The Ray White – China deal

Written By: - Date published: 7:32 am, July 30th, 2016 - 87 comments
Categories: business, capitalism, Ethics, housing, International - Tags: , , , , , ,

Speaking of the housing crisis:

Ray White signs deal with Lianjia as it launches into China

Ray White has expanded its agency services to China, signing an agreement to list new and old properties for sale with China’s largest real estate agency, Lianjia, also known as Homelink.

Lianjia, which has more than 6000 branches in over 25 cities in China, will co-list Ray White’s New Zealand and Australian and properties in Mandarin on its websites.

The exposure to Lianjia’s audience – about 260 million Chinese buyers – will provide Ray White with the leverage into China and, more importantly, fulfil the organisation’s strategy of becoming more diverse and a brand that is more attractive to the Chinese community. …

The move has, unsurprisingly, attracted some criticism, see Politicians slam deal for more NZ house ads in China, and ‘You suck Ray White’: Kiwis threaten boycott after agency signs deal with Chinese company, and Labour’s response reported here. The company responds:

It’s not up to us to make a moral decision on foreign ownership

Ray White says marketing New Zealand and Australian properties to Chinese buyers is “nothing new” and it is up to the government to put a stop to it, not the real estate industry. …

Spoken like a good capitalist, and exemplifying all that is wrong with unregulated capitalism. So OK then, ball’s in your court National. Now what?

Bonus explaining from RW:

We understand your concern and we would like to reassure you that our Australian-led partnership with Homelink, also known as Lianjia, is not designed to sell off more New Zealand homes to foreign buyers.

The partnership is a move made in response to the increasing globalisation of the real estate industry. Many of our customers, particularly in Australia, have been requesting this type of marketing opportunity for some time.

Well past time to stop digging.

87 comments on “The Ray White – China deal ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Wensleydale 1
    30 July 2016 at 8:07 am

    “…is not designed to sell off more New Zealand homes to foreign buyers.”

    Of course it fucking is. What other possible reason would they have for doing this? Charity? Whimsy? They lost a game of paper, scissors, rock?

    It’s the lying that’s so hurtful, Ray White. The lying.

    • Leftie 1.1
      30 July 2016 at 11:25 am

      Ray White are being contemptuous, and are insulting New Zealanders with that obvious lie. It’s bad enough that we get treated like that every day by the compulsive liar John key, and his won’t do anything National government.

    • mosa 1.2
      30 July 2016 at 3:37 pm

      Ray White have been taking lessons on how to deny the bleeding obvious from our esteemed PM.

  2. Tony Veitch (not the partner-bashing 3rd rate broadcaster) 2
    30 July 2016 at 8:12 am

    We bought our present (and only) house from Ray White, and have been regularly emailed with property updates.

    I have unsubscribed from the emails, and sent a terse message to the company explaining why I did so.

    If we are ever in the position of having to buy another house, we certainly will not be using this company to sell or buy while they market NZ property in China (or anywhere overseas).

    I lived in China for over three years and there was never any possibility of buying an apartment in the city where I was resident.

    Why are we so damned intent on becoming tenants in our own land?

  3. Stuart Munro 3
    30 July 2016 at 8:15 am

    Although it is the government’s problem, there is nothing wrong with boycotting Ray White until the government takes action.

    • weka 3.1
      30 July 2016 at 9:31 am

      +1

      I sense an Action Station or similar coming on too. Boycotting alone is tricky if RW are the sole lister for the house you want to buy in a housing shortage market. But certainly people selling a house can choose a different agent and that should be circulated widely.

      (cue accusations from the right of suppression of free speech and free trade 😉 )

    • mosa 3.2
      1 August 2016 at 7:51 pm

      Stuart this government WONT take action because Key would have shares in Ray White through his blind trust you can bet on it and will be more than supportive of the move into China.

  4. ianmac 4
    30 July 2016 at 9:28 am

    National cannot act to change the rules about oversea purchase because this was what Labour were suggesting months ago. Ray White is home free and with National blessing.
    Unless they changed the rules to make it new homes only.

    • Rae 4.1
      1 August 2016 at 8:02 am

      On the new homes only thing for foreigners, I would like that rule defined as well, to state one new home only, for themselves, no renting, we need zero foreign landlords, especially when so much money to pay rents is coming out of the public purse. I wonder what other country hands out welfare to foreigners?

