The flag poll

Written By: - Date published: 7:47 am, September 21st, 2015 - 90 comments
Categories: identity, polls - Tags:

OK I confess I’m only writing this post because the chance to use that title tickled my fancy. But anyway:

Most Kiwis don’t want flag change – poll
…
The 3 News Reid Research poll shows just 25 per cent of people want to change the flag after seeing the four shortlisted options while almost 70 per cent say no. Six per cent did not know.

The shortlist was released at the start of September and the poll began a week later. The poll of 1000 eligible voters was taken from September 8 to 16 and has a margin of error of +/- 3.1 per cent. …

Key’s begging on the flag fiasco is getting pretty desperate.

90 comments on “The flag poll ”

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  1. vto 1
    21 September 2015 at 7:56 am

    Flags are so outdated, we all have cellphones now don’t you know

  2. infused 2
    21 September 2015 at 8:12 am

    I love how you guys always quote these tweets from nobodys like they mean something.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 2.1
      21 September 2015 at 8:30 am

      They should know their place and wait for celebrity effluent to fight over.

    • save NZ 2.2
      21 September 2015 at 8:44 am

      Someone told me that ‘breaking news’ by the new TV3 ‘reporter’ linked to John Key and Ponygate, was that Mike Hoskings was seen using a vacuum cleaner for his car in Remuera!” Wow! That’s real news! Is that who you consider Somebodies and their news ‘means something?”

    • weka 2.3
      21 September 2015 at 8:53 am

      “I love how you guys always quote these tweets from nobodys like they mean something.”

      Cool, we’ve been saying for ages that Gower doesn’t mean anything.

    • appleboy 2.4
      21 September 2015 at 10:14 am

      You don’t know who Tova O Brien and Paddie Gower are? You have been spending too much time up Key’s arse looking for the sunshine.

    • Lanthanide 2.5
      21 September 2015 at 12:49 pm

      Like well-known political editors for major news media in this country?

  3. Outofbed 3
    21 September 2015 at 8:22 am

    Hoisted on his own petard

  4. Ad 4
    21 September 2015 at 8:41 am

    My bet is Key will press on, change the flag, take a permanent 5% on his Preferred PM stats, and take the real prize:
    To permanently take the “nation builder” crown off Labour.

    We have been riding the laurels of the post-1940s New Deal definition of the state as a structural enabler. Key is remaking it to one in which the state is a series of contracts unified only by brand. The flag is that brand.

    Whether they win in 2017 or not, the prize for Key is permanence in the history books.

    • Pat 4.1
      21 September 2015 at 9:37 am

      a strange comment in light of the fact 70% oppose change

    • Olwyn 4.2
      21 September 2015 at 9:37 am

      That is an insightful comment Ad – I think you are in exactly the right ballpark with regard to what Key wants. However, to quote Robbie Burns, “The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men / Gang aft agley”. Key has taken a largish risk with his logo flag, and so far the chances of it paying off do not look promising.

  5. esoteric pineapples 5
    21 September 2015 at 9:07 am

    Shame to see Chrystal next to the Prime Minister, even if it is at a fundraisers. Celebrities, sports people etc need to realise that John Key is highly disliked by a large percentage of New Zealanders now

    • Lanthanide 5.1
      21 September 2015 at 12:51 pm

      Yip, she went to my high school in my year, although I didn’t really have anything to do with her.

  6. Ovid 6
    21 September 2015 at 9:42 am

    It’s also gratifying to see Labour gain 8 percent on their election result. That’s a good base to work on with an eye to 2017.

  7. Puckish Rogue 7
    21 September 2015 at 9:56 am

    http://www.3news.co.nz/nznews/political-poll-support-low-for-flag-change-2015092016#axzz3mJnGRKPe

    Gratifying to see National at 47% and Lab/Greens 43% but not so gratifying seeing Winston as King Maker again

    I just wonder what National will give Winston…at least it should mean the end of Peter Dunne so thats something

    • swordfish 7.1
      21 September 2015 at 11:30 am

      You’re derailing, of course, but what the hell…..

      …..that’s the 5th consecutive TV Poll (Colmar Brunton / Reid Research) that puts
      the combined Opposition ahead of not only the Govt Bloc but, indeed, the entire
      Right Bloc.

