The Standard’s 2021 political awards

Written By: - Date published: 7:34 am, December 28th, 2021 - 68 comments
Categories: act, greens, jacinda ardern, julie anne genter, labour, michael wood, national, same old national - Tags:

It is that time of year where nostalgia kicks in and the desire to review current events dims.  Where pundits try to sum up what has been a complete mess of a year in 1,000 words or less.

So much has happened this year.  It has truly been twelve months of the praiseworthy and the absolutely pitiful.

And it is time to reflect on the personalities who made us smile, made us frown and made us raise our eyebrows to breaking point.

The absolutely aceing that shot into your foot award goes to Judith Collins who in a remarkably short space of time and in a clear attempt to thwart a brewing leadership spill demoted Simon Bridges for something he had done years ago which had been dealt with by then leader Bill English and then watched helplessly as the National Party Caucus turned on her.

Talk about paying back double.

The winner of the never bring a knife to a gun fight award is comrade Chris Trotter who chose to attack Neale Jones for opposing Nimbyism and attempts to address the housing crisis by allowing intensification.  According to Comrade Chris it was better to protect old clapped out houses, rather than allow them to be bowled and replaced by multiple units.  And Neale was apparently in the control of property developers.

Neale’s response to Comrade Trotter was very funny.

https://twitter.com/nealejones/status/1408211262786265094

The Daily Blog’s obsession with Neale is strange as shown by Bomber Bradbury’s praise of Bryce Edwards’ attack on Neale, one which Neale countered in these terms:

The world that Bryce describes, of quiet winks and nods and corrupt backroom deals to undermine the democratic will, simply doesn’t reflect the New Zealand reality.

We have a strong, independent public service, which takes most operational decisions including the awarding of contracts out of the hands of politicians.

We have regular proactive release of all Ministerial diaries and an Official Information Act which, while not perfect, allows for open disclosure of policy advice, briefings, records of meetings and communications for Ministers, their political advisers and the entire public service.

And we are lucky enough to have a Press Gallery based in Parliament who are not shy of using these tools to expose improper behaviour.

I suspect Neale’s business boomed after all of the attention.  As it should.  He is a rarity, a clear thinker presenting a progressive leftist view of politics and countering the utter negativity of the right with some skill.  Think back to the days when Josie Pagani was the media’s left wing commentator of choice if you want to realise how much things have improved.

The winner of the most use of the word “Woke” in a single blog post, as well as multiple blog posts award goes to Comrade Martyn Bradbury whose obsession with the word woke as well as the Greens suggests that professional help could be of assistance.

The walking and cycling the talk award goes to Julie Anne Genter whose commitment to sustainability is that great she has biked to hospital to give birth, twice.  For some strange reason she really annoys National MPs.  All I can say is that I wish there were more MPs with such a profound commitment to addressing climate change.

The I hope everyone has short memories award goes to rare misstep Simeon Brown who in the same week blamed Labour for Transmission Gully but claimed credit for National for the recently opened Eastern Busway.  The former is a PPP project signed up under and designed by National that has been a contractual cluster fuck.  The latter is a project that was unfunded under National’s ATAP plan and which needed regional fuel tax money to get it off the ground, a tax that National bitterly opposed.

The having a bob both ways award goes to the National Party Caucus for claiming that the Government’s MIQ settings were too strict, then too loose, then too strict, then too loose, then too strict …

The Micky Savage of the 21st Century award goes to the appropriately named Michael Wood.  He has got Auckland’s light rail project back on track.  He has overseen the introduction of Vaccine Mandates in workplaces.  He is at the forefront of efforts to introduce fair pay agreements.  If he achieves this then workers for many years in the future will benefit.

This performance in the House for me was one of the standouts.

The Opposition MP of the year award goes to Chris Bishop.

He has been relentlessly attacking the Government on Covid and whether we like it or not or whether the result is just it has softened up support for Labour.  He has created a huge sense of grumpiness in the electorate.  The old mantra that the left succeed with hope and the right succeed with fear has never been truer.  His effect is shown by the number of commentators who talk about Covid saliva testing.  The test is much less accurate and the results can be kept private so in terms of a public health handling of a response to a pandemic the proposal has little merit but talk about it we do.  And in the absence of a even moderate body count it has become a reason to attack the Government, even though on a comparison with the performance of all other western countries our response has been so good.

The New Phone Who Dis award for MP least recognised by the general public goes to the third to tenth ranked ACT MPs in Parliament.  Google their names and see if you recognise them or if you know anything about them.  They are being kept on a very tight leash and you have to wonder if this discipline will hold.

