The Cabinet reshuffle

Written By: - Date published: 8:52 am, June 14th, 2022 - 64 comments
Categories: chris hipkins, jacinda ardern, labour, michael wood, national - Tags:

There was some drama yesterday in the Beehive.

Kris Faafoi and Trevor Mallard announced that they will be resigning from Parliament.

Faafoi’s resignation was transmitted pretty clearly when he gave up the Mana seat last election.  His is the best way to end your parliamentary career.  Structure things so that no by election is required and the functioning of Parliament can continue with no fuss.  If Simon Bridges had done the same thing the country would have been spared the millions that the Tauranga by election will cost.

Trevor Mallard also announced that he will be resigning.  He is apparently to be appointed as our next Diplomat to Ireland.

Mallard is controversial.  He has a habit of getting involved in incidents that attract controversy.  He is also hard working and dedicated to the job.  Audrey Young’s analysis that Mallard will make a fine diplomat and that he is competent, usually acts in the best interests of Parliament and New Zealand, and can work collegially is also accurate.

In particular she said:

Most of what he does as Speaker, and previously as a minister, has been uncontroversial and unseen. He is competent, usually acts in the best interests of Parliament and New Zealand, and can work collegially.

He has undertaken reforms that have allowed Opposition MPs to put the heat on ministers if they don’t know their stuff.

He has not been a great Speaker inside the House because of his intolerance of hubbub, which tends to come more from the Opposition.

Mallard is 80 per cent good, 20 per cent bad but it is the bad that is remembered, particularly two episodes as Speaker.

National has attacked his performance as Speaker.  My view is that this is hubris and a reflection of the fact they still do not understand how they are not in power.  Mallard is direct and often abrupt but if you watch him closely he has really tried to make Parliament work better.

The third major development was Poto Williams’s sideways shuffle out of Police and into Conservation and Disability issues.  Chris Hipkins will replace her as Police Minister.

I thought she was an interesting choice as Police Minister but her considerable experience dealing with domestic violence meant that her selection was a good one.  More recent pressures from gang inspired drive by shootings and National’s frankly misogynist attacks on her have caused Ardern to adjust.

The debate rankles.  National’s suite of policy proposals will have no practical effect.  The answer is to increase police resources and police numbers both of which Poto has achieved.

And this morning National kept up with the foghorn claiming that Hipkins will be nothing more than window dressing for the public.  National’s tactic of attacking and raising people’s level of grumpiness is pretty clear.

It will be interesting to see what Hipkins does about National’s campaign for warrantless searches of gang members.  The proposal is legally very difficult to get right and in my view cannot be justified.  At least National appears to now understand that there is a warrantless power of search for arms and is arguing that there should be no restrictions on when it can be exercised.  But don’t expect any reduction in National’s rhetoric.

She is an utterly decent person, a very good employer, unlike many in Parliament and a hard working, well networked and intelligent MP.  Politics as usual, as played by National, does not not credit these sorts of people.  It should.

Kiritapu Allen has been elevated into Cabinet and given the Justice portfolio.  Call me biased but I think that lawyers should always be preferred for this position.

Priyanca Radhakrishnan has also been awarded for completing some important projects and has also been elevated to Cabinet and will be associate Minister of Workplace Relations and Safety.

Michael Wood has shown his importance by being made Minister of Immigration.  This is one of those portfolios that can challenge but I am sure he will be up to the job.

There are other consequential changes.

Today Next Tuesday should be an interesting day in Parliament.

64 comments on “The Cabinet reshuffle ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. john2 1
    14 June 2022 at 9:08 am

    micky,

    I don't think parliament is sitting this week.

    john2.

    [One detail I should have checked. Now corrected – MS]

  2. Jimmy 2
    14 June 2022 at 9:14 am

    Kris Faafoi should have left a year or so ago when he wanted to. Asking someone to stay in a job when they want to leave rarely works out, and it was clear to everyone that Kris did not have his heart in the job and now leaves a mess for someone else to clean up.

  3. Peter 3
    14 June 2022 at 9:32 am

    "But her (Williams') considerable experience dealing with domestic violence meant that her selection was a good one."

    The way things work, considerable experience, expertise and success are far from the forefront when you're a Minister and things work the way they do.

    Appearances, perceptions, acceptability. Williams does not look like Mark Mitchell or Matt King. She doesn't seem to have the 'dog' about her of Tolley, Bennett or Collins.

    Gangs and street crime are where it's at and the only way some will see those being sorted is some big boofhead white male or an attack hound woman in the job.

    • Robert Guyton 3.1
      14 June 2022 at 9:42 am

      The gangs weren't "sorted" in the past when there was "some big boofhead white male or an attack hound woman in the job.", were they?

      • Peter 3.1.1
        14 June 2022 at 9:53 am

        Of course not. Reality doesn't count though the way the game is played. It's the noise, attention and attacks that are important.

        I mean in terms of "sorting" and in the past, there was no housing crisis before October 2017 was there?

      • Anne 3.1.2
        14 June 2022 at 10:13 am

        … the only way some will see those being sorted is some big boofhead white male or an attack hound woman in the job.

        Good response RG, but its sad that so many people support this perception.

        It is interesting to note that – setting aside the PM – both Poto Williams and Kris Faafoi were specifically attacked by National and ACT. Misogyny and racism are still deeply embedded in their psyche. It amuses me that the very 'Christian-like' Christopher Luxon has embraced both prejudices without a smidgen of self awareness as to the hypocrisy of his stance. Indeed his lack of self awareness should imo preclude him from ever becoming prime minister.

        • PsyclingLeft.Always 3.1.2.1
          14 June 2022 at 10:24 am

          Yep….a combination of that and purblind/tone deafness. But hey thats what makes him National's Leader !

          Im good with Jacinda : )

        • alwyn 3.1.2.2
          14 June 2022 at 10:34 am

          I would think that National and ACT have been quite catholic in their campaigns. They have also had a go at Twyford and Clark, Mallard and Mahutu, Davis and Jackson, Wood and Woods, Little and Sepuloni, Ardern and Robertson etc, etc.

