The Blame Game.

Written By: - Date published: 9:14 am, June 20th, 2013 - 84 comments
Categories: assets, business, class war, Economy, economy, equality, Social issues, socialism, workers' rights - Tags:

Blame beneficiaries, blame the young, blame the old, blame the boomers, blame Maori, blame Pakeha,  blame granny, hell, why don’t we just blame the Jews!

Anything except place the blame where it belongs. On successive Governments who have sold us out to the rich, and offshore corporates. And the system which allows a few stupid politicians dictatorial powers over the rest of us.

(As someone once said. “If voting made any difference, they, would abolish it!”)

Politicans who do whatever the corporate puppet masters, who fund them, wish! Whether it is for ideological reasons,  (useful idiots/puppets )  or out of pure self interest, in their retirement  sinecure from grateful corporates after they leave parliament.

You would think that people like Bernard Hickey would be wise to the lessons of history.

The powerful scapegoating those rendered powerless,  while they sell out, exploit and steal from, the rest of us is  an often repeated meme.

84 comments on “The Blame Game. ”

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  1. pollywog 1
    20 June 2013 at 9:39 am

    I feel a song coming on…

    • karol 1.1
      20 June 2013 at 9:47 am

      Like how Rita Haworth tells it?

      Bernard Hickey is an interesting commentator, “white anting” capitalism?

      • KJT 1.1.1
        20 June 2013 at 10:08 am

        Yes, and often I agree with him, but he is still enmeshed in his financial background.

        Hence he sees things in terms of money, not resources!

        • Colonial Viper 1.1.1.1
          20 June 2013 at 10:25 am

          And that may be true, but for the foreseeable future we need to play the monetary and credit system real smart as it is the only way to direct the access flow and use of those resources in a way which doesn’t kill our chances. Building an alternate monetary consensus is going to take a lot of time and effort and I can see no one who can achieve it. Even the Greens have had to give up on a moderate well understood step that every major power is doing – printing money.

  2. Winston Smith 2
    20 June 2013 at 9:39 am

    Blame Canada.

    [lprent: Are you exposing your yankee ancestry? And here I was thinking that your illiteracy was kiwi made. If you want to make a reference in the top level comment in a post then explain *why* it is relevant to the post. ]

  3. Pete 3
    20 June 2013 at 9:50 am

    The powerful scapegoating those rendered powerless, while they sell out, exploit and steal from, the rest of us is an often repeated meme.

    I don’t dispute that, but I’m not ready for the dictatorship of the proletariat just yet. Nor am I interested in an anarchist free-for-all.

    What I do dispute is the idea that things aren’t getting better (I view this government as a momentary setback). At least in historic terms. Life expectancy continues to improve. We have a public service that is relatively uncorrupt. We live under the rule of law. Violence is declining (if you believe Steven Pinker), average intelligence is improving (if you believe Jim Flynn). Literacy is improving. Social attitudes on gender, sexuality and race are far more civilised. The communication of ideas is far easier, and we enjoy political freedom.There’s always room for improvement.

    I would much rather be alive now than at any time in New Zealand’s history. I do not dispute that there are problems – the emergence of the Precariat and environmental sustainability being chief among them. I have issues over what is going on with Environment Canterbury and the Sky City deal. I want a more robust constitution to act as a check on this kind of behaviour (incidentally, you have until 1 July to submit your views to the Constitutional Advisory Panel). I want to see a change of government in 2014 as most people do on this site, but implying we live in some dictatorial hell-hole (I note your allusion to the Nazis) is the kind of Chicken Little/Boy-Who-Cried-Wolf outlook that damages the left when there are serious issues to address.

    • KJT 3.1
      20 June 2013 at 10:01 am

      Aren’t you contradicting yourself a bit. After detailing some of the things that are wrong, caused by our rotating dictatorship, and their absolute power, you then claim there is no real problem.

      I suggest that recent and proposed law changes that reduce workers power, add to the powers of spy agencies, restrict access to the courts and increase central Government powers are, indeed, steps towards fascism. Steps way too far.

      As a moral view, who should have the right to change laws affecting all of us. About 6 people in Parliament, as now, or, everyone?

