The boy from Matamata
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- Date published:
8:28 am, October 28th, 2020 - 43 comments
Categories: Donald Trump, greens, human rights, International, labour, national, trade, United Nations -
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So the first post election media fascination has broken out and it involves Chris Liddell, a kiwi who serves in Donald Trump’s cabinet as deputy chief of staff. He has been nominated by Donald Trump as a possible replacement head of the OECD.
His back story does not read too bad. He has in the past been involved in a number of signficiant environmental projects and has shown some largesse to his old school Mount Albert Grammar and his old university Auckland University.
But he remains a member of one of the most dysfunctional and dystopian US administrations ever.
Being part of that administration ought to make you ineligible to work in a McDonald’s franchise but there is one particular decision he was apparently involved in that is being held up as a reason for his candidacy not to be supported.
He may have been in the room when the decision was made to forcibly separate children from the parents of immigrants entering the United States without a permit. This was the policy driven by Stephen Miller, a replicant if ever I saw one. It has caused intense suffering, in part because the Administration is that incompetent and that indifferent it did not keep track of which kid belonged to which parent. Despite being ordered to reunite them, 545 children remain separated from their parents.
The Hill has this description of the decision:
Eleven of President Trump’s most senior advisers met in the White House Situation Room in early May 2018 and were asked to vote on family separations, two officials in attendance told NBC News. The meeting was led by senior advisor Stephen Miller, who reportedly expressed anger toward then-Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen.
The meeting came about a month after the Trump administration instituted the “zero tolerance” policy, allowing it to prosecute any immigrant who crossed illegally, including those with small children. At the time of the vote, immigrant parents had not yet been separated from their children.
During the meeting, Nielsen reportedly said there weren’t enough resources to separate parents, prosecute them and reunite them with their children quickly, the two officials told the network. The Justice Department also said not all parents could be prosecuted in a timely manner, two officials involved in the planning of the zero tolerance policy told NBC News.
Miller alleged Nielsen was stalling before he called for the show-of-hands vote. Most voted in favor of family separations, though Nielsen did not, officials told NBC News.
No adviser argued in the meeting that the action would be immoral, as those claims “fell on deaf ears” in the White House, one official said.
Days after the meeting, Nielsen signed a memo instructing Homeland Security Department employees to prosecute all immigrants who crossed the border illegally, including parents with children.
In June 2018, the president signed an executive order stopping family separations after more than 2,800 children were separated from their parents.
A federal judge ordered the families to be reunited, but there was no plan to track the children or reunite the families, the two former officials said. As a result, it took months to reunite some families, and some parents were deported without their children.
Liddell was one of the people invited to the meeting but it is unclear if he was there or not. It appears that a spokesperson for the White House took umbrage at the allegation that a show of hands was called for. It seems they were indifferent to the total lack of humanity shown by the decision.
The Greens have publicly said that New Zealand should not support a Liddell candidacy. From Henry Cooke at Stuff:
Green Party foreign affairs spokeswoman Golriz Ghahraman said Liddell’s work for Trump disqualified him for the role and that he should not get New Zealand’s support “solely based on his citizenship status”.
“New Zealand just overwhelmingly voted for governance by values that would be eroded if a guy like that was the head of a governance body like the OECD,” Ghahraman said.
“It starts to get a bit scary at a time of pandemic when you look at his role not only in eroding multilateral approaches to things like the Paris Agreement, but in terms of the pandemic response and the attack on the World Health Organisation.”
“We have a responsibility to speak out against that kind of value-set in international governance. It’s quite dangerous to have a person like that leading what should be a co-operative organisation.”
Golriz’s argument concerning multilateralism is reinforced by this perceptive comment from Newsroom’s Sam Sachdeva:
New Zealand’s decision may be less about patriotism and more about politics, as it decides whether a Liddell-led OECD’s agenda would align with that of our Government.
The organisation has been leading a global initiative to ensure multinational companies pay their fair share of tax, but the US withdrew from talks in June and has threatened retaliatory tariffs against countries which unilaterally impose digital services taxes on the likes of Facebook.
The Labour Party has said it is committed to working with the OECD “to get an international agreement that will see a comprehensive regime for multilateral corporations to pay their fair share”, but is prepared to move on its own if agreement isn’t possible.
Act and National have, rather predictably, supported Liddell’s candidacy. Anything to own the libs.
Act took the opportunity to engage in some Green bashing. From Newstalk ZB:
The Act Party’s foreign affairs spokesperson Brooke Van Velden said the fact Liddell was “getting more support from Donald Trump than the Green Party is extraordinary”.
“New Zealanders should be united in supporting him. It’s further evidence the Greens should be nowhere near power,” said Van Velden.
And National did as National will do.
Holy false equivalence. One was a distinguished former Prime Minister whose humanitarian credentials are outstanding. The other is a rich businessman who is part of a cabinet that is anti multilateralism and that has made some appalling inhumane decisions.
The Government has not reached a position yet. I trust this will not be too difficult a decision to make.