The look deep into the future award goes to the Green Party who consistently talk about climate change.  If you think that Covid is bad the environmental trends that the world is experiencing clearly indicate we are heading towards a disaster.  This is the last decade we have to do anything.  The Greens are consistent reminders of this.

And the winner of the coveted prize for Politician of the year is Jacinda Ardern.  While throughout the world Delta Covid brought advanced nations to their knees and while many countries are seeing their fourth or fifth Covid wave here in Aotearoa New Zealand she managed to vaccinate pretty well everyone she could and we have seen something extraordinary, the taming of Covid Delta.  Not that you would appreciate how good the response is if you read anything from local right wing media.

As said by Gordon Campbell in this must read post:

Arguably New Zealand has managed the best response to Covid in the entire world. This didn’t happen by accident. It reflects the skill and dedication of tens of thousands of people working at the borders, in MIQ facilities and in the public health system. Hundreds are alive and well today who would have not have been if the government had bowed to pressure from the business sector and its friends in the media, and thrown the borders open prematurely.

The country is currently seeing off the Delta incursion with minimal fatalities and a world beating vaccination rate.  With Omicron waiting around the corner I cannot think of any leader in the world I would prefer to have at this most challenging of times.

68 comments on “The Standard’s 2021 political awards ”

  1. Adrian Thornton 1

    "The old mantra that the left succeed with hope and the right succeed with fear has never been truer."…..what Left are you talking about there MS?…I can see no evidence of any Left wing political party operating in New Zealand today.

    New Zealand only has one political ideology represented by all main political parties..Free Market Laissez-faire Liberalism of one form or another…that is just a fact.

    The sooner you guys stop using the term Left to describe these ideologies the better for everyone, the planet included….what we need now more than ever is a Left wing party…and is sure as hell isn't Labour or Ardern.

    Greta Thunberg
    "It's funny that people believe Jacinda Ardern and people like that are climate leaders," That just tells you how little people know about the climate crisis."

    • Blazer 1.1

      Too true Adrian.

      As for hope and fear…the Natz offer 'hope'='a brighter future'-'we may be on the cusp of something special'(we weren't).

    • mickysavage 1.2

      I include even the US Democrats in this comment. It is about the left and right of the median in each population, not if a particular party’s policies are considered by the true believers of the left to be acceptable.

      • Dennis Frank 1.2.1

        You could be onto something with this. I mean hoping for the best seems part of human nature. Framing that onto the left could be artifice – but it also could point to something fundamental.

        Something deeper than identity, I mean. Using myself as example, I've never been able to identify with left or right. As soon as I tried those shoes on when shedding the extremely trendy apolitical stance of the boomers in the late 1960s, it was immediately obvious that neither fit. Yet hoping for the best out of politics & democracy is a stance I still share with mainstreamers. Perhaps the only one!

        The other part of the frame is equating the right with complacent acceptance of the status quo. Unfortunately for the frame, the bulk of left-wing voters do that too! So the frame is fundamentally inaccurate.

        Many such voters claim left-wing parties attempt to make progress, but those people rarely attempt a validation of the claim with evidence of consequent political performance & legislation. Measuring the claim against reality usually returns a verdict of partial success and a spectrum of opinion as to whether the glass is half-full, more or less.

        However your framing of the right points to fear as a default trigger. Valid insofar as fear of failure keeps Grant & Jacinda addicted to neoliberalism. Their default assumption that a resilient economy can be signalled as a distant goal suffices to put them on the right track while pushing attainment as far out into the future as they possibly can. Such pragmatism seems sensible to most centrists. It's not as if escalating crises threaten their faith in BAU. Yet.

    • Bill 1.3

      The sooner you guys stop using the term Left to describe…I'll just leave that hanging there, will I?

  2. vto 2

    The last one is gold in a wider sense…

    All those Jacinda-haters who would have had the borders wide open with covid tearing through our communities killing many many people are strangely silent when the facts are put to them…

    It is those buffoons who deserve a goon spoon… (they also go by the name 'National Party supporter')

  3. Byd0nz 3

    I wonder what sort of award should be given to the Authors of the just past US Defence Bill, $770 billion. Does the health care and housing needs of the nation come out of this defence budget, or should it be called the $770billion offensive bill.

  4. Anker 4
    • All good Mickey bar you comments on Boomer Bradbury. His writing on the woke is hilarious and it is important someone critiques the ideological group think that is going on.
    • Jilly Bee 4.1

      Sorry Anker, anyone who invokes the 'WOKE' word gets totally ignored by me – I loathe that word so much that I no longer read The Daily Blog.

      • Anne 4.1.1

        Touché Jilly Bee.

      • Anker 4.1.3
        • Fair enough Jilly Bee.

        but genuine question why do you loathe the word woke?