      Oppo Bloc averaging around 51%
      Govt Bloc averaging around 48%

      Big change from Election, Puckers, Biiigggggggg change.

      And I see, as a result, you’ve been forced to adopt a new strategy – suddenly now smuggling into your little bon mots a rather dodgy assumption that Winnie will automatically head in the Nats’ direction.

      Hilarious stuff.

      • Puckish Rogue 7.1.1
        21 September 2015 at 11:41 am

        Say you’re Winston Peters and you have the choice of either going in with National and being the second and only coilition partner and getting a lot of concessions or

        Go with Labour with Labour and get less concessions since both he and the Greens will have to share the concessions

        What do you think Winstons going to do, share the power or take as much power as he can

        Winston will previcate as he always does but he knows Key will pay him what he wants whereas Labour can’t because the Greens will also want theirs

        For example do you think winston would agree to the Greens being given the finance portfolio?

        Winston is neutral, to count him on any side is a mistake

        • swordfish 7.1.1.1
          21 September 2015 at 11:55 am

          You’re forgetting a simple concept, Puckers …

          … REVENGE !!!

          … ruthless, determined, cold-blooded, unsparing, clinically-executed REVEEEEEEENNNNNNGGGGGE !!!!!!!!!

          • Puckish Rogue 7.1.1.1.1
            21 September 2015 at 12:02 pm

            You’re forgetting that Winston wants a legacy, Key can offer him more and who do you think can cut the best deal Key or Little?

            • One Anonymous Bloke 7.1.1.1.1.1
              21 September 2015 at 12:16 pm

              Given that they’d both have exactly the same things to offer, your question is drivel.

              • Puckish Rogue …
                21 September 2015 at 12:46 pm

                The concept might be a bit difficult for you to understand but Winston can choose to negotiate with only National or Winston can choose to negotiate with Labour knowing full well that Labour has to also negotiate with the Greens

                Winston can get more concessions from National because National doesn’t have to worry about any other party (sorry Maori Party)

                As an example if Winston and the Greens both want the finance portfolio then theres going to have to be a backdown by someone whereas National could give it to Winston

                • Lanthanide …
                  21 September 2015 at 12:54 pm

                  “whereas National could give [the finance portfolio] to Winston”

                  Except they wouldn’t, unless he was on like 20%+.

                  It is unlikely Labour would give the finance portfolio to the Greens, either.

                  • Puckish Rogue …
                    21 September 2015 at 1:00 pm

                    Yes of course its unlikely and the Greens have nowhere else to go so they’ll take what Labours gives them and be greatful like the lap dogs they are so yes unlikely

                    But not impossible

                • leftie …
                  21 September 2015 at 6:17 pm

                  @ PR You have forgotten Peter Dunne that National has to make concessions to.

                  Winston Peter’s, who not only apologized for supporting the Nats in the 1990’s, hasn’t supported National in almost 20 years since, hates John key, and was very quick to support a Labour government under Helen Clark, and he thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
                  NZ First and the Labour Party are on the same page on a number of issues, as are the Greens. I think you will find there wont be such an issue as you may like to think.

                • Clemgeopin …
                  21 September 2015 at 11:11 pm

                  Your theory is based on the latest poll. There are still 2 years to the election.

                  Just imagine if National by then is at 37%, NZF at 8% =45%
                  where as if Labour is at 40% and the Greens at 12%? =52%

                  or
                  Labs at 36%, Greens at 12% and NZF at 8%?=56%

                  or,
                  Labs at 36%, Greens at 10% and NZF at 10%?=56%

                  Early days! So no use of your idle talk just yet, because then you will need to keep revising your theory each time a poll comes out!

                  Be patient.

                  One thing is clear. Key’s, National’s and the RW star is fading, slowly but steadily compared to the last election result. Is it not?

            • Ovid 7.1.1.1.1.2
              21 September 2015 at 1:54 pm

              Look at it like this, if Winston were kingmaker he’d either be supporting a 1st term government or a 4th term one. For the longevity of his influence, it would be much more likely for a 1st term government to gain a second term in 2020 than it would be for a 4th term government to gain a 5th.

              Further, a change in government allows a new policy direction, which would give him a lot more latitude. National is carrying a lot of baggage.

