The mask slips

Written By: - Date published: 10:34 am, October 7th, 2011 - 80 comments
Categories: john key, Parliament - Tags: , ,

Here is Key making the throat-cutting gesture to Labour after a man tried to jump into the Debating Chamber. He displays a total lack of concern for the man and anyone else.

Here’s how the video plays out:

It opens just as the man is being pulled back up.

  • You can see Su’a William Sio, who was directly beneath the man, walking to stand beside Hone Harawira in the foreground and turn up to watch the man being led out.
  • The Labour frontbench sits down. John Key and Gerry Brownlee have been sitting this whole time
  • Key to Labour: “you should be ashamed of yourselves”.
  • King: “What! What? we should be ashamed of ourselves?!”.
  • Speaker calls for order as Key seems to say something more, you can see the Speaker repeatedly look his way while trying to get order, and the camera cuts to Key as it does when an interjection is heard, although I can’t work out what he’s said
  • Key slowly and deliberately makes the throat-slashing gesture at Labour. He extends his right index finger, and draws it back across his throat while jerking his head backwards. This is seconds after a man has attempted to seriously harm himself in front of Key’s eyes, remember.
  • King, Chadwick, “you scumbag”.

King has not backed down from what she said, and why should she? It is a completely fitting description of his behaviour. Everyone else is shaken up. Worried about the man. Worried about their colleagues. Key is only thinking of himself and how he can blame something bad on Labour – just like he always does.

80 comments on “The mask slips ”

  1. alex 1

    Bizarre reaction from Key to make that gesture. Maybe he assumed the cameras would be focused somewhere else and wanted to provoke a big Labour outburst which would make them look bad? Backfired though, TV3 is all over that nice man Key on this one.

  2. ghostwhowalksnz 2

    More the act of some Mafia Don to an errant capo.

    If some person in the street made the same gesture to Key, the DPS would be all over them in an instant

  3. Ianupnorth 3

    The comments pages of the Herald make interesting reading http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10756873
     
    Not a lot of support for Shonkey

  4. Tom Gould 4

    Strange how the MSM is all bent out of shape in sympathy with the Herald for coping a ban from the Speaker for running a photo of the incident, with Herald editor Tim Murphy lambasting the decision just “six weeks out from the general election.” Could this be the same MSM that overlooked their buddies at Radio Live giving Key an hour of free airtime just seven weeks out, agreeing it was not political? Bunch of self-serving, over privileged hypocrites.

  5. “The Labour frontbench sits down. John Key and Gerry Brownlee have been sitting this whole time”

    That’s not true. Here at 0:50s in you get a direct shot of Key standing until 1:21:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyRSaJWxtL8&t=0m49s

    • I am not sure about your point but Eddie’s comment was that Key sat from the time the man was pulled back from the balustrade, not that he was sitting throughout the whole incident.

      • insider 5.1.1

        The Lab front bench including Goff remain seated the whole time too except for king and Dyson (?). What is its relevance anyway (apart from demonstrating how poor Eddie’s observation skills are)?

    • Blighty 5.2

      “this whole time” ie. the time shown in the video

      • JamesMeager 5.2.1

        Ah ok I get ya now. My mistake, what was said is true, Key was sitting the whole time in that video, and had been sitting for ~15s before that 3 News clip starts (after standing for ~30s).

        I’d argue that the sentence implies Key had been sitting down during the whole incident, but I suspect that’s pointless..

  6. You know if this was a court of law, he would be found not guilty, that video is more blurry than the one of the guy in the ape suit from the 1970’s who was suppose to be big foot.

    • Draco T Bastard 6.1

      It’s blurry but obvious what he did.

      • Joe Bloggs 6.1.1

        obvious to a tinfoil hat salesman maybe…

        • Colonial Viper 6.1.1.1

          Its simple confirmation that key is a scumbag, no more, no less.

        • Blighty 6.1.1.2

          Why do three or four Labour MPs simultanously react with outrage after Key makes the gesture if it isn’t something offensive?

          • McFlock 6.1.1.2.1

            obviously they rehearsed it beforehand in order to make key look bad! /sarc (just wanted to beat the toryboys to that one)

          • insider 6.1.1.2.2

            was it the gesture or the words? I thought it was what he said they first got annoyed at. As Goff gets up to speak King says ‘fancy saying that’. They seem more concerned about words not deeds

            The gesture can equally be interpreted as ‘finish’ ‘or wind up’, as used in TV/theatre or other quiet place. But there is nothing in the words alleged to have been said that connect with that interpretation of the gesture, or of the interpretation of it being a physical threat.

            • McFlock 6.1.1.2.2.1

              “The gesture can equally be interpreted as ‘finish’ ‘or wind up’, as used in TV/theatre or other quiet place.”

              That’s the interpretation that you and one or two other apologists have independently settled on, is it?
              So rather than threatening them, he was merely giving them theatre direction? And it also conveniently ignores the context of the immediate danger Labour MPs had literally been under, what with 70kg of distressed person dangling over them.

              BTW, watch the video again: Key’s verbal idiocy elicits a “what? What?” from Labour. The throat “direction” gained the “scumbag” laurel – and he deserved it, imo.

              • insider

                I don’t know what he was doing nor why. Either interpretation is equally as unlikely as neither make sense. What in context makes this more likely to be a threatening gesture? What exactly was he threatening?

                Note – I use the gesture all the time, particularly when I want the kids to stop telling their mother of my latest error. But if you want to get all technical like, if I were mimicking a slit throat I’d probably start at my left ear and work quite deliberately around under my chin to my right one (with accompanying blood curdling sound effect), not just draw a vague line in the air

                • McFlock

                  Maybe he was doing the standard dysfunctional team member routine of subtly provoking “unprovoked and irrational” behaviour from people who actually work for a living. That’s much more likely than giving stage directions.

                  Even if you do it to your kids all the time.

                • Insider you have had 48 hours to come up with something and you come up with this?

            • Vicky32 6.1.1.2.2.2

              as used in TV/theatre or other quiet place.

              I can imagine what would happen if I tried to use that gesture to end a discussion in the classroom! I’ve been involved in theatre on and off and have to say to you, WTF?