  5. weka 5
    30 July 2016 at 9:36 am

    “It’s not up to us to make a moral decision on foreign ownership”

    Ok, so Ray White has just declared itself to have no ethical responsibilities. Good to know.

    Of course I’d argue that it is up to them to make a moral decision (and I think they have taken a moral position otherwise they wouldn’t even have made that statement). if one thinks the government is a parental figure and the teenager’s job is to get away with as much as possible until the hard word comes down, then I can see why they would see themselves as being free to act amorally. But if government are the servants of the people and the best/easiest system we have currently for managing our collective resources and society, then why would we all not have a duty to make moral decisions. It’s not like the government is perfect or always gets things right or always has our best interests at heart.

    tl;dr RW, disingenuous as fuck.

    • AB 5.1
      30 July 2016 at 10:04 am

      Yep they have taken what amounts to a moral decision in deciding that the company is not required to make moral decisions.
      It’s a common and weird belief that somehow businesses don’t have the moral obligations of individuals.

      • AmaKiwi 5.1.1
        30 July 2016 at 10:56 am

        Corporate managers MUST by law work to increase profits by whatever legal means they can.

        This is the central problem with capitalism. Shareholders will sue management for any actions which are not specifically aimed at maximizing the shareholders’ return on their investment.

        How do we change it?

        • Brigid 5.1.1.1
          30 July 2016 at 6:27 pm

          No, that’s not entirely correct

          “Section 131 Companies Act 1993
          A director must act in good faith and in what they believe to be the best interests of the company.”

          https://www.business.govt.nz/companies/learn-about/compliance-requirements/directors-key-responsibilities

          Unless it is written specifically in the constitution the Director is not obliged to ” increase profits by whatever legal means they can.”, just keep the company in good health and not act illegally.
          And actually the director has is no greater obligation to shareholders than it has to employees.

          • AmaKiwi 5.1.1.1.1
            31 July 2016 at 4:15 pm

            Thanks, Brigid. I agree.

            Company directors work exclusively for their shareholders. They have NO obligations for humanity and the planet.

  6. Keith 6
    30 July 2016 at 9:48 am

    Capitalism, pure and simple, based on profit, greed and maximising returns to investors. And who in this government or those who vote for it argue? I mean it’s not as if Real Estate companies are bastions of decency, ethics or morals!

    It’s only when this parasitic disease starts killing it’s hosts as it surely does, do it’s subcribers start wailing for collective state welfare intervention that they hither to hated and looked down upon!

    • miravox 6.1
      30 July 2016 at 10:20 am

      “Capitalism, pure and simple, based on profit, greed and maximising returns to investors.”

      It’s not as if that many of the big players in the industry are still fully NZ-owned either. Off-shore services repatriating profits to the home countries. In a sense I have a bit of ambivalence about the Ray White deal (if it’s still fully NZ-owned). The company is only doing similar to international companies have done in NZ, but in reverse, i.e. making global profits. As you say, “it’s not as if Real Estate companies are bastions of decency, ethics or morals!”

    • mary_a 6.2
      30 July 2016 at 3:35 pm

      Cheers Keith (6). Agree 100% with your sentiments re this contemptuous issue.

  7. RedBaronCV 7
    30 July 2016 at 10:44 am

    All any government in waiting can do is to make it very very clear, that this type of sale is going to come back to bite the buyer and remove them when they become the government. And I don’t even favour a new home build – it’s still costing us taxpayers and ratepayers megadollars in infrastructure costs – and who needs swathes of empty housing disrupting our communities.

  8. Kelly-Ned 8
    30 July 2016 at 11:00 am

    Is deciding not to sell NZ to foreigners a moral decision at all?
    Isn’t it purely common sense not to sell of your country’s most irreplaceable asset?

    • Stuart Munro 8.1
      30 July 2016 at 11:15 am

      Yes.

      Another nail in the coffin of the “Gnats as competent economic managers” trope. They don’t know, or care, about the consequences of their actions.

      • The Pink Postman 8.1.1
        30 July 2016 at 3:12 pm

        I really hope so Stuart but I’m afraid the great unwashed still think” Key is the man'” I just cannot understand it. However the next gallop poll may be interesting ,but I’m not expecting a change. I had an old socialist friend,way back, who told me the public only throw the Tories out when the general public has really suffered .

    • AmaKiwi 8.2
      30 July 2016 at 12:04 pm

      It depends whose interests come first: mine as an individual or society’s.

      What is best for the individual is not necessarily what’s best for society, and vice versa.