              • Puckish Rogue …
                21 September 2015 at 2:17 pm

                Theres also Winstons own statements about supporting the largest party first but what it really shows is you shouldn’t count on Winston until the election is done and dusted

                • You_Fool …
                  21 September 2015 at 3:00 pm

                  He said he would talk to the largest party first; nothing about supporting nor about giving them a benefit in the decision.

                  • Puckish Rogue …
                    21 September 2015 at 3:32 pm

                    True and thats why Winston should be considered neutral

                    • leftie …
                      21 September 2015 at 6:25 pm

                      I do not think you see Winston Peter’s as being neutral though PR, I get the impression from you that you assume Winston Peter’s will automatically support National, and in my humble opinion, I do not think he will.

                • leftie …
                  21 September 2015 at 6:22 pm

                  @PR Winston Peter’s said the only way Labour and the Greens had a chance of forming a government was with NZ First.

        • Pat 7.1.1.2
          21 September 2015 at 8:55 pm

          is 2 years away and Winston could be dead by then…..numerical poultry

      • infused 7.1.2
        21 September 2015 at 2:20 pm

        Peters ain’t going to go with Labour.

        • One Anonymous Bloke 7.1.2.1
          21 September 2015 at 2:26 pm

          Just after the war with North Korea starts, eh. You should open a roadside stand: Madame Infused’s World of Wonders.

        • You_Fool 7.1.2.2
          21 September 2015 at 2:59 pm

          And Peters won’t go with National either.

          Look it is pointless saying who Winnie will go with as no one knows but Winnie, and he won’t decide until such a time he is in a position to actually decide.

          There is equal reasons why he would go with either NAct or LabGrn and equal reasons why he wouldn’t go with either. He is also unlikely to sit on the cross benches, but then again he may do that anyway

          What it means is that there is no point going around claiming you know what Winnie is going to do other than to troll the otherside

          • McFlock 7.1.2.2.1
            21 September 2015 at 4:37 pm

            yep, pretty much.
            I suspect that without winston NZ1 will become much more national’s ally (for a given meaning of the word – NZ1 has sensed it can clean up in the rural seats national has long neglected), but it’s a fool who tries to predict what winston will or won’t do.

        • leftie 7.1.2.3
          21 September 2015 at 6:27 pm

          Why not Infused? Winston Peter’s supported the previous Labour government and loved it.

    • NickS 7.2
      21 September 2015 at 4:31 pm

      at least it should mean the end of Peter Dunne so thats something

      Probably not, Dunne’s still got a strong hold on his electorate and to for him to loose it would require cross party co-operation vis strategic voting or Dunne retiring/dying.

  8. mac1 8
    21 September 2015 at 9:56 am

    Maybe just a chance to use a good pun for a title, but I hope it won’t be your Last Post, Anthony.

    As for the changing of the flag. I would like to have it changed, but don’t like the given alternatives. There will be no way to know, the Key has organised it, whether Kiwis want a change, (except by opinion polling), if they vote the first referendum choice down in the second referendum and keep the original.

    If a change of flag is not accepted in the second referendum, how long would it take before this initiative would be taken up again? At the moment, there is no real reason to adopt a new flag apart from an untested desire for change.

    Happily, the next time there would be an opportunity to get the questioning priority right, incorporating it into a wider republic versus monarchy debate. Then, a republic would need a new flag.

    • Clemgeopin 8.1
      21 September 2015 at 11:25 pm

      I think this flag stunt should be suspended until the PEOPLE indicate a strong (Average 60% plus) desire for change through a series of media polls.

      In the meantime, suspend these two referendums and ask Key and his millionaire class mates to pay back the 26 million dollars or what ever it is they have squandered on this completely mismanaged and blatantly manipulated fiasco so far.

  9. Another anonymous person 9
    21 September 2015 at 10:06 am

    Well I guess I should stop yawning and make my fist tiny input about the flag.
    From the beginning I found this completely futile and a terrible waste of energy and resources.
    I have not followed it, but could not miss it cropping up in front of me thrust in my face. Its all about John Key and what he wants.
    There never was any genuine intention to involve the people of New Zealand.
    So really I reckon under slightly different circumstances, John Key has the personality like Vladimir Putin. I wonder if he dreams of that?
    While I think the Flag is not important enough to bother with doing anything about, I think differently over the hymn which passes for a national anthem. I would wake up for a mission to change that.