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- When even the Nats agree bank profits are out of control, it’s time for an excess profits taxWith calls growing for inquiries and action on bank profits, the Greens say the Government has all the information it needs to act now and put a levy on banks. ...2 weeks ago
- Climate action must remain priority in transport investmentAs large parts of Aotearoa recover from two of the worst climate disasters we have ever experienced, it would be a huge mistake for the Government to deprioritise climate action from future transport investments, the Green Party says. ...2 weeks ago
- Historic oceans treaty a wake-up call for AotearoaThe Green Party is celebrating the signing of a historic United Nations Ocean Treaty, and calls on the new Oceans and Fisheries Minister to urgently step up protection for Aotearoa’s oceans. ...3 weeks ago
- National would make life harder for peopleChristopher Luxon and the National Party are not telling the full story when it comes to childcare, the Green Party says. ...3 weeks ago
- Government investments boost and diversify local economies in lower South Island
$2.9 million convertible loan for Scapegrace Distillery to meet growing national and international demand $4.5m underwrite to support Silverlight Studios’ project to establish a film studio in Wanaka Gore’s James Cumming Community Centre and Library to be official opened tomorrow with support of $3m from the COVID-19 Response and Recovery ...2 hours ago - Government future-proofs EV chargingTransport Minister Michael Wood has today launched the first national EV (electric vehicle) charging strategy, Charging Our Future, which includes plans to provide EV charging stations in almost every town in New Zealand. “Our vision is for Aotearoa New Zealand to have world-class EV charging infrastructure that is accessible, affordable, ...18 hours ago
- World-leading family harm prevention campaign supports young NZersAssociate Minister for Social Development and Employment Priyanca Radhakrishnan has today launched the Love Better campaign in a world-leading approach to family harm prevention. Love Better will initially support young people through their experience of break-ups, developing positive and life-long attitudes to dealing with hurt. “Over 1,200 young kiwis told ...21 hours ago
- First Chief Clinical Advisor welcomed into Coroners CourtHon Rino Tirikatene, Minister for Courts, welcomes the Ministry of Justice’s appointment of Dr Garry Clearwater as New Zealand’s first Chief Clinical Advisor working with the Coroners Court. “This appointment is significant for the Coroners Court and New Zealand’s wider coronial system.” Minister Tirikatene said. Through Budget 2022, the Government ...21 hours ago
- Next steps for affected properties post Cyclone and floodsThe Government via the Cyclone Taskforce is working with local government and insurance companies to build a picture of high-risk areas following Cyclone Gabrielle and January floods. “The Taskforce, led by Sir Brian Roche, has been working with insurance companies to undertake an assessment of high-risk areas so we can ...21 hours ago
- New appointment to Māori Land Court benchE te huia kaimanawa, ko Ngāpuhi e whakahari ana i tau aupikinga ki te tihi o te maunga. Ko te Ao Māori hoki e whakanui ana i a koe te whakaihu waka o te reo Māori i roto i te Ao Ture. (To the prized treasure, it is Ngāpuhi who ...1 day ago
- Government focus on jobs sees record number of New Zealanders move from Benefits into work113,400 exits into work in the year to June 2022 Young people are moving off Benefit faster than after the Global Financial Crisis Two reports released today by the Ministry of Social Development show the Government’s investment in the COVID-19 response helped drive record numbers of people off Benefits and ...1 day ago
- Vertical farming partnership has upward momentumThe Government’s priority to keep New Zealand at the cutting edge of food production and lift our sustainability credentials continues by backing the next steps of a hi-tech vertical farming venture that uses up to 95 per cent less water, is climate resilient, and pesticide-free. Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor visited ...2 days ago
- Conference of Pacific Education Ministers – Keynote AddressE nga mana, e nga iwi, e nga reo, e nga hau e wha, tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou kātoa. Warm Pacific greetings to all. It is an honour to host the inaugural Conference of Pacific Education Ministers here in Tāmaki Makaurau. Aotearoa is delighted to be hosting you ...2 days ago
- New $13m renal unit supports Taranaki patientsThe new renal unit at Taranaki Base Hospital has been officially opened by the Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall this afternoon. Te Huhi Raupō received around $13 million in government funding as part of Project Maunga Stage 2, the redevelopment of the Taranaki Base Hospital campus. “It’s an honour ...2 days ago
- Second Poseidon aircraft on home soilDefence Minister Andrew Little has marked the arrival of the country’s second P-8A Poseidon aircraft alongside personnel at the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s Base at Ohakea today. “With two of the four P-8A Poseidons now on home soil this marks another significant milestone in the Government’s historic investment in ...2 days ago
- Further humanitarian aid for Türkiye and SyriaAotearoa New Zealand will provide further humanitarian support to those seriously affected by last month’s deadly earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria, says Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta. “The 6 February earthquakes have had devastating consequences, with almost 18 million people affected. More than 53,000 people have died and tens of thousands more ...2 days ago
- Community voice to help shape immigration policyMigrant communities across New Zealand are represented in the new Migrant Community Reference Group that will help shape immigration policy going forward, Immigration Minister Michael Wood announced today. “Since becoming Minister, a reoccurring message I have heard from migrants is the feeling their voice has often been missing around policy ...2 days ago
- State Highway 3 project to deliver safer journeys, better travel connections for TaranakiConstruction has begun on major works that will deliver significant safety improvements on State Highway 3 from Waitara to Bell Block, Associate Minister of Transport Kiri Allan announced today. “This is an important route for communities, freight and visitors to Taranaki but too many people have lost their lives or ...2 days ago