      It is depressing that, many on the left are prepared to live with whatever shit right wing governments enact, so long as they also get their 3 years of dictatorship.

      The dictatorship of the proletariat works rather well in the only place it has had a real chance. Switzerland!

      • Populuxe1 3.1.1
        20 June 2013 at 11:09 am

        Switzerland, where they have obligatory national service in the military.
        Also, direct democracy is a funny thing – one wonders whether it would have been all that progressive in bringing about Homosexual Law Reform or even Universal Suffrage.

        I get annoyed when people start getting misty-eyed over the way of life in other countries because usually they negelect to take into account the unique social circumstances behind them (Scandinavia being a classic example, but Switzerland having its own problems and rather oppressive laws)

        • KJT 3.1.1.1
          20 June 2013 at 11:18 am

          Indications are, in New Zealand, direct democracy would have bought homosexual law reform, universal suffrage and many other rights much sooner.

          Laws in direct democracies tend to reflect the wishes, and mores, of their society, as they should

          It was parliament which lagged behind public opinion .

        • Colonial Viper 3.1.1.2
          20 June 2013 at 11:22 am

          What’s the problem with compulsory national service? A massive standing army helped keep both sides well away from Switzerland in WW2.

          • vto 3.1.1.2.1
            20 June 2013 at 11:49 am

            Really?

            I thought it was because the dirty Swiss held onto pretty much everybody’s ill-gotten booty, hiding all them gold bars, priceless art, treasures and jewels in their mountain caverns. For all sides on every conflict all the time.

            Then when the various looters never returned to claim their ill-gotten booty the Swiss used it to build their sanitised roads and tunnels and watches and then went off yodelling as if they were some kind of peaceful bohemians minding their business and making cheeeeesseee….

            Don’t know enough to know but methinks the Swiss hide some tales….

            • Colonial Viper 3.1.1.2.1.1
              20 June 2013 at 11:53 am

              Indeed. A neutral country like Switzerland doesn’t play the game with just one piece on the chessboard, nor do they use just one gambit at a time.

              Invade us, and we will hurt you badly. Don’t, and we will show you the ways that we can be helpful.

              Clever Swiss.

              • Rosetinted …
                20 June 2013 at 2:20 pm

                Also Sweden

                • Colonial Viper …
                  20 June 2013 at 2:37 pm

                  Although, iron ore and bank loans from Sweden to Nazi Germany. Very useful (to the German war effort).

                  • Rosetinted …
                    20 June 2013 at 2:48 pm

                    CV
                    Invade us, and we will hurt you badly. Don’t, and we will show you the ways that we can be helpful.

                    Sweden was helpful, that was part of the point I made. Near the end of the war negotiations between the Allies and Sweden resulted in a drop in the level of materiel previously supplied to the nasty Nazis. I was just reading that the other day in a book I was dipping into.

                    • Colonial Viper …
                      20 June 2013 at 3:20 pm

                      Yep that’s what I understand as well. Those nations acted in the best interests of their populations, and turned a blind eye to some small other details in order to do so.

            • Populuxe1 3.1.1.2.1.2
              20 June 2013 at 2:35 pm

              Well that and they were the go-between for Nazi Germany

          • AmaKiwi 3.1.1.2.2
            20 June 2013 at 1:59 pm

            Direct democracy and conscription reduce the chances of going to war as demonstrated by Australian conscription referendums during WW 1, WW 2, and the Vietnam war (and Switzerland).

            US conscription ended the Vietnam war sooner because the middle class didn’t want their kids’ balls shot off in what was obviously an idiotic war.

            Without conscription the USA enlisted ranks are now primarily poor young people with few job prospects besides gambling their lives defending “the generals’ empire” (General Motors, General Electric, General Dynamics, etc.).

            It is INSANE that a our PM has the dictatorial power to send New Zealanders to Afghanistan to terrorize its people. I know, our SAS are fighting “terrorist.” Like the Afghan terrorists who blew up the Rainbow Warrior!

            • Jokerman 3.1.1.2.2.1
              20 June 2013 at 2:01 pm

              Like this.