  10. cogito 10
    21 September 2015 at 10:12 am

    Keep the flag and press Key’s nose into the floor of the cowshed where it belongs.

    • save NZ 10.1
      21 September 2015 at 11:22 am

      I think you mean press Key’s nose into the money markets floor – John Key can’t even hammer a nail let alone milk a cow, unless the cow is a metaphor for the entire country.

    • leftie 10.2
      21 September 2015 at 6:32 pm

      Cognito yep, keep the Flag and Change the PM.

  11. Another anonymous person 11
    21 September 2015 at 10:26 am

    Sadly I don’t feel any optimism arising by any party rising or falling in the polls.
    My experience is that all parties are much the same, and regardless of which kids the voters enough that they get elected, we are all worse off – but a debate might be had as to why that is [global or local factors or both]. Nobody will agree on that either.
    Because I gave up voting, I’m told that “by not voting I can’t complain!”;

    but there is an all to neglected flip side to that – Those who did vote can’t complain either because by voting they gave legitimacy to the sham electoral process and just have sour grapes over the outcome. Democracy seems a very corruptible thing.

    Honestly, I cannot bring myself to lend my support or consent to any of them. I dread Labour and the Greens as much as National, United future and NZ First.

    • cogito 11.1
      21 September 2015 at 10:47 am

      Change is possible. Just think of the popular support for Jeremy Corbyn.

    • Amy 11.2
      21 September 2015 at 11:30 am

      Then what alternative do you propose? Representative democracy has many weaknesses but is much better than the alternative.

      Despite what you may feel or believe, NZ is more free than most countries. And democracy is not only central government. In this country we have real power to change things radically in local elections. Even democracy right down to local school boards!

      When I moved to NZ from my home country of China, it took a very long time to fully understand that here we are free and just how precious that is.
      . If you doubt that, what about this blog? It is openly anti Key. Try that in China and you will truly learn what evil and the lack of power to influence truly is.

      That is one of reasons I comment on here occasionally. To be free to express opposing views is rare in this world.

      • cogito 11.2.1
        21 September 2015 at 12:05 pm

        “To be free to express opposing views is rare in this world.”

        Too many people take our democratic traditions and institutions for granted, and people like Key take every opportunity to undermine them and manipulate them for his own power/ego-driven purposes.

        That is why it is crucial that people speak up and speak out. We need to maintain the integrity of our democratic institutions and drive out those who are intent on corrupting them – Key being a prime example.

    • save NZ 11.3
      21 September 2015 at 11:39 am

      What policy would get you to vote again? Just interested because the right’s agenda is to get voters to feel it is not worth voting and that every party ‘is the same’. There are pretty clear differences – however in this country last election – I too struggled to find someone to vote for. That I think is part of the plan. Confusion.

      Undermine people with trivia or mimic messages i.e. ‘Reduce poverty’ and ‘working for families’ so that really important stuff gets left out or ignored or real issues look to be addressed by each party but are not. i.e. National address poverty by Social Bonds. The message is the same as the Greens (to reduce poverty) but the Greens obviously have a completely different take and it’s difficult to get it across in a sound byte why the Natz reducing poverty strategy is going to fail or is not even true without looking negative.

      Those that are more successful at countering the attacks have smear campaigns and ultimately leave politics or are replaced.

      Natz have it all worked out. But when are the opposition going to have a counter strategy not a Lite strategy and actually try to stop the rot and lies infesting this country.

      It is clearly not just a NZ problem. It is an international political problem where by people’s rights fought for are being eroded and increasingly powerful individuals and corporations have zero accountability and politicians in their pockets via donations to boot.

    • Clemgeopin 11.4
      21 September 2015 at 11:31 pm

      Shame on you. You do not understand what a democracy means nor deserve one. Think about it.

  12. Chooky 12
    21 September 2015 at 10:26 am

    Great Post +100 ….”Most Kiwis don’t want flag change – poll”….LUV IT!.

    XX kiss kiss …made my day!

  13. swordfish 13
    21 September 2015 at 10:55 am

    Interesting that when Key first floated the idea of a flag change in early 2014, the most recent previous opinion poll on the issue (July 2013) had suggested 61% for a new flag / 39% against.