      Another capitalism “big lie” – – – what’s best for the one is best for the other. It isn’t necessarily true.

  9. Graeme 9
    30 July 2016 at 11:19 am

    Not sure that Ray White are leading the market here, rather catching up. I had to find an agency to sell a property in Auckland a few years ago, most had their “extensive overseas connections, and marketing footprint” as a major part of their pitch. I most cases this turned out to be a marketing “extra” that cost heaps. We actually ended up with Ray White because they had the most realistic local marketing plan.

    On a more cynical note. An attempt to bring less informed buyers into the market so local investors can exit with the cash? There are some upsides to foreign investment…..

    • weka 9.1
      30 July 2016 at 12:09 pm

      “An attempt to bring less informed buyers into the market so local investors can exit with the cash? There are some upsides to foreign investment…..”

      What do you mean Graeme?

      • Graeme 9.1.1
        30 July 2016 at 2:04 pm

        Find some sucker to buy the property just before the market crashes.

        Eventual result, cash is in New Zealand, property is in New Zealand and worth considerably less, debt / loss is somewhere else. There’s other permutations of this depending on who’s being smart or greedy.

        Not pretty, but it’s where it’s going, and probably quite soon.

        • Pat 9.1.1.1
          30 July 2016 at 2:26 pm

          the world is full of paupers who thought they could pick the the timing of a crash

          • Graeme 9.1.1.1.1
            30 July 2016 at 3:20 pm

            And I know more than a few who got it pretty much spot on. Those that come a gutsa are usually the ones who are saying it’s never going to end, or think they can do one more big deal, or they are naive folk with little knowledge or experience of the market they are playing in.

            But it’s reliance on this sort of speculation / gambling that has got our country into the shit that it’s in. We’ve gone from a country that used to pay it’s way by growing or making things that we sold to the world, to one where we make our living by selling the same house for more and more. We have a speculative economy, not a productive economy. And we are speculating on the houses we need to live in.

            • Pat 9.1.1.1.1.1
              30 July 2016 at 4:13 pm

              “Those that come a gutsa are usually the ones who are saying it’s never going to end, or think they can do one more big deal, or they are naive folk with little knowledge or experience of the market they are playing in.”

              …in other words , most of them…..particularly in light of the fact the conditions driving this bubble are unprecedented.

        • weka 9.1.1.2
          30 July 2016 at 2:50 pm

          Ok, makes sense, not sure it’s an upside though :-/

          • Graeme 9.1.1.2.1
            30 July 2016 at 3:25 pm

            Like I said, not pretty.

          • Tony Veitch (not the partner-bashing 3rd rate broadcaster) 9.1.1.2.2
            30 July 2016 at 3:38 pm

            No, it doesn’t make sense at all. Most of the Chinese buyers will be looking for a safe place to park their money, ahead of the perceived inevitable collapse of the Chinese economy.

            A drop in value, even up to 40 or 50% is largely irrelevant – whatever happens, the property remains!

            • Rae 9.1.1.2.2.1
              1 August 2016 at 8:06 am

              Trouble is, you point out the different motivation of Chinese buyers, which is due, in no small way, to their political system, you get labeled a xenophobe.

  10. RedLogix 10
    30 July 2016 at 11:38 am

    One thing for certain, Ray White know perfectly well the Govt isn’t going to do anything about it either. Chinese bidders with suitcases full of cash probably don’t vote Labour (or Green).

  11. Leftie 11
    30 July 2016 at 11:55 am

    New Zealanders can’t buy property, land and houses in China. No foreigner can.
    China knows to protect it’s own assets from foreign speculators.

    • AmaKiwi 11.1
      30 July 2016 at 12:05 pm

      So do most countries.

    • ropata 11.2
      30 July 2016 at 12:53 pm

      New Zealanders can’t buy property in Auckland either. First we were priced out by dirty money, now we are being shut out completely by foreigners taking over the real estate agencies.

      • Brian Smith 11.2.1
        30 July 2016 at 2:24 pm

        Most of that money is still dirty money if you understand the concept of ‘Guanxi’ in China, and the role that their public servants (including Police/army) play in businesses being successful!! Auckland, the great laundromat of the south pacific!

    • ropata 11.3
      30 July 2016 at 12:58 pm

      I suspect this open slather policy for foreign buyers is all that’s keeping our economy afloat. Without this bubble pumping up the numbers, we would have been in a recession. Large segments of NZ (teachers, cops, nurses) are already feeling it, thanks to chronic inequality.