            • Rosetinted 3.1.1.2.2.2
              20 June 2013 at 2:18 pm

              amakiwi
              general insanity for sure

            • Populuxe1 3.1.1.2.2.3
              20 June 2013 at 2:36 pm

              And also results in a substandard non-professional army in the eventuality that you do have to go to war

              • Arfamo …
                20 June 2013 at 5:04 pm

                Oddly enough the substandard non-professional armies became professionals very quickly in WWII and eventually as I recall the war was ended by them winning.

                • Populuxe1 …
                  20 June 2013 at 5:42 pm

                  There were many reasons for the allied win which have nothing to do with your simplistic formulation. Conscription is controversial for a range of reasons, including conscientious objection to military engagements on religious or philosophical grounds; political objection, for example to service for a disliked government or unpopular war; and ideological objection, for example, to a perceived violation of individual rights. Also it’s less economically efficient than having a standing army.

                  • Arfamo …
                    20 June 2013 at 6:12 pm

                    Thank you. I realise these things. I’ve been around for a while and experienced and read stuff, like you have.

                    • Populuxe1 …
                      20 June 2013 at 6:28 pm

                      Then why make the comment in the first place?

                    • Arfamo …
                      20 June 2013 at 6:30 pm

                      Because I could. Same reason for many of your comments, from what I see.

                    • Populuxe1 …
                      20 June 2013 at 6:48 pm

                      Let me translate that for you: “I’m rubber, you’re glue”

                    • Arfamo …
                      20 June 2013 at 6:51 pm

                      I can categorically assure you I am not glue. I cannot imagine that you are rubber. But if you say you are, and you believe you are, I am not going to disagree with you about that. I was attempting to find out what your point was re having a substantial non-professional army in the event you do have to go to war. Was it just to argue, like now?

                    • Populuxe1 …
                      20 June 2013 at 6:53 pm

                      Yawn

        • Draco T Bastard 3.1.1.3
          20 June 2013 at 1:28 pm

          Also, direct democracy is a funny thing – one wonders whether it would have been all that progressive in bringing about Homosexual Law Reform or even Universal Suffrage.

          I think we would have had both far sooner if we’d had participatory democracy. In the Paris Commune of 1871 it wasn’t just the men fighting and making decisions.

          • One Anonymous Knucklehead 3.1.1.3.1
            20 June 2013 at 1:44 pm

            Majority rules? Really?

            Work for the dole, “tougher” sentences, the right to hit assault children, and that’s just for starters. Public opinion is easily manipulable, especially with a compliant media.

            • AmaKiwi 3.1.1.3.1.1
              20 June 2013 at 2:08 pm

              With direct democracy, the MSM does not have a monopoly on issues to be voted on. These are debated across dining room tables, at lunch breaks in the factory, across the backyard fence, at the RSA and golf club houses.

              Can the people possibly be more stupid than our some of our MPs?

              • Rosetinted …
                20 June 2013 at 2:23 pm

                amakiwi
                Can the people possibly be more stupid than our some of our MPs?
                Was that a rhetorical question? 😯

              • One Anonymous Knucklehead …
                20 June 2013 at 2:59 pm

                With actual democracy, the MSM does not have a monopoly on issues to be voted on either. Debates occur in all the places you mention.

                I’d much rather have an entrenched constitution (based on Te Tiriti O Waitangi and the BoRA) that binds Parliament than binding referenda. Make the select committee process more robust – rules of evidence etc. and increase powers of judicial review too.

              • muzza …
                20 June 2013 at 7:02 pm

                Can the people possibly be more stupid than our some of our MPs?

                Yes, yes they can.

                The share the same ideals, they go to the same clubs/lodges, and are propped up in similar ways by their brothers and sisters, so they relate all too well to MPs, and their banhaviour

                There are many of them, they operate the country, and they’re not that interested in the well being of others.

                Yup, they can easily be more *stupid*

                • KJT …
                  20 June 2013 at 7:49 pm

                  Evidence shows that where they have BCIR people en mass are, on the whole, a lot less stupid than politicians.

                  Which also agrees with evidence from business management, that involving as many people as possible in decision making makes for better decisions and more effective implementation of necessary changes.