    3 of the 4 polls on the issue before July 2013 had opposition to change easily outnumbering support.

    So, I wonder if Key and his advisors decided in early 2014 that public attitudes were beginning to shift quickly in favour, only to find over the subsequent 20 months (up to the present day) that, in fact, no such transformation of opinion had taken place, with virtually every poll finding clear opposition (mixed with considerable apathy) to a change.

    • Clemgeopin 13.1
      21 September 2015 at 11:58 pm

      One reason for that is Key made it his personal ego trip and National party agenda without making it a collective endeavour by not consulting with and taking the opposition political parties into confidence. Then he very stupidly manipulated the whole process. Dumb.

  14. swordfish 14
    21 September 2015 at 11:03 am

    Key says question in latest Flag Poll “not sophisticated enough”

    http://www.3news.co.nz/nznews/key-flag-poll-question-not-sophisticated-2015092107#axzz3mK4NVjOT

    You gotta laugh.

    • maui 14.1
      21 September 2015 at 11:16 am

      It’s a bit like watching state Venezuelan TV six months out from a revolution.

    • Jo 14.2
      21 September 2015 at 12:18 pm

      We’re gullible simple folk of course, sadly not yet sufficiently granulated to understand the conceptual subtlety of such an unsophisticated question.

  15. The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 15
    21 September 2015 at 11:05 am

    But 70% of us like Coldplay.

  16. vto 16
    21 September 2015 at 11:33 am

    Bounced this around a few contemporaries and non-contemporaries the last few days and what amazed me was the massive difference in views, with seemingly no political affiliation machination going on. Intensely personal and variable – couldn’t be estimated with reference to the person’s political leanings.

  17. Dazzer 17
    21 September 2015 at 12:26 pm

    I suspect this will come back and bite the left and rightly so.

    Labour’s policy at the last election was similar enough: “review the design of the New Zealand flag involving flag design experts and with full public consultation and involvement”.

    The only issue I can see is that many on the left seem to think only the left can define positive change. A fair degree of Key Derangement Syndrome has followed.

    Hence, most on the left seemed to relish in the lack of engagement the public had with the process and seemed to actively encourage it. Then all of a sudden, options were presented and the same who were cheering the apparent lack of interest (and were likewise not engaged) all of a sudden wanted to be engaged. Where was the discussion on the Peak when the panel was engaging – there was plenty of comment about the lack of interest.

    If people don’t want to change, that’s democracy at work (altho I think that’s where the line about sheep gets played out??). That so many on the left have made it political rather than an opportunity to define who we are says much about the left.

    The flag will change eventually I have no doubt and I’m equally sure we will then see this as an opportunity missed.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 17.1
      21 September 2015 at 12:38 pm

      So the 70% who don’t want any part of Shonky’s vain clusterfuck, which involves neither full public consultation nor design expertise, are “The Left”?

      Your argument is very very feeble.

      • Dazzer 17.1.1
        21 September 2015 at 1:48 pm

        That wasn’t what I was saying.

        I’m happy for the process to come out with that result.

        What I was pointing out that those who appeared to be deliberately choosing to not engage then became those who demanded engagement when the option they liked wasn’t chosen.

        Not to mention that the approach was similar to that proposed by Labour. So suggesting that a policy that Labour proposed last election is Shonky’s vain clusterfuck simply highlights my point which I should thank you for so do.

        • One Anonymous Bloke 17.1.1.1
          21 September 2015 at 1:51 pm

          That’s a lovely shiny new definition of “similar”. Do you believe the things you type?

        • McFlock 17.1.1.2
          21 September 2015 at 1:53 pm

          Not really.
          It’s another example of national taking decent policy and screwing it up on all levels, for far greater cost that it requires.

        • maui 17.1.1.3
          21 September 2015 at 2:04 pm

          Labour will: review the design of the New Zealand flag involving flag design experts and with full public consultation and involvement.

          That’s a long way from using a select roundtable to do the decision making, foisting the process onto the public, using celebs and media to push certain ideas, etc.

        • Keith 17.1.1.4
          21 September 2015 at 3:10 pm

          Why would anyone get involved in what strongly appears to be a rigged process. God knows Key is anything but a straight shooter when it comes to any due process, just read Dirty Politics!

          And if the “left” is now up around 70% then fantastic!