- Ginny Andersen appointed as Minister of PolicePrime Minister Chris Hipkins has today appointed Ginny Andersen as Minister of Police. “Ginny Andersen has a strong and relevant background in this important portfolio,” Chris Hipkins said. “Ginny Andersen worked for the Police as a non-sworn staff member for around 10 years and has more recently been chair of ...3 days ago
- Government confirms vital roading reconnectionsSix further bailey bridge sites confirmed Four additional bridge sites under consideration 91 per cent of damaged state highways reopened Recovery Dashboards for impacted regions released The Government has responded quickly to restore lifeline routes after Cyclone Gabrielle and can today confirm that an additional six bailey bridges will ...3 days ago
- Foreign Minister Mahuta to meet with China’s new Foreign MinisterForeign Minister Nanaia Mahuta departs for China tomorrow, where she will meet with her counterpart, State Councillor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang, in Beijing. This will be the first visit by a New Zealand Minister to China since 2019, and follows the easing of COVID-19 travel restrictions between New Zealand and China. ...3 days ago
- Education Ministers from across the Pacific gather in AotearoaEducation Ministers from across the Pacific will gather in Tāmaki Makaurau this week to share their collective knowledge and strategic vision, for the benefit of ākonga across the region. New Zealand Education Minister Jan Tinetti will host the inaugural Conference of Pacific Education Ministers (CPEM) for three days from today, ...3 days ago
- State Highway 5 reopens between Napier and Taupō following Cyclone GabrielleA vital transport link for communities and local businesses has been restored following Cyclone Gabrielle with the reopening of State Highway 5 (SH5) between Napier and Taupō, Associate Minister of Transport Kiri Allan says. SH5 reopened to all traffic between 7am and 7pm from today, with closure points at SH2 (Kaimata ...3 days ago
- Special Lotto draw raises $11.7 million for Cyclone Gabrielle recoveryInternal Affairs Minister Barbara Edmonds has thanked generous New Zealanders who took part in the special Lotto draw for communities affected by Cyclone Gabrielle. Held on Saturday night, the draw raised $11.7 million with half of all ticket sales going towards recovery efforts. “In a time of need, New Zealanders ...4 days ago
- Government delivers a $3 million funding boost for Building Financial Capability servicesThe Government has announced funding of $3 million for providers to help people, and whānau access community-based Building Financial Capability services. “Demand for Financial Capability Services is growing as people face cost of living pressures. Those pressures are increasing further in areas affected by flooding and Cyclone Gabrielle,” Minister for ...6 days ago
- Education New Zealand | Manapou ki te Ao – new Chair and memberMinister of Education, Hon Jan Tinetti, has announced appointments to the Board of Education New Zealand | Manapou ki te Ao. Tracey Bridges is joining the Board as the new Chair and Dr Therese Arseneau will be a new member. Current members Dr Linda Sissons CNZM and Daniel Wilson have ...6 days ago
- Scholarships honouring Ngarimu VC and the 28th (Māori) Battalion announcedFifteen ākonga Māori from across Aotearoa have been awarded the prestigious Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships and Awards for 2023, Associate Education Minister and Ngarimu Board Chair, Kelvin Davis announced today. The recipients include doctoral, masters’ and undergraduate students. Three vocational training students and five wharekura students, ...6 days ago
- Appointment of Judge of the Court of Appeal and Judge of the High CourtHigh Court Judge Jillian Maree Mallon has been appointed a Judge of the Court of Appeal, and District Court Judge Andrew John Becroft QSO has been appointed a Judge of the High Court, Attorney‑General David Parker announced today. Justice Mallon graduated from Otago University in 1988 with an LLB (Hons), and with ...6 days ago
- NZ still well placed to meet global challengesThe economy has continued to show its resilience despite today’s GDP figures showing a modest decline in the December quarter, leaving the Government well positioned to help New Zealanders face cost of living pressures in a challenging global environment. “The economy had grown strongly in the two quarters before this ...6 days ago
- Western Ring Route CompleteAucklanders now have more ways to get around as Transport Minister Michael Wood opened the direct State Highway 1 (SH1) to State Highway 18 (SH18) underpass today, marking the completion of the 48-kilometre Western Ring Route (WRR). “The Government is upgrading New Zealand’s transport system to make it safer, more ...6 days ago
- Briefings to Incoming MinistersThis section contains briefings received by incoming ministers following changes to Cabinet in January. Some information may have been withheld in accordance with the Official Information Act 1982. Where information has been withheld that is indicated within the document. ...6 days ago
- Teaming up for a stronger, more resilient FijiAotearoa New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta reaffirmed her commitment to working together with the new Government of Fiji on issues of shared importance, including on the prioritisation of climate change and sustainability, at a meeting today, in Nadi. Fiji and Aotearoa New Zealand’s close relationship is underpinned by the Duavata ...7 days ago
- Investment in blue highway a lifeline for regional economies and cyclone recoveryThe Government is delivering a coastal shipping lifeline for businesses, residents and the primary sector in the cyclone-stricken regions of Hawkes Bay and Tairāwhiti, Regional Development Minister Kiri Allan announced today. The Rangitata vessel has been chartered for an emergency coastal shipping route between Gisborne and Napier, with potential for ...7 days ago
- Next steps developing clean energy for NZThe Government will progress to the next stage of the NZ Battery Project, looking at the viability of pumped hydro as well as an alternative, multi-technology approach as part of the Government’s long term-plan to build a resilient, affordable, secure and decarbonised energy system in New Zealand, Energy and Resources ...1 week ago