        • Macro 4.1.3.1

          What Drowzy says below. It's mostly used now as a slur. Its intended use by the Rightwing is to be offensive. For others here to continue use it also as an offensive slur against those who admit to the harm done to indigenous peoples by colonialists in the past, and who empathise with others who continue to experience depravation from dominant cultural practice is IMHO outrageous.

          • RedLogix 4.1.3.1.1

            It's also used by moderate left wingers who're fed up with this divisive, nonsensical vanity project that has hijacked the progressive movement in the past decade.

            • Macro 4.1.3.1.1.1

              One only has to visit Melbourne museum, or any other museum in Australia with a dedicated exhibition on the plight of the aboriginal peoples following the arrival of the British to Australia. The terrible atrocities perpitrated on innocent people which continued for decades, and to a lesser extent continues today, are the direct result of of colonial imperialism. If the "left" cannot admit to righting these wrongs, then it can take little pride in its boast of humanitarian principles.

              • RedLogix

                I have no quibble with what you are saying in of itself, but I do object to the selective and manipulative narratives the woke agenda propagates. Our history is always way more complex and nuanced than these ideological idiots pretend it is.

      • Drowsy M. Kram 4.1.4

        yes 'Woke' has become a right-wing pejorative for progressive 'virtue signalling' ‘snowflakes’.

        “The idea that being aware of social issues and aware of the injustices done to certain people, both historically and in the present, the idea that that gets labelled as woke and then is used as a pejorative, it just makes it so easy for people on the right, doesn’t it?” – Michael Sheen

        How long before ‘progressive’ also becomes a pejorative term, I wonder.

        It’s not uncommon for a word or phrase that has some limited purpose in some group to be elevated into something broader. “Woke” is such a word; one used to describe an awareness of the world that has now been embraced by the political right as an often sardonic descriptor. It doesn’t really mean anything specific in its current political iteration, being used mostly as a shorthand for people who, in the eyes of the user, are focused on race in a way that is deemed excessive or dangerous. It’s a pejorative, in short, a hand-wave about the left and its purported obsession with race.

        https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/10/01/emergence-woke-pejorative-masks-deeper-insecurity/

    • swordfish 4.2

      Absolutely.

    • roblogic 4.3

      woke identity politics is a luxury set of beliefs held by privileged wellington nobs and naive zoomers, and its demands for conformity and silencing of dissent are a wedge that parties like Act will gleefully exploit to split the left.

      wokeness is a neoliberal distraction from class consciousness, hence it is embraced by giant corporations and even the CIA. those promoting it with religious zeal are fostering divisiuon, not solidarity

      • Corey Humm 4.3.1

        This! Woke and identity politics is militant neoliberalism being pimped by people who want poor brown and poor white and poor straight and poor gay and poor male and poor females put in boxes hating each other instead of unifying.

        Woke is me, I, my identity. It can't be left wing which is we us ours.

        It's preached by corporations, the wealthy, media, academia and upper middle class to rich and their privileged kids who have no concept of class.

        Woke politics is consumerism too look at all the wokies praising Nike because an American athlete who kneels is sponsoring him and buying products from woke companies and boycotting unwoke companies. They'll preach about colonialism and slavery while head to toe in clothing made in sweat shops from wage slave labour.

        They'll attack anyone who talks about class as racist despite class being a unifier for poor people of every race sexuality and gender (they hate class because class politics makes them the oppressor)

        They'll mention statistics and poverty in brown people and seem to not understand that brown people are more likely to be working class so policies that make working class people better off will benefit poor brown people instead they try ngati trickle down policies to make a few more brown people middle class rather than making the living standards of poor brown people and indeed white people better.

        Instead of class and universalism we get wrap around funding.

        In a housing apocalypse we don't hear about how high rents are we hear how hard it is for upper middle class kids to own a house. We also hear nothing about the 200,000 empty houses in a country with only 1.9 million homes because to attack the house hoarders would be to attack people based on class.

        Woke politics turns off working class people of all races and sexualities, genders it'll be the death of the left. Working class people hear the things woke people say and think they are nuts.

        Social justice is important but without economic justice social justice is worthless and it's not socially just.

        Woke politics is militant individualist neoliberalism that uses all the words of revolution, progress to stop social progress.

        The woke are Contras.

        • RedLogix 4.3.1.1

          That last line got an actual snort into my coffee from me. First time ever! cheeky

        • Blazer 4.3.1.2

          Great post Corey…it is and has always been about …'class'-the ruling class and maintaining their …dominance.

  5. Gezza 5

    Judith Collins turned out to be my favourite politician of 2021.