          • AB 17.1.1.4.1
            22 September 2015 at 7:36 pm

            Yep – another corrupt process from Key. Like the Sky City Deal – no direct, documentary evidence of actual corruption, but a corrupt process.

    • cogito 17.2
      21 September 2015 at 12:52 pm

      “an opportunity to define who we are”

      What we currently have is an opportunity to lick Key’s backside.

      Thankfully most people are realising this and are expressing their opposition.

    • Gabby 17.3
      21 September 2015 at 8:19 pm

      You didn’t really read what you copypasted did you? Read the 2nd sentence. The quote.

    • Clemgeopin 17.4
      22 September 2015 at 12:28 am

      What choice? 3 ferns and a poor depiction of a koru!

      Key, the panel and the cabinet are playing DIRTY manipulated games here! Can’t you see it? Let us not allow these crooked and cunning bastards to get away with it.

  18. Keith 18
    21 September 2015 at 3:06 pm

    Hence Key dragged Little into the mire. Farrar would have been telling him for the past few weeks and certainly since the desperate “Richie” stamp of approval on a silver fern that no one gives a shit about their/his flag choices or the process. So mug someone else, blame them and deflect the hit.

    Its ironic though that National have for so long dumbed the population down with their deliberate confusing miselading management style, relying daily on the great kiwi pastime of not thinkiing about anything to do with politics. And so when Key wants us to vote on a new corporate logo, its too hard!

    Brilliant!

  19. Neil 19
    21 September 2015 at 7:51 pm

    Its totally disgusting that Key used a fund raiser for cervical cancer to push his vanity flag project, events like those are not the time or place to be promoting his flag change project & politics. Key obviously has no scruples or morals.

  20. Morrissey 20
    21 September 2015 at 8:43 pm

    KEEP THE FLAG, CHANGE THE PRIME MINISTER.

  21. Lloyd 21
    21 September 2015 at 9:32 pm

    I spent almost a year driving around London with a New Zealand flag on my cars front window. It had New Zealand written underneath it in a font about one fifth the size of the flag. I got tired of Londoners saying “so you’re an Australian” after glancing at the flag.

    If Londoners can’t tell the difference between the New Zealand flag and the Australian flag, we could save money and just fly the Australian flag. Who cares?

    • Pat 21.1
      21 September 2015 at 9:43 pm

      of course, being Londoners they may have been taking the piss

    • cogito 21.2
      22 September 2015 at 9:27 am

      Plenty of examples of similar flags including eg Russian vs Dutch, Italian vs Irish, Danish vs Norwegian, Iraqi vs Syrian.

      No reason to change.

  22. Lloyd 22
    21 September 2015 at 9:42 pm

    I used to be concerned that if Muslim terrorists saw a New zealand flag they might attack New Zealanders for what Abbot’s thugs were doing. Now we’ve joined the insanity in Iraq this concern has been somewhat obscured by what kiwis may be doing in Iraq.

    If we adopt a black flag with a white fern on it I am sure the US military will see it as an ISIS flag and New Zealanders will be killed by “friendly fire” in the Middle East under that flag. Choosing a black flag with a silver fern might be the best choice for a country that wants to keep out of the middle east debacle.

  23. JanMeyer 23
    21 September 2015 at 9:51 pm

    Worrying poll for the “progressive left” as shows how conservative (small c) and change averse most of us really are. Perversely (or not), consistent with John Key’s, and National’s, relentless ongoing popularity

  24. Grindlebottom 24
    22 September 2015 at 9:44 am

    I was for a change of flag until I saw the logos the dopey panel came up with. None of them look anything like a national flag compared to the national flags of most other countries. Talk about the stupidity of giving a serious job to total amateurs.

    I’d rather keep the current flag for now and start over again in a few years time, this time getting people experienced in flag designing and/or heraldry maybe to come up with some decent choices.

  25. Tanz 25
    23 September 2015 at 11:52 am

    The choices are all awful, including the bland and meaningless Red Peak. It’s all for the wrong reasons too, such as glory for Key and going republic, cutting off those so-called wicked Colonial (that gave us such a rich back-story, and all the trappings of enriched civilisation, what the West is built on, which the left loathe)…ties!!

    Keep the flag, pulease.