- Statement from the Prime Minister on Stuart NashThis morning I was made aware of a media interview in which Minister Stuart Nash criticised a decision of the Court and said he had contacted the Police Commissioner to suggest the Police appeal the decision. The phone call took place in 2021 when he was not the Police Minister. ...1 week ago
- CPTPP Trade Ministers coming to AucklandThe Government’s sharp focus on trade continues with Aotearoa New Zealand set to host Trade Ministers and delegations from 10 Asia Pacific economies at a meeting of Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) Commission members in July, Minister for Trade and Export Growth Damien O’Connor announced today. “New Zealand ...1 week ago
- Govt approves $25 million extension for cyclone-affected businesses$25 million boost to support more businesses with clean-up in cyclone affected regions, taking total business support to more than $50 million Demand for grants has been strong, with estimates showing applications will exceed the initial $25 million business support package Grants of up to a maximum of $40,000 per ...1 week ago
- More than 160,000 new Kiwis to call NZ home80 per cent of 2021 Resident Visas applications have been processed – three months ahead of schedule Residence granted to 160,000 people 84,000 of 85,000 applications have been approved Over 160,000 people have become New Zealand residents now that 80 per cent of 2021 Resident Visa (2021RV) applications have been ...1 week ago
- Scholarships propel Kiwi students to NASAThe Government continues to invest in New Zealand’s burgeoning space industry, today announcing five scholarships for Kiwi Students to undertake internships at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in California. Economic Development Minister Stuart Nash congratulated Michaela Dobson (University of Auckland), Leah Albrow (University of Canterbury) and Jack Naish, Celine Jane ...1 week ago
- New Zealand to attend regional security meeting in AustraliaThe Lead Coordination Minister for the Government’s Response to the Royal Commission’s Report into the Terrorist Attack on the Christchurch Mosques travels to Melbourne, Australia today to represent New Zealand at the fourth Sub-Regional Meeting on Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Security. “The Government is committed to reducing the threat of terrorism ...1 week ago
- Health and safety action plan for portsThe health and safety practices at our nation’s ports will be improved as part of a new industry-wide action plan, Workplace Relations and Safety, and Transport Minister Michael Wood has announced. “Following the tragic death of two port workers in Auckland and Lyttelton last year, I asked the Port Health ...1 week ago
- Bikes and scooters to be exempt from FBTBikes, electric bikes and scooters will be added to the types of transport exempted from fringe benefit tax under changes proposed today. Revenue Minister David Parker said the change would allow bicycles, electric bicycles, scooters, electric scooters, and micro-mobility share services to be exempt from fringe benefit tax where they ...1 week ago
- Foreign Affairs Minister to reaffirm our close relationship with FijiForeign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta will hold bilateral meetings with Fiji this week. The visit will be her first to the country since the election of the new coalition Government led by Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sitiveni Rabuka. The visit will be an opportunity to meet kanohi ki ...1 week ago
- New legislation to streamline Cyclone recoveryThe Government is introducing the Severe Weather Emergency Legislation Bill to ensure the recovery and rebuild from Cyclone Gabrielle is streamlined and efficient with unnecessary red tape removed. The legislation is similar to legislation passed following the Christchurch and Kaikōura earthquakes that modifies existing legislation in order to remove constraints ...1 week ago
- Scams Run High During Tax Time: Cyber Security Expert Warns New Zealanders Of Common Fraudster Tacti...
Ahead of tax season, Avast , a leading digital security and privacy brand of Gen ™ (NASDAQ: GEN), is warning New Zealanders of increased scam activity as cybercriminals prey on taxpayers' vulnerability during a time when they are expecting their tax ...45 mins ago - Bryce Edwards’ Political Roundup: The Beehive’s revolving door and corporate mateship
Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards. Political Roundup: The Beehive’s revolving door and corporate mateship New Zealanders are uncomfortable with the high level of influence corporate lobbyists have in New Zealand politics, and demands are growing for greater regulation. A recent poll shows 62 per cent of the public support having a ...58 mins ago - Housing Affordability More Challenging For Renters Than HomeownersIn the year ended June 2022, 1 in 4 households that were renting were spending more than 40 percent of their disposable income on housing costs, compared with 1 in 5 households that were paying a mortgage, according to figures released by Stats NZ ...1 hour ago
- Child Poverty Statistics Show No Annual Change In The Year Ended June 2022Child poverty rates for the year ended June 2022 were unchanged compared with the previous year, according to figures released by Stats NZ today. “Child poverty statistics have not changed compared with last year,” general manager social and ...1 hour ago
- Broadcaster turned conspiracy theorist Liz Gunn appears in court
The former broadcaster Liz Gunn, who has become a vocal figure within the anti-vaccination movement in New Zealand, has appeared in court today after an alleged airport altercation earlier this year. Gunn pleaded not guilty to charges of assault, trespass and resisting arrest over the incident at Auckland International Airport. ...1 hour ago - How to boost your backyard biodiversityYou don’t need to go to wildlife sanctuaries to see native birds, bugs and reptiles. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof brought to you by Electric Kiwi – sign up here. Recently I wrote a feature for New Zealand Geographic on weeds – it turns out, a ...1 hour ago
- ‘Tough news for tenants’: Rent prices soar to new record highRental costs have hit a record high, according to new statistics released this morning. Trade Me has reported that the national median rent was up to $600 in February – a jump of 4%, or $25, when compared with the same month in 2022. It’s not unusual to see rent ...2 hours ago