      • Leftie 11.3.1
        30 July 2016 at 1:28 pm

        “open slather policy for foreign buyers is all that’s keeping our economy afloat” that and uncontrolled migration into the country.

        That’s what key is counting on going into next year’s election before it all implodes.

    • ropata 11.4
      30 July 2016 at 1:00 pm

      China has the National Party over a barrel. “Keep selling off bits of your country or we will stop buying your milk” is probably the veiled threat

      • Leftie 11.4.1
        30 July 2016 at 1:31 pm

        That too.

      • Draco T Bastard 11.4.2
        30 July 2016 at 6:57 pm

        Thing is, no country should be able to make that threat. Not selling to them should make no difference to us at all.

        • ropata 11.4.2.1
          30 July 2016 at 7:22 pm

          Agreed. FTA’s are a giant ripoff benefiting only the 1%, spreading inequality and exploitation around the globe. The elites love it, considering themselves enlightened global citizens.

          Our economy is smoke and mirrors, our brief dream as an independent nation is over. We are a bauble for global superpowers and a tasty plum to be taken over by the super rich.

          Not that we had much choice, both main parties have been successful in their ongoing campaign to sell NZ to the world.

          • Leftie 11.4.2.1.1
            30 July 2016 at 9:49 pm

            John key has been doing back door deals around the FTA that has given China more favour and power over New Zealand.

            Only just recently he did some tinkering to appease China in response to his pro stance on the US TPPA. Now China is pushing for their own version of the TPPA. New Zealand is being sandwiched as John key plays both sides. It’s an unsustainable and untenable position for New Zealand to remain in. Something is going to give.

  12. Venezia 12
    30 July 2016 at 11:57 am

    Over the last year, I have noticed Real Estate companies (other than Ray White) marketing in China. Harcourts for one, but others are international companies operating here to domestic market. It is open slather. John Key’s statements about NZers becoming “tenants in their own land ” indeed!

    • ropata 12.1
      30 July 2016 at 11:38 pm

      I guess that was the plan all along. FJK is a member of the 0.01% and his allegiance is to his peers in the global bankster club, not to the confused hobbits of NZ

  13. adam 13
    30 July 2016 at 2:03 pm

    Ray White, heros of corporate solipsism

    Don’t begrudge the returns for us

    PLA money everywhere

    South China Seas – Shush, shush, shush

    Commissars on all the farms

    End the stately balancing act

    Now we can just throw the dice, and be like mice in a crashing car

    Ray White, standing up for cupidities call.

  14. Paul 14
    30 July 2016 at 2:06 pm

    Go to a Barfoots auction.

  15. Chooky 15
    30 July 2016 at 2:27 pm

    Well all of this is no surprise… the warnings have been there for sometime…the Government must LEGISLATE against and Opposition parties jump up and down or we will become a province of China…this is THE election issue!

    ( despite denials from the politically correct Greens and accusations of “crude racial profiling” over the Auckland housing crisis depiction by Labour …and certain others here who cry out loudly “racism!” …it is very clear now that little New Zealand is in danger of being swamped and we are selling our childrens’ birthrights)

    http://www.smh.com.au/business/comment-and-analysis/wall-of-chinese-capital-buying-up-australian-properties-20150628-ghztdf.html

    http://www.smh.com.au/business/property/chinas-little-emperors-prop-up-aussie-housing-with-parents-aid-20160330-gnun67.html

    http://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/chinese-property-investors-getting-wary-of-buying-in-australia-20160519-gozd5s.html

    • RedLogix 15.1
      30 July 2016 at 2:52 pm

      …the Government must LEGISLATE against and Opposition parties jump up and down or we will become a province of China…this is THE election issue!

      I’ve just spent two weeks working in a SE Asian country where exactly this is even more advanced. Their govt is now totally beholden to China and is giving away vast leases to Chinese businesses to essentially strip mine. Sand mining, huge monocultural plantations and the like. They completely shut out the local villagers from their traditional forest access. Poverty and malnutrition are appearing where there was none before.

      Same basic mechanism is happening here. Many years back I predicted this; that China wouldn’t necessarily expand it’s empire militarily, it would use capitalism against us, sell us drugs and then buy us out.

      • Leftie 15.1.1
        30 July 2016 at 3:45 pm

        Was told recently that there are now 5 Chinese banks operating in New Zealand, and they don’t lend out in thousands, they lend out in millions. Kiwis don’t have a chance.