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    Earlier this week at Parliament, Labour leader Chris Hipkins was applauded for saying that the response to the final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care had to be “bigger than politics.” True, but the fine words, apologies and “we hear you” messages will soon ring ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    1 day ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 26

    TL;DR: In news breaking this morning:The Ministry of Education is cutting $2 billion from its school building programme so the National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government has enough money to deliver tax cuts; The Government has quietly lowered its child poverty reduction targets to make them easier to achieve;Te Whatu Ora-Health NZ’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Weekly Roundup 26-July-2024

    Kia ora. These are some stories that caught our eye this week – as always, feel free to share yours in the comments. Our header image this week (via Eke Panuku) shows the planned upgrade for the Karanga Plaza Tidal Swimming Steps. The week in Greater Auckland On ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 day ago
  • God what a relief

    1. What's not to love about the way the Harris campaign is turning things around?a. Nothingb. Love all of itc. God what a reliefd. Not that it will be by any means easye. All of the above 2. Documents released by the Ministry of Health show Associate Health Minister Casey ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago
  • Trust In Me

    Trust in me in all you doHave the faith I have in youLove will see us through, if only you trust in meWhy don't you, you trust me?In a week that saw the release of the 3,000 page Abuse in Care report Christopher Luxon was being asked about Boot Camps. ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago
  • The Hoon around the week to July 26

    TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking about the Royal Commission Inquiry into Abuse in Care report released this week, and with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent on a UN push to not recognise carbon offset markets and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 26

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 26, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Transport: Simeon Brown announced $802.9 million in funding for 18 new trains on the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines, which ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Radical law changes needed to build road

    The northern expressway extension from Warkworth to Whangarei is likely to require radical changes to legislation if it is going to be built within the foreseeable future. The Government’s powers to purchase land, the planning process and current restrictions on road tolling are all going to need to be changed ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 day ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #30 2024

    Open access notables Could an extremely cold central European winter such as 1963 happen again despite climate change?, Sippel et al., Weather and Climate Dynamics: Here, we first show based on multiple attribution methods that a winter of similar circulation conditions to 1963 would still lead to an extreme seasonal ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago
  • First they came for the Māori

    Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedFirst they came for the doctors But I was confused by the numbers and costs So I didn't speak up Then they came for our police and nurses And I didn't think we could afford those costs anyway So I ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Join us for the weekly Hoon on YouTube Live

    Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on UnsplashWe’re back again after our mid-winter break. We’re still with the ‘new’ day of the week (Thursday rather than Friday) when we have our ‘hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm.Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Will the real PM Luxon please stand up?

    Notes: This is a free article. Abuse in Care themes are mentioned. Video is at the bottom.BackgroundYesterday’s report into Abuse in Care revealed that at least 1 in 3 of all who went through state and faith based care were abused - often horrifically. At least, because not all survivors ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Will debt reduction trump abuse in care redress?

    Luxon speaks in Parliament yesterday about the Abuse in Care report. Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:PM Christopher Luxon said yesterday in tabling the Abuse in Care report in Parliament he wanted to ‘do the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Olywhites and Time Bandits

    About a decade ago I worked with a bloke called Steve. He was the grizzled veteran coder, a few years older than me, who knew where the bodies were buried - code wise. Despite his best efforts to be approachable and friendly he could be kind of gruff, through to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Why were the 1930s so hot in North America?

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Jeff Masters and Bob Henson Those who’ve trawled social media during heat waves have likely encountered a tidbit frequently used to brush aside human-caused climate change: Many U.S. states and cities had their single hottest temperature on record during the 1930s, setting incredible heat marks ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago
  • Throwback Thursday – Thinking about Expressways

    Some of the recent announcements from the government have reminded us of posts we’ve written in the past. Here’s one from early 2020. There were plenty of reactions to the government’s infrastructure announcement a few weeks ago which saw them fund a bunch of big roading projects. One of ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Thursday, July 25

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Sir Don McKinnon will travel to Viet Nam this week as a Special Envoy of the Government, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.    “It is important that the Government give due recognition to the significant contributions that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made to New Zealand-Viet Nam relations,” Mr ...
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    4 days ago
  • Grant Illingworth KC appointed as transitional Commissioner to Royal Commission