                  Concern that democracy will not make the decisions that you personally want, is not a valid reason to oppose it!

                  In fact, almost all the arguments against participatory democracy, also apply against any system that allows people outside Government to influence policy.

            • Draco T Bastard 3.1.1.3.1.2
              20 June 2013 at 4:31 pm

              Work for the dole, “tougher” sentences, the right to hit assault children, and that’s just for starters. Public opinion is easily manipulable, especially with a compliant media.

              Possibly and as they fail everyone gets to accept that their decision was wrong rather than placing the blame on the disassociated government. Everyone would have to change their minds as the facts get sent to them (Fuck relying on the MSM).

              I’d much rather have an entrenched constitution…

              Possibly do that before going to full participatory government. I’m not someone who thinks that it can all be done at once – the culture needs to change and that takes time.

              • KJT …
                20 June 2013 at 7:07 pm

                Note that the people of California are voting to reverse their famous, and dysfunctional, tax cuts that were bought in by referendum.

                Something that would have been unlikely if bought in by politicians.
                Whose attitude seems usually to be, “If it doesn’t work we need more of it!”. Rather than admitting they have fucked up.
                Anyone still waiting, for labour’s apology for the 1980’s.

                Can you see any Labour Government, in the near future, reversing NACT’s tax cuts for the rich.

                • Colonial Viper …
                  20 June 2013 at 7:13 pm

                  Can you see any Labour Government, in the near future, reversing NACT’s tax cuts for the rich.

                  Well, they are reversing their tax cuts to those who earn up to $5000 pa. Does that count?

    • tc 3.2
      20 June 2013 at 10:04 am

      Well said pete, its not impossible to reverse the sellout, right the crooked deals and rebalance NZ society. We have plenty to go around its a question of equitable distribution and focusing on being self sufficient as a country in terms if food and energy needs.

      • KJT 3.2.1
        20 June 2013 at 10:05 am

        Except it never gets totally reversed, so we get a little more sold out with each Government. As someone said., like boiling the frog.

        • One Anonymous Knucklehead 3.2.1.1
          20 June 2013 at 3:02 pm

          Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose.

          It’s a constant struggle.

        • UglyTruth 3.2.1.2
          20 June 2013 at 7:26 pm

          Fabian socialism is one way to boil a frog. Fabius Maximus gave the Fabians their name due to his strategy of gradually wearing down an adversary.

    • just saying 3.3
      20 June 2013 at 10:18 am

      For ever-increasing numbers of NZanders, poverty, hardship, unrelenting stress, overwork, and the impossibility of obtaining decent, properly renumerated, stable employment are facts of life. Significant numbers, a quarter of children detrimentally affected

      (I view this government as a momentary setback)

      For many the last five years have been really tough. I’m guessing you’re not one of them.

      I’m not ready for the dictatorship of the proletariat just yet.

      Yeah, well I’m not ready to throw in the towel and say “you’re right, it is a fact that only the feelings and concerns of the comfortably off and powerful that actually matter, all others’ lives are worth jack shit, and out of consideration of the comfy, should be rendered invisible or blamed for their misfortune.

      I’m glad you can’t see anything unpleasant except in the furtherest distance, from where you are sitting. Must be real comfortable living in neverland where there is no crisis of capitalism, peak oil, peak soil, peak fresh water, recession, or climate change, and things just keep getting better and better.

    • Saccharomyces 3.4
      20 June 2013 at 10:38 am

      Well said Pete, refreshing to hear a moderate voice here.

      • karol 3.4.1
        20 June 2013 at 1:13 pm

        And “moderate” is a good thing, because….?

      • Draco T Bastard 3.4.2
        20 June 2013 at 1:31 pm

        Moderation is fine – unless you need radical and extreme action. ATM, we need the latter and not the former.

        • Populuxe1 3.4.2.1
          20 June 2013 at 2:43 pm

          You forgot the IMO bit – and the last time we had radical and extreme action we ended up with Rogernomics and Ruthenasia – no thank you

          • Draco T Bastard 3.4.2.1.1
            20 June 2013 at 4:32 pm

            Yeah, and so we need to be taking extreme action to reverse that extreme action.

