The rich want their country back

Written By: - Date published: 9:44 am, January 18th, 2023 - 61 comments
Categories: act, election 2023, election funding, electoral commission, greens, labour, national, same old national - Tags:

The Electoral Commission has published parties’ return of donations of $30,000 or more received in the past year and the results are interesting.

National has performed extraordinarily well and has received $2.3 million from large donors.  ACT also performed well from the largesse of the uber wealthy and recorded large donations totalling $1.1 million.  Labour in comparison received only $150,000 from two donors.  The Greens raised $122,000 through tithing of their leaders salaries.

These are only the totals of large donations.  I suspect that when the full return is filed this will also show National and Act performing extraordinarily well.

From the Herald:

The National Party may start election year with a $2.3 million war chest raised from 24 big donors in 2022, while Labour has declared just $150,000 in large donations, according to Electoral Commission records.

The disparity has seen National raise more money from large donors in one year than Labour has raised in nearly a decade.

Most of National’s funds are thanks to a fundraising blitz from former deputy leader Paula Bennett who tapped richlisters, including New Zealand’s wealthiest man, for as much as $250,000 each last year. It is not clear how much of this funding was spent in 2022, and how much has been put aside for campaigning this year.

There are some familiar names amongst the donors.

The biggest single donor was New Zealand’s wealthiest man, Graeme Hart, who donated $250,000 to National and $100,000 to Act. Fellow richlister Murray Bolton also chipped in $250,000 to the National Party as did Zuru toys co-founder Nick Mowbray.

National’s 2022 tally meant it raised more money in one year from large donors than Labour has raised since 2013, a year in which it raised over $400,000 in a large bequest.

Labour’s general-secretary Rob Salmond said while National received a “large number of donations from the wealthiest New Zealanders”, Labour was “proud to be supported by many thousands of donors – from all walks of life giving whatever they can afford”.

He accused National of a “narrow focus on the wealthiest New Zealanders, both in its policies and its donors”.

It makes you wonder what the wealthy want to achieve with these donations.  Managing to have this much spare cash is not a sign that things are bad or need to change.  The need to have even more appears to be almost pathological.

This news reinforces my very strong impression that this election will be fiercely fought.  What National lacks in activists it makes up for in funding.

61 comments on “The rich want their country back ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Gosman 1
    18 January 2023 at 10:07 am

    Indeed that is part of democracy. Some people can give up some of their time and some decide to give up some of their wealth.

    • weka 1.1
      18 January 2023 at 11:05 am

      it becomes anti-democratic when people with accrued wealth have an unfair advantage.

      Also, wealthier people have both time and money.

      • Gosman 1.1.1
        18 January 2023 at 11:39 am

        What criteria do you use to determine if it is "unfair"?

        Wealthier people tend to have other things to occupy their time than political campaigning.

        • weka 1.1.1.1
          18 January 2023 at 12:21 pm

          What criteria do you use to determine if it is "unfair"?

          $3,400,000 vs $272,000 seems a good place to start. If you took the left bloc amount off the right bloc amount, the right is still left with $3,128,000. Everyone can see that imbalance.

          Wealthier people tend to have other things to occupy their time than political campaigning.

          lol, and middle class and lower income people don't?

    • Mark 1.2
      18 January 2023 at 11:07 am

      Wealth buys influence which is why poverty is going through the roof.

      • Gosman 1.2.1
        18 January 2023 at 11:40 am

        Relative poverty and inequality has barely moved over the past 25 years.

        https://www.inequality.org.nz/understand/what-is-the-history-of-inequality-in-new-zealand/

        • weka 1.2.1.1
          18 January 2023 at 12:24 pm

          that's an extremely stupid statement.

          We can simply look at the different rates of increase in incomes and housing costs to see how much poverty has increased.

          • Gosman 1.2.1.1.1
            18 January 2023 at 3:22 pm

            I prefer actual statistics not reckons.

            • weka 1.2.1.1.1.1
              18 January 2023 at 3:32 pm

              I suggest you go look up the rates of income and housing cost increase in the past 25 years in that case.

              Myself, I prefer actual meaningful analysis rather than misusing stats to minimise the effects of poverty or the widening wealth gap.