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says newly appointed Commissioner, Grant Illingworth KC, will help deliver the report for the first phase of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons, due on 28 November 2024.  “I am pleased to announce that Mr Illingworth will commence his appointment as ...
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    4 days ago
  • NZ to advance relationships with ASEAN partners

    Foreign Minister Winston Peters travels to Laos this week to participate in a series of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-led Ministerial meetings in Vientiane.    “ASEAN plays an important role in supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Mr Peters says.   “This will be our third visit to ...
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    4 days ago
  • Backing mental health services on the West Coast

    Construction of a new mental health facility at Te Nikau Grey Hospital in Greymouth is today one step closer, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “This $27 million facility shows this Government is delivering on its promise to boost mental health care and improve front line services,” Mr Doocey says. ...
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    4 days ago
  • NZ support for sustainable Pacific fisheries

    New Zealand is committing nearly $50 million to a package supporting sustainable Pacific fisheries development over the next four years, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones announced today. “This support consisting of a range of initiatives demonstrates New Zealand’s commitment to assisting our Pacific partners ...
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    4 days ago
  • Students’ needs at centre of new charter school adjustments

    Associate Education Minister David Seymour says proposed changes to the Education and Training Amendment Bill will ensure charter schools have more flexibility to negotiate employment agreements and are equipped with the right teaching resources. “Cabinet has agreed to progress an amendment which means unions will not be able to initiate ...
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    4 days ago
  • Commissioner replaces Health NZ Board

    In response to serious concerns around oversight, overspend and a significant deterioration in financial outlook, the Board of Health New Zealand will be replaced with a Commissioner, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti announced today.  “The previous government’s botched health reforms have created significant financial challenges at Health NZ that, without ...
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    5 days ago
  • Minister to speak at Australian Space Forum

    Minister for Space and Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins will travel to Adelaide tomorrow for space and science engagements, including speaking at the Australian Space Forum.  While there she will also have meetings and visits with a focus on space, biotechnology and innovation.  “New Zealand has a thriving space ...
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    5 days ago
  • Climate Change Minister to attend climate action meeting in China

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts will travel to China on Saturday to attend the Ministerial on Climate Action meeting held in Wuhan.  “Attending the Ministerial on Climate Action is an opportunity to advocate for New Zealand climate priorities and engage with our key partners on climate action,” Mr Watts says. ...
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    5 days ago
  • Oceans and Fisheries Minister to Solomons

    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is travelling to the Solomon Islands tomorrow for meetings with his counterparts from around the Pacific supporting collective management of the region’s fisheries. The 23rd Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Committee and the 5th Regional Fisheries Ministers’ Meeting in Honiara from 23 to 26 July ...
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    7 days ago
  • Government launches Military Style Academy Pilot

    The Government today launched the Military Style Academy Pilot at Te Au rere a te Tonga Youth Justice residence in Palmerston North, an important part of the Government’s plan to crackdown on youth crime and getting youth offenders back on track, Minister for Children, Karen Chhour said today. “On the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Nine priority bridge replacements to get underway

    The Government has welcomed news the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has begun work to replace nine priority bridges across the country to ensure our state highway network remains resilient, reliable, and efficient for road users, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“Increasing productivity and economic growth is a key priority for the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Update on global IT outage

    Acting Prime Minister David Seymour has been in contact throughout the evening with senior officials who have coordinated a whole of government response to the global IT outage and can provide an update. The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has designated the National Emergency Management Agency as the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New Zealand, Japan renew Pacific partnership

    New Zealand and Japan will continue to step up their shared engagement with the Pacific, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “New Zealand and Japan have a strong, shared interest in a free, open and stable Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says.    “We are pleased to be finding more ways ...
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    1 week ago
  • New infrastructure energises BOP forestry towns

    New developments in the heart of North Island forestry country will reinvigorate their communities and boost economic development, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones visited Kaingaroa and Kawerau in Bay of Plenty today to open a landmark community centre in the former and a new connecting road in ...
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    1 week ago
  • 'Pacific Futures'

    President Adeang, fellow Ministers, honourable Diet Member Horii, Ambassadors, distinguished guests.    Minasama, konnichiwa, and good afternoon, everyone.    Distinguished guests, it’s a pleasure to be here with you today to talk about New Zealand’s foreign policy reset, the reasons for it, the values that underpin it, and how it ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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