- Sense Prevails As Immigration NZ Chooses To Allow Free Speech Of British SpeakerThe Free Speech Union welcomes the decision by Immigration New Zealand to not suspend Kellie-Kay Keen-Minshull's NZeTA and to allow her entry into the country, says Jonathan Ayling, Chief Executive of the Free Speech Union. “The Free Speech Union envisions ...2 hours ago
- Finally A Political Party For The Farmers – HeartLandNZHeartLandNZ represents provincial New Zealand, the heart of the nation, the men and women, workers, contractors, businesses and farmers in the successful primary production sector. For over 30 years these voters have been economically ...3 hours ago
- Help Me Hera: How do you know when it’s time to quit?This week, Hera Lindsay Bird ponders whether it’s better to leave a party too early or too late. Want Hera’s help? Email your problem to [email protected] Dear Hera, How can you tell when something is over? A recurring theme through my life is sticking around way past the due date. There have been ...3 hours ago
- National’s education ‘rewrite’ to target years one to eightNational’s new education policy will focus on the first eight years of education – primary and intermediate – in an effort to prepare students for high school. The opposition will formally unveil their policy later today – coincidentally (or likely not) in the prime minister’s electorate of Upper Hutt. Erica ...3 hours ago
- Why is my loved one with dementia sometimes ‘there’ and sometimes not?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yen Ying Lim, Associate Professor, Monash University Shutterstock Dementia is an umbrella term to describe a progressive neurological condition that affects people’s cognitive abilities, such as memory, language and reasoning. Alzheimer’s is the most common form, but other common ...3 hours ago
- Fear and Wonder podcast: how scientists know the climate is changingSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Green, Host + Producer, The Conversation A comparison between two views of the same coral reef on Kiritimati, taken by University of Victoria scientists. Danielle Claar, Kristina Tietjen/University of Victoria Earlier this week, the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change ...3 hours ago
- The Great Southern Reef is in more trouble than the Great Barrier ReefSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Graham Edgar, Senior Marine Ecologist, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania Graham Edgar/Reef Life Survey, Author provided Marine heatwaves are damaging reef ecosystems around Australia, but while the tropical north has received the lion’s share of the ...3 hours ago
- ‘Some of them do treat you like an idiot’: what it’s like to be a casual academicSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Steven Burch, Lecturer in Accounting, University of Tasmania Shutterstock One of the priorities of the federal government’s sweeping Universities Accord is to improve employment conditions in higher education. This is long overdue. Australia’s university sector once set the standard for ...3 hours ago
- Yes, the 1.5 million Australians getting rent assistance need an increase, but more public housing i...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Liam Davies, PhD Candidate, Centre for Urban Research, RMIT University Image: David Kelly, Author provided Australia is in the grip of a housing crisis, with low-income households hit hardest by rising rents and falling vacancy rates. Social housing tenants were ...3 hours ago
- Why Lent is the perfect time to spiritually prepare for revolutionSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kristie Patricia Flannery, Research Fellow, Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences, Australian Catholic University Francisco V. Coching’s Rendition of Gabriela Silang Charging on a Mount, 1986 (Ayala Museum). It was around this time of year back in 1763 that Filipino rebels ...3 hours ago
- Government eyes EV charging ‘hubs’ across the countryThe government’s planning to roll out dozens of new electric vehicle charging stations across the country in new “hubs” that would operate similar to existing petrol stations. The “charging our future” strategy has set a target of bringing in new hubs ever 150 to 200 kilometres along the state highways, ...3 hours ago
- The Bulletin: The fight to have a former All Black’s CTE recognised by ACCThis morning we bring you an exclusive on The Spinoff from Dylan Cleaver. Wellington rugby stalwart, one-game All Black and former New Zealand First MP Tutekawa Wyllie has had his probable chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) condition recognised and compensated for by the ACC after a five-year campaign. CTE is a brain ...4 hours ago
- Why governments are banning TikTok from phonesNew Zealand joins countries around the world by banning TikTok on government-issued devices as the US threatens an outright ban on the popular social media app, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. ...4 hours ago
- Warring building supplies firms tie up critical NZ land with 999-year covenants
Big building supply companies have fended off competition by wrapping desirable blocks of land in legal constraints on generations of NZers, alarming the Commerce Commission into issuing a far-reaching warning. Jonathan Milne reports. ...5 hours ago - Green Party Announces Environmental Lawyer Teall Crossen As Candidate For The Nelson ElectorateThe Green Party is announcing Teall Crossen as their candidate for the Nelson Whakatū electorate. Teall is an environmental barrister and activist with two decades of experience advocating for the rights of people and nature in the Courts in Aotearoa, ...6 hours ago
- Women refs rise with Aupiki
NZ Rugby wants to triple the number of female rugby referees - starting with the rise of Natarsha Ganley to Super Rugby honours, and handing a whistle to an Aupiki star player in a new scholarship. Suzanne McFadden writes. Natarsha Ganley loves rules. So during the week, she's on the lookout for ...6 hours ago - Inside the years-long fight to have a former All Black’s CTE recognised by ACCExclusive: All Black turned NZ First MP Tutekawa Wyllie and his wife Margaret have won a landmark battle that could open the floodgates for rugby-related head injury claims. Dylan Cleaver reports. Wellington rugby stalwart, one-game All Black and former New Zealand First MP Tutekawa Wyllie has had his probable chronic ...7 hours ago