            • Populuxe1 3.4.2.1.1.1
              20 June 2013 at 5:46 pm

              Funny thing about revolutions – actually means going around and around in circles.

    • Jokerman 3.5
      20 June 2013 at 12:46 pm

      pie-in-the-sky.

  4. Saccharomyces 4
    20 June 2013 at 9:55 am

    “If voting made any difference, they, would abolish it!”

    Or,

    It doesn’t matter who you vote for, politicians still get in!

    • tc 4.1
      20 June 2013 at 10:08 am

      Or
      Dont vote it only encourages them

    • AmaKiwi 4.2
      20 June 2013 at 2:21 pm

      They are abolishing voting!

      The Auckland Super City demolished hundreds of elected positions (7 city councils and dozens of community boards). They have abolished much of the voting and representative decision making in CHC.

      Local body elected positions were the training ground for parliament. People learned the “trade” of representing people, of listening, of weighing the choices, of compromise, of having to defend their decisions to their immediate neighbours.

      The Labour party caucus is being strangled by bureaucratic morons who have no prior experience in getting elected to public office and making decisions which will impact their immediate neighbours.

      (I don’t know what the numbers are for National and The Greens.)

  5. Rosetinted 5
    20 June 2013 at 10:27 am

    South Park said it “BLAME CANADA”.

    [lprent: And why is that relevant to this post? ]

    • woodpecker 5.1
      20 June 2013 at 11:52 am

      William Shatner.

    • Rosetinted 5.2
      20 June 2013 at 3:10 pm

      Sorry lprent too many capitals – irritating. The post is all about blame and how easy it is to spread it round – as I said South Park lampoons it. That’s my point. Blunted as it may be.

  6. vto 6
    20 June 2013 at 10:36 am

    My own mind is beginning to swing heavily now towards a system which abolishes lobbyists in their current form, and donations to political parties. This was something the Clark was strong on and her reasons seem to be becoming more paramount.

    Lobbying can be a form of corruption.

    Party donations can be a form of corruption.

    Weed out all of this shit so that the operation runs on a pure and simple basis where all decisions in the political process are made on the same basis as the elections i.e. one person one vote. Each person has equal sway on every decision.

    • AmaKiwi 6.1
      20 June 2013 at 2:27 pm

      Donations:

      I personally would like to trial a system where every donation must be declared with the name and IRD number of the donor. No one would be allowed to donate more than a limited amount of money.

      The big money (bribery) is corporate and that’s where the evil lies.

      America allows limitless donations and claim, “We have the best system of government money can buy.”

  7. vto 7
    20 June 2013 at 10:41 am

    Also been doing some thinking on the precariat phenomenon. It is very real of course and causes breakdown in stable society. This combined with the breakdown caused by the neoliberal approach since 1984 points us downwards to a worsening place. Breakdwon leads to people having less at stake, thus less care for society and others, thus giving the finger to law and order, thus leading to more heavy ‘enforcement’, thus to further downwards.

    The entire issue imo rests on ensuring as many people as possible have an important and self-fulfilling place in society. That they are valued and respected.

    This is not happening. Rather it is the reverse, and this fucking horseshit government is exacerbating this very problem.

    down
    down
    down

    down

    down

    down

    .
    .
    .
    .

    • Colonial Viper 7.1
      20 June 2013 at 11:25 am

      Bullseye. People must feel that there is both a role and a place for them in society.

      • pollywog 7.1.1
        20 June 2013 at 11:33 am

        …and not try to rise above it ?

        • Colonial Viper 7.1.1.1
          20 June 2013 at 11:36 am

          bloody uppity coloureds… 😈

        • Draco T Bastard 7.1.1.2
          20 June 2013 at 1:36 pm

          No, encouraged and supported to change it if they feel that it no longer reflects them. People do change over time and so their role in society, as they see it, will also change.

          And what’s this above bit? All roles should be equally valued.

          • Colonial Viper 7.1.1.2.1
            20 June 2013 at 2:30 pm

            And it’s the people who should be equally valued as a starting point, and the contribution of the role to the community (as apart to how much money it makes for a capitalist somewhere else) being part of how it is valued.