        • Saccharomyces 1.2.1.2
          18 January 2023 at 12:32 pm

          In fact, looking at the first table on that page, the two decades between '66 and '85 would appear to be the exception, and a 24% asset split to the top 1% the norm.

          • Gosman 1.2.1.2.1
            18 January 2023 at 3:46 pm

            Yes and it is interesting that after the first labour government had been in power the share of wealth owned by the top 1% was the same as NZ in 2018 and the share of the top 10% was about the same back in 2010

    • UncookedSelachimorpha 1.3
      18 January 2023 at 12:39 pm

      Garbage. It is the opposite of democracy and such bribes should be banned.

      Graham Hart buys outsized influence for 0.002% of his wealth – equivalent to an $8 donation from a household with NZ's median wealth.

      • Gosman 1.3.1
        18 January 2023 at 3:24 pm

        What actual policy influence has Graeme Hart bought? Do you have evidence of a policy that National and ACT have adopted they they otherwise wouldn't have as a result of his donations?

        • weka 1.3.1.1
          18 January 2023 at 3:34 pm

          the more and bigger the donations, the more likely that NACT will be in power at some point to enact the policy. So if you like what NACT does, and you have the money, you can help them gain power.

          We can look at the US as an obvious example of how money buys entry into government.

          • Gosman 1.3.1.1.1
            18 January 2023 at 3:47 pm

            The evidence from the US suggests the opposite. For example Hilary Clinton was much better supported financially than Trump was in 2016 yet he won.

            • weka 1.3.1.1.1.1
              18 January 2023 at 4:36 pm

              a multi-millionaire managing to raise more money than a billionaire is not a good argument against the idea that extreme wealth undermines democracy.

        • Incognito 1.3.1.2
          18 January 2023 at 6:21 pm

          Don’t be a daft disingenuous troll. There won’t be a single policy with his name on or associated with it and you know it. Political influence can be targeted to a specific policy area, but it can also be more general across the board. That said, most of us won’t know what’s being discussed over a cup of tea and off the record. It is a grey, murky, and shady play area that’s available only to the wealthy well-offs with deep pockets.

        • Thinker 1.3.1.3
          18 January 2023 at 10:24 pm

          That's really lame, Gosman.

          The only evidence you could possibly have is if NACT confirmed it and that's unlikely

        • UncookedSelachimorpha 1.3.1.4
          19 January 2023 at 2:29 am

          I bet Graeme Hart is more likely to get a meeting with a minister, than Median Kiwi with their $8 donation.

          This 2015 paper is interesting. It finds in the USA almost no correlation between Senator's votes on legislation and their voter's preferences, but strong correlation between Senator's voting patterns and their donor's preferences.

          Who do legislators best represent? This paper addresses this question by investigating the degree of ideological congruence between senators and constituents on a unified scale.

          …
          I find that senators’ preferences reflect the preferences of the average donor better than any other group.

          …
          Finally, senators’ preferences diverge dramatically from the preference of the average voter in their state. The degree of divergence is nearly as large as if voters were randomly assigned to a senator. These results show that
          in the case of the Senate, there is a dearth of congruence between constituents and senators—unless these constituents are those who write checks and attend fundraisers.

      • Bearded Git 1.3.2
        18 January 2023 at 11:40 pm

        Excellent stats uncooked

    • Incognito 1.4
      18 January 2023 at 3:17 pm

      Some wealthy people give up “some of their wealth” across the political spectrum in a non-partisan non-tribal way. This could be a seen a contribution to society and perhaps part of their social contract that is not too dissimilar to charity and philanthropy.

      Some other wealthy people invest “some of their wealth” to achieve influence and political advantage and ultimately more wealth. Political donations are considered risk mitigation to protect their wealth and a business proposition to increase their wealth. It is mostly self-interest.

    • cathy-O 1.5
      19 January 2023 at 2:14 pm

      indeed.

      Labour may have more volunteers but it's difficult to accrue time on the scale of that accrued wealth.

      however willing you may be if most of your time is spent on staying alive you can't afford much of either.

  2. weka 2
    18 January 2023 at 11:04 am

    The Greens raised $122,000 through tithing of their leaders salaries.

    That's from Shaw and Davidson. Anyone know what the co-leader salaries will be?

  3. Corey Humm 3
    18 January 2023 at 11:12 am

    While I donate to the greens and labour monthly I have No sympathy for Labour on this issue.