          The only thing they have in common is that they are all incompetent. That criteria gives them an enormous range of targets doesn't it?

          • Anne 3.1.2.2.1
            14 June 2022 at 11:04 am

            That's your view point. I beg to differ. Yes, they criticised all those ministers but it was based on the policies they had adopted – or not adopted as the case may be – not on ethnicity or gender. I single out the PM, Mahutu, Williams and Faafoi as having an extra personal layer of attack over and above political considerations.

            The PM because she is a woman and the great white folks out there can't abide a woman in charge. Mahuta because she is a woman and Maori. Williams for the same reason. Faafoi because he is a Pacific Islander.

            • alwyn 3.1.2.2.1.1
              14 June 2022 at 11:20 am

              I very much doubt that Williams is regarded as a Maori by the people of Ngai Tahu among whom she resides. She is the child of Cook Islanders who emigrated to New Zealand.

              Can anyone who actually is Maori care to comment on my supposition?

              • Anne …
                14 June 2022 at 4:03 pm

                Cook Islanders are of Maori descent.

                • alwyn …
                  14 June 2022 at 7:23 pm

                  How do you work that out Anne? There is a phrase "Cook Island Maori" but that is the language, not the people.

                  People from the Cook Islands were precisely that. They were not people from New Zealand and therefore cannot have been Tangata Whenua can they?

            • Louis 3.1.2.2.1.2
              14 June 2022 at 6:28 pm

              +1 Anne.

          • Patricia Bremner 3.1.2.2.2
            14 June 2022 at 11:55 am

            sad What a sad comentator you are. "All are incompetent" Wow what a sweeping generalisation. Alwyn that is silly and I'm sure you know it.

            I am on record as saying I did not agree with Mallard's petty sprinkler behaviour.

            But I think this group of people is hugely talented, working on policies not favoured by the right, and are attacked in personal cruel ways. National are known for these personal attacks.

            Kris Fafoi said of Jacinda Ardern "I am in awe of her capacity and Leadership." This was a planned retirement with no by-election, to avoid costs.

            The fact that Chris Luxon has pulled his motley crew together, apart from Simon Bridges, does not change their habits of working on campaigns attacking ministers, lying about the intent of legislation, keeping people on edge and angry by magnifying areas of difficulty, and ignoring or rubbishing successes.

            We recognise this pattern as disruptive dirty politics. Chris Luxon has spread his cloak over Woodhouse Bishop et al, but they are still there, nasty as ever. imo.

            • alwyn 3.1.2.2.2.1
              14 June 2022 at 1:26 pm

              "this group of people is hugely talented"

              "his motley crew"

              Now that is whet I would call " sweeping generalisations". Still what else can we expect from a true believer in the dogma of the left?

              I do think the dozen I named are incompetent. That is why I said they are all incompetent. It doesn't mean that there aren't any in the Labour Caucus, and even in the Cabinet who are OK. They don't rise to the top however as that would show up the more highly ranked people as being far less competent than the ones below them in the pecking order.

              • Patricia Bremner …
                14 June 2022 at 6:25 pm

                "Motley crew" as in the band. You have to convince me that Woodhouse Bishop Brownlee would be better… not to mention the guy who can't count. Goldsmith. I have been quite polite in the face of some failures.

            • Louis 3.1.2.2.2.2
              14 June 2022 at 6:27 pm

              +1 Patricia Bremner

          • Mike the Lefty 3.1.2.2.3
            14 June 2022 at 7:44 pm

            "Catholic in their campaigns.."????

            God might know what you are talking about, but no-one else does.

            • alwyn 3.1.2.2.3.1
              14 June 2022 at 8:32 pm

              If you are going to quote me please do so properly. You put a capital letter on the word catholic. I did not.

              The word Catholic is generally used to refer to the Catholic Church. Without the capital letter, ie catholic, it doesn't have any particular religious meaning.

              I was using it in the meaning of "universal in extent; involving all; of interest to all." It can also mean "broad or wide-ranging in tastes, interests, or the like; having sympathies with all; broad-minded;" Any decent dictionary will show you this.

              It is a perfectly appropriate word and I am sure that most educated people would understand what I was saying.

              • In Vino …
                14 June 2022 at 11:00 pm

                Yes, you are technically correct alwyn, but maybe you should become aware that many educated people are likely to regard you as a pedantic weasel if you carry on in this manner.

                I saw you that way a long time ago, and decided not to feed the troll. But I am now making an exception, pour encourager les autres.

                • alwyn …
                  15 June 2022 at 9:27 am

                  When I use a perfectly normal word in a comment, and use it correctly, I feel completely entitled to defend myself when someone complains about my comment with something like "God might know what you are talking about, but no-one else does".

                  I think I am justified in correcting the slur thrown in my direction. I also do it to help others who may not understand the distinction between different uses of the one word in different circumstances. In this case I am merely trying to encourage other people to understand the full glory of the English language.

        • Chris 3.1.2.3
          14 June 2022 at 11:20 am

          "Good response RG, but its sad that so many people support this perception."

          Yes, and it's even sadder when you realise that those "so many people" are our average, hard-working New Zealanders, just doing their best to get ahead.

  4. James Simpson 4
    14 June 2022 at 10:10 am

    Simon Bridges had ambitions to win back the leadership when he won Tauranga in 2020. I don't think he had any plans to leave this term.

    The swing in the Polls under Luxon's leadership told him that those ambitions would not be fulfilled for the best part of a decade, which is why he has bailed.

    • Sacha 4.1
      14 June 2022 at 2:10 pm

      The party bosses may have told him he could serve their interests better in the Ak Chamber of Commerce job, as a stepping stone to a Mayoral run in 2025.

  5. alwyn 5
    14 June 2022 at 10:44 am

    Micky suggests that the way to go is

    "Structure things so that no by election is required and the functioning of Parliament can continue with no fuss. If Simon Bridges had done the same thing the country would have been spared the millions that the Tauranga by election will cost."

    Perhaps Micky is right. That was certainly the way that other National leaders during this century, Brash, Key and English, took. Instead Simon seems to have followed the path of those leaders from the dark side. Clark, Goff and Shearer were all Labour Party leaders and they all departed in ways that forced by-elections. Selfish lot, weren't they?