              • felix

                Yeah I’ve never seen this in the theatre either. Except on stage, by actors playing violent, threatening characters of course.

    • Blighty 6.2

      Brett. There’s already a post today called “none so blind”

      • Brett Dale 6.2.1

        Im not saying he didnt do it, if it was a court of law though he would be found not guilty.

        • Lanthanide 6.2.1.1

          If a court of law were only relying on video surveillance and nothing else, yes.

          How topical.

        • felix 6.2.1.2

          That’s fascinating, Brett.

          What if it were a swimming pool at a hotel, and Key was having lunch, and a monkey jumped into the pool and splashed his sandwich?

          What then?

        • fmacskasy 6.2.1.3

          How do you know? That’s little more than a supposition on your part.

          Don’t forget, in a Court of law there would be other evidence presented – like about 30+ witnesses.

  7. Rodel 7

    Key’s frozen posture during the incident was like George Bush when he first heard about 9/11.
    Like a helpless possum caught in the headlights. With slow reactions like that and then inappropriate delayed reactions maybe he does need all those security.guys.

  8. vto 8

    Some short time ago I posted that Key seemed to have the characteristics of a coward and that he wouldn’t be someone you would want beside you at a time of threat and physical risk….

    Well this entire episode establishes his cowardice more again.

    If people don’t catch onto these parts of Key’s character before this election I would surmise that they most certainly will during a second term, which will end up seeing him labelled as one of our most shallow, weak and cowardly leaders ever. It won’t end up good for him and his reputation imo.

    • Galeandra 8.1

      +++

    • insider 8.2

      So now he is a cowardly, psychopath, alcoholic, sociopath? Every day a new gem

      • Draco T Bastard 8.2.1

        Coward goes with being a psychopath.

        Anyway, didn’t we have this conversation yesterday where you couldn’t disprove anything that was said that shows John Key has psychopathic tendencies?

        • insider 8.2.1.1

          Don’t confuse couldn’t with couldn’t be arsed. I’m not sure how one could disprove medical assessments done over the internet. It’s like dealing with travellerev

          • felix 8.2.1.1.1

            Of course you can’t be arsed.

            Shit, it’s like people think you have time to hang around this site all day chatting about this, that and the other.

            Idiots.

            • McFlock 8.2.1.1.1.1

              I’d also point out that the only real requirement is not “proof”, but merely to demonstrate that “high-functioning psycho” is a less likely conclusion than “well-rounded human being”.

              • felix

                Oh be realistic, insider doesn’t have the time to make a few simple points leading to a reasonable conclusion.

          • travellerev 8.2.1.1.2

            Try dealing with this scientific research on Psychopaths. Turns out traders, Forex guys and derivatives (all of which John Key is) are far worse than Psychopaths. John Key was the head of Global Forex trading and European head of derivatives trading for Merrill Lynch. In that world only the most ruthless of the ruthless scumbags rise to the top. Your turn!

      • bbfloyd 8.2.2

        so we can safely assume that insider is “comfortable” with new zealand being run into the ground by a government supposedly led by a coward with substance abuse issues and serious personality disorders……

        now that’s certainly not something most of us would be proud of….. especially since keys afflictions have become common knowledge….

  9. Scotty 9

    Check out Keys’ right leg,
    Shakin like a shit house door in a southerly .
    No wonder he fu*ked up .
    Amped to the max

    • Anne 9.1

      Shakin like a shit house door in a southerly
      Lol.

      I took that to mean he knew he’d fu*ked up big time (more damming evidence) and he was itching to ‘get outta here’ as soon as he could. Which he did.

  10. Daniel 10

    I see TV3 are being very careful what they report.
    At best, the video shows “Mr Key making a hand gesture near his throat” (this is the caption for the TV3 video) and “with readers of 3news.co.nz saying Mr Key made a throat-slitting gesture at the Labour Party.”

    “3 News believes Mr Key may have said, “I said we needed them for situations like this”.

    “3 News readers have speculated this was a throat-slitting gesture – however Mr Key may just have been backing the Speaker’s calls for silence. ”

    http://www.3news.co.nz/VIDEO-Key-makes-hand-gesture-to-throat/tabid/419/articleID/228536/D-efault.aspx#ixzz1a38ybMqh

    • Brett Dale 10.1

      That makes more sense that he was backing the speakers call for silence, than doing a throat silt gesture, shame on the labour party for thinking the worse of people.

      • McFlock 10.1.1

        Going to stick with that Tui billboard, are you?

        “He was just supporting the Speaker’s calls for silence. Yeah, right.”

        • Brett Dale 10.1.1.1

          Watch it again, it seems like that is what he was doing, why
          the hell would do a throat silting gesture.

          • McFlock 10.1.1.1.1

            subtle harrassment designed to provoke an apparently excessive and “unprovoked” reaction. A common tactic used by people who can’t work with others – classic “levelling down”. I wonder how much the opposition have had to put up with for the last few years.

            Pity for him that this time it was on camera.

      • Draco T Bastard 10.1.2

        Grasping at straws there, both you and tv3, in your efforts to find anything that portrays your hero as an upstanding citizen rather than the psychopath he is.

      • seeker 10.1.3

        Brett -shame on you for trying to sanitise such a disgraceful incident; unless of course you are blind and cannot view the video properly , in which case I apologise.

        • Brett Dale 10.1.3.1

          He could of been waving them off, telling them to be quiet. Like I said, if it was a court of law he would be found not guilty.

          • mike 10.1.3.1.1

            OJ Simpson was found not guilty in a court of law Brett.

            When someone is found not guilty in a court of law that doesn’t prove that they didn’t actually do the deed.

            Besides I disagree that your verdict would be obvious , i.e. that we should all give him the benefit of the doubt here.

            If you claim the gesture was not a throat slashing gesture I just can’t buy it on what I see. Even Nat apologist bloggers are saying laughably retarded things like “Hey it’s ok for the All Blacks to do it in the haka so what’s the big deal.”