- Shows of local strength deliver upsets in key Labour selection contestsDo the results in Mt Albert, Wellington Central and Christchurch East amount to thumbing noses at head office, or are they a sign of party strength? Across three Labour selection contests in three high-profile electorates over the last fortnight, candidates have succeeded from local foundations in seeing off rivals considered ...7 hours ago
- More 'how' less 'what' for social services
The Wellington City Missioner wants government agencies to move away from simply administering social services to the needy. ...7 hours ago - Book of the Week: Terfs, and other haters
This week's anti-trans rally is straight out of the right-wing playbook With strange and toxic prescience, a subject from the new study Histories of Hate: The Radical Right in Aotearoa New Zealand has leapt from the pages of the book into a major news story this week. The ...7 hours ago - Solomons PM joins Pacific push for NZ visa waiver access
More than half the visitor visa applications rejected by officials come from just nine Pacific nations ...7 hours ago - Healing te taiao: Moving on from peak pine
More than half of Aotearoa may need to be in native ngahere (bush) to merely blunt future worsening storms, but without such revolutionary change, Aotearoa could descend into a spiral of social, ecological, and economic damage Much of our land is without any trees, or is without the right trees, ...7 hours ago - Behind the story: Lobbying and the backdoor of our democracy
Unlike other countries around the world, New Zealand has no regulations about lobbying. Is change needed to ensure greater transparency about who's influencing our decision-makers? If you want to know who lobbies the Australian government on behalf of Air New Zealand, you simply go to an online register, type ...7 hours ago - How the Rakaia turned into a pipe for irrigators
Problems protecting NZ's biggest braided river were predicted years ago, papers show ...7 hours ago - China will test NZ's fence-straddling diplomacy as never before
NZ's likely Aukus involvement relating to technology will have far-reaching consequences ...7 hours ago - Disaster-in-waiting warn south’s farmers
Cyclone Gabrielle’s hammering of Hawkes Bay has ignited fears in Southland of bridges failing and farmland flooding through “mismanagement” of accumulated gravel Southland farmer Barry Taylor is frustrated gravel is being allowed to build up beneath a bridge on one of the country’s key tourist routes despite his years of ...7 hours ago - Newsroom daily quiz, Thursday 23 March
Loading...(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions. ...8 hours ago - Daily crossword, Thursday 23 March
...8 hours ago - Throwing voting-age legislation onto the 'policy bonfire' only delays a debate that has to...
Opinion - There's plenty of research supporting lowering the voting age to 16. Public debate and the law just need to catch up, Claire Breen writes. ...15 hours ago - Word from The Hill: Reactions to AUKUS, next steps on the Voice, NSW electionSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra As well as her interviews with politicians and experts, Politics with Michelle Grattan includes “Word from The Hill”, where she discusses the news with members of The Conversation’s politics team. In this podcast Michelle and ...16 hours ago
- Xi’s Moscow trip shows peace in Ukraine isn’t China’s main concernSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jingdong Yuan, Associate Professor, Asia-Pacific security, University of Sydney Chinese President Xi Jinping’s trip to Moscow this week has been more about reiterating China and Russia’s shared interests, and less about any concrete pathway towards ending the war in Ukraine. While a ...17 hours ago
- ‘Cultural expression through dress’: towards a definition of First Nations fashionSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Treena Clark, Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Indigenous Research Fellow, Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building, University of Technology Sydney This May, Wiradjuri woman Denni Francisco and her label Ngali will be the first Indigenous designer to have a solo show at Australian Fashion Week. ...19 hours ago
- ‘Cultural expression through dress’: towards a definition of First Nations fashionSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Treena Clark, Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Indigenous Research Fellow, Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building, University of Technology Sydney This May, Wiradjuri woman Denni Francisco and her label Ngali will be the first Indigenous designer to have a solo show at Australian Fashion Week. ...19 hours ago
- Yes, we see you. Why a national plan for homelessness must make thousands of children on their own a...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Catherine Robinson, Associate Professor in Housing and Communities, University of Tasmania Shutterstock Thousands of children end up being homeless in Australia without a parent or guardian. In 2021-22, 12,812 children (aged 10-17) were on their own when they sought help ...19 hours ago
- Yes, we see you. Why a national plan for homelessness must make thousands of children on their own a...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Catherine Robinson, Associate Professor in Housing and Communities, University of Tasmania Shutterstock Thousands of children end up being homeless in Australia without a parent or guardian. In 2021-22, 12,812 children (aged 10-17) were on their own when they sought help ...19 hours ago
- Credit Suisse is an anomaly: why Australia and New Zealand are safe from ‘bank run’ contagionSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra There has been a lot of talk about the risk of financial contagion following the collapse of California’s Silicon Valley Bank. Perhaps too much talk. While the ...19 hours ago
- Credit Suisse is an anomaly: why Australia and New Zealand are safe from ‘bank run’ contagionSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra There has been a lot of talk about the risk of financial contagion following the collapse of California’s Silicon Valley Bank. Perhaps too much talk. While the ...19 hours ago
- You Can’t Get Blood Out Of A Stone...19 hours ago
- Pacific needs to sit up and pay close attention to AUKUS, says Dame Meg TaylorA Pacific elder and former secretary-general of the Pacific Islands Forum says Pacific leaders need to sit up and pay closer attention to AUKUS and the Indo-Pacific strategy and China’s response to them. Speaking from Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea, Dame Meg Taylor said Pacific leaders were being sidelined ...20 hours ago
