that

  21. CV 21
    29 September 2013 at 10:57 am

    I have Cameron Slaters CV

    2003 Owned Security Company
    2004 Inbetween Jobs
    2012 Editor of Truth (6 months)
    2012 to today Inbeween Jobs

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  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Thursday, July 25

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Thursday, July 25 are:News: Why Electric Kiwi is closing to new customers - and why it matters RNZ’s Susan EdmundsScoop: Government drops ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • The Possum: Demon or Friend?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:40 am on Wednesday, July 24 are:Deep Dive: Chipping away at the housing crisis, including my comments RNZ/Newsroom’s The DetailNews: Government softens on asset sales, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • LXR Takaanini

    As I reported about the city centre, Auckland’s rail network is also going through a difficult and disruptive period which is rapidly approaching a culmination, this will result in a significant upgrade to the whole network. Hallelujah. Also like the city centre this is an upgrade predicated on the City ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    3 days ago
  • Four kilograms of pain

    Today, a 4 kilogram report will be delivered to Parliament. We know this is what the report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care weighs, because our Prime Minister told us so.Some reporter had blindsided him by asking a question about something done by ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Wednesday, July 24, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Beehive: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced plans to use PPPs to fund, build and run a four-lane expressway between Auckland ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Luxon gets caught out

    NewstalkZB host Mike Hosking, who can usually be relied on to give Prime Minister Christopher Luxon an easy run, did not do so yesterday when he interviewed him about the HealthNZ deficit. Luxon is trying to use a deficit reported last year by HealthNZ as yet another example of the ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago
  • A worrying sign

    Back in January a StatsNZ employee gave a speech at Rātana on behalf of tangata whenua in which he insulted and criticised the government. The speech clearly violated the principle of a neutral public service, and StatsNZ started an investigation. Part of that was getting an external consultant to examine ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Are we fine with 47.9% home-ownership by 2048?

    Renting for life: Shared ownership initiatives are unlikely to slow the slide in home ownership by much. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:A Deloitte report for Westpac has projected Aotearoa’s home-ownership rate will ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Let's Win This

    You're broken down and tiredOf living life on a merry go roundAnd you can't find the fighterBut I see it in you so we gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsWe gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsAnd I'll rise upI'll rise like the dayI'll rise upI'll rise unafraidI'll rise upAnd I'll ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Waimahara: The Singing Spirit of Water

    There’s been a change in Myers Park. Down the steps from St. Kevin’s Arcade, past the grassy slopes, the children’s playground, the benches and that goat statue, there has been a transformation. The underpass for Mayoral Drive has gone from a barren, grey, concrete tunnel, to a place that thrums ...
    Greater AucklandBy Connor Sharp
    4 days ago
  • A major milestone: Global climate pollution may have just peaked

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections Global society may have finally slammed on the brakes for climate-warming pollution released by human fossil fuel combustion. According to the Carbon Monitor Project, the total global climate pollution released between February and May 2024 declined slightly from the amount released during the same ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Tuesday, July 23 are:Deep Dive: Penlink: where tolling rhetoric meets reality BusinessDesk-$$$’s Oliver LewisScoop: Te Pūkenga plans for regional polytechs leak out ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Tuesday, July 23, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Health: Shane Reti announced the Board of Te Whatu Ora- Health New Zealand was being replaced with Commissioner Lester Levy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • HealthNZ and Luxon at cross purposes over budget blowout

    Health NZ warned the Government at the end of March that it was running over Budget. But the reasons it gave were very different to those offered by the Prime Minister yesterday. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon blamed the “botched merger” of the 20 District Health Boards (DHBs) to create Health ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • 2500-3000 more healthcare staff expected to be fired, as Shane Reti blames Labour for a budget defic...

    Long ReadKey Summary: Although National increased the health budget by $1.4 billion in May, they used an old funding model to project health system costs, and never bothered to update their pre-election numbers. They were told during the Health Select Committees earlier in the year their budget amount was deficient, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    4 days ago
  • Might Kamala Harris be about to get a 'stardust' moment like Jacinda Ardern?