            And saying he was trying to tell Labour to quiet down that’s absurd for three reasons. First, the video clearly shows that the house was silent and the speaker was speaking clearly and uninterrupted when Key did the dirty deed. Second, and this one might be debatable but either of the other two reasons would convince me anyway, it seems to me that the speaker is looking in Key’s direction when he is trying to get the house to shut up. Who do you think we means when he gives the “Remember, when we point the finger…” bit? And third, are you seriously asking me to believe that Key truly believes that the Labour front bench will see him giving them the throat slashing gesture and say to themselves, “Oh John Key wants us to quiet down, we should quiet down because John Key has given us the throat slashing sign”? Not buying. And if you concede that Key probably doesn’t believe that, then please explain to me why he gave the throat slashing gesture.

            No Brett, sorry, no. This juror says guilty.

            • mickysavage 10.1.3.1.1.1

              Aye this is even worse.  So Brett is acknowledging Key did wrong but there may not be quite enough proof to seeing it in a Criminal Court.  Is this an emphatic uplifting endorsement of our PM?

          • fmacskasy 10.1.3.1.2

            Exce;pt, there were witnesses as well as the video. Oh, he’d be found guilty alright.

  11. Oligarkey 11

    Key is shit scared of getting the ripening of karma that many will think he is due. He supports the fattening of pockets of sociopathic multi-millionaires, whilst hundreds of thousands of New Zealand’s kids go without proper nutrition, and participation in society. That was a nervous reaction by Key. He can’t help but think that one day, while he’s walking down the street, karma’s going to come back to him.

    Just telling it like we all know it is.

    • mike 11.1

      Spot on. His use of the DPS in indicative of two things.

      1 – the paranoia that comes from a prolonged butt-f*cking of the country while smiling and telling us it’s for our own good and that we love it. Someone who gets scraped off the side of his shoe might actually catch on and be angry.

      2. – a growing ego. “It’s like beating one of the neighbor’s expensive cars with a baseball bat with the sole objective of owning the most beautiful car in the neighborhood.” That was the mentality described in a scientific study that found that stock traders scored higher on a test for psychopathy than psychopaths. It helps him to feel and look like the big Washington man. And contributes to that feeling I bet he loves: being untouchable. I’m actually happy, because it increases the chances he’ll make more revealing slips like this and people will eventually see the truth.

      Stock traders scored higher on a test for psychopathy than psychopaths. Just thought that was worth repeating.

      http://www.zerohedge.com/contributed/new-study-%E2%80%93-traders-are-worse-psychopaths

      • insider 11.1.1

        key was never a stock trader…Just thought that was worth repeating.

        • Draco T Bastard 11.1.1.1

          No, he was a currency trader and the study just asserts finance traders of which currency traders is a subset.

          • McFlock 11.1.1.1.1

            Yep – haven’t found the original research yet, but here’s a google translation of the German news article that started the latest “surprise revelation”.

            Forex included. 10/10 for pedantry, minus several million for getting anywhere.

            • insider 11.1.1.1.1.1

              Apprantly it is an MBA project that has not been published. And mike misrepresents it. IT wasn’t a test for psychopathy it was was the prisoners dilemma game which comes out of game theory (psychologists may use it but I bet they don’t base a diagnosis on it) and It measured a trader’s desire to win at all costs and said that is stronger than that of psychopaths – though it doesn’t say what kind of psychopathy they have.

              I’m not sure why this is news. Economists have been measuring the irrationality of markets and participants for years. I saw a great one where people were bidding for a $20 note. The winner paid $28 because it was all about winning. Big surprise – traders like to win more than most.

              to quote one comment I read on this “Who would you rather meet for dinner?
              Carl, the trader, frantically roils the markets, while Hannibal, the cannibal, manically broils your liver.”

              And when supposedly qualified psychologists start using faux professional analyses for character assassination, I think it is more than reasonable to be pedantic.

              • Lanthanide

                “I saw a great one where people were bidding for a $20 note. The winner paid $28 because it was all about winning. Big surprise – traders like to win more than most.”

                I think it is highly likely that you are mis-representing that study.

                I’ve seen this experiment done myself and usually the basis is that you have to pay whatever your highest amount bid was, regardless of whether you win the money or not. So if you bid $23 and someone else bids $24, you both have to pay.

                Basically it puts you in a position where, after you’ve bid over the $20 face value, you have to bid higher in order to recoup some of your loss.

              • McFlock

                Everyone get that? Traders, including forex traders, were not diagnosed as psychopaths. They merely made decisions that were more uncooperative and selfish than decisions made by diagnosed and incarcerated psychopaths. And they achieved poorer results than diagnosed and incarcerated psychopaths.

                I think that’s all cleared up now.

                Of course, immediately turning a self-harm attempt right in front of you into political point-scoring, that would raise eyebrows.

              • mike

                “Apprantly it is an MBA project that has not been published. And mike misrepresents it. IT wasn’t a test for psychopathy it was was the prisoners dilemma game which comes out of game theory”

                I concede that in fact I did misrepresent the study as you say. I was hasty and didn’t read it properly and confused it with other information I was looking at where a successful businessman did score highly on a test for psychopathy. The study could be better represented as a test for ruthlessness, selfishness, and a willingness to stab people in the back. And the traders, (hey, John Key was a trader), scored higher than psychopaths. So at best you’ve moved our PM from psycho to complete asshole. Hat’s off to you sir. By the way, take a look at a definition of ‘psychopath’ somewhere, see if it says anything about ruthlessness, selfishness, and a willingness to stab people in the back. Just sayin’.

                “(psychologists may use it but I bet they don’t base a diagnosis on it)”

                Who does? Are you saying I did? I used it to support my theory, (and that’s all it is, a theory, not a ‘diagnosis’, I don’t remember claiming to be John Key’s doctor), but that’s far from the only reason I think Key is a sociopath. For example, if I can paraphrase McFlock here, he did just the other day immediatly turn a self-harm attempt right in front of him into political point-scoring involving the throat-slashing gesture at his opponent.

                “It measured a trader’s desire to win at all costs and said that is stronger than that of psychopaths – though it doesn’t say what kind of psychopathy they have.”

                So you admit that traders have a kind of psychopathy? That’s big of you bro! So do you have any thoughts on what we should do about having a PM who is kind of a psychopath? Seriously though, traders outscoring psychopaths on this measure doesn’t bother you? That traders are more ruthless than people who literally have no conscience to the point that they have to work hard at pretending that they do?