        • Colonial Viper 15.1.1.1
          30 July 2016 at 4:20 pm

          It’s time for us to curtail/eliminate the activities of foreign banks in NZ.

          • Chooky 15.1.1.1.1
            30 July 2016 at 11:28 pm

            yup that is one thing that should be done…we have got to take back control of our own economy

      • Jack Ramaka 15.1.2
        30 July 2016 at 7:31 pm

        Drug shipments have definitely increased since the mass Asian immigration to NZ, they are using the existing NZ gangs to distribute the drugs and I would guess the proceeds are invested in the Auckland housing market.

  16. fisiani 16
    30 July 2016 at 5:24 pm

    How dare Ray White advertise to people with Chinese sounding names.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 16.1
      30 July 2016 at 5:44 pm

      When the bubble bursts, who will carry the losses? Not people who can’t afford their first home, that’s for sure. Not the banks: they always get paid.

      Nah. Whoever ends up holding the hot potato. Pass it on.

      • ropata 16.1.1
        30 July 2016 at 7:25 pm

        Watch for FJK to make some ridiculous bailout deal for his banking buddies, the Kiwi taxpayer will be stuck paying off someone else’s debt for 50 years

    • ropata 16.2
      30 July 2016 at 7:29 pm

      Most countries with any dignity or self respect defend their LAND to the death.

      Not NZ though, we have snakes like fisiani for whom money is the measure of all things.

      Food, clothing, shelter, children, it’s all for sale!!

      You sir, are a pillock

    • Leftie 16.3
      30 July 2016 at 10:09 pm

      Of course they have Chinese sounding names Fisiani, Ray White is marketing to Chinese buyers living in China.

  17. Jack Ramaka 17
    30 July 2016 at 7:28 pm

    Chinese Nationals want to get their funds to a safe haven which is what New Zealand is, houses are tangible assets hence this is why they are investing in New Zealand.

    Also with the weight of numbers and volume of cash coming into the New Zealand market houses can only go north, gone are the days of houses for people to actually live in, the Auckland Housing Ponzi Scheme is rocking onwards.

  18. fisiani 18
    30 July 2016 at 8:26 pm

    Chinese people are human beings. The law does not discriminate against them. Sad to see so much barely disguised racism masquerading as nationalistic concern.

    • Draco T Bastard 18.1
      30 July 2016 at 8:34 pm

      There’s no racism as you well know. This comment of yours is no more than you’re usual Concern Trolling.

      Yes, Chinese are human as are the rest of us. That doesn’t give them the right to buy out our land and resources leaving nothing for us. They have their own.

      • fisiani 18.1.1
        30 July 2016 at 8:39 pm

        “leaving nothing for us” And you really don’t realise how racist that comment is.

        • Sabine 18.1.1.1
          30 July 2016 at 9:39 pm

          bwhahahahahahahaha

          you so funny mate

          how dare new zealanders want to buy a home in their home country, don’t they now these silly new zealanders that with voting for the John Key National Party led government they voted for a brighter future for non resident and non citizens to buy up their land one quarter acre at a time.
          silly new zealanders not wanting to sell their home country. silly silly new zealanders.

      • ropata 18.1.2
        30 July 2016 at 8:41 pm

        fisi conveniently forgets the basic rights his fellow human beings in hus greed for foreign cash. People (usually poor,brown) are sleeping in cars and garages because of pricjs like him.

        but fisi bravely sticks up for the rights of rich foreigners

        • fisiani 18.1.2.1
          30 July 2016 at 9:41 pm

          If you prick a rich foreigner do they not bleed? Change some of the comments above from Chinese to Jewish and the blatant racism is all too clear. Is it any wonder that the fastest growing political group in New Zealand is the Blue Dragons.

          • Leftie 18.1.2.1.1
            30 July 2016 at 10:02 pm

            Prick an ordinary New Zealander, do they not bleed too? But what about New Zealanders Fisiani? they’re human too.

            Is Ray White and China’s largest real estate agent Jewish? Why do we have to change the facts to suit you Fisiani?

            Blue Dragon Children’s Trust is a political group?

          • Sabine 18.1.2.1.2
            30 July 2016 at 10:21 pm

            i think you are way out of line here and should re-think your comparison of people not wanting their land sold to the highest bidder vs a people that get slaughtered by the millions, had their belongings stolen from then down to the gold teeth in their mouth, had their clothes taken from them, their hair shoven, their shoes taken away, their suitcases filled with what ever they could pack in the middle of the night taken away from them, to then being locked up, starved, beaten, raped, used as humans guinea pigs, worked to death, and marched to death.