    • mickysavage 5.1
      14 June 2022 at 11:56 am

      Key didn't. He was still the MP for Hellensville but Parliament agreed to not run a by election.

      Brash was always list only.

      English was on the list from 2014 so that he could devote more time to finance.

      Clark stood with the intent of remaining PM. It would have been a sign of weakness for her to do otherwise.

      Goff had no long term plan but when the super city presented an opportunity he went with it.

      Shearer can speak for himself.

      • alwyn 5.1.1
        14 June 2022 at 1:40 pm

        No Key wasn't the MP for Helensville up until the next election. He, and Cunliffe for that matter, remained in Parliament until it was within 6 months of the next election date. Once that time had been reached they could resign without there having to be a by-election. Both of them did resign at that time, but not before the date which would have required an election If that is not arranging to "Structure things so that no by election is required" what is it?

        Whatever you may think of their reasons of course Clark, Shearer and Goff all put New Zealand to the cost of a by-election. If you are going to complain about Bridges you are a hypocrite not to say the same thing about them.

        Key, English, Brash and Cunliffe didn't put the country to the cost of a by-election so you should applaud them.

        • mickysavage 5.1.1.2
          14 June 2022 at 4:36 pm

          Chill out.

          I was referring to politicians deciding to retire soon going list only.

          Key didn't. The deal was done so that he and Cunliffe could bow out within 6 months of the election.

          English went list only for a different reason.

          I am suggesting to you that Clark and Goff did not intend to go early.

          • alwyn 5.1.1.2.1
            14 June 2022 at 5:47 pm

            That's all right.

            I don't believe that Simon Bridges intended to quit early either. I think he considered he had an excellent chance of leading the party again after Collins was badly defeated in the election.

            On the other hand I am quite sure that Clark intended to quit if she did not make it back as Prime Minister. Unless she was totally delusional, and PMs often are if they get to a third term, she would have known that her chances of winning were probably 1 in 4 at best and that she was very likely to be leaving the New Zealand taxpayer to bear the cost of a by-election.

            It is all irrelevant of course. People can always kid themselves that their party are always honorable and their opposition aren't.

            Not having ever been a member of a party I am at an advantage over you. I believe, and everything I have observed makes me think I am right, that all politicians put themselves first in every situation. I don't have a party to which I have sacrificed my soul so I expect that. I am not saying the politicians are corrupt. They merely think that they know better than anyone else what is good for the people.

  6. Puckish Rogue 6
    14 June 2022 at 12:31 pm

    There it is, the lefts great playbook:

    'misogynist attacks on her'

    Its never that the (left) female politician is not up to it, its misogyny.

    If thats the case (and I don't think it is) then isn't Ardern showing weakness in not standing up for her, keeping her in her position, showing confidence in her?

    Ardern made the correct call and I don't think its because of misogyny as much as it was competency:

    https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2022/03/parliament-uproar-after-police-minister-poto-williams-denies-rise-in-gang-violence.html

    https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2022/04/labour-mp-helen-white-shares-increase-in-gang-activity-concerns-days-after-police-minister-poto-williams-denies-rise-in-gang-violence.html

    • Tony Veitch (not etc.) 6.1
      14 June 2022 at 12:48 pm

      And you link to newshub as evidence to support Natz and right whingers continuing and ingrained misogyny!

      Ho hum.

      • Puckish Rogue 6.1.1
        14 June 2022 at 12:56 pm

        No you're right, its all to do with misogyny and nothing to do with the headlines

        • Patricia Bremner 6.1.1.1
          14 June 2022 at 1:13 pm

          The Headlines reflect the misogyny, that coupled with a view the patriarchy is the "Right" model. Pun intended.

          This is based on the Christian model of "The husband shall rule over his wife" and an old custom that saw marriage as a property exchange. The wife and her chattles as part of the bargain. To say otherwise is to ignore history. So women leaders have to excel or go.

          • Puckish Rogue 6.1.1.1.1
            14 June 2022 at 1:18 pm

            The headlines suggest to me that Williams was out of touch with what was happening in NZ as evidenced by White (was she being misogynist as well?) contradicting her a few days later

            But thats just me

  7. Herodotus 7
    14 June 2022 at 5:21 pm

    How can someone who goes missing in their role as minister of police be then gifted the conservation role ?? To me this tokenism oin finding a safe ministry to place her as the minister. Instead there should be someone with a passion for then ministry, and I have not read anything regrading Poto gives me the impression of her having a passion here.
    I fear for DOC and that they will lose any visibility that they have in caucus, perhaps this is how low Labour view DOC in importance. I hope the Greens start to become more vocal and not leave it up to Nats and Act to be advocating for this dept.

    • Muttonbird 7.1
      14 June 2022 at 5:40 pm

      Perhaps Poto Williams' history of good work in domestic abuse policy (apparently) stands her in good stead when tackling the same type domestic abuse the dairy industry (male) inflicts upon our environment (female).

      • Herodotus 7.1.1
        14 June 2022 at 6:41 pm

        Where in any of her bios are references to DOC or the environment there in nothing I can find. If DOC was of a high priority why then has Kiritapu Allan had this taken away from her??? Should it not go to someone who has displayed they have the ability to be a minister of a major portfolio not someone who has and I quote the PM “said the Police ministerial portfolio's focus "has, currently, been lost" or is Conservation at a similar level as Min of racing or the arts ???

        • Muttonbird 7.1.1.1
          14 June 2022 at 7:17 pm

          You are being very, very naive to the realities of politics, Hero.

          Fact is, JA has been much more cognisant of application than her predecessor (not Bill English) when choosing ministerial appointments.

          • Herodotus 7.1.1.1.1
            14 June 2022 at 9:25 pm

            M'bird do you think DOC will is better served with having Poto instead of Kiritapu as their minister ? As I have more focus in DOC/environment in this area than most others, by being involved on a volunteer basis. So this appointment concerns me as I believe that the change in ministers has weakened the dept. and is an area that a strong minister should be appointed into the role and should be one that commands a front bench position. But that is my view.