                “I’m not sure why this is news.”

                Because it implies that traders and psychopaths have more in common than was previously thought.

                ” Big surprise – traders like to win more than most.”

                As do psychopaths.

                “to quote one comment I read on this “Who would you rather meet for dinner?
                Carl, the trader, frantically roils the markets, while Hannibal, the cannibal, manically broils your liver.””

                No one is claiming that John Key is a cannibalistic serial killer, and that everyone, (certain German freaks not included), would choose the lesser of two evils here, i.e. being bored to tears by Carl ahead of being eaten by Hannibal, doesn’t prove anything about anything.

                The psychopaths who commit terrible murders and whatnot are a small subset of psychopaths in society. They are failed psychopaths who couldn’t control themselves, and often had abused childhoods. Most psychopaths look like ordinary people, doing ordinary jobs, and have no plans to do something stupid enough to go to jail. There are many kinds with many different goals and desires. A common one though, is power over others, especially psychological control and greed. Over at the antisocial personality disorder forum I’ve read a number of times the sentiment, “I love it when I destroy a human being completely, then I convince them that it’s all their own fault, and they believe it. Then I ditch them and look for the next vulnerable fool.” That’s common. Many different kinds. That’s why some differentiate between psychopaths and sociopaths.

                “And when supposedly qualified psychologists start using faux professional analyses for character assassination, I think it is more than reasonable to be pedantic.”

                Again do you mean me? Because I said I have a degree in psychology? A BSc doesn’t make someone a ‘qualified psychologist’ by any stretch. I’m a little flattered you thought my musings had even a vague resemblance to a professional analysis. I think they look more like a guy on a website saying stuff myself.

                What’s your implication here? That some naive soul might read my anonymous posts here on a Labour-loving blobsite and think my theories are endorsed by the official New Zealand Sociopath Spotter Association? I’m just a guy, on a blog, with an opinion. I’m not pretending to be anything more or less.

                Also, I could be talking smack about Mother Theresa, Jesus, AND the Mad Butcher and it still would not make your pedantic distinction between stock traders and currency traders reasonable.

                • They are clutching at straws.  The particular study you quoted may not quite say what you thought it said.  But lets ignore the 20 other studies.  A bit like the climate change debate.

                • Maynard J

                  What a defence of Key – it would be better having him round to dinner than being killed and eaten.

                  Indeed.

              • mik e

                Don’t forget the capital gain on the $20 is tax free as well which the righties like because they would rather live in gated communities and all those who lose money on their speculation can live in no mans land .Tightrighties tight arse right wing utopia

          • travellerev 11.1.1.1.2

            And derivatives trader heading the department for bonds and derivatives which is the $ 700 trillion bubble currently collapsing for Merrill Lynch!

        • mike 11.1.1.2

          Quite right Insider, my mistake.

          But as Draco and McFlock point out my incorrectly calling John Key a stock trader instead of a currency trader doesn’t actually make a difference to the real point here does it? Stock traders and currency traders are both finance traders, and the study looked at finance traders in general, not just stock traders.

          Please read the far more in depth and interesting article provided by McFlock.

          Or else let me know if you find a different bunch of straws to clutch.

  12. Adrian 12

    Key’s defence last week of DPS spending ” Do you know how many people are trying to kill me? ” is a very illuminating exposition of his character. P.s I thought he was supposedly our most popular ever PM?

  13. Now that the precedent has been set, we can all make throat slitting gestures towards Key at any public gathering he attends and he won’t think nothing of it…

    • what a great idea!

    • mike 13.2

      Maybe Phil Goff should bring a John Key voodoo doll into parliament and stick pins in it at question time. Since that’s how we seem to roll in the House these days.

      • Tigger 13.2.1

        I think I will try the throat slitting gesture on the police also since, you know, it means nothing.

        • pollywog 13.2.1.1

          yeah i think i’ll do the same at a biker convention…

          …wonder if Key will go for the pretend hanging gesture next. You know the old, hold a closed fist beside your head while it’s slightly tilted and for extra effect stick your tongue out and roll your eyes

          bet that’ll have the RWNJ’s in hysterics if he does it to King or Goff during parliament

  14. hellonearthis 14

    The cut throat gesture is like the old Roman emperor thumbs down.
    Could it mean he wants the jumper thrown to the lions?