    When campaign donations were pouring in during peak Jacinda Mania Labour supporters turned their nose up and laughed at anyone who suggested elections should be publicly funded eliminating private donations.

    Now that Jacinda is unpopular and donations are drying up because wealthy and influential people don't think they have to donate to both labour and National "just in case" labour supporters are suddenly shocked that the rich are using their money to influence elections, it was ok when they were donating to labour too though right?!

    To eliminate the rich having unfair advantage and influence over elections the only fair and progressive solution is to publicly fund election campaigns.

    Itll never happen without a referendum, it's like how center left parties in Canada and UK claim to support proportional voting, they only say it when they are in dire straights in opposition, the second they get elected by the existing system they change their minds and keep the status quo.

    If the left don't want a rich voter having more influence over a poor voter, take private donations out of the equation.

    In 2032 when we're back in office this should be a priority.

    • SPC 3.1
      18 January 2023 at 11:19 am

      Sure a referendum on electoral finance is the way to go, there would be no agreement with NACT on the issue.

    • weka 3.2
      18 January 2023 at 11:39 am

      When campaign donations were pouring in during peak Jacinda Mania Labour supporters turned their nose up and laughed at anyone who suggested elections should be publicly funded eliminating private donations.

      where did Lab supporters turn their nose up and laugh?

    • MickeyBoyle 3.3
      18 January 2023 at 8:28 pm

      Exactly.

    • Bearded Git 3.4
      18 January 2023 at 11:51 pm

      Corey….you are wrong …the Labour party in the UK (stupidly) does not support PR.

      Under the results of the last 2 elections in the UK Corbyn would have been PM if PR had been in place.

  4. Anne 4
    18 January 2023 at 11:18 am

    National Party philosophy: Money buys everything.

    Unfortunately with an electorate where more than half the voters are either poorly informed or disinterested (or both) money does hold a great deal of sway.

    It is obvious what they plan to do:

    Spend their millions on a negative advertising campaign designed to inculcate all the misinformation and disinformation into the minds of the unwary. It is already happening. Everyone has friends, colleagues, acquaintances and even family members who have been sucked into the political rabbit hole that has been prepared for them.

    The false spin of mismanagement and incompetence will reach saturation level and the tabloid media will endorse their campaign both directly and indirectly because they don't have the rectitude to do otherwise. Those journalists who do will be drowned out in the resultant hysterical uprising.

    In short they will be following a NZ version of the 2016 Trump campaign.

    I don't know what Labour and the Greens can do to successfully counter them. What I do know is that too much niceness will not cut it this time round, and expecting the voters to "see through the spin" (which is what Lab. and the Greens are apt to do) will be a big mistake.

  5. SPC 5
    18 January 2023 at 11:24 am

    It's no surprise they have a lot to protect – no CGT, no assets/land tax (apart from rates) no wealth tax, no gift tax, no estate tax and no FTT.

    And while we have one of the lowest top rate of income tax in the OECD, they want NACT to take it lower still

    https://stats.oecd.org/index.aspx?DataSetCode=TABLE_I7

    And we have a GST including food and children’s clothing health care (most nations do not).

    And they also want to restore tax deductability for mortgage interest on privately owned rentals.

    • James Simpson 5.1
      18 January 2023 at 3:42 pm

      It's no surprise they have a lot to protect – no CGT, no assets/land tax (apart from rates) no wealth tax, no gift tax, no estate tax and no FTT.

      Ummm those things are all being protected under the current government. Labour has no intention of chaging those things.

  6. Patricia Bremner 6
    18 January 2023 at 11:55 am

    Many Green and Labour supporters have possibly halved their donations in the face of price increases. I intend to raise my offerings again in Feb, when nine? months out from the election we will need to raise funds. Let us hope we still have "people on the ground" as they are our true strength. Though personally at 81 funds and a place for signage is all I can offer.

    • Anne 6.1
      18 January 2023 at 12:14 pm

      "…a place for signage is all I can offer."

      In 2008 I had a large Helen Clark bill board at the bottom of my driveway… someone was dumping men's trousers including underwear beside it. The message was clear.

      Last time I had a smaller bill board of Jacinda and Grant. Someone dug it out of the ground during the night and left it lying across the driveway. After I had it resurrected they did it again and took it away.