            I think it is time that you bid us good night and go to sleep. I don’t think you really have anything to add of value.

            Or to say in good german, you dear Fisian are a Scheisskerl and a Schweinehund.

            • Sabine 18.1.2.1.2.1
              30 July 2016 at 10:25 pm

              come to think of it.
              i take back the Scheinehund as comparing you to a Pig Dog would be an insult to Pig Dogs. They are usually well training, well behaved and serve a puropose.
              You sir, however serve no other purpose then to stir shit. So Scheisskerl it is.

          • Stuart Munro 18.1.2.1.3
            31 July 2016 at 1:05 pm

            “If you prick a rich foreigner”

            Let’s find out. Homeless kiwis are bleeding already.

          • Brian Smith 18.1.2.1.4
            31 July 2016 at 4:44 pm

            Why are foreigners forbidden to buy property in China by the Chinese government? That’s racist, xenophobic, call it what you will. The terms of the FTA with China should cover mutuality in this regard, surely.

            • One Anonymous Bloke 18.1.2.1.4.1
              31 July 2016 at 4:50 pm

              So long as whatever defences a pro-New Zealand government puts in place apply to all other countries (CERA might mediate this wrt Aussies) there’s no problem.

              Whether the PLA (for example) might apply other kinds of pressure is another thing entirely.

        • Neil 18.1.2.2
          31 July 2016 at 12:36 am

          Fisiani is secretly of Chinese descent, that’s why he’s protesting so much

          • Draco T Bastard 18.1.2.2.1
            31 July 2016 at 1:11 am

            No, I suspect that fisiani is just trying to protect his ‘investment’. He knows damn well that if the government did the rational thing and banned offshore ownership then his ‘worth’ would drop down by 80%.

      • Chooky 18.1.3
        30 July 2016 at 11:32 pm

        +100 DTB..”They have their own”… and they don’t allow foreigners to take what is theirs in their own country….why should we allow it here?

        We are being taken for fools by jonkey nact to allow this to happen

    • adam 18.2
      31 July 2016 at 3:40 pm

      Love the irony bro – you defending the communists.

      Thanks fisiani, needed a good laugh.

  19. D'Esterre 19
    30 July 2016 at 9:31 pm

    “It’s not up to us to make a moral decision on foreign ownership”

    I was just following orders.

    Am I my brother’s keeper?

    Other people’s misery isn’t anything to do with me.

    Not just a broken moral compass: these people haven’t got one.

  20. whispering kate 20
    31 July 2016 at 1:25 pm

    Have just noticed a full page coloured advertisement in an Auckland Property Guide that Steve Hansen the AB coach aligns with Ray White New Zealand as a Global Brand Ambassador. He is shown smiling with a Ray White big wig signing some document. He doesn’t seem to object to floods of immigrants coming here to live for a few months each year. Wonder how much he is being paid and wonder how much Ray White give to the AB’s war chest.

    Rugby has become a corporate juggernaut and what with the Olympics allowing professionals to compete, the joy has gone out of watching sports events. I thought Steven Hansen looked a reasonable sort of guy, I now can see he isn’t.

    • Leftie 20.1
      1 August 2016 at 12:53 am

      Remember John key pretending to be an All Black on the cover of a magazine that was on the shelves and near the checkouts in every supermarket, stores and book sellers through out the country during the 2014 election campaign?

    • Chris 20.2
      1 August 2016 at 11:42 pm

      Like how Ritchie McCaw, Dan Carter, Kieran Read and others have shares companies that own rest homes – waiting to cash in as demand goes through the roof on the backs of minimum wage workers. If they had a moral bone in their million dollar bodies they’d be advocates for lifting the standard of care older people and the disabled get by raising wages and properly valuing the lives of the most vulnerable.

  21. Mrs Brillo 21
    31 July 2016 at 8:10 pm

    I’m curious. What does a global brand ambassador actually do?
    Any idea?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent talking about the National-ACT-NZ First Government’s release of its first Emissions Reduction Plan;University of Otago Foreign Relations Professor and special guest Dr Karin von ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #29 2024

    Open access notables Improving global temperature datasets to better account for non-uniform warming, Calvert, Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society: To better account for spatial non-uniform trends in warming, a new GITD [global instrumental temperature dataset] was created that used maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) to combine the land surface ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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