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • Relentlessly negative
    Negative yesterday, negative today. Negative all year, according to one departing reader telling me I’ve grown strident and predictable. Fair enough. If it’s any help, every time I go to write about a certain topic that begins with C and ends with arrrrs, I do brace myself and ask: Again? Are ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 hour ago
  • Scoring 4.6 out of 10, the new Government is struggling in the polls
    Bryce Edwards writes –  It’s been a tumultuous time in politics in recent months, as the new National-led Government has driven through its “First 100 Day programme”. During this period there’s been a handful of opinion polls, which overall just show a minimal amount of flux in public support ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 hour ago
  • Promiscuous Empathy: Chris Trotter Replies To His Critics.
    Inspirational: The Family of Man is a glorious hymn to human equality, but, more than that, it is a clarion call to human freedom. Because equality, unleavened by liberty, is a broken piano, an unstrung harp; upon which the songs of fraternity will never be played. “Somebody must have been telling lies about ...
    2 hours ago
  • Don’t run your business like a criminal enterprise
    The Detail this morning highlights the police's asset forfeiture case against convicted business criminal Ron Salter, who stands to have his business confiscated for systemic violations of health and safety law. Business are crying foul - but not for the reason you'd think. Instead of opposing the post-conviction punishment and ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 hours ago
  • Misremembering Justinian’s Taxes.
    Tax Lawyer Barbara Edmonds vs Emperor Justinian I - Nolo Contendere: False historical explanations of pivotal events are very far from being inconsequential.WHEN BARBARA EDMONDS made reference to the Roman Empire, my ears pricked up. It is, lamentably, very rare to hear a politician admit to any kind of familiarity ...
    2 hours ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Scoring 4.6 out of 10, the new Government is struggling in the polls
    It’s been a tumultuous time in politics in recent months, as the new National-led Government has driven through its “First 100 Day programme”. During this period there’s been a handful of opinion polls, which overall just show a minimal amount of flux in public support for the various parties in ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 hours ago
  • Bishop scores headlines with crackdown on unwelcome tenants – but Peters scores, too, as tub-thump...
    Buzz from the Beehive Housing Minister Chris Bishop delivered news – packed with the ingredients to enflame political passions – worthy of supplanting Winston Peters in headline writers’ priorities. He popped up at the post-Cabinet press conference to promise a crackdown on unruly and antisocial state housing tenants. His ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 hours ago
  • Will it make the boat go faster?
    Ele Ludemann writes – The Reserve Bank is advertising for a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion advisor. The Bank has one mandate – to keep inflation between one and three percent. It has failed in that and is only slowly getting inflation back down to the upper limit. Will it ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    7 hours ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Is Simon Bridges’ NZTA appointment a conflict of interest?
    Last week former National Party leader Simon Bridges was appointed by the Government as the new chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). You can read about the appointment in Thomas Coughlan’s article, Simon Bridges to become chair of NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi The fact that a ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    7 hours ago
  • Is Simon Bridges’ NZTA appointment a conflict of interest?
    Bryce Edwards writes – Last week former National Party leader Simon Bridges was appointed by the Government as the new chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). You can read about the appointment in Thomas Coughlan’s article, Simon Bridges to become chair of NZ Transport Agency ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    7 hours ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' at 10:10am on Tuesday, March 19
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Gavin Jacobson talks to Thomas Piketty 10 years on from Capital in the 21st Century The SalvoLocal scoop: Green MP’s business being investigated over migrant exploitation claims Stuff Steve KilgallonLocal deep-dive: The commercial contractors making money from School ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    8 hours ago
  • Bernard's six newsy things on Tuesday, March 19
    It’s a home - but Kāinga Ora tenants accused of “abusing the privilege” may lose it. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The Government announced a crackdown on Kāinga Ora tenants who were unruly and/or behind on their rent, with Housing Minister Chris Bishop saying a place in a state ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    9 hours ago
  • New Life for Light Rail
    This is a guest post by Connor Sharp of Surface Light Rail  Light rail in Auckland: A way forward sooner than you think With the coup de grâce of Auckland Light Rail (ALR) earlier this year, and the shift of the government’s priorities to roads, roads, and more roads, it ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    10 hours ago
  • Why Are Bosses Nearly All Buffoons?
    Note: As a paid-up Webworm member, I’ve recorded this Webworm as a mini-podcast for you as well. Some of you said you liked this option - so I aim to provide it when I get a chance to record! Read more ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    12 hours ago
  • Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6.06 pm on March 18
    TL;DR: In my ‘six-stack’ of substacks at 6.06pm on Monday, March 18:IKEA is accused of planting big forests in New Zealand to green-wash; REDD-MonitorA City for People takes a well-deserved victory lap over Wellington’s pro-YIMBY District Plan votes; A City for PeopleSteven Anastasiou takes a close look at the sticky ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    24 hours ago
  • Peters holds his ground on co-governance, but Willis wriggles on those tax cuts and SNA suspension l...
    Buzz from the Beehive Here’s hoping for a lively post-cabinet press conference when the PM and – perhaps – some of his ministers tell us what was discussed at their meeting today. Until then, Point of Order has precious little Beehive news to report after its latest monitoring of the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago
  • Labour’s final report card
    David Farrar writes –  We now have almost all 2023 data in, which has allowed me to update my annual table of how  went against its promises. This is basically their final report card. The promise The result Build 100,000 affordable homes over 10 ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • “Drunk Uncle at a Wedding”
    I’m a bit worried that I’ve started a previous newsletter with the words “just when you think they couldn’t get any worse…” Seems lately that I could begin pretty much every issue with that opening. Such is the nature of our coalition government that they seem to be outdoing each ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago
  • Wang Yi’s perfectly-timed, Aukus-themed visit to New Zealand
    Geoffrey Miller writes – Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on Dune 2, and images of Islam
    Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture ...
    1 day ago
  • New Rail Operations Centre Promises Better Train Services
    Last week Transport Minster Simeon Brown and Mayor Wayne Brown opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre. The new train control centre will see teams from KiwiRail, Auckland Transport and Auckland One Rail working more closely together to improve train services across the city. The Auckland Rail Operations Centre in ...
    1 day ago
  • Bernard's six newsy things at 6.36am on Monday, March 18
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson said in an exit interview with Q+A yesterday the Government can and should sustain more debt to invest in infrastructure for future generations. Elsewhere in the news in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 6:36am: Read more ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: Wang Yi’s perfectly-timed, Aukus-themed visit to New Zealand
    Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. It is more than just a happy ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    1 day ago
  • The Kaka’s diary for the week to March 25 and beyond
    TL;DR: The key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to March 18 include:China’s Foreign Minister visiting Wellington today;A post-cabinet news conference this afternoon; the resumption of Parliament on Tuesday for two weeks before Easter;retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson gives his valedictory speech in Parliament; ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Bitter and angry; Winston First