      I won't be having a bill board this time around. Too many lunatics out there….

  7. Reality 7
    18 January 2023 at 1:34 pm

    It is hard to credit that those with so much money can be selfishly financially backing National with very large donations to ensure if National becomes government they will have influence over policies to benefit themselves. They are very wealthy already, and obviously they worship at the "greed is good" altar. In the meantime they give little thought to middle and lower income people, who actually keep the country functioning as we found out during Covid lockdowns.

  8. Stephen D 8
    18 January 2023 at 2:23 pm

    I wonder if any NZ Rich Listers are at Davos.

    https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/jan/18/tax-us-now-ultra-rich-wealth-tax-davos?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

    ”More than 200 members of the super-rich elite are calling on governments around the world to “tax us, the ultra rich, now” in order to help billions of people struggling with cost of living crisis.

    The group of 205 millionaires and billionaires, including the Disney heiress Abigail Disney and The Hulk actor Mark Ruffalo, on Wednesday called on world leaders and business executives meeting in Davos for the World Economic Forum (WEF) to urgently introduce wealth taxes to help tackle “extreme inequality”.”

    I suspect the likes of Graham Hart will not be heeding the call. Why else donate so heavily to National and Act?

  9. Hunter Thompson II 9
    18 January 2023 at 4:05 pm

    $2 million will buy a lot of TV adverts, along with brochures to stuff in letterboxes.

    Expect some hilarious promises to be made – but don't forget that the pollies will be bribing us with our own money.

  10. pat 10
    18 January 2023 at 5:53 pm

    2.3 million for the Nats…pah, less than a dollar a voter….how cheap is your vote?

  11. Mike the Lefty 11
    18 January 2023 at 6:13 pm

    Actually NZ is not "their"country at all.

    It belongs to all of us, and the rest of us would like the super wealthy to pay their fair share of tax and contribute to making this a fair and decent society instead of hiding their wealth in trusts and Cayman Islands bank accounts.

    But they obviously don't want to do this so they supply National with moolah on the understanding that if the NACTS get in there will be rewards.

    Greedy bastards is the best description.

  12. Anne 12
    18 January 2023 at 6:49 pm

    Oh look… well timed. It sort of fits in with this post:

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/dirty-politics-and-stacked-selection-claims-in-national-party-electorate-fracas/ADOYY2N2OFDD7FEIBO425SVI7I/

    It seems they even do it to themselves. 😮

    Can someone provide full text please? I refuse to subscribe.

    [Copy & paste here of full-text would infringe copyright and likely result in a ban, so please don’t and please don’t ‘invite’ others to do so, thank you – Incognito]

  13. MickeyBoyle 13
    18 January 2023 at 8:25 pm

    Many here wouldn't bat an eye if it was instead Labour or the Greens who received the bulk of these large donations.

    All this moaning comes across as nothing more than envy and partisanship.

    • Incognito 13.1
      18 January 2023 at 8:57 pm

      You are Right.

    • UncookedSelachimorpha 13.2
      19 January 2023 at 2:39 am

      I absolutely do and would bat an eye. Political donations should be banned, for the good of NZ. No party, Labour, Greens whoever – should participate in this rotten practice.

      My suggestion – state funding of elections (based on either membership or vote share) and a maximum fixed and quite low annual membership fee – say $100 p.a. per person maximum. This way the resources available to a party are linked to their level of membership and public support.

      • DB Brown 13.2.1
        19 January 2023 at 8:03 am

        I know a guy who spent 5 figures donating to Nats specifically for John Key. The clown show visited his house for that. They all have a gush at their brush with absolute bollocks.

        The idea was to get policy that enhances the income of the rich, and screw everyone else because they're just parasites on the real movers and shakers, dontchaknow.

        I don't care if it's my 20 bucks or your 20 K, it's donations from persons hoping to help influence an election…

        Stop all political donations, and put the spotlight and screws on political lobbying.