    I can think of no other party leader since I became eligible to vote who so frequently, & consistently, did, & said, utterly the WRONG thing. She was a freaking disaster for National & undoubtedly the 2nd best thing Labour had going for them throughout her entire stint as LOTO.

    She surpassed even Simon Bridges, who, in his time as LOTO, would have even my National-voting acquaintenances rolling their eyes & shuddering at the thought of his ever becoming PM.

    Collins was always good for a laugh. She just had no absolutely idea how freaking ridiculous she was. 😎

  6. Dennis Frank 6

    How about the longevity in kiwi politics award for someone who has been fronting it in the media for half a century?

    When his mate Sir Bob "Harvey suggested it might be time for his friend to retire, Sir Tim had a simple answer: he has a tremendous aversion to quitting."

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/458640/sir-tim-shadbolt-s-year-in-review

    • Gezza 6.1

      You know the funniest thing about Tim Shadbolt for me was that when I was in 5th form at Fungi Dungi, our very young, progressive chaplain, turned up for religion class one day with a very young, handsome, Tim Shadbolt in tow. And handed over to him.

      Tim spoke about being an activist & student radical, challenging “the establishment” & about his recent book Bullshit & Jellybeans, which I think the Censor had originally considered banning because of its title.

      Right at the very end of his talk Tim spoke about how the politicians of the day didn’t know when their time was past. And he said if he ever got involved in politics he fully expected that one day some young person would tell him his time was up and to “Piss off Shadbolt. You’re out of touch. You don’t know what you’re talking about! And that, he said, would be when he knew it was time to go.

      Prophetic words. Except that he’s now part of The Establishment – and he absolutely refuses to go! 🙄 How I wish we had had recorded his talk & I could send him an audio or video file!

      It’s well time for Tim to retire – either gracefully or gracelessly.

      • Dennis Frank 6.1.1

        Nice story. I agree with your logic! However the old saying about old dogs & new tricks seems to apply. My first wife went & lived at his Huia commune in late '71 but I never wanted to meet him (he was extrovert & I was the classic introvert).

        His lifestyle is a cop-out. Those tours with Gary M were probably fun for all but I bet he never had the guts to tell audiences about his acid trips. If he had, I'd view him with respect. Funny how some folks just don't get it – that lifestyle experiences on the edge provide an endless reservoir of teachable moments.

        • Gezza 6.1.1.1

          I’d actually forgotten Sir Timothy Richard Shadbolt KNZM JP was knighted in the 2019 New Year Honours List as a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (KNZM).

          Can’t get more Establishment than that❗️

          Wonder what student radical Tim Shadbolt would have said had one of us suggested that one day he’d grab a knighthood with both hands, if one was ever offered. Bet he would’ve said: “Bullshit!” 😀

      • weston 6.1.2

        Why do you give a fuck specifically gezza about whether TS retires ?

        • Gezza 6.1.2.1

          Because I think it’s sad that Sir Tim, from video clips I’ve seen where he has been totally lost as to where they’re up to & what’s going on in Council meetings, appears to be suffering from dementia & it makes things hard not only on him but also on his councillors for him to remain in office & waste so much time arguing about whether he’s up to the job. Even his friends can see that he’s not.

          My late father-in-law, who I was very fond of, suffered from dementia that I could see developing for 2 years before it was finally diagnosed. Sir Tim appears to be in the early stages, imo.

  7. Reality 7

    In comparison with many countries, NZ has done very well coping with Covid. So yes, thank you to our PM for her concern being first and foremost the health of people, and listening to the experts, ahead of National/Act being so strident about balance sheets and opening the borders.

    Omicron will no doubt get out in the community at some point, but people have been able to enjoy Christmas and a holiday break because of the earlier measures to control the virus spread.

    To Judith Collins – how could a supposedly intelligent person have made so many blunders. Dave Armstrong of Stuff should write a TV comic series or pantomime.

  8. Psycho Milt 8

    That video of Michael Wood is a cracker. Nice to see a Labour politician speaking like they represent the labour movement, it's become quite rare.

    • alwyn 8.1

      Michael has the main requirement of his trade thoroughly mastered.

      "The most important quality for success in this business is sincerity. As soon as you can fake that, you've got it made"

      Well he can do it.

    • Adrian Thornton 8.2

      Acting like "they represent the labour movement" it is all that matters….words are cheap.

    • Patricia Bremner 8.3

      Yes, have to wonder if Adrian watched it.

  9. Psycho Milt 9

    …I cannot think of any leader in the world I would prefer to have at this most challenging of times.

    Me neither. I was reading a Guardian article saying so far the UK's hospitalisation rate and deaths per day was remaining "very low" during the omicron wave, and I realised that their "very low" would equate to 580 people in hospital and 10 deaths in the NZ context. Most people have no idea of the scale of NZ's achievement in protecting us from this.