    As a momentous, historic weekend in US politics unfolded, analysts and commentators grasped for precedents and comparisons to help explain the significance and power of the choice Joe Biden had made. The 46th president had swept the Democratic party’s primaries but just over 100 days from the election had chosen ...
    PunditBy Tim Watkin
    5 days ago
  • Solutions Interview: Steven Hail on MMT & ecological economics

    TL;DR: I’m casting around for new ideas and ways of thinking about Aotearoa’s political economy to find a few solutions to our cascading and self-reinforcing housing, poverty and climate crises.Associate Professor runs an online masters degree in the economics of sustainability at Torrens University in Australia and is organising ...
    The KakaBy Steven Hail
    5 days ago
  • Reported back

    The Finance and Expenditure Committee has reported back on National's Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Bill. The bill sets up water for privatisation, and was introduced under urgency, then rammed through select committee with no time even for local councils to make a proper submission. Naturally, national's select committee ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Vandrad the Viking, Christopher Coombes, and Literary Archaeology

    Some years ago, I bought a book at Dunedin’s Regent Booksale for $1.50. As one does. Vandrad the Viking (1898), by J. Storer Clouston, is an obscure book these days – I cannot find a proper online review – but soon it was sitting on my shelf, gathering dust alongside ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On The Biden Withdrawal

    History is not on the side of the centre-left, when Democratic presidents fall behind in the polls and choose not to run for re-election. On both previous occasions in the past 75 years (Harry Truman in 1952, Lyndon Johnson in 1968) the Democrats proceeded to then lose the White House ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    5 days ago
  • Joe Biden's withdrawal puts the spotlight back on Kamala and the USA's complicated relatio...

    This is a free articleCoverageThis morning, US President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the Presidential race. And that is genuinely newsworthy. Thanks for your service, President Biden, and all the best to you and yours.However, the media in New Zealand, particularly the 1News nightly bulletin, has been breathlessly covering ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    5 days ago
  • Why we have to challenge our national fiscal assumptions

    A homeless person’s camp beside a blocked-off slipped damage walkway in Freeman’s Bay: we are chasing our tail on our worsening and inter-related housing, poverty and climate crises. Photo: Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Existential Crisis and Damaged Brains

    What has happened to it all?Crazy, some'd sayWhere is the life that I recognise?(Gone away)But I won't cry for yesterdayThere's an ordinary worldSomehow I have to findAnd as I try to make my wayTo the ordinary worldYesterday morning began as many others - what to write about today? I began ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • A speed limit is not a target, and yet…

    This is a guest post from longtime supporter Mr Plod, whose previous contributions include a proposal that Hamilton become New Zealand’s capital city, and that we should switch which side of the road we drive on. A recent Newsroom article, “Back to school for the Govt’s new speed limit policy“, ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Monday, July 22 are:Today’s Must Read: Father and son live in a tent, and have done for four years, in a million ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Monday, July 22, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:US President Joe Biden announced via X this morning he would not stand for a second term.Multinational professional services firm ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #29

    A listing of 32 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, July 14, 2024 thru Sat, July 20, 2024. Story of the week As reflected by preponderance of coverage, our Story of the Week is Project 2025. Until now traveling ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago
  • I'd like to share what I did this weekend

    This weekend, a friend pointed out someone who said they’d like to read my posts, but didn’t want to pay. And my first reaction was sympathy.I’ve already told folks that if they can’t comfortably subscribe, and would like to read, I’d be happy to offer free subscriptions. I don’t want ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • For the children – Why mere sentiment can be a misleading force in our lives, and lead to unex...

    National: The Party of ‘Law and Order’ IntroductionThis weekend, the Government formally kicked off one of their flagship policy programs: a military style boot camp that New Zealand has experimented with over the past 50 years. Cartoon credit: Guy BodyIt’s very popular with the National Party’s Law and Order image, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • A friend in uncertain times

    Day one of the solo leg of my long journey home begins with my favourite sound: footfalls in an empty street. 5.00 am and it’s already light and already too warm, almost.If I can make the train that leaves Budapest later this hour I could be in Belgrade by nightfall; ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • The Chaotic World of Male Diet Influencers

    Hi,We’ll get to the horrific world of male diet influencers (AKA Beefy Boys) shortly, but first you will be glad to know that since I sent out the Webworm explaining why the assassination attempt on Donald Trump was not a false flag operation, I’ve heard from a load of people ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • It's Starting To Look A Lot Like… Y2K

    Do you remember Y2K, the threat that hung over humanity in the closing days of the twentieth century? Horror scenarios of planes falling from the sky, electronic payments failing and ATMs refusing to dispense cash. As for your VCR following instructions and recording your favourite show - forget about it.All ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Bernard’s Saturday Soliloquy for the week to July 20

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts being questioned by The Kākā’s Bernard Hickey.TL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 20 were:1. A strategy that fails Zero Carbon Act & Paris targetsThe National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government finally unveiled ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Pharmac Director, Climate Change Commissioner, Health NZ Directors – The latest to quit this m...