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    How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log on iPhone Without a Computer: A Step–by–Step Guide Losing your iPhone call history can be frustrating, especially when you need to find a specific number or recall an important conversation. But before you panic, know that there are ways to retrieve deleted call logs on your iPhone, even without a computer. This guide will explore various methods, ranging from simple checks to utilizing iCloud backups and third–party applications. So, let‘s dive in and recover those lost calls! 1. Check Recently Deleted Folder: Apple understands that accidental deletions happen. That‘s why they introduced the “Recently Deleted“ folder for various apps, including the Phone app. This folder acts as a safety net, storing deleted call logs for up to 30 days before permanently erasing them. Here‘s how to check it: Open the Phone app on your iPhone. Tap on the “Recents“ tab at the bottom. Scroll to the top and tap on “Edit“. Select “Show Recently Deleted“. Browse the list to find the call logs you want to recover. Tap on the desired call log and choose “Recover“ to restore it to your call history. 2. Restore from iCloud Backup: If you regularly back up your iPhone to iCloud, you might be able to retrieve your deleted call log from a previous backup. However, keep in mind that this process will restore your entire phone to the state it was in at the time of the backup, potentially erasing any data added since then. Here‘s how to restore from an iCloud backup: Go to Settings > General > Reset. Choose “Erase All Content and Settings“. Follow the on–screen instructions. Your iPhone will restart and show the initial setup screen. Choose “Restore from iCloud Backup“ during the setup process. Select the relevant backup that contains your deleted call log. Wait for the restoration process to complete. 3. Explore Third–Party Apps (with Caution): ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • How to Factory Reset iPhone without Computer: A Comprehensive Guide to Restoring your Device
    Life throws curveballs, and sometimes, those curveballs necessitate wiping your iPhone clean and starting anew. Whether you’re facing persistent software glitches, preparing to sell your device, or simply wanting a fresh start, knowing how to factory reset iPhone without a computer is a valuable skill. While using a computer with ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • How to Call Someone on a Computer: A Guide to Voice and Video Communication in the Digital Age
    Gone are the days when communication was limited to landline phones and physical proximity. Today, computers have become powerful tools for connecting with people across the globe through voice and video calls. But with a plethora of applications and methods available, how to call someone on a computer might seem ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #16 2024
    Open access notables Glacial isostatic adjustment reduces past and future Arctic subsea permafrost, Creel et al., Nature Communications: Sea-level rise submerges terrestrial permafrost in the Arctic, turning it into subsea permafrost. Subsea permafrost underlies ~ 1.8 million km2 of Arctic continental shelf, with thicknesses in places exceeding 700 m. Sea-level variations over glacial-interglacial cycles control ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago

  • Where on a Computer is the Operating System Generally Stored? Delving into the Digital Home of your ...
    The operating system (OS) is the heart and soul of a computer, orchestrating every action and interaction between hardware and software. But have you ever wondered where on a computer is the operating system generally stored? The answer lies in the intricate dance between hardware and software components, particularly within ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • How Many Watts Does a Laptop Use? Understanding Power Consumption and Efficiency
    Laptops have become essential tools for work, entertainment, and communication, offering portability and functionality. However, with rising energy costs and growing environmental concerns, understanding a laptop’s power consumption is more important than ever. So, how many watts does a laptop use? The answer, unfortunately, isn’t straightforward. It depends on several ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • How to Screen Record on a Dell Laptop A Guide to Capturing Your Screen with Ease
    Screen recording has become an essential tool for various purposes, such as creating tutorials, capturing gameplay footage, recording online meetings, or sharing information with others. Fortunately, Dell laptops offer several built-in and external options for screen recording, catering to different needs and preferences. This guide will explore various methods on ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • How Much Does it Cost to Fix a Laptop Screen? Navigating Repair Options and Costs
    A cracked or damaged laptop screen can be a frustrating experience, impacting productivity and enjoyment. Fortunately, laptop screen repair is a common service offered by various repair shops and technicians. However, the cost of fixing a laptop screen can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article delves into the ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • How Long Do Gaming Laptops Last? Demystifying Lifespan and Maximizing Longevity
    Gaming laptops represent a significant investment for passionate gamers, offering portability and powerful performance for immersive gaming experiences. However, a common concern among potential buyers is their lifespan. Unlike desktop PCs, which allow for easier component upgrades, gaming laptops have inherent limitations due to their compact and integrated design. This ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Climate Change: Turning the tide
    The annual inventory report of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions has been released, showing that gross emissions have dropped for the third year in a row, to 78.4 million tons: All-told gross emissions have decreased by over 6 million tons since the Zero Carbon Act was passed in 2019. ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago

  • How to Unlock Your Computer A Comprehensive Guide to Regaining Access
    Experiencing a locked computer can be frustrating, especially when you need access to your files and applications urgently. The methods to unlock your computer will vary depending on the specific situation and the type of lock you encounter. This guide will explore various scenarios and provide step-by-step instructions on how ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Faxing from Your Computer A Modern Guide to Sending Documents Digitally
    While the world has largely transitioned to digital communication, faxing still holds relevance in certain industries and situations. Fortunately, gone are the days of bulky fax machines and dedicated phone lines. Today, you can easily send and receive faxes directly from your computer, offering a convenient and efficient way to ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Protecting Your Home Computer A Guide to Cyber Awareness
    In our increasingly digital world, home computers have become essential tools for work, communication, entertainment, and more. However, this increased reliance on technology also exposes us to various cyber threats. Understanding these threats and taking proactive steps to protect your home computer is crucial for safeguarding your personal information, finances, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Server-Based Computing Powering the Modern Digital Landscape
    In the ever-evolving world of technology, server-based computing has emerged as a cornerstone of modern digital infrastructure. This article delves into the concept of server-based computing, exploring its various forms, benefits, challenges, and its impact on the way we work and interact with technology. Understanding Server-Based Computing: At its core, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Vroom vroom go the big red trucks
    The absolute brass neck of this guy.We want more medical doctors, not more spin doctors, Luxon was saying a couple of weeks ago, and now we’re told the guy has seven salaried adults on TikTok duty. Sorry, doing social media. The absolute brass neck of it. The irony that the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago

  • Jones finds $410,000 to help the government muscle in on a spat project
    Buzz from the Beehive Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones relishes spatting and eagerly takes issue with environmentalists who criticise his enthusiasm for resource development. He relishes helping the fishing industry too. And so today, while the media are making much of the latest culling in the public service to ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago

  • Again, hate crimes are not necessarily terrorism.
    Having written, taught and worked for the US government on issues involving unconventional warfare and terrorism for 30-odd years, two things irritate me the most when the subject is discussed in public. The first is the Johnny-come-lately academics-turned-media commentators who … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    2 days ago

  • Despair – construction consenting edition
    Eric Crampton writes – Kainga Ora is the government’s house building agency. It’s been building a lot of social housing. Kainga Ora has its own (but independent) consenting authority, Consentium. It’s a neat idea. Rather than have to deal with building consents across each different territorial authority, Kainga Ora ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Coalition promises – will the Govt keep the commitment to keep Kiwis equal before the law?
    Muriel Newman writes – The Coalition Government says it is moving with speed to deliver campaign promises and reverse the damage done by Labour. One of their key commitments is to “defend the principle that New Zealanders are equal before the law.” To achieve this, they have pledged they “will not advance ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • An impermanent public service is a guarantee of very little else but failure
    Chris Trotter writes –  The absence of anything resembling a fightback from the public servants currently losing their jobs is interesting. State-sector workers’ collective fatalism in the face of Coalition cutbacks indicates a surprisingly broad acceptance of impermanence in the workplace. Fifty years ago, lay-offs in the thousands ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • What happens after the war – Mariupol
    Mariupol, on the Azov Sea coast, was one of the first cities to suffer almost complete destruction after the start of the Ukraine War started in late February 2022. We remember the scenes of absolute destruction of the houses and city structures. The deaths of innocent civilians – many of ...
    Open ParachuteBy Ken
    2 days ago

  • Babies and benefits – no good news
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – Ten years ago, I wrote the following in a Listener column: Every year around one in five new-born babies will be reliant on their caregivers benefit by Christmas. This pattern has persisted from at least 1993. For Maori the number jumps to over one in three.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Should the RBNZ be looking through climate inflation?
    Climate change is expected to generate more and more extreme events, delivering a sort of structural shock to inflation that central banks will have to react to as if they were short-term cyclical issues. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours, as of 9:16 am on Thursday, April 18 are:Housing: Tauranga residents living in boats, vans RNZ Checkpoint Louise TernouthHousing: Waikato councillor says wastewater plant issues could hold up Sleepyhead building a massive company town Waikato Times Stephen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the public sector carnage, and misogyny as terrorism
    It’s a simple deal. We pay taxes in order to finance the social services we want and need. The carnage now occurring across the public sector though, is breaking that contract. Over 3,000 jobs have been lost so far. Many are in crucial areas like Education where the impact of ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    2 days ago