- Cyclone Gabrielle: Robertson warns of delays to rebuild decisionsThe government says it should have details on which weather-hit areas are high risk within three weeks, and can then make decisions about rebuilding. ...20 hours ago
- What to expect when you’re expecting an El Niño (the answer might surprise you)Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Carly Tozer, Senior Research Scientist, CSIRO Dean Lewins/AAP La Niña and El Niño are well-known terms in Australia these days. Linked to them are certain expectations: we expect wet conditions in La Niña and dry conditions in El Niño. These ...20 hours ago
- Called it: The Game is not coming to New ZealandPromoters say The Game has pulled out of his upcoming appearance at two legs of a new New Zealand hip-hop festival, continuing the Compton rapper’s sketchy attendance record in Aotearoa. In an announcement made on Facebook today, promoters Room Service say The Game, real name Jayceon Taylor, has “last-minute commitments” ...20 hours ago
- Te Whatu Ora reveals it has about 200 comms people, following criticism from NationalThe organisation has about 200 communications staff. The figure came in response to a Parliamentary written question from National. ...20 hours ago
- Counter-protests planned against anti-trans speakerCounter-protests are planned for this weekend as a controversial anti-trans campaigner speaks in two New Zealand cities. Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull will be allowed into the country after Immigration NZ said the threshold to stop her had not been reached. In a tweet, Rainbow Greens, the group that released an open letter ...21 hours ago
- The magical world of restaurant staff mealsWe asked workers at some of our favourite food establishments to show us what they eat when the rush is over. This is an excerpt from our weekly food newsletter The Boil Up. Last week was Work Week on The Spinoff, dedicated to unpacking our relationship with the world ...21 hours ago
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No adviser argued in the meeting that the action would be immoral, as those claims “fell on deaf ears” in the White House, one official said.
That being so, NZ should not provide moral support for his candidacy – unless he has a policy offering that outweighs the stain that attaches to everything der Strumpenfurhrer touches.
Unless some awfully convincing evidence emerges that Liddell was a key player in some sort of previously hidden resistance within the White Supremacy House attempting to bring a little bit of humanity and decency to the maladministration, Liddell needs to be viewed as fully complicit in all the abominations that that kakistocracy has excreted.
Any person from that deep in the US government who supports multilateral dialogue and fact-based research should be supported as a candidate for head of the OECD, especially so if they also come from New Zealand.
You got any reason to believe he supports multilateral dialogue and fact-based research? Because spending four years partying with the scum-sucking bottom-feeding noisome creatures exposed by draining the swamp strongly suggests he doesn't. Or at best, that support is extremely weak and easily overwhelmed by venal personal considerations.
Anyone deep in this US administration needs to be viewed with profound suspicion.
Having a Kiwi aiding and abetting a bunch of White House thugs is an embarrassment. I would like to see his Kiwi citizenshipn rescinded.
I think that Roger Douglas should get a Nobel Prize for 'being there' – well he might have done some good for someone in the world and he is a NZr.
Agree. You have said it all.
Here’s some closer background here:
https://www.stuff.co.nz/world/americas/102627938/his-father-left-them-penniless-chris-liddell-tells-of-his-path-to-white-house-power
He’s a pretty well-regarded systems integration leader:
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-cohn-liddell/trump-considers-ex-microsoft-exec-as-top-economic-adviser-official-idUSKCN1GN0VQ
He knows how to plan even within the White House chaos:
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/new-zealands-chris-liddell-praised-in-politico-for-trump-transition-work/35NSRS3FNGB257SH42ZAYDLXCQ/
And seems to have made a rational place for what he delivers to the White House, as explained here:
https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/20-03-2018/how-does-chris-liddell-fit-into-trumps-white-house/
After that you can probably make your own judgement.
That's all very aspirational stuff, poor boy from tough background looks after number one very effectively.
But there's nothing in there to hint that it's in the world's or New Zealand's interest to promote him for that OECD position. And the point stands against him that his time in the White Supremacist House counts as a cheeto-tinged skidmark smeared down his CV, rather than an asset. Even if it was in the Nepotism Barbie/Cowardly Scion wing rather than more directly under the Coppertone Caligula.
Wasn’t Liddell CFO and then CEO of Carter Holt during the underspecified timber scandal?
Shhhhh!!! Liddell is a fine, upstanding member of the New Zealand expat business fraternity. He stands shoulder-to-shoulder with fellow greats such as Mark Hotchin, Eric Watson and Sir Ron Brierley.
You forgot to add Sir Michael Fay and his Winebox business fraternity friends.
… and Doug Graham and Jenny Shipley …
Can we get a knighthood for Watson??
Yes, the timing overlaps, and CHH is described as a leader in pushing for the changes. But I've no idea how much personal culpability should be attributed to Liddell for that debacle.
Also, to a large extent, the untreated timber is the fall-guy for a bunch of other fuckups that occurred simultaneously in the building and building regulation industry. Such as changes around permissible claddings and how to engineer and apply them, changes in inspection bodies and processes and so on.
Those other changes would have caused the debacle to have happened with or without the change to untreated timber, the problems just might have taken a bit longer to show. Without those other changes, a lot of the problems with untreated timber might not have actually shown up.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/the-case-against-the-bia/H45I2R4G67FZSKDHXIZ5AMG5FM/
if correct, he owes homeowners many millions of dollars.