    I sure wouldn't want to be the one doing the decision-making and taking responsibility for the outcomes during this time, but Ardern is acing it. Makes a mockery of all those right-wingers back in 2017 blathering that she wouldn't have the inner strength to cope with the pressures of command – she's been facing more pressure than any leader outside of wartime would have to handle and has dealt with it magnificently.

    • mike 9.1

      Hear Hear

    • Jenny 2 9.2

      Hear hear 👏👏👏👏👏

      • weka 9.2.1

        I’ve changed your name to Jenny 2 because we already have a regular here called Jenny. Please pick another name, or use Jenny 2 from now on. Cheers.

    • Gezza 9.3

      Absolutely agree with that. And she even remains relentlessly positive about how NZers are managing Covid.

      Yes, there’ve been a few hiccups along the way, which the govt (e.g. herself, Hipkins, & sometimes Robertson) have generally refused to concede were or are problems – but pretty well all of the issues I can recall (with anything other than the limited MIQ places ongoing problem) were dealt with swiftly & satisfactorily.

      I don’t like claiming we are the best in the world – that always seems like an invitation for fate to punish us for our hubris – but we’re right up there with the best responses & that’s down to Ardern’s leadership.

    • Patricia Bremner 9.4

      Someone here asked if I knew her, when I was so positive about her new role as PM in 2017.

      I said yes I had been lucky enough to meet and talk with her and her direct obvious grasp of the task ahead was clear.
      She has been masterful, and I am more than happy with her performance.
      This pandemic did not come with instructions, and her collaborative approach with the Science and Health people has stood us in good stead.

      On every occasion she has come up trumps. We are fortunate indeed.

    • mary_a 9.5

      yesyes Spot on Psycho Milt (9)

    • weka 9.6

      very well said PM.

      I'd add that she (and others in government, both MPs and staff) haven't had a break from the crisis in nearly two years. While the rest of us have been relatively well protected most of the time, they've still had to be forward planning around covid with large amounts of uncertainty, sorting out economic and other covid related issues, and run the country at the same time. That's huge.

      Also think that NZ sometimes struggles to understand that covid has been handled well while housing, welfare and climate haven't been and that those aren't contradictory. Hoping that Ardern's announcement the other day to address climate change actually means something.

      • Psycho Milt 9.6.1

        True, it feels like it's been two years of stress for all of us due to Covid restrictions, but for most of that time we've hardly had any restrictions. Cabinet, public health officials etc have been copping the stress of being responsible for what happens the whole time.

    • mauī 9.7

      Sure, and we could make all state highways have a max speed limit of 50kph, with mandatory police checkpoints on them in order to stop the road toll. But after 2 years I'm sure most drivers would be fed up with it. And we could give ourselves a large pat on the back for keeping everyone safe just so long as we keep the measures in place for one more year…

      • weka 9.7.1

        UK annual road toll deaths associated with excess speed:

        • 1,200

        UK covid deaths 2020/21:

        • 148,003 (deaths within 28 days of positive test)
        • 171,801 (deaths with COVID-19 listed as one of the causes on death cert)

        Does this need explaining? I will anyway:

        • relative numbers of dead people. Road toll dropped somewhat due to lockdowns, but we're still talking about covid deaths on top of road deaths
        • impact on health system, leading to dead or disabled staff, burntout staff, staff with PTSD
        • NZ doesn't yet understand well what the impact on us would be if we let covid run free. But it is clear that it would involve thousands of more deaths, and many people left disabled, as well as the impact on the health system and flow on effects.

        The only way that the comparison between speed deaths and covid deaths makes sense is if we either don't believe the covid death numbers are real, or we think the covid death rate is an acceptable price to pay over two years for not having mostly moderate restrictions, and several periods of time of hard restrictions.

        • mauī 9.7.1.1

          My point wasn't to compare the two and assess which one is more deadly, but to look at the quite different approaches we're using to manage risks in society.

          We can't use the death stats you're using to justify much either, there are just too many questions around them. How much is 100% covid? How many who died had other major illnesses? How many with PCR pos test after death? etc

      • Psycho Milt 9.7.2

        Maybe you skimmed my post and didn't see the bit where 580 people in hospital and 10 deaths per day in NZ would be "very low" by UK Covid standards. If people speeding in cars was going to kill thousands of people a year, leave thousands more with long-term illness or permanent disability and overload our health system to destruction, you bet I'd expect the govt to take stronger action to prevent people speeding in cars. Take this seriously, you're not a child.