    Summary:As New Zealand loses at least 12 leaders in the public service space of health, climate, and pharmaceuticals, this month alone, directly in response to the Government’s policies and budget choices, what lies ahead may be darker than it appears. Tui examines some of those departures and draws a long ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 week ago
  • Flooding Housing Policy

    The Minister of Housing’s ambition is to reduce markedly the ratio of house prices to household incomes. If his strategy works it would transform the housing market, dramatically changing the prospects of housing as an investment.Leaving aside the Minister’s metaphor of ‘flooding the market’ I do not see how the ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago
  • A Voyage Among the Vandals: Accepted (Again!)

    As previously noted, my historical fantasy piece, set in the fifth-century Mediterranean, was accepted for a Pirate Horror anthology, only for the anthology to later fall through. But in a good bit of news, it turned out that the story could indeed be re-marketed as sword and sorcery. As of ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā's Chorus for Friday, July 19

    An employee of tobacco company Philip Morris International demonstrates a heated tobacco device. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy on Friday, July 19 are:At a time when the Coalition Government is cutting spending on health, infrastructure, education, housing ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 8:30 am on Friday, July 19 are:Scoop: NZ First Minister Casey Costello orders 50% cut to excise tax on heated tobacco products. The minister has ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Roundup 19-July-2024

    Kia ora, it’s time for another Friday roundup, in which we pull together some of the links and stories that caught our eye this week. Feel free to add more in the comments! Our header image this week shows a foggy day in Auckland town, captured by Patrick Reynolds. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: A market-led plan for failure

    TL;DR : Here’s the top six items climate news for Aotearoa this week, as selected by Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer. A discussion recorded yesterday is in the video above and the audio of that sent onto the podcast feed.The Government released its draft Emissions Reduction ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Tobacco First

    Save some money, get rich and old, bring it back to Tobacco Road.Bring that dynamite and a crane, blow it up, start all over again.Roll up. Roll up. Or tailor made, if you prefer...Whether you’re selling ciggies, digging for gold, catching dolphins in your nets, or encouraging folks to flutter ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Trump’s Adopted Son.

    Waiting In The Wings: For truly, if Trump is America’s un-assassinated Caesar, then J.D. Vance is America’s Octavian, the Republic’s youthful undertaker – and its first Emperor.DONALD TRUMP’S SELECTION of James D. Vance as his running-mate bodes ill for the American republic. A fervent supporter of Viktor Orban, the “illiberal” prime ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 19, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:The PSA announced the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) had ruled in the PSA’s favour in its case against the Ministry ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

  • Joint statement from the Prime Ministers of Canada, Australia and New Zealand

    Australia, Canada and New Zealand today issued the following statement on the need for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the risk of expanded conflict between Hizballah and Israel. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue.  We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    17 hours ago
  • AG reminds institutions of legal obligations

    Attorney-General Judith Collins today reminded all State and faith-based institutions of their legal obligation to preserve records relevant to the safety and wellbeing of those in its care. “The Abuse in Care Inquiry’s report has found cases where records of the most vulnerable people in State and faith‑based institutions were ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago
  • More young people learning about digital safety

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government’s online safety website for children and young people has reached one million page views.  “It is great to see so many young people and their families accessing the site Keep It Real Online to learn how to stay safe online, and manage ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago
  • Speech to the Conference for General Practice 2024

    Tēnā tātou katoa,  Ngā mihi te rangi, ngā mihi te whenua, ngā mihi ki a koutou, kia ora mai koutou. Thank you for the opportunity to be here and the invitation to speak at this 50th anniversary conference. I acknowledge all those who have gone before us and paved the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago
  • Employers and payroll providers ready for tax changes

    New Zealand’s payroll providers have successfully prepared to ensure 3.5 million individuals will, from Wednesday next week, be able to keep more of what they earn each pay, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Revenue Minister Simon Watts.  “The Government's tax policy changes are legally effective from Wednesday. Delivering this tax ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Experimental vineyard futureproofs wine industry

    An experimental vineyard which will help futureproof the wine sector has been opened in Blenheim by Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson. The covered vineyard, based at the New Zealand Wine Centre – Te Pokapū Wāina o Aotearoa, enables controlled environmental conditions. “The research that will be produced at the Experimental ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Funding confirmed for regions affected by North Island Weather Events

    The Coalition Government has confirmed the indicative regional breakdown of North Island Weather Event (NIWE) funding for state highway recovery projects funded through Budget 2024, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Regions in the North Island suffered extensive and devastating damage from Cyclone Gabrielle and the 2023 Auckland Anniversary Floods, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Indonesian Foreign Minister to visit

    Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, will visit New Zealand next week, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.   “Indonesia is important to New Zealand’s security and economic interests and is our closest South East Asian neighbour,” says Mr Peters, who is currently in Laos to engage with South East Asian partners. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Strengthening partnership with Ngāti Maniapoto

    He aha te kai a te rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the aspirations of Ngāti Maniapoto, Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka says. “My thanks to Te Nehenehenui Trust – Ngāti Maniapoto for bringing their important kōrero to a ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Transport Minister thanks outgoing CAA Chair

    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has thanked outgoing Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority, Janice Fredric, for her service to the board.“I have received Ms Fredric’s resignation from the role of Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority,” Mr Brown says.“On behalf of the Government, I want to thank Ms Fredric for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Test for Customary Marine Title being restored

    The Government is proposing legislation to overturn a Court of Appeal decision and amend the Marine and Coastal Area Act in order to restore Parliament’s test for Customary Marine Title, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says.  “Section 58 required an applicant group to prove they have exclusively used and occupied ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Opposition united in bad faith over ECE sector review

    Regulation Minister David Seymour says that opposition parties have united in bad faith, opposing what they claim are ‘dangerous changes’ to the Early Childhood Education sector, despite no changes even being proposed yet.  “Issues with affordability and availability of early childhood education, and the complexity of its regulation, has led ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Kiwis having their say on first regulatory review

    After receiving more than 740 submissions in the first 20 days, Regulation Minister David Seymour is asking the Ministry for Regulation to extend engagement on the early childhood education regulation review by an extra two weeks.  “The level of interest has been very high, and from the conversations I’ve been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government upgrading Lower North Island commuter rail

    The Coalition Government is investing $802.9 million into the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines as part of a funding agreement with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), KiwiRail, and the Greater Wellington and Horizons Regional Councils to deliver more reliable services for commuters in the lower North Island, Transport Minister Simeon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government moves to ensure flood protection for Wairoa

    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced his intention to appoint a Crown Manager to both Hawke’s Bay Regional and Wairoa District Councils to speed up the delivery of flood protection work in Wairoa."Recent severe weather events in Wairoa this year, combined with damage from Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 have ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM speech to Parliament – Royal Commission of Inquiry’s Report into Abuse in Care

    Mr Speaker, this is a day that many New Zealanders who were abused in State care never thought would come. It’s the day that this Parliament accepts, with deep sorrow and regret, the Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.  At the heart of this report are the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges torture at Lake Alice

    For the first time, the Government is formally acknowledging some children and young people at Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital experienced torture. The final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care “Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light,” was tabled in Parliament ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges courageous abuse survivors

    The Government has acknowledged the nearly 2,400 courageous survivors who shared their experiences during the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care. The final report from the largest and most complex public inquiry ever held in New Zealand, the Royal Commission Inquiry “Whanaketia – through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Half a million people use tax calculator

    With a week to go before hard-working New Zealanders see personal income tax relief for the first time in fourteen years, 513,000 people have used the Budget tax calculator to see how much they will benefit, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “Tax relief is long overdue. From next Wednesday, personal income ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Paid Parental Leave improvements pass first reading

    Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says a bill that has passed its first reading will improve parental leave settings and give non-biological parents more flexibility as primary carer for their child. The Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill (No3), passed its first reading this morning. “It includes a change ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Rebuilding the economy through better regulation

    Two Bills designed to improve regulation and make it easier to do business have passed their first reading in Parliament, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. The Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Bill and Regulatory Systems (Immigration and Workforce) Amendment Bill make key changes to legislation administered by the Ministry ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • ‘Open banking’ and ‘open electricity’ on the way

    New legislation paves the way for greater competition in sectors such as banking and electricity, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Competitive markets boost productivity, create employment opportunities and lift living standards. To support competition, we need good quality regulation but, unfortunately, a recent OECD report ranked New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Charity lotteries to be permitted to operate online

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says lotteries for charitable purposes, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, and local hospices, will soon be allowed to operate online permanently. “Under current laws, these fundraising lotteries are only allowed to operate online until October 2024, after which ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Accelerating Northland Expressway

    The Coalition Government is accelerating work on the new four-lane expressway between Auckland and Whangārei as part of its Roads of National Significance programme, with an accelerated delivery model to deliver this project faster and more efficiently, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “For too long, the lack of resilient transport connections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Sir Don to travel to Viet Nam as special envoy

    Sir Don McKinnon will travel to Viet Nam this week as a Special Envoy of the Government, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.    “It is important that the Government give due recognition to the significant contributions that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made to New Zealand-Viet Nam relations,” Mr ...
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