            • Jimmy 7.1.1.1.1.1
              15 June 2022 at 8:45 am

              I think the unfortunate reality is, any portfolio would be better served having Kiritapu as their minister rather than Poto Williams.

              • Robert Guyton …
                15 June 2022 at 8:56 am

                You mean some politicians are better than others?

                That's some perceptive thinking right there, Jimmy!

                • Jimmy …
                  15 June 2022 at 9:43 am

                  Yes that is exactly right. In fact some politicians are so much worse they shouldn't be there at all.

                  • Robert Guyton …
                    15 June 2022 at 10:16 am

                    Oh, I see, you're attacking Poto Williams here, Jimmy. I thought you were making a reasonable comment about varying skill levels. I didn't recognise that you were going for character assassination.

                    • Jimmy …
                      15 June 2022 at 10:32 am

                      I reject the premise of your question…just kidding!

                      No character assassination from me. Simply she was not up to the job. And no, before you play the race card or the sexist card, it is not to do with her race or sex. Just that she was promoted beyond her means in to a position that she did not have the skill set for. Like Phil Twyford and David Clark were. And thus why they have been moved.

                    • Robert Guyton …
                      15 June 2022 at 10:34 am

                      I'm not playing cards, Jimmy, just clarifying with you your intent; bagging Poto Williams.

            • Anne 7.1.1.1.1.2
              15 June 2022 at 9:49 am

              So, you choose to damn her before she's even got her foot inside DOC's door. I have noticed over the years that is your modus operandi. Add an unhealthy dose of negativism over every action taken or word uttered by Labour ministers or pit them one against the other, and I think we have a typical troll.

              Why don't you own up to it once and for all.

  8. georgecom 8
    14 June 2022 at 6:23 pm

    one of the solutions to the gang issue is stemming the import of australian trained criminals. the best time to stem that was about 3-4 years back but not possible with the previous aussie pm and some in his party. we might hope now that criminals trained in Aussie will stay in Aussie rather than them export their problems across the tasman.

    Will have far more effect than some vague rubbish law the likes of ACT and National promote about court orders to stop gang members gathering together. I am sure that most gang members would pay attention to a court order banning them from meeting other gang members, now wouldn’t they. Either that or valuable police time wasted trying to enforce rubbish law that has minimal effect rather than focus on catching criminals, taking guns off the street and busting drug syndicates.

    On ACT, David Seymour was quoted in the NZH about Hipkins as police minister as reflecting a thin talent pool in Labours caucus. Looked like a classic case of a black pot to me.

  9. Chess Player 9
    14 June 2022 at 7:59 pm

    Deck chairs on the Titanic

    • In Vino 9.1
      14 June 2022 at 11:13 pm

      With Luxon keen to play White, Queen's gambit, against an opponent who is highly advantaged in talent.

  10. Ed1 10
    14 June 2022 at 10:11 pm

    The article by Audrey Young does seem reasonably fair regarding Mallard. I'm aware that she has been around as a journalist for quite a long time, but did she have personal or family connections to a political party at one time?

  11. Mat Simpson 11
    15 June 2022 at 5:59 pm

    " Next Tuesday should be an interesting day in Parliament "

    Ye the regular circus performers will give another outstanding performance except very few will actually watch or be remotely interested in the farce that is the New Zealand parliament.

    Except Mickey.

  12. Belladonna 12
    15 June 2022 at 7:12 pm

    Mallard is direct and often abrupt but if you watch him closely he has really tried to make Parliament work better.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/audrey-young-believe-it-or-not-trevor-mallard-will-make-a-fine-diplomat/3OA6SK4T5GGRWGO3XXPBPC6TPU/

    I would say that Mallard is his own worst enemy. I certainly agree that he has the good of Parliament at heart, as Speaker. But, it's the 20% of the time that he shoots from the lip which is remembered.

    I can forgive a punch up in the parliamentary foyer – especially as it was getting on for 20 years ago, and he could be expected to have got older and wiser over time.

    What I find unforgivable is his (subsequently proven false) public claim that a parliamentary staffer had committed rape, followed by a settlement (where we, the NZ public, had to foot the bill), only for him to use parliamentary privilege last year to double down on the accusations. A blatant abuse of his power and privilege.

    The sprinkler affair was merely stupid. But, once again, his instinctive reaction was then doubled down on. Backing up and apologising doesn't seem to be in his DNA.

    If (and it's a big if) he can be persuaded or 'managed' so as to think before he speaks – he may well be a very effective diplomat. Certainly, no one can doubt that he has the good of NZ at heart. If not, then we may see NZ in the international headlines for the wrong reasons.

    • Anne 12.1
      15 June 2022 at 9:13 pm

      What I find unforgivable is his (subsequently proven false) public claim that a parliamentary staffer had committed rape…

      From memory he said "… it sounds like rape." In truth, that is exactly what it did initially sound like and he was by no means the only person to think so. He should have kept his mouth shut of course and given the outcome I doubt he will commit such a misdemeanour again.

      The fellow at the centre of the drama was not guilty of rape, but he didn't appear to come out of it smelling of roses either.

      • Belladonna 12.1.1
        15 June 2022 at 9:48 pm

        He knew the exact situation. As the person to whom the inquiry was reporting, he was kept fully informed (his subsequent defence that he didn't know what 'rape' was, hardly holds water)

        Regardless. He absolutely should not have commented at all. And to double down, repeating the accusation using parliamentary privilege, was the height of bullying. Using his power and prestige to attack someone who had no right of reply.

        It's that pattern of 'attack when cornered' behaviour that makes me doubt very much that he's actually learned a lesson.

        I don't agree with much of the use politicians put parliamentary privilege to – there have been many examples of very poor decision-making which have been protected – and I think that it's well past it's 'use-by' date. After all, if politicians are so heavily restricted in what they can say in the house about each other – why should the rest of NZ be an open target?

  13. Mat Simpson 13
    15 June 2022 at 7:50 pm

    "

    What I find unforgivable is his (subsequently proven false) public claim that a parliamentary staffer had committed rape, followed by a settlement (where we, the NZ public, had to foot the bill), only for him to use parliamentary privilege last year to double down on the accusations. A blatant abuse of his power and privilege.