        • mauī 9.7.2.1

          Yeah 580, some with the covid cough, some going to hospital for something completely unrelated and getting flagged as diseased upon testing, and others catching it while in there. Who is symptomatic and who is not?

          Its a meaningless stat, but it could be meaningful if each case had symptoms confirmed by their GP before admission, and then backed up by a test. This is not the approach taken though.

          • McFlock 9.7.2.1.1

            The funnty thing about that (for want of a better word) "reasoning" is that it creates more questions that it answers.

            If all the hospital admissions and, by inference, all the covid-attributed deaths are massively overstated because they were admitted for and died of other things, what is doing all the killing?

            We know the death rates in 2020 and 2021 around the world were through the roof, with the exception of nations that mandated pretty extreme infectious disease control measures. We know that vaccinated individuals eg in NZ have a significantly lower risk to be admitted to hospital as a proportion of positive tests, compared to unvaccinated individuals. Hell, that's a measure of efficacy.

            So something notCovid seems to be killing millions of people around the globe over the last couple of years, seems to be controlled in countries that tried seriously to control covid, and seems to disproportionately target individuals who do not have covid vaccines. But it's absolutely not the coronavirus variant that was coincidentally discovered in 2019.

            So what is this notCovid killer?

  10. Reality 10

    Psycho Milt – fully endorse your words of wisdom. Our PM may have a slight physical build, and likes to smile and laugh and is down to earth, which some may think is a lack of strength and substance. How wrong they are.

  11. Stephen D 11

    Not disagreeing with any of that.
    Grant Robertson should be in the mix. His management of the economy has been masterful. The only downside being the unexpected consequences of wage subsidies etc driving the house price rise boom.

    • Patricia Bremner 11.1

      smileyyes

    • alwyn 11.2

      " unexpected consequences of wage subsidies etc"

      What do you find "unexpected" about it? The pouring of tens of billions of new money into the economy has to go somewhere and in New Zealand the only real option was the Housing Market.

      There was no question about it causing inflation, as it has done. The only question was the level of the inflation that would hit us. To say it was "unexpected" is ridiculous. Grant's major feat has been to take the economy to the edge of the cliff and shove it over the edge.

      • Craig H 11.2.1

        Unexpected in that neither Treasury nor the Reserve Bank predicted it. In hindsight, sure, but at the time, the predictions were very pessimistic.

      • Patricia Bremner 11.2.2

        Inflation is rife elsewhere.. and is more to do with the asset classes people and banks poured money into after the GFC, and covid money on top has caused inflation. Treasury said “a drop in “GDP” lol.
        Got that wrong didn’t they!! So a surprise.

        • alwyn 11.2.2.1

          "Treasury said “a drop in “GDP” lol".

          Perhaps you should look at what happened to GDP and you might not laugh quite as much as you seem to.

          New Zealand's quarterly GDP changes, where each quarter is being compared to the previous one, show that in the March 2020 quarter it dropped by 1.3%, in June 2020 it dropped by 10.3%, in December 2020 it dropped by 0.4% and in the September 2021 quarter it dropped by 3.7% . I would expect that in the December quarter it will drop again but it is a long time before the numbers will be produced.

          Now what was it you were laughing about? And what was it they "got wrong"?

          https://www.stats.govt.nz/information-releases/gross-domestic-product-september-2021-quarter

      • Blazer 11.2.3

        alwyn,I say alwyn…what is/was the alternative…plan?(other than pouring in $$$)

    • Jester 11.3

      If the consequences were "unexpected" as you say, Grant should go back to university and do Economics 101.

    • Sacha 11.4

      It wasn't wage subsidies. More directly handed to banks than that.

  12. Stuart Munro 12

    A bit tough on the saliva testing – Korea's been using it quite happily since alpha. Where the wheels come off is letting private testing, especially bad faith or antivaxxer forms, use it to dispute or circumvent other protective measures.

  13. McFlock 13

    Juco, especially toawards the end, was absolutely fascinating. It was like she had her finger on the pulse of society, but managed to do the exact opposite thing every time. It really was a masterclass on how to fuck things up.

  14. weka 14

    The look deep into the future award goes to the Green Party who consistently talk about climate change. If you think that Covid is bad the environmental trends that the world is experiencing clearly indicate we are heading towards a disaster. This is the last decade we have to do anything. The Greens are consistent reminders of this.

    Yes. Don't think we have a decade though micky 🙁

  15. roblogic 15

    Neale Jones blocked me on twitter for daring to question his opinion on something or other, he is a deeply intolerant and self righteous person.