  • Meeting the Master Baiters
    Hi,A friend had their 40th over the weekend and decided to theme it after Curb Your Enthusiasm fashion icon Susie Greene. Captured in my tiny kitchen before I left the house, I ending up evoking a mix of old lesbian and Hillary Clinton — both unintentional.Me vs Hillary ClintonIf you’re ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago

  • How extreme was the Earth's temperature in 2023
    This is a re-post from Andrew Dessler at the Climate Brink blog In 2023, the Earth reached temperature levels unprecedented in modern times. Given that, it’s reasonable to ask: What’s going on? There’s been lots of discussions by scientists about whether this is just the normal progression of global warming or if something ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago

  • Backbone, revisited
    The schools are on holiday and the sun is shining in the seaside village and all day long I have been seeing bunches of bikes; Mums, Dads, teens and toddlers chattering, laughing, happy, having a bloody great time together. Cheers, AT, for the bits of lane you’ve added lately around the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • Ministers are not above the law
    Today in our National-led authoritarian nightmare: Shane Jones thinks Ministers should be above the law: New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of over-stepping its mandate by subpoenaing a minister for its urgent hearing on the Oranga Tamariki claim. The tribunal is looking into the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • What’s the outfit you can hear going down the gurgler? Probably it’s David Parker’s Oceans Sec...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point  of Order first heard of the Oceans Secretariat in June 2021, when David Parker (remember him?) announced a multi-agency approach to protecting New Zealand’s marine ecosystems and fisheries. Parker (holding the Environment, and Oceans and Fisheries portfolios) broke the news at the annual Forest & ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Bryce Edwards writes  – Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Matt Doocey doubles down on trans “healthcare”
    Citizen Science writes –  Last week saw two significant developments in the debate over the treatment of trans-identifying children and young people – the release in Britain of the final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review into gender healthcare, and here in New Zealand, the news that the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • A TikTok Prime Minister.
    One night while sleeping in my bed I had a beautiful dreamThat all the people of the world got together on the same wavelengthAnd began helping one anotherNow in this dream, universal love was the theme of the dayPeace and understanding and it happened this wayAfter such an eventful day ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • Texas Lessons
    This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    3 days ago

  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links at 6:06 am
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours as of 6:06 am on Wednesday, April 17 are:Must read: Secrecy shrouds which projects might be fast-tracked RNZ Farah HancockScoop: Revealed: Luxon has seven staffers working on social media content - partly paid for by taxpayer Newshub ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Fighting poverty on the holiday highway
    Turning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago

  • Bernard's six-stack of substacks at 6:26 pm
    Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • At a glance – Is the science settled?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • Apposite Quotations.
    How Long Is Long Enough? Gaza under Israeli bombardment, July 2014. This posting is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...
    Bowalley Road
    4 days ago

  • What’s a life worth now?
    You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Howling at the Moon
    Karl du Fresne writes –  There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Newshub is Dead.
    I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • Seymour is chuffed about cutting early-learning red tape – but we hear, too, that Jones has loose...
    Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago

  • Was Hawkesby entirely wrong?
    David Farrar  writes –  The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • PRC shadow looms as the Solomons head for election
    PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time. A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Climate Change: Criminal ecocide
    We are in the middle of a climate crisis. Last year was (again) the hottest year on record. NOAA has just announced another global coral bleaching event. Floods are threatening UK food security. So naturally, Shane Jones wants to make it easier to mine coal: Resources Minister Shane Jones ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago

  • Is saving one minute of a politician's time worth nearly $1 billion?
    Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • Long Tunnel or Long Con?
    Yesterday it was revealed that Transport Minister had asked Waka Kotahi to look at the options for a long tunnel through Wellington. State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    4 days ago

  • PM’s South East Asia mission does the business
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 hour ago

  • $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
    New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago

  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
    The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago

  • Judicial appointments announced
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago

  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago

  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
    A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago

  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago

  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector.    "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
    Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
    Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
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  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
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