    The sprinkler affair was merely stupid. But, once again, his instinctive reaction was then doubled down on. Backing up and apologising doesn't seem to be in his DNA.

    Yes I whole heartedly agree.

    you must never …shoot from the lip Bella Donna

  14. Christopher Randal 14
    15 June 2022 at 8:04 pm

    I find this "Williams was not competent to be Police Minister and she has no credentials for DOC" rather interesting.

    In my elderly mind it shows that writers don't want to understand that MPs are elected to become Ministers, rather they are elected to represent the electors. Should we go back to Pepys' day when only the entitled were elected – oh wait, that's Luxon's group isn't it.

    Perhaps parties could stand a serving police officer in one electorate (Minister of Police), a builder in another electorate (Housing) and so on and so on?

  15. Belladonna 15
    15 June 2022 at 9:51 pm

    OK, for a bit of light-hearted relief — you'll all, I'm sure, be fascinated to know the *true* reason that Mallard has resigned.

    Straight from the horse's …. mouth — it's all about Winston!

    https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA2206/S00116/mallard-resignation-a-cover-up.htm

    “On the 25th May the Speaker received a letter from my Solicitors concerning his decision to trespass me and hundreds of others during February’s parliamentary protest.”

    “In that letter, it was made clear that there would be court action taken against Mr Mallard if he did not provide specific explanations, documents, and referenced authority with which he, in a free and democratic society, trespassed hundreds of New Zealand citizens from the Nation’s Parliament.”

    “Both Mallard and the Prime Minister knew that he was facing potential prosecution for his actions and can be no coincidence that the announcement of his resignation comes just two weeks after my Solicitor’s letter was sent to his office.”

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    “You can't really undo what happens during childhood”, said the director of the Dunedin longitudinal study. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Richie Poulton, the director of the world-leading Dunedin longitudinal study showing how devastating poverty in early life is, died yesterday. With his final words, he lamented the lack ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    8 hours ago

  • North-western downgrades
    This is a guest post from reader Peter N As many of us know, Auckland Transport and Waka Kotahi are well into progressing works on the northwestern interim “busway” with services to kick off in just over a month from now on Sunday 12th November 2023. Some of the ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    9 hours ago

  • Has Webworm Found New Zealand’s Weirdest School?
    Hi,Before we talk about weird schools people choose to send their kids to, a few things on my mind. I adored the Ask Me Anything we did last week. Thanks for taking part. I love answering your weird and nosy questions, even questions about beans.I am excited and scared as Mister ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    10 hours ago

  • Another mother of a budget
    A National government would make spending cuts on a scale not seen since the 1990 – 96 Bolger government.That much was confirmed with the release of their Fiscal Plan on Friday.Government spending is currently high as a percentage of GDP — as high as it was during the Muldoon ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    12 hours ago

  • A crucial week starts as early voting opens in the NZ Elections … it’s been a ride so far. Are y...
    Chris Hipkins down with Covid, at least for 5 days isolation, National continue to obfuscate, ACT continues to double-down on the poor and Winston… well, he’s being Winston really. Voters beware: this week could be even more infuriating than the last. No Party is what they used to be ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    20 hours ago

  • 2023 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #39
    A chronological listing of news and opinion articles posted on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Sep 24, 2023 thru Sat, Sep 30, 2023. Story of the Week We’re not doomed yet’: climate scientist Michael Mann on our last chance to save human civilisation The renowned US ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 day ago

  • Clusterf**ck of Chaos.
    On the 11th of April 1945 advancing US forces liberated the Nazi concentration camp of Buchenwald near Weimar in Germany. In the coming days, under the order of General Patton, a thousand nearby residents were forced to march to the camp to see the atrocities that had been committed in ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago

  • The party of business deals with the future by pretending it isn’t coming
    Years and years ago, when Helen Clark was Prime Minister and John Key was gunning for her job, I had a conversation with a mate, a trader who knew John Key well enough to paint a helpful picture.It was many drinks ago so it’s not a complete one. But there’s ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago

  • 2023 More Reading: September (+ Old Phuul update)
    Completed reads for September: The Lost Continent, by C.J. Cutcliffe Hyne Flatland, by Edwin Abbott All Quiet on the Western Front, by Erich Maria Remarque The Country of the Blind, by H.G. Wells The Day of the Triffids, by John Wyndham A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    2 days ago

  • Losing The Left.
    Descending Into The Dark: The ideological cadres currently controlling both Labour and the Greens are forcing “justice”, “participation” and “democracy” to make way for what is “appropriate” and “responsible”. But, where does that leave the people who, for most of their adult lives, have voted for left-wing parties, precisely to ...
    Bowalley Road
    2 days ago

  • The New “Emperor’s New Clothes”.
    “‘BUT HE HASN’T GOT ANYTHING ON,’ a little boy said ….. ‘But he hasn’t got anything on!’ the whole town cried out at last.”On this optimistic note, Hans Christian Andersen brings his cautionary tale of “The Emperor’s New Clothes” to an end.Andersen’s children’s story was written nearly two centuries ago, ...
    Bowalley Road
    2 days ago

  • BRYCE EDWARDS: The vested interests shaping National Party policies
      Bryce Edwards writes – As the National Party gets closer to government, lobbyists and business interests will be lining up for influence and to get policies adopted. It’s therefore in the public interest to have much more scrutiny and transparency about potential conflicts of interests that ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • LINDSAY MITCHELL: A conundrum for those pushing racist dogma
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – The heavily promoted narrative, which has ramped up over the last six years, is that Maori somehow have special vulnerabilities which arise from outside forces they cannot control; that contemporary society fails to meet their needs. They are not receptive to messages and ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • CHRIS TROTTER:  The greater of two evils
    Not Labour: If you’re out to punish the government you once loved, then the last thing you need is to be shown evidence that the opposition parties are much, much worse.   Chris Trotter writes – THE GREATEST VIRTUE of being the Opposition is not being the Government. Only very ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • The Hoon around the week to Sept 30
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:Labour presented a climate manifesto that aimed to claim the high ground on climate action vs National, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Litanies, articles of faith, and being a beneficiary
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past two weeks.Friday 29Play it, ElvisElection Hell special!! This week’s quiz is a bumper edition featuring a few of the more popular questions from last weekend’s show, as well as a few we didn’t ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago

  • Litanies, articles of faith, and being a beneficiary
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past two weeks.Friday 29Play it, ElvisElection Hell special!! This week’s quiz is a bumper edition featuring a few of the more popular questions from last weekend’s show, as well as a few we didn’t ...
    More than a fieldingBy David Slack
    2 days ago

  • The ‘Recession’ Has Been Called Off, But Some Households Are Still Struggling
    While the economy is not doing too badly in output terms, external circumstances are not favourable, and there is probably a sizeable group of households struggling because of rising interest rates.Last week’s announcement of a 0.9 percent increase in volume GDP for the June quarter had the commentariat backing down ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    3 days ago

  • Climate Change: The wrong direction
    This week the International Energy Association released its Net Zero Roadmap, intended to guide us towards a liveable climate. The report demanded huge increases in renewable generation, no new gas or oil, and massive cuts to methane emissions. It was positive about our current path, but recommended that countries with ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • “Racism” becomes a buzz word on the campaign trail – but our media watchdogs stay muzzled when...
    Buzz from the Beehive  Oh, dear.  We have nothing to report from the Beehive. At least, we have nothing to report from the government’s official website. But the drones have not gone silent.  They are out on the election campaign trail, busy buzzing about this and that in the hope ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • Play it, Elvis
    Election Hell special!! This week’s quiz is a bumper edition featuring a few of the more popular questions from last weekend’s show, as well as a few we didn’t have time for. You’re welcome, etc. Let us press on, etc. 1.  What did Christopher Luxon use to his advantage in ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • Pure class warfare
    National unveiled its fiscal policy today, announcing all the usual things which business cares about and I don't. But it did finally tell us how National plans to pay for its handouts to landlords: by effectively cutting benefits: The biggest saving announced on Friday was $2b cut from the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • Ask Me Anything about the week to Sept 29
    Photo by Anna Ogiienko on UnsplashIt’s that time of the week for an ‘Ask Me Anything’ session for paying subscribers about the week that was for an hour, including:duelling fiscal plans from National and Labour;Labour cutting cycling spending while accusing National of being weak on climate;Research showing the need for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Weekly Roundup 29-September-2023
    Welcome to Friday and the last one for September. This week in Greater Auckland On Monday, Matt highlighted at the latest with the City Rail Link. On Tuesday, Matt covered the interesting items from Auckland Transport’s latest board meeting agendas. On Thursday, a guest post from Darren Davis ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    3 days ago

  • Protest at Parliament: The Reunion.
    Brian’s god spoke to him. He, for of course the Lord in Tamaki’s mind was a male god, with a mighty rod, and probably some black leathers. He, told Brian - “you must put a stop to all this love, hope, and kindness”. And it did please the Brian.He said ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • Labour cuts $50m from cycleway spending
    Labour is cutting spending on cycling infrastructure while still trying to claim the higher ground on climate. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The Labour Government released a climate manifesto this week to try to claim the high ground against National, despite having ignored the Climate Commission’s advice to toughen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • The Greater Of Two Evils.
    Not Labour: If you’re out to punish the government you once loved, then the last thing you need is to be shown evidence that the opposition parties are much, much worse.THE GREATEST VIRTUE of being the Opposition is not being the Government. Only very rarely is an opposition party elected ...
    Bowalley Road
    3 days ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #39 2023
    Open access notables "Net zero is only a distraction— we just have to end fossil fuel emissions." The latter is true but the former isn't, or  not in the real world as it's likely to be in the immediate future. And "just" just doesn't enter into it; we don't have ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • Chris Trotter: Losing the Left
    IN THE CURRENT MIX of electoral alternatives, there is no longer a credible left-wing party. Not when “a credible left-wing party” is defined as: a class-oriented, mass-based, democratically-structured political organisation; dedicated to promoting ideas sharply critical of laissez-faire capitalism; and committed to advancing democratic, egalitarian and emancipatory ideals across the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago

  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More than a fieldingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Hipkins fires up in leaders’ debate, but has the curtain already fallen on the Labour-led coalitio...
    Labour’s  Chris Hipkins came out firing, in the  leaders’ debate  on Newshub’s evening programme, and most of  the pundits  rated  him the winner against National’s  Christopher Luxon. But will this make any difference when New  Zealanders  start casting their ballots? The problem  for  Hipkins is  that  voters are  all too ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    4 days ago

  • Govt is energising housing projects with solar power – and fuelling the public’s concept of a di...
    Buzz from the Beehive  Not long after Point of Order published data which show the substantial number of New Zealanders (77%) who believe NZ is becoming more divided, government ministers were braying about a programme which distributes some money to “the public” and some to “Maori”. The ministers were dishing ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • MIKE GRIMSHAW: Election 2023 – a totemic & charisma failure?
    The D&W analysis Michael Grimshaw writes –  Given the apathy, disengagement, disillusionment, and all-round ennui of this year’s general election, it was considered time to bring in those noted political operatives and spin doctors D&W, the long-established consultancy firm run by Emile Durkheim and Max Weber. Known for ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • FROM BFD: Will Winston be the spectre we think?
    Kissy kissy. Cartoon credit BoomSlang. The BFD. JC writes-  Allow me to preface this contribution with the following statement: If I were asked to express a preference between a National/ACT coalition or a National/ACT/NZF coalition then it would be the former. This week Luxon declared his position, ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • California’s climate disclosure bill could have a huge impact across the U.S.
    This re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Andy Furillo was originally published by Capital & Main and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. The California Legislature took a step last week that has the potential to accelerate the fight against climate ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • Untangling South East Queensland’s Public Transport
    This is a cross post Adventures in Transitland by Darren Davis. I recently visited Brisbane and South East Queensland and came away both impressed while also pondering some key changes to make public transport even better in the region. Here goes with my take on things. A bit of ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    4 days ago