    • emergency mike 7.2
      20 June 2013 at 12:35 pm

      Indeed vto. IMO a piece of what you are saying has to do with the devaluation of arts and culture. Antisocials like Key can’t see any value in them, so their place in society becomes increasingly marginalized. Countries that value arts and culture are colourful and vibrant, and generally happier. But gee how does that help the NZX40?

      • vto 7.2.1
        20 June 2013 at 4:20 pm

        “Countries that value arts and culture are colourful and vibrant, and generally happier. But gee how does that help the NZX40?”

        It helps the NZX because when people live in colourful and vibrant societies and people are generally happier then they are generally more prosperous, instead of impoverished.

        The fact National Party bozos don’t link this with the complete and utter relative failure of the NZX reflects on their paucity of worldly and humanly understanding. They think people act as self-interested consumers and that is the end of it.

        Complete and utter fools = complete and utter failure of the NZX. They really are so very shallow – example, John Key

  8. infused 8
    20 June 2013 at 12:14 pm

    Sounds like you describing Labours poll ratings.

    [lprent: And why is that relevant to the *content* of this post? To me it seems to say that you only looked at the title? No ability to read more than three words? ]

    • emergency mike 8.1
      20 June 2013 at 12:38 pm

      Sounds like you’re doing a John Key and dismissing a serious criticism with a lame joke about Laaaaabour.

      • Rosetinted 8.1.1
        20 June 2013 at 1:49 pm

        I can be nice when someone meeting the public asks me that invasive question ‘Have you had a good day?’. It puts the customer in the position where if they haven’t, then they must lie so as not to depress the worker. No, my mother just died, I have found I have cancer, I’ve lost all my money in a mouldy, leaky house, or from some smartarse scalpers with a ‘name’ promoter, or at the pokies!

        That is not fair or reasonable to dump on the worker – stupid question. But turn it on its head – if I say ‘How’s your day or morning going?’ They feel like a person not a machine, I smile and leave some pleasant social interaction. Note for me: I must be pleasant and not grouchy.

        • karol 8.1.1.1
          20 June 2013 at 1:54 pm

          Agreed, Rosetinited. I often get asked that when I visit the supermarket after working on a Sunday. Curiously, they tend to assume I haven’t been working. We then exchange work-day comments after I ask about their day.

          • Rosetinted 8.1.1.1.1
            20 June 2013 at 2:42 pm

            karol
            I imagine that they feel a bit imprisoned to their tills and counters. That you are on the other side of the counter seems huge Freedom.

  9. Rose 9
    20 June 2013 at 1:10 pm

    What can one person do in one day to make for a better life in NZ? Be nice to people I meet today. Don’t look them up and down and judge them on the clothes they’re wearing. Plan my spending before I go to the supermarket or shops. Pay off my debts. Smile.

  10. xtasy 10
    20 June 2013 at 7:02 pm

    Thanks for raising these issues, KJT

    As for legal aid cuts, blamed on rising costs of aid paid for by the government, this is info that needs looking at:

    http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/60499/cuts-could-result-legal-aid-log-jam

    http://www.3news.co.nz/Powers-legal-aid-cuts-unpopular-in-law-community/tabid/419/articleID/206850/Default.aspx

    http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1201/S00063/children-at-risk-as-legal-aid-cuts-bite.htm

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10744532

    http://www.lawfuel.co.nz/news/197/family-legal-aid-cuts-harmful-to-justice-say-law-society

    http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1202/S00306/legal-aid-cuts-challenged-in-high-court.htm

    I wonder why the marked increase in legal aid costs for the government is perhaps also, because there is more injustice happening, so people take legal action to address this. Some of this may well also be due to the government bringing in laws that create injustices, forcing people to take legal actions to protect their rights. When the government does not guarantee justice, where are people meant to go? The courts are the last resort for many, not just those charged with criminal or other offences.

    “Pete” writes above: “We have a public service that is relatively uncorrupt. We live under the rule of law.”