    New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters’s state-of-the-nation speech on Sunday was really a state-of-Winston-First speech. He barely mentioned any of the Government’s key policies and could not even wholly endorse its signature income tax cuts. Instead, he rehearsed all of his complaints about the Ardern Government, including an extraordinary claim ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    2 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    2 days ago
  • Out of Touch.
    “I’ve been internalising a really complicated situation in my head.”When they kept telling us we should wait until we get to know him, were they taking the piss? Was it a case of, if you think this is bad, wait till you get to know the real Christopher, after the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • The bewildering world of Chris Luxon – Guns for all, not no lunch for kids
    .“$10 and a target that bleeds” - Bleeding Targets for Under $10!.Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.This government appears hell-bent on either scrapping life-saving legislation or reintroducing things that - frustrated critics insist - will be dangerous and likely ...
    Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy
    3 days ago
  • Expert Opinion: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    It hardly strikes me as fair to criticise a government for doing exactly what it said it was going to do. For actually keeping its promises.”THUNDER WAS PLAYING TAG with lightning flashes amongst the distant peaks. Its rolling cadences interrupted by the here-I-come-here-I-go Doppler effect of the occasional passing car. ...
    3 days ago
  • Manufacturing The Truth.
    Subversive & Disruptive Technologies: Just as happened with that other great regulator of the masses, the Medieval Church, the advent of a new and hard-to-control technology – the Internet –  is weakening the ties that bind. Then, and now, those who enjoy a monopoly on the dissemination of lies, cannot and will ...
    3 days ago
  • A Powerful Sensation of Déjà Vu.
    Been Here Before: To find the precedents for what this Coalition Government is proposing, it is necessary to return to the “glory days” of Muldoonism.THE COALITION GOVERNMENT has celebrated its first 100 days in office by checking-off the last of its listed commitments. It remains, however, an angry government. It ...
    3 days ago
  • Can you guess where world attention is focussed (according to Greenpeace)? It’s focussed on an EPA...
    Bob Edlin writes –  And what is the world watching today…? The email newsletter from Associated Press which landed in our mailbox early this morning advised: In the news today: The father of a school shooter has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter; prosecutors in Trump’s hush-money case ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Further integrity problems for the Greens in suspending MP Darleen Tana
    Bryce Edwards writes – Is another Green MP on their way out? And are the Greens severely tarnished by another integrity scandal? For the second time in three months, the Green Party has secretly suspended an MP over integrity issues. Mystery is surrounding the party’s decision to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Jacqui Van Der Kaay: Greens’ transparency missing in action
    For the last few years, the Green Party has been the party that has managed to avoid the plague of multiple scandals that have beleaguered other political parties. It appears that their luck has run out with a second scandal which, unfortunately for them, coincided with Golraz Ghahraman, the focus ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago
  • Bernard’s Dawn Chorus with six newsey things at 6:46am for Saturday, March 16
    TL;DR: The six newsey things that stood out to me as of 6:46am on Saturday, March 16.Andy Foster has accidentally allowed a Labour/Green amendment to cut road user chargers for plug-in hybrid vehicles, which the Government might accept; NZ Herald Thomas Coughlan Simeon Brown has rejected a plea from Westport ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • How Did FTX Crash?
    What seemed a booming success a couple of years ago has collapsed into fraud convictions.I looked at the crash of FTX (short for ‘Futures Exchange’) in November 2022 to see whether it would impact on the financial system as a whole. Fortunately there was barely a ripple, probably because it ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    4 days ago
  • Elections in Russia and Ukraine
    Anybody following the situation in Ukraine and Russia would probably have been amused by a recent Tweet on X NATO seems to be putting in an awful lot of effort to influence what is, at least according to them, a sham election in an autocracy.When do the Ukrainians go to ...
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s six stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15
    TL;DR: Shaun Baker on Wynyard Quarter's transformation. Magdalene Taylor on the problem with smart phones. How private equity are now all over reinsurance. Dylan Cleaver on rugby and CTE. Emily Atkin on ‘Big Meat’ looking like ‘Big Oil’.Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15Photo by Jeppe Hove Jensen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Buzz from the Beehive Finance Minister Nicola Willis had plenty to say when addressing the Auckland Business Chamber on the economic growth that (she tells us) is flagging more than we thought. But the government intends to put new life into it:  We want our country to be a ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • National’s clean car tax advances
    The Transport and Infrastructure Committee has reported back on the Road User Charges (Light Electric RUC Vehicles) Amendment Bill, basicly rubberstamping it. While there was widespread support among submitters for the principle that EV and PHEV drivers should pay their fair share for the roads, they also overwhelmingly disagreed with ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Government funding bailouts
    Peter Dunne writes – This week’s government bailout – the fifth in the last eighteen months – of the financially troubled Ruapehu Alpine Lifts company would have pleased many in the central North Island ski industry. The government’s stated rationale for the $7 million funding was that it ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Two offenders, different treatments.
    See if you can spot the difference. An Iranian born female MP from a progressive party is accused of serial shoplifting. Her name is leaked to the media, which goes into a pack frenzy even before the Police launch an … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    4 days ago
  • Treaty references omitted
    Ele Ludemann writes  – The government is omitting general Treaty references from legislation : The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last Government in a bid to get greater coherence in the public service on Treaty ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • The Ghahraman Conflict
    What was that judge thinking? Peter Williams writes –  That Golriz Ghahraman and District Court Judge Maria Pecotic were once lawyer colleagues is incontrovertible. There is published evidence that they took at least one case to the Court of Appeal together. There was a report on ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 15
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Climate Scorpion – the sting is in the tail. Introducing planetary solvency. A paper via the University of Exeter’s Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.Local scoop: Kāinga Ora starts pulling out of its Auckland projects and selling land RNZ ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The day Wellington up-zoned its future
    Wellington’s massively upzoned District Plan adds the opportunity for tens of thousands of new homes not just in the central city (such as these Webb St new builds) but also close to the CBD and public transport links. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Wellington gave itself the chance of ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Weekly Roundup 15-March-2024
    It’s Friday and we’re halfway through March Madness. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt asked how we can get better event trains and an option for grade separating Morningside Dr. On Tuesday Matt looked into ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    4 days ago
  • That Word.
    Something you might not know about me is that I’m quite a stubborn person. No, really. I don’t much care for criticism I think’s unfair or that I disagree with. Few of us do I suppose.Back when I was a drinker I’d sometimes respond defensively, even angrily. There are things ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • The Hoon around the week to March 15
    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:PM Christopher Luxon said the reversal of interest deductibility for landlords was done to help renters, who ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Labour’s policy gap
    It was not so much the Labour Party but really the Chris Hipkins party yesterday at Labour’s caucus retreat in Martinborough. The former Prime Minister was more or less consistent on wealth tax, which he was at best equivocal about, and social insurance, which he was not willing to revisit. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #11 2024
    Open access notables A Glimpse into the Future: The 2023 Ocean Temperature and Sea Ice Extremes in the Context of Longer-Term Climate Change, Kuhlbrodt et al., Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society: In the year 2023, we have seen extraordinary extrema in high sea surface temperature (SST) in the North Atlantic and in ...