  • Try A Little Kindness.
    My daughter arrived home from the supermarket yesterday and she seemed a bit worried about something. It turned out she wanted to know if someone could get her bank number from a receipt.We wound the story back.She was in the store and there was a man there who was distressed, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • What makes NZFirst tick
    New Zealand’s longest-running political roadshow rolled into Opotiki yesterday, with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters knowing another poll last night showed he would make it back to Parliament and National would need him and his party if they wanted to form a government. The Newshub Reid Research poll ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago

  • September AMA
    Hi,As September draws to a close — I feel it’s probably time to do an Ask Me Anything. You know how it goes: If you have any burning questions, fire away in the comments and I will do my best to answer. You might have questions about Webworm, or podcast ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    5 days ago

  • Bludgers lying in the scratcher making fools of us all
    The mediocrity who stands to be a Prime Minister has a litany.He uses it a bit like a Koru Lounge card. He will brandish it to say: these people are eligible. And more than that, too: These people are deserving. They have earned this policy.They have a right to this policy. What ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • More “partnerships” (by the look of it) and redress of over $30 million in Treaty settlement wit...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point of Order has waited until now – 3.45pm – for today’s officially posted government announcements.  There have been none. The only addition to the news on the Beehive’s website was posted later yesterday, after we had published our September 26 Buzz report. It came from ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago

  • ALEX HOLLAND: Labour’s spending
    Alex Holland writes –  In 2017 when Labour came to power, crown spending was $76 billion per year. Now in 2023 it is $139 billion per year, which equates to a $63 billion annual increase (over $1 billion extra spend every week!) In 2017, New Zealand’s government debt ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • If not now, then when?
    Labour released its fiscal plan today, promising the same old, same old: "responsibility", balanced books, and of course no new taxes: "Labour will maintain income tax settings to provide consistency and certainty in these volatile times. Now is not the time for additional taxes or to promise billions of ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago

  • THE FACTS:  77% of Kiwis believe NZ is becoming more divided
    The Facts has posted –        KEY INSIGHTSOf New Zealander’s polled: Social unity/division 77%believe NZ is becoming more divided (42% ‘much more’ + 35% ‘a little more’) 3%believe NZ is becoming less divided (1% ‘much less’ + 2% ‘a little less’) ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the cynical brutality of the centre-right’s welfare policies
    The centre-right’s enthusiasm for forcing people off the benefit and into paid work is matched only by the enthusiasm (shared by Treasury and the Reserve Bank) for throwing people out of paid work to curb inflation, and achieve the optimal balance of workers to job seekers deemed to be desirable ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    5 days ago

  • Wednesday’s Chorus: Arthur Grimes on why building many, many more social houses is so critical
    New research shows that tenants in social housing - such as these Wellington apartments - are just as happy as home owners and much happier than private tenants. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The election campaign took an ugly turn yesterday, and in completely the wrong direction. All three ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • Bennie Bashing.
    If there’s one thing the mob loves more than keeping Māori in their place, more than getting tough on the gangs, maybe even more than tax cuts. It’s a good old round of beneficiary bashing.Are those meanies in the ACT party stealing your votes because they think David Seymour is ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • The kindest cuts
    Labour kicks off the fiscal credibility battle today with the release of its fiscal plan. National is expected to follow, possibly as soon as Thursday, with its own plan, which may (or may not) address the large hole that the problems with its foreign buyers’ ban might open up. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago

  • Green right turn in Britain? Well, a start
    While it may be unlikely to register in New Zealand’s general election, Britain’s PM Rishi Sunak has done something which might just be important in the long run. He’s announced a far-reaching change in his Conservative government’s approach to environmental, and particularly net zero, policy. The starting point – ...
    Point of OrderBy xtrdnry
    6 days ago

  • At a glance – How do human CO2 emissions compare to natural CO2 emissions?
    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
    6 days ago

  • How could this happen?
    Canada is in uproar after the exposure that its parliament on September 22 provided a standing ovation to a Nazi veteran who had been invited into the chamber to participate in the parliamentary welcome to Ukrainian President Zelensky. Yaroslav Hunka, 98, a Ukrainian man who volunteered for service in ...
    Open ParachuteBy Ken
    6 days ago

  • Always Be Campaigning
    The big screen is a great place to lay out the ways of the salesman. He comes ready-made for Panto, ripe for lampooning.This is not to disparage that life. I have known many good people of that kind. But there is a type, brazen as all get out. The camera ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • STEPHEN FRANKS: Press seek to publicly shame doctor – we must push back
    The following is a message sent yesterday from lawyer Stephen Franks on behalf of the Free Speech Union. I don’t like to interrupt first thing Monday morning, but we’ve just become aware of a case where we think immediate and overwhelming attention could help turn the tide. It involves someone ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Competing on cruelty
    The right-wing message calendar is clearly reading "cruelty" today, because both National and NZ First have released beneficiary-bashing policies. National is promising a "traffic light" system to police and kick beneficiaries, which will no doubt be accompanied by arbitrary internal targets to classify people as "orange" or "red" to keep ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago

  • Further funding for Pharmac (forgotten in the Budget?) looks like a $1bn appeal from a PM in need of...
    Buzz from the Beehive One Labour plan  – for 3000 more public homes by 2025 – is the most recent to be posted on the government’s official website. Another – a prime ministerial promise of more funding for Pharmac – has been released as a Labour Party press statement. Who ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: The Vested interests shaping National Party policies
    As the National Party gets closer to government, lobbyists and business interests will be lining up for influence and to get policies adopted. It’s therefore in the public interest to have much more scrutiny and transparency about potential conflicts of interests that might arise. One of the key individuals of ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    6 days ago

  • Labour may be on way out of power and NZ First back in – but will Peters go into coalition with Na...
    Voters  are deserting Labour in droves, despite Chris  Hipkins’  valiant  rearguard  action.  So  where  are they  heading?  Clearly  not all of them are going to vote National, which concedes that  the  outcome  will be “close”. To the Right of National, the ACT party just a  few weeks  ago  was ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    6 days ago