    I probably agree with him on housing and many things, but this is an example of why the left is going to self destruct.. because it tries to expel heretics, but the right just wants more recruits

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    7 hours ago
  • More criminal miners
    What is it with the mining industry? Its not enough for them to pillage the earth - they apparently can't even be bothered getting resource consent to do so: The proponent behind a major mine near the Clutha River had already been undertaking activity in the area without a ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    8 hours ago
  • Photos from the road
    Photo # 1 I am a huge fan of Singapore’s approach to housing, as described here two years ago by copying and pasting from The ConversationWhat Singapore has that Australia does not is a public housing developer, the Housing Development Board, which puts new dwellings on public and reclaimed land, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    8 hours ago
  • RMA reforms aim to ease stock-grazing rules and reduce farmers’ costs – but Taxpayers’ Union w...
    Buzz from the Beehive Reactions to news of the government’s readiness to make urgent changes to “the resource management system” through a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) suggest a balanced approach is being taken. The Taxpayers’ Union says the proposed changes don’t go far enough.  Greenpeace says ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    9 hours ago
  • Luxon Strikes Out.
    I’m starting to wonder if Anna Burns-Francis might be the best political interviewer we’ve got. That might sound unlikely to you, it came as a bit of a surprise to me.Jack Tame can be excellent, but has some pretty average days. I like Rebecca Wright on Newshub, she asks good ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    13 hours ago
  • In many ways the media that the experts wanted, turned out to be the media they have got
    Chris Trotter writes –  Willie Jackson is said to be planning a “media summit” to discuss “the state of the media and how to protect Fourth Estate Journalism”. Not only does the Editor of The Daily Blog, Martyn Bradbury, think this is a good idea, but he has also ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    13 hours ago
  • The Waitangi Tribunal Summons; or the more things stay the same
    Graeme Edgeler writes –  This morning [April 21], the Wellington High Court is hearing a judicial review brought by Hon. Karen Chhour, the Minister for Children, against a decision of the Waitangi Tribunal. This is unusual, judicial reviews are much more likely to brought against ministers, rather than ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    13 hours ago
  • Both Parliamentary watchdogs hammer Fast-track bill
    Both of Parliament’s watchdogs have now ripped into the Government’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s political economy and beyond on the morning of Tuesday, April 23 are:The Lead: The Auditor General, John Ryan, has joined the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    14 hours ago
  • India makes a big bet on electric buses
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Sarah Spengeman People wait to board an electric bus in Pune, India. (Image credit: courtesy of ITDP) Public transportation riders in Pune, India, love the city’s new electric buses so much they will actually skip an older diesel bus that ...
    16 hours ago
  • Bernard’s pick ‘n’ mix of the news links at 6:36am on Tuesday, April 23
    TL;DR: These six news links stood out in the last 24 hours to 6:36am on Tuesday, April 22:Scoop & Deep Dive: How Sir Peter Jackson got to have his billion-dollar exit cake and eat Hollywood too NZ Herald-$$$ Matt NippertFast Track Approval Bill: Watchdogs seek substantial curbs on ministers' powers ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    18 hours ago
  • What is really holding up infrastructure
    The infrastructure industry yesterday issued a “hurry up” message to the Government, telling it to get cracking on developing a pipeline of infrastructure projects.The hiatus around the change of Government has seen some major projects cancelled and others delayed, and there is uncertainty about what will happen with the new ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    19 hours ago
  • “Pure Unadulterated Charge”
    Hi,Over the weekend I revisited a podcast I really adore, Dead Eyes. It’s about a guy who got fired from Band of Brothers over two decades ago because Tom Hanks said he had “dead eyes”.If you don’t recall — 2001’s Band of Brothers was part of the emerging trend of ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    20 hours ago
  • Bernard's six-stack of substacks for Monday, April 22
    Tonight’s six-stack includes: writes via his substack that’s he’s sceptical about the IPSOS poll last week suggesting a slide into authoritarianism here, writing: Kiwis seem to want their cake and eat it too Tal Aster writes for about How Israel turned homeowners into YIMBYs. writes via his ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • The media were given a little list and hastened to pick out Fast Track prospects – but the Treaty ...
     Buzz from the Beehive The 180 or so recipients of letters from the Government telling them how to submit infrastructure projects for “fast track” consideration includes some whose project applications previously have been rejected by the courts. News media were quick to feature these in their reports after RMA Reform Minister Chris ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago
  • Just trying to stay upright
    It would not be a desirable way to start your holiday by breaking your back, your head, or your wrist, but on our first hour in Singapore I gave it a try.We were chatting, last week, before we started a meeting of Hazel’s Enviro Trust, about the things that can ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago
  • “Unprecedented”
    Today, former Port of Auckland CEO Tony Gibson went on trial on health and safety charges for the death of one of his workers. The Herald calls the trial "unprecedented". Firstly, it's only "unprecedented" because WorkSafe struck a corrupt and unlawful deal to drop charges against Peter Whittall over Pike ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Time for “Fast-Track Watch”