    5 days ago
  • Melissa remains mute on media matters but has something to say (at a sporting event) about economic ...
     Buzz from the Beehive   The text reproduced above appears on a page which records all the media statements and speeches posted on the government’s official website by Melissa Lee as Minister of Media and Communications and/or by Jenny Marcroft, her Parliamentary Under-secretary.  It can be quickly analysed ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • The return of Muldoon
    For forty years, Robert Muldoon has been a dirty word in our politics. His style of government was so repulsive and authoritarian that the backlash to it helped set and entrench our constitutional norms. His pig-headedness over forcing through Think Big eventually gave us the RMA, with its participation and ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Will the rental tax cut improve life for renters or landlords?
    Bryce Edwards writes –  Is the new government reducing tax on rental properties to benefit landlords or to cut the cost of rents? That’s the big question this week, after Associate Finance Minister David Seymour announced on Sunday that the Government would be reversing the Labour Government’s removal ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: What Saudi Arabia’s rapid changes mean for New Zealand
    Saudi Arabia is rarely far from the international spotlight. The war in Gaza has brought new scrutiny to Saudi plans to normalise relations with Israel, while the fifth anniversary of the controversial killing of Jamal Khashoggi was marked shortly before the war began on October 7. And as the home ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    5 days ago
  • Racism’s double standards
    Questions need to be asked on both sides of the world Peter Williams writes –   The NRL Judiciary hands down an eight week suspension to Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu , an Auckland-born Samoan, after he calls Ezra Mam, Sydney-orn but of Aboriginal and Torres Strait ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • It’s not a tax break
    Ele Ludemann writes – Contrary to what many headlines and news stories are saying, residential landlords are not getting a tax break. The government is simply restoring to them the tax deductibility of interest they had until the previous government removed it. There is no logical reason ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • The Plastic Pig Collective and Chris' Imaginary Friends.
    I can't remember when it was goodMoments of happiness in bloomMaybe I just misunderstoodAll of the love we left behindWatching our flashbacks intertwineMemories I will never findIn spite of whatever you becomeForget that reckless thing turned onI think our lives have just begunI think our lives have just begunDoes anyone ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Who is responsible for young offenders?
    Michael Bassett writes – At first reading, a front-page story in the New Zealand Herald on 13 March was bizarre. A group of severely intellectually limited teenagers, with little understanding of the law, have been pleading to the Justice Select Committee not to pass a bill dealing with ram ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on National’s fantasy trip to La La Landlord Land
    How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is: (a) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was ...
    5 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 14
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Jonathon Porritt calling bullshit in his own blog post on mainstream climate science as ‘The New Denialism’.Local scoop: The Wellington City Council’s list of proposed changes to the IHP recommendations to be debated later today was leaked this ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • No, Prime Minister, rents don’t rise or fall with landlords’ costs
    TL;DR: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Cartoons: ‘At least I didn’t make things awkward’
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Tom Toro Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in Playboy, the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. Related: What 10 EV lovers ...
    5 days ago
  • Solving traffic congestion with Richard Prebble
    The business section of the NZ Herald is full of opinion. Among the more opinionated of all is the ex-Minister of Transport, ex-Minister of Railways, ex MP for Auckland Central (1975-93, Labour), Wellington Central (1996-99, ACT, then list-2005), ex-leader of the ACT Party, uncle to actor Antonia, the veritable granddaddy ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    5 days ago
  • I Think I'm Done Flying Boeing
    Hi,Just quickly — I’m blown away by the stories you’ve shared with me over the last week since I put out the ‘Gary’ podcast, where I told you about the time my friend’s flatmate killed the neighbour.And you keep telling me stories — in the comments section, and in my ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    5 days ago
  • Invoking Aristotle: Of Rings of Power, Stones, and Ships
    The first season of Rings of Power was not awful. It was thoroughly underwhelming, yes, and left a lingering sense of disappointment, but it was more expensive mediocrity than catastrophe. I wrote at length about the series as it came out (see the Review section of the blog, and go ...
    6 days ago
  • Van Velden brings free-market approach to changing labour laws – but her colleagues stick to distr...
    Buzz from the Beehive Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden told Auckland Business Chamber members they were the first audience to hear her priorities as a minister in a government committed to cutting red tape and regulations. She brandished her liberalising credentials, saying Flexible labour markets are the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Why Newshub failed
    Chris Trotter writes – TO UNDERSTAND WHY NEWSHUB FAILED, it is necessary to understand how TVNZ changed. Up until 1989, the state broadcaster had been funded by a broadcasting licence fee, collected from every citizen in possession of a television set, supplemented by a relatively modest (compared ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Māori Party on the warpath against landlords and seabed miners – let’s see if mystical creature...
    Bob Edlin writes  –  The Māori Party has been busy issuing a mix of warnings and threats as its expresses its opposition to interest deductibility for landlords and the plans of seabed miners. It remains to be seen whether they  follow the example of indigenous litigants in Australia, ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • There’s a name for this
    Every year, in the Budget, Parliament forks out money to government agencies to do certain things. And every year, as part of the annual review cycle, those agencies are meant to report on whether they have done the things Parliament gave them that money for. Agencies which consistently fail to ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago
  • Echoes of 1968 in 2024?  Pocock on the repetitive problems of the New Left
    Mike Grimshaw writes – Recent events in American universities point to an underlying crisis of coherent thinking, an issue that increasingly affects the progressive left across the Western world. This of course is nothing new as anyone who can either remember or has read of the late ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Positive progress for social worker workforce
    New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 hours ago
  • Minister confirms reduced RUC rate for PHEVs
    Cabinet has agreed to a reduced road user charge (RUC) rate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. Owners of PHEVs will be eligible for a reduced rate of $38 per 1,000km once all light electric vehicles (EVs) move into the RUC system from 1 April.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    8 hours ago
  • Trade access to overseas markets creates jobs
    Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay, says that today’s opening of Riverland Foods manufacturing plant in Christchurch is a great example of how trade access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand.  Speaking at the official opening of this state-of-the-art pet food factory the Minister noted that exports ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    8 hours ago
  • NZ and Chinese Foreign Ministers hold official talks
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago
  • Kāinga Ora instructed to end Sustaining Tenancies
    Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber: Growth is the answer
    Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Singapore rounds out regional trip
    Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships.      “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister van Velden represents New Zealand at International Democracy Summit
    Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Insurance Council of NZ Speech, 7 March 2024, Auckland
    ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland  Acknowledgements and opening  Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho.  Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau  My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Five-year anniversary of Christchurch terror attacks