  • GRAHAM ADAMS: Will the racists please stand up?
    Accusations of racism by journalists and MPs are being called out. Graham Adams writes –    With the election less than three weeks away, what co-governance means in practice — including in water management, education, planning law and local government — remains largely obscure. Which is hardly ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on whether Winston Peters can be a moderating influence
    As the centre-right has (finally!) been subjected to media interrogation, the polls are indicating that some voters may be starting to have second thoughts about the wisdom of giving National and ACT the power to govern alone. That’s why yesterday’s Newshub/Reid Research poll had the National/ACT combo dropping to 60 ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    6 days ago

  • Tuesday’s Chorus: RBNZ set to rain on National's victory parade
    ANZ has increased its forecast for house inflation later this year on signs of growing momentum in the market ahead of the election. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: National has campaigned against the Labour Government’s record on inflation and mortgage rates, but there’s now a growing chance the Reserve ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • After a Pittsburgh coal processing plant closed, ER visits plummeted
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Katie Myers. This story was originally published by Grist and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. Pittsburgh, in its founding, was blessed and cursed with two abundant natural resources: free-flowing rivers and a nearby coal seam. ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • September-23 AT Board Meeting
    Today the AT board meet again and once again I’ve taken a look at what’s on the agenda to find the most interesting items. Closed Agenda Interestingly when I first looked at the agendas this paper was there but at the time of writing this post it had been ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    6 days ago

  • Electorate Watch: West Coast-Tasman
    Continuing my series on interesting electorates, today it’s West Coast-Tasman.A long thin electorate running down the northern half of the west coast of the South Island. Think sand flies, beautiful landscapes, lots of rain, Pike River, alternative lifestylers, whitebaiting, and the spiritual home of the Labour Party. A brief word ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • Big money brings Winston back
    National leader Christopher Luxon yesterday morning conceded it and last night’s Newshub poll confirmed it; Winston Peters and NZ First are not only back but highly likely to be part of the next government. It is a remarkable comeback for a party that was tossed out of Parliament in ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    7 days ago

  • 20 days until Election Day, 7 until early voting begins… but what changes will we really see here?
    As this blogger, alongside many others, has already posited in another forum: we all know the National Party’s “budget” (meaning this concept of even adding up numbers properly is doing a lot of heavy, heavy lifting right now) is utter and complete bunk (read hung, drawn and quartered and ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    7 days ago

  • A night out
    Everyone was asking, Are you nervous? and my response was various forms of God, yes.I've written more speeches than I can count; not much surprises me when the speaker gets to their feet and the room goes quiet.But a play? Never.YOU CAME! THANK YOU! Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago

  • A pallid shade of Green III
    Clearly Labour's focus groups are telling it that it needs to pay more attention to climate change - because hot on the heels of their weaksauce energy efficiency pilot programme and not-great-but-better-than-nothing solar grants, they've released a full climate manifesto. Unfortunately, the core policies in it - a second Emissions ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago

  • A coalition of racism, cruelty, and chaos
    Today's big political news is that after months of wibbling, National's Chris Luxon has finally confirmed that he is willing to work with Winston Peters to become Prime Minister. Which is expected, but I guess it tells us something about which way the polls are going. Which raises the question: ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago

  • More migrant workers should help generate the tax income needed to provide benefits for job seekers
    Buzz from the Beehive Under something described as a “rebalance” of its immigration rules, the Government has adopted four of five recommendations made in an independent review released in July, The fifth, which called on the government to specify criteria for out-of-hours compliance visits similar to those used during ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 week ago

  • New national direction provides clarity for development and the environment
    The Government has taken an important step in implementing the new resource management system, by issuing a draft National Planning Framework (NPF) document under the new legislation, Environment Minister David Parker said today. “The NPF consolidates existing national direction, bringing together around 20 existing instruments including policy statements, standards, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 hours ago

  • Government shows further commitment to pay equity for healthcare workers
    The Government welcomes the proposed pay equity settlement that will see significant pay increases for around 18,000 Te Whatu Ora Allied, Scientific, and Technical employees, if accepted said Health Minister Ayesha Verrall. The proposal reached between Te Whatu Ora, the New Zealand Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 hours ago

  • 100 new public EV chargers to be added to national network
    The public EV charging network has received a significant boost with government co-funding announced today for over 100 EV chargers – with over 200 charging ports altogether – across New Zealand, and many planned to be up and running on key holiday routes by Christmas this year. Minister of Energy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Safeguarding Tuvalu language and identity
    Tuvalu is in the spotlight this week as communities across New Zealand celebrate Vaiaso o te Gagana Tuvalu – Tuvalu Language Week. “The Government has a proven record of supporting Pacific communities and ensuring more of our languages are spoken, heard and celebrated,” Pacific Peoples Minister Barbara Edmonds said. “Many ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • New community-level energy projects to support more than 800 Māori households
    Seven more innovative community-scale energy projects will receive government funding through the Māori and Public Housing Renewable Energy Fund to bring more affordable, locally generated clean energy to more than 800 Māori households, Energy and Resources Minister Dr Megan Woods says. “We’ve already funded 42 small-scale clean energy projects that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Huge boost to Te Tai Tokerau flood resilience
    The Government has approved new funding that will boost resilience and greatly reduce the risk of major flood damage across Te Tai Tokerau. Significant weather events this year caused severe flooding and damage across the region. The $8.9m will be used to provide some of the smaller communities and maraes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Napier’s largest public housing development comes with solar
    The largest public housing development in Napier for many years has been recently completed and has the added benefit of innovative solar technology, thanks to Government programmes, says Housing Minister Dr Megan Woods. The 24 warm, dry homes are in Seddon Crescent, Marewa and Megan Woods says the whanau living ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Te Whānau a Apanui and the Crown initial Deed of Settlement I Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me...
    Māori: Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna te Whakaaetanga Whakataunga Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna i tētahi Whakaaetanga Whakataunga hei whakamihi i ō rātou tāhuhu kerēme Tiriti o Waitangi. E tekau mā rua ngā hapū o roto mai o Te Whānau ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
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