    Well are you so damned sure? Have you ever had to try and fight for justice? Have you ever applied for legal aid for a civil case? Most lawyers are not keen on legal aid cases, as it barely covers the true costs. Also are there laws that actually give people limited options, so they have to go to court, but then it first requires them to convince a lawyer, to convince Legal Aid, to convince a court, to take the case on and deal with it.

    As for relative lack of corruption, I feel that this is not what I have experienced. People in key positions, that includes Commissioners and the likes, are often somewhat biased and do not offer much in the way of justice, for instance the office of the Health and Disability Commissioner under the present commissioner seems to be reluctant to seriously deal with medical and health professionals that do not do a proper job. They rather “talk” with them, to allow them to improve, rather than sanction and fine.

    Also the new welfare regime to come in will create much injustice, starting with imposing social obligations only on beneficiaries with kids, not all parents. That is discrimination. Sick and disabled will face work capacity testing with a relentless focus, and the “appeal” available is only to a MSD appointed Medical Appeal Board, where WINZ trained designated doctors make determinations. NO appeal at the courts or elsewhere.

    Try judicial review, but getting there, breach of law must be proved, and one needs to jump over many hurdles.

    I am sorry, but talk about “justice”, fairness, “lack of corruption” and people supposedly demanding more than they deserve, I think some live on another planet, not the one I live on day in and out.

    Heard of the “Old Boys Network” at any time?

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    Tinting car windows offers numerous benefits, including enhanced privacy, reduced glare, UV protection, and a more stylish look for your vehicle. However, the cost of window tinting can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article provides a comprehensive guide to help you understand how much you can expect to ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    4 hours ago

  • Why Does My Car Smell Like Gas? A Comprehensive Guide to Diagnosing and Fixing the Issue
    The pungent smell of gasoline in your car can be an alarming and potentially dangerous problem. Not only is the odor unpleasant, but it can also indicate a serious issue with your vehicle’s fuel system. In this article, we will explore the various reasons why your car may smell like ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    4 hours ago

  • How to Remove Tree Sap from Car A Comprehensive Guide
    Tree sap can be a sticky, unsightly mess on your car’s exterior. It can be difficult to remove, but with the right techniques and products, you can restore your car to its former glory. Understanding Tree Sap Tree sap is a thick, viscous liquid produced by trees to seal wounds ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    4 hours ago

  • How Much Paint Do You Need to Paint a Car?
    The amount of paint needed to paint a car depends on a number of factors, including the size of the car, the number of coats you plan to apply, and the type of paint you are using. In general, you will need between 1 and 2 gallons of paint for ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    4 hours ago

  • Can You Jump a Car in the Rain? Safety Precautions and Essential Steps
    Jump-starting a car is a common task that can be performed even in adverse weather conditions like rain. However, safety precautions and proper techniques are crucial to avoid potential hazards. This comprehensive guide will provide detailed instructions on how to safely jump a car in the rain, ensuring both your ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    4 hours ago

  • Can taxpayers be confident PIJF cash was spent wisely?
    Graham Adams writes about the $55m media fund — When Patrick Gower was asked by Mike Hosking last week what he would say to the many Newstalk ZB callers who allege the Labour government bribed media with $55 million of taxpayers’ money via the Public Interest Journalism Fund — and ...
    Point of OrderBy gadams1000
    10 hours ago

  • EGU2024 – An intense week of joining sessions virtually
    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
    12 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
    14 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
    20 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
    23 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
    24 hours 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
    16 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
    19 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
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  • 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 ...
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  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
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    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 ...
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  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
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  • 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 ...
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  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
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  • Government backing mussel spat project
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  • Government focused on getting people into work
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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
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
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  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
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    3 days ago

  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
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    3 days ago

  • 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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  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
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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
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.  During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
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  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
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  • Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
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    5 days ago

  • Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
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    5 days ago

  • Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
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    5 days ago

  • New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel.    “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says.    "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
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  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
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    1 week ago

  • 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
    The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
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  • Navigating an unstable global environment
    New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States.    “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
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  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
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    1 week ago

  • Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
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  • NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
    New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
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    1 week ago

  • Joint US and NZ declaration
    April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
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  • NZ and US to undertake further practical Pacific cooperation
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