    Calling all journalists, academics, planners, lawyers, political activists, environmentalists, and other members of the public who believe that the relationships between vested interests and politicians need to be scrutinised. We need to work together to make sure that the new Fast-Track Approvals Bill – currently being pushed through by the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on fast track powers, media woes and the Tiktok ban
    Feel worried. Shane Jones and a couple of his Cabinet colleagues are about to be granted the power to override any and all objections to projects like dams, mines, roads etc even if: said projects will harm biodiversity, increase global warming and cause other environmental harms, and even if ...
    1 day ago
  • The Government’s new fast-track invitation to corruption
    Bryce Edwards writes-  The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. ...
    Point of OrderBy gadams1000
    2 days ago
  • Maori push for parallel government structures
    Michael Bassett writes – If you think there is a move afoot by the radical Maori fringe of New Zealand society to create a parallel system of government to the one that we elect at our triennial elections, you aren’t wrong. Over the last few days we have ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • An announcement about an announcement
    Without a corresponding drop in interest rates, it’s doubtful any changes to the CCCFA will unleash a massive rush of home buyers. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate on Monday, April 22 included:The Government making a ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • All the Green Tech in China.
    Sunday was a lazy day. I started watching Jack Tame on Q&A, the interviews are usually good for something to write about. Saying the things that the politicians won’t, but are quite possibly thinking. Things that are true and need to be extracted from between the lines.As you might know ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Western Express Success
    In our Weekly Roundup last week we covered news from Auckland Transport that the WX1 Western Express is going to get an upgrade next year with double decker electric buses. As part of the announcement, AT also said “Since we introduced the WX1 Western Express last November we have seen ...
    2 days ago
  • Bernard’s pick ‘n’ mix of the news links at 7:16am on Monday, April 22
    TL;DR: These six news links stood out in the last 24 hours to 7:16am on Monday, April 22:Labour says Kiwis at greater risk from loan sharks as Govt plans to remove borrowing regulations NZ Herald Jenee TibshraenyHow did the cost of moving two schools blow out to more than $400m?A ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • The Kaka’s diary for the week to April 29 and beyond
    TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 29 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Stats NZ releases its statutory report on Census 2023 tomorrow.Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivers a pre-Budget speech at ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #16
    A listing of 29 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 14, 2024 thru Sat, April 20, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week hinges on these words from the abstract of a fresh academic ...
    2 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: The Government’s new fast-track invitation to corruption
    The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. The Government says this will ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    2 days ago
  • Thank you
    This is a column to say thank you. So many of have been in touch since Mum died to say so many kind and thoughtful things. You’re wonderful, all of you. You’ve asked how we’re doing, how Dad’s doing. A little more realisation each day, of the irretrievable finality of ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Determining the Engine Type in Your Car
    Identifying the engine type in your car is crucial for various reasons, including maintenance, repairs, and performance upgrades. Knowing the specific engine model allows you to access detailed technical information, locate compatible parts, and make informed decisions about modifications. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to ...
    3 days ago
  • How to Become a Race Car Driver: A Comprehensive Guide
    Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
    3 days ago
  • How Many Cars Are There in the World in 2023? An Exploration of Global Automotive Statistics
    Introduction Automobiles have become ubiquitous in modern society, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of economic growth and personal mobility. With countless vehicles traversing roads and highways worldwide, it begs the question: how many cars are there in the world? Determining the precise number is a ...
    3 days ago
  • How Long Does It Take for Car Inspection?
    Maintaining a safe and reliable vehicle requires regular inspections. Whether it’s a routine maintenance checkup or a safety inspection, knowing how long the process will take can help you plan your day accordingly. This article delves into the factors that influence the duration of a car inspection and provides an ...
    3 days ago
  • Who Makes Mazda Cars?
    Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., and began producing vehicles in 1931. Mazda is primarily known for its production of passenger cars, but ...
    3 days ago
  • How Often to Replace Your Car Battery A Comprehensive Guide
    Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
    3 days ago
  • Can You Register a Car Without a License?
    In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the Rule If you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
    3 days ago
  • Mazda: A Comprehensive Evaluation of Reliability, Value, and Performance
    Mazda, a Japanese automotive manufacturer with a rich history of innovation and engineering excellence, has emerged as a formidable player in the global car market. Known for its reputation of producing high-quality, fuel-efficient, and driver-oriented vehicles, Mazda has consistently garnered praise from industry experts and consumers alike. In this article, ...
    3 days ago
  • What Are Struts on a