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says.  “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024
    Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024  Acknowledgements and opening  Morena, Nga Mihi Nui.  Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau  Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Early visit to Indonesia strengthens ties
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country.   “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • China Foreign Minister to visit
    Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week.  “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister opens new Auckland Rail Operations Centre
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Celebrating 10 years of Crankworx Rotorua
    The Government is proud to support the 10th edition of Crankworx Rotorua as the Crankworx World Tour returns to Rotorua from 16-24 March 2024, says Minister for Economic Development Melissa Lee.  “Over the past 10 years as Crankworx Rotorua has grown, so too have the economic and social benefits that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government delivering on tax commitments
    Legislation implementing coalition Government tax commitments and addressing long-standing tax anomalies will be progressed in Parliament next week, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The legislation is contained in an Amendment Paper to the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill issued today.  “The Amendment Paper represents ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Significant Natural Areas requirement to be suspended
    Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard has today announced that the Government has agreed to suspend the requirement for councils to comply with the Significant Natural Areas (SNA) provisions of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity for three years, while it replaces the Resource Management Act (RMA).“As it stands, SNAs ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government classifies drought conditions in Top of the South as medium-scale adverse event
    Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has classified the drought conditions in the Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts as a medium-scale adverse event, acknowledging the challenging conditions facing farmers and growers in the district. “Parts of Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts are in the grip of an intense dry spell. I know ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government partnership to tackle $332m facial eczema problem
    The Government is helping farmers eradicate the significant impact of facial eczema (FE) in pastoral animals, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced.  “A $20 million partnership jointly funded by Beef + Lamb NZ, the Government, and the primary sector will save farmers an estimated NZD$332 million per year, and aims to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • NZ, India chart path to enhanced relationship
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has completed a successful visit to India, saying it was an important step in taking the relationship between the two countries to the next level.   “We have laid a strong foundation for the Coalition Government’s priority of enhancing New Zealand-India relations to generate significant future benefit for both countries,” says Mr Peters, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Ruapehu Alpine Lifts bailout the last, say Ministers
    Cabinet has agreed to provide $7 million to ensure the 2024 ski season can go ahead on the Whakapapa ski field in the central North Island but has told the operator Ruapehu Alpine Lifts it is the last financial support it will receive from taxpayers. Cabinet also agreed to provide ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Fresh produce price drop welcome
    Lower fruit and vegetable prices are welcome news for New Zealanders who have been doing it tough at the supermarket, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Stats NZ reported today the price of fruit and vegetables has dropped 9.3 percent in the 12 months to February 2024.  “Lower fruit and vege ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Statement to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68)
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government backs rural led catchment projects
    The coalition Government is supporting farmers to enhance land management practices by investing $3.3 million in locally led catchment groups, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. “Farmers and growers deliver significant prosperity for New Zealand and it’s vital their ongoing efforts to improve land management practices and water quality are supported,” ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber
    Good evening everyone and thank you for that lovely introduction.   Thank you also to the Honourable Simon Bridges for the invitation to address your members. Since being sworn in, this coalition Government has hit the ground running with our 100-day plan, delivering the changes that New Zealanders expect of us. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Commission’s advice on ETS settings tabled
    Recommendations from the Climate Change Commission for New Zealand on the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction and unit limit settings for the next five years have been tabled in Parliament, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “The Commission provides advice on the ETS annually. This is the third time the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government lowering building costs
    The coalition Government is beginning its fight to lower building costs and reduce red tape by exempting minor building work from paying the building levy, says Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk. “Currently, any building project worth $20,444 including GST or more is subject to the building levy which is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Trustee tax change welcomed
    Proposed changes to tax legislation to prevent the over-taxation of low-earning trusts are welcome, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The changes have been recommended by Parliament’s Finance and Expenditure Committee following consideration of submissions on the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill. “One of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister’s Ramadan message
    Assalaamu alaikum. السَّلَام عليكم In light of the holy month of Ramadan, I want to extend my warmest wishes to our Muslim community in New Zealand. Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, renewed devotion, perseverance, generosity, and forgiveness.  It’s a time to strengthen our bonds and appreciate the diversity ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister appoints new NZTA Chair
    Former Transport Minister and CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber Hon Simon Bridges has been appointed as the new Board Chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) for a three-year term, Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced today. “Simon brings extensive experience and knowledge in transport policy and governance to the role. He will ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Speech to Life Sciences Summit
    Good morning all, it is a pleasure to be here as Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology.  It is fantastic to see how connected and collaborative the life science and biotechnology industry is here in New Zealand. I would like to thank BioTechNZ and NZTech for the invitation to address ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Progress continues apace on water storage
    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says he is looking forward to the day when three key water projects in Northland are up and running, unlocking the full potential of land in the region. Mr Jones attended a community event at the site of the Otawere reservoir near Kerikeri on Friday. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government agrees to restore interest deductions
    Associate Finance Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government has agreed to restore deductibility for mortgage interest on residential investment properties. “Help is on the way for landlords and renters alike. The Government’s restoration of interest deductibility will ease pressure on rents and simplify the tax code,” says ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister to attend World Anti-Doping Agency Symposium
    Sport and Recreation Minister Chris Bishop will travel to Switzerland today to attend an Executive Committee meeting and Symposium of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Mr Bishop will then travel on to London where he will attend a series of meetings in his capacity as Infrastructure Minister. “New Zealanders believe ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Pacific Language Weeks celebrate regional unity
    This year’s Pacific Language Weeks celebrate regional unity and the contribution of Pacific communities to New Zealand culture, says Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti.  Dr Reti announced dates for the 2024 Pacific Language Weeks during a visit to the Pasifika festival in Auckland today and says there’s so ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-03-19T04:49:49+00:00