He beat the conservatives at their own game then joined them. This idea is worshipped by the old left wing. They are from a time past.
It's still aLL aout himself
Any person from that deep in the US government who supports multilateral dialogue and fact-based research should be supported as a candidate for head of the OECD…
True, but this one occupies a senior position in an administration that's strongly opposed to multilateralism and evidence-based policy, so it's unlikely he supports those things.
St Christopher – Venerated as one of the 14 Auxiliary Saints (Holy Helpers), he is the patron saint of travelers and, beginning in the 20th century, of motorists. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Christopher
St Christopher appears to have been run over by a truck, after having been a revered saint of travellers. Now his name gets shortened, Chris, to be quicker off the mark.
By all means let him have a go at whatever. That's what NZs do, follow after the USA sweeping up after the horses carrying a bucket and a list of hopes and dreams of good things for 'me'. Good and reliable little lickspittles behind manic capitalism evolving special secretions that dissolve society. And so anxious to 'get on' within the western materialistic cult. Mike Moore did it, Helen Clark did it, who's next – Chris?
Even if he voted for the separation of children from their parents at the Border Wall????
No kiwi pride angle here surely? The OECD is hardly an anticapitalist organisation, in fact it supports global capitalism “growth, business as usual”–which is the exact opposite of what is required by worlds people in this era of Climate Disaster and Pandemic disruption.
NZ Labour should stand with the Greens on the matter of Mr Liddell. As far as I am concerned the company a person keeps is still a good indicator of where they are at personally, politically, and professionally.
Seems there's two angles to kiwi pride at stake here – there's the "oooo, look, a NZer is successful overseas". Then there's the "One of us possibly helped kidnap hundreds of children and we shouldn't support him for any office other than maybe a jail cell, for to do so would be to bring even more shame upon us".
I think the second has greater weight.
With all his money, you'd think that Lidell could afford a suit which fitted him
Bastard! Ya made me look, and now I'm wondering if Liddell also stands in that totally normal not-weird-at-all posture that the genital-grabbing golem uses.
I can forgive him for being a little bit fatter today than when he purchased the suit (who shall cast the first stone?) but I cannot forgive him for doing up the bottom button on said suit. It's a sartorial sin of the highest order.
Is that why everybody looks at me weird on the very few occasions I wear a suit? I had always thought it was my tie.
In 2020 you can take or leave the tie. A quality pocket square, on the other hand, will set you apart and above the rest of the rat race.
No way should we.
Anyone who was in a senior position and has enabled Trump's ghastly, nasty regime – regardless of any personal involvement in any specific decisions – doesn't deserve the support of NZ.
I don't care how efficient they were or what their backstory was I'm absolutely appalled that anyone could think it is a good idea. Efficiently promoting bad ideas is not a recommendation.
And the Nats once again fail to read the room at any level. Support Trump at any level? When Trump is voted out how long before the nomination is killed by the incoming democrats? The Dems are going to kick Trump appointees to the kerb and a lot may struggle to find any job. Nor are they going to look kindly on the overseas supporters of his idiocy.
New Zealanders including the majority of Nat voters, think Trumps a joke, the ammount of anti Trump memes my Nat friends / family share is actually more than my lefty mates because Trump style politics doesn't fly here so really opposing a Trump nominee isn't going to ruffle too many people.
There is no comparison to Helen Clark, a distinguished former pm who nzers even whome loath her have respect for it'd be a travesty if national didn't support her at the un, likewise if it was John Key running for the oecd job it'd be a travesty if Labour didn't support him but we're not talking about an nz diplomat we're talking about a Trump staffer who having him in the top job will be of zero benifit to NZs interests so… Wait until we see the results of next weeks election till we make our decision
so act is supporting him solely for the fact he carries a kiwi passport. by inference, that means act supports quotas, doesnt believe in getting best person for job etc. one week into wearing big boy pants and act are phucking up.
So he was fine till he became White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy?
Really.
Given that this is a position appointed by The President, I presume we are claiming this was an outstanding and presumably entirely out of character appointment on the part of Trump.
(Note to Mods, just in case..this is 'Siobhan' reappearing on TS..not Adrian T. sneaking in around his stand down)
Also, let's keep in mind it was the tangerine turdgoblin that nominated him. Not anyone with even a shred of credibility. When was the last time the decomposing jack'o'lantern nominated anyone even remotely fit for purpose? Was it Jim Mattis, almost four years ago? Since then, getting nominated by Hair Farce One is solid evidence that someone is in fact grossly unfit for the position.
He chose USA and Trump without asking us, so why does he need our say so now?
No nay never!! He could not leave his back story quickly enough!!
He will deny us thrice before the cock crows. Think of Rarnaby Fudge in Australia! Such people don't know their a from their e.
They are as bad as here among the dreaded Pythons.
Thanks Grey, Basil Fawlty and The Cheese Shop sketch in a different form.
"It's a bit runny…"
Didn't he advise ‘The Donald‘ regarding the true magnitude of NZ's second 'wave'?
Bigger isn't always better.
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/10/27/928062773/u-s-cases-surpass-summer-peak-and-are-climbing-higher-fast
Would he be doing our bidding or Prump's?
Weird from van Velden. The corollary is that New Zealanders should be united in supporting Jacinda Ardern.
I agree with No nay never !
He is not a kiwi I am proud of.
Exactly Dottie.
What if the replacement turns on the Orange Orator?
NO NO NO -dont support Chris