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    Flags are so outdated, we all have cellphones now don’t you know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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    Elizabeth Rate writes – There are two versions of the Treaty of Waitangi.  The first is the 1840 Treaty – the ‘Articles Treaty’. The second is what I call the ‘Principles Treaty’. It dates from 1986 when the principles were first included in legislation. Astonishingly, the parliamentary ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    14 hours ago

  • Tuesday’s Chorus: When it's ok to borrow to invest
    Mayor Wayne Brown, a Northland land-banker himself, appears relaxed about borrowing to invest in land but not in, for example, transport infrastructure and services. File photo: Lynn Grieveson/Getty ImagesTL;DR: You couldn’t make this stuff up. A mayor determined to cut council debt by selling shares in a monopoly business because ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    15 hours ago

  • How well do our Rapid Transit Stations perform
    As we invest in our public transport network, it’s critical that we not only invest in transformative projects like the City Rail Link, but that we also get as much use as we can out of the network we already have – which will also maximise the outcomes of those ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    17 hours ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Ten reasons Labour’s support has halved
    The Labour Government was elected with 50 per cent of the vote three years ago, but current opinion polls show their vote could halve in this year’s election, which would be one of the biggest plunges in political history. Most polls have Labour on about 26 per cent. And the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    17 hours ago

  • Elizabeth Rata: Two Treaties of Waitangi: The Articles Treaty and the Principles Treaty
    Commentary There are two versions of the Treaty of Waitangi.  The first is the 1840 Treaty – the ‘Articles Treaty’. The second is what I call the ‘Principles Treaty’. It dates from 1986 when the principles were first included in legislation. Astonishingly the parliamentary representatives who inserted the word ‘principles’ ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    17 hours ago

  • Climate Emergency!
    It’s hard not to become a bit blasé towards climate change headlines. Flooding kills hundreds - blah. Catastrophic droughts - blah blah. One-in-a-hundred year events happening every year - blah blah blah.The earth had its highest temperature on record - again. Think we’ve read that one.So many articles telling us ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    18 hours ago

  • The Kākā Project: The economics of sufficiency
    The Kākā’s climate correspondent and had a chat with environmental historian and author Catherine Knight about why ‘feel good' actions like recycling and owning an electric car are unlikely to be enough to create a transition to zero emissions, let alone a just one. Knight says comments like ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    19 hours ago

  • Chippy misses a chance
    National leader Christopher Luxon has pulled out of any rescheduling of tonight’s Press debate, which has had to be cancelled because Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has Covid. The cancellation has given National an excuse to avoid a debate, which was always going to be a risk for Luxon. But ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    20 hours ago

  • The Angry Majority.
    The People's Champion vs The People's Prosecutor: It is the news media’s job to elicit information from politicians – not to prosecute them. Peters’ promise to sort out TVNZ should be believed. If he finds himself in a position to carry out his threat, then it will only be because ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 day ago

  • Verrall is chuffed by govt’s latest push into pay equity while Woods enthuses about an $11m spend ...
    Buzz from the Beehive The headline on a ministerial press statement curiously expresses the government’s position when it declares:   Government shows further commitment to pay equity for healthcare workers. Is it not enough to declare just one commitment? Or is the government’s commitment to pay equity being declared sector by ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago

  • A very worthy coalition partner for Seymour and Luxon
    There have been 53 New Zealand Parliaments so far. The 39th of them was elected in 1978. It was a parliament of 92 MPs, most of them men. The New Zealand Music Awards that year named John Rowles Male Vocalist of the Year and — after a short twelve months ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago

  • Labour still protecting the status quo
    Aotearoa has a cost of living crisis. And one of the major drivers of this crisis is the supermarket duopoly, who gouge every dollar they can out of us. Last year, the Commerce Commission found that the duopoly was in fact anti-competititve, giving the government social licence to fix the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago

  • Gordon Campbell on National’s myths about the desolated state of the economy
    Familiarity breeds consent. If you repeat the line “six years of economic mis-management” about 10,000 times, it sounds like the received wisdom, whatever the evidence to the contrary. Yes, the global pandemic and the global surge in inflation that came in its wake occurred here as well – but if ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    1 day ago

  • MICHAEL BASSETT: Hapless Hipkins and his racism
    Michael Bassett writes – Without so much as batting an eyelid, Chris Hipkins told an audience on Saturday that there had been “more racism” in this election campaign than ever before. And he blamed it on the opposition parties, National, Act and New Zealand First. In those ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago

  • BRIAN EASTON: 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. Brian Easton writes – Last week’s announcement of a 0.9 percent increase in volume GDP for ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Monday’s Chorus: Richie Poulton's lament
    “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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    3 days 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
    3 days 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
    3 days 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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
    7 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
    7 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
    7 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
    7 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
    7 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week ago

  • Youth justice programme expands to break cycle of offending
    The successful ‘Circuit Breaker’ fast track programme designed to stop repeat youth offending was launched in two new locations today by Children’s Minister Kelvin Davis. The programme, first piloted in West and South Auckland in December last year, is aimed at children aged 10-13 who commit serious offending or continue ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    11 hours ago

  • Major milestone with 20,000 employers using Apprenticeship Boost
    The Government’s Apprenticeship Boost initiative has now supported 20,000 employers to help keep on and train up apprentices, Minister for Social Development and Employment Carmel Sepuloni announced in Christchurch today. Almost 62,000 apprentices have been supported to start and keep training for a trade since the initiative was introduced in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    12 hours ago

  • Government supporting wood processing jobs and more diverse industry
    The Government is supporting non-pine tree sawmilling and backing further job creation in sawmills in Rotorua and Whangarei, Forestry Minister Peeni Henare said.   “The Forestry and Wood Processing Industry Transformation Plan identified the need to add more diversity to our productions forests, wood products and markets,” Peeni Henare said. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    14 hours ago

  • Government backing Canterbury’s future in aerospace industry
    The Government is helping Canterbury’s aerospace industry take off with further infrastructure support for the Tāwhaki Aerospace Centre at Kaitorete, Infrastructure Minister Dr Megan Woods has announced. “Today I can confirm we will provide a $5.4 million grant to the Tāwhaki Joint Venture to fund a sealed runway and hangar ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    14 hours ago

  • Updated forestry regulations increase council controls and require large slash removal
    Local councils will have more power to decide where new commercial forests – including carbon forests – are located, to reduce impacts on communities and the environment, Environment Minister David Parker said today. “New national standards give councils greater control over commercial forestry, including clear rules on harvesting practices and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago

  • New Zealand resumes peacekeeping force leadership
    New Zealand will again contribute to the leadership of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) in the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt, with a senior New Zealand Defence Force officer returning as Interim Force Commander. Defence Minister Andrew Little and Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta have announced the deployment of New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    2 days 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
    3 days 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
    6 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
    6 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
    7 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
    1 week ago

  • Plan for 3,000 more public homes by 2025 – regions set to benefit
    Regions around the country will get significant boosts of public housing in the next two years, as outlined in the latest public housing plan update, released by the Housing Minister, Dr Megan Woods. “We’re delivering the most public homes each year since the Nash government of the 1950s with one ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Immigration settings updates
    Judicial warrant process for out-of-hours compliance visits 2023/24 Recognised Seasonal Employer cap increased by 500 Additional roles for Construction and Infrastructure Sector Agreement More roles added to Green List Three-month extension for onshore Recovery Visa holders The Government has confirmed a number of updates to immigration settings as part of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Poroporoaki: Tā Patrick (Patu) Wahanga Hohepa
    Tangi ngunguru ana ngā tai ki te wahapū o Hokianga Whakapau Karakia. Tārehu ana ngā pae maunga ki Te Puna o te Ao Marama. Korihi tangi ana ngā manu, kua hinga he kauri nui ki te Wao Nui o Tāne. He Toa. He Pou. He Ahorangi. E papaki tū ana ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Renewable energy fund to support community resilience
    40 solar energy systems on community buildings in regions affected by Cyclone Gabrielle and other severe weather events Virtual capability-building hub to support community organisations get projects off the ground Boost for community-level renewable energy projects across the country At least 40 community buildings used to support the emergency response ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • COVID-19 funding returned to Government
    The lifting of COVID-19 isolation and mask mandates in August has resulted in a return of almost $50m in savings and recovered contingencies, Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. Following the revocation of mandates and isolation, specialised COVID-19 telehealth and alternative isolation accommodation are among the operational elements ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Appointment of District Court Judge
    Susie Houghton of Auckland has been appointed as a new District Court Judge, to serve on the Family Court, Attorney-General David Parker said today.  Judge Houghton has acted as a lawyer for child for more than 20 years. She has acted on matters relating to the Hague Convention, an international ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Government invests further in Central Hawke’s Bay resilience
    The Government has today confirmed $2.5 million to fund a replace and upgrade a stopbank to protect the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant. “As a result of Cyclone Gabrielle, the original stopbank protecting the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant was destroyed. The plant was operational within 6 weeks of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Govt boost for Hawke’s Bay cyclone waste clean-up
    Another $2.1 million to boost capacity to deal with waste left in Cyclone Gabrielle’s wake. Funds for Hastings District Council, Phoenix Contracting and Hog Fuel NZ to increase local waste-processing infrastructure. The Government is beefing up Hawke’s Bay’s Cyclone Gabrielle clean-up capacity with more support dealing with the massive amount ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Taupō Supercars revs up with Government support
    The future of Supercars events in New Zealand has been secured with new Government support. The Government is getting engines started through the Major Events Fund, a special fund to support high profile events in New Zealand that provide long-term economic, social and cultural benefits. “The Repco Supercars Championship is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • There is no recession in NZ, economy grows nearly 1 percent in June quarter
    The economy has turned a corner with confirmation today New Zealand never was in recession and stronger than expected growth in the June quarter, Finance Minister Grant Robertson said. “The New Zealand economy is doing better than expected,” Grant Robertson said. “It’s continuing to grow, with the latest figures showing ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Highest legal protection for New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs
    The Government has accepted the Environment Court’s recommendation to give special legal protection to New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs, Te Waikoropupū Springs (also known as Pupū Springs), Environment Minister David Parker announced today.   “Te Waikoropupū Springs, near Takaka in Golden Bay, have the second clearest water in New Zealand after ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • More support for victims of migrant exploitation
    Temporary package of funding for accommodation and essential living support for victims of migrant exploitation Exploited migrant workers able to apply for a further Migrant Exploitation Protection Visa (MEPV), giving people more time to find a job Free job search assistance to get people back into work Use of 90-day ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Strong export boost as NZ economy turns corner
    An export boost is supporting New Zealand’s economy to grow, adding to signs that the economy has turned a corner and is on a stronger footing as we rebuild from Cyclone Gabrielle and lock in the benefits of multiple new trade deals, Finance Minister Grant Robertson says. “The economy is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Funding approved for flood resilience work in Te Karaka
    The Government has approved $15 million to raise about 200 homes at risk of future flooding. More than half of this is expected to be spent in the Tairāwhiti settlement of Te Karaka, lifting about 100 homes there. “Te Karaka was badly hit during Cyclone Gabrielle when the Waipāoa River ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Further business support for cyclone-affected regions
    The Government is helping businesses recover from Cyclone Gabrielle and attract more people back into their regions. “Cyclone Gabrielle has caused considerable damage across North Island regions with impacts continuing to be felt by businesses and communities,” Economic Development Minister Barbara Edmonds said. “Building on our earlier business support, this ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • New maintenance facility at Burnham Military Camp underway
    Defence Minister Andrew Little has turned the first sod to start construction of a new Maintenance Support Facility (MSF) at Burnham Military Camp today. “This new state-of-art facility replaces Second World War-era buildings and will enable our Defence Force to better maintain and repair equipment,” Andrew Little said. “This Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Foreign Minister to attend United Nations General Assembly
    Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta will represent New Zealand at the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York this week, before visiting Washington DC for further Pacific focussed meetings. Nanaia Mahuta will be in New York from Wednesday 20 September, and will participate in UNGA leaders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Midwives’ pay equity offer reached
    Around 1,700 Te Whatu Ora employed midwives and maternity care assistants will soon vote on a proposed pay equity settlement agreed by Te Whatu Ora, the Midwifery Employee Representation and Advisory Service (MERAS) and New Zealand Nurses Association (NZNO), Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. “Addressing historical pay ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago

  • New Zealand provides support to Morocco
    Aotearoa New Zealand will provide humanitarian support to those affected by last week’s earthquake in Morocco, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced today. “We are making a contribution of $1 million to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to help meet humanitarian needs,” Nanaia Mahuta said. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago

  • Government invests in West Coast’s roading resilience
    The Government is investing over $22 million across 18 projects to improve the resilience of roads in the West Coast that have been affected by recent extreme weather, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins confirmed today.  A dedicated Transport Resilience Fund has been established for early preventative works to protect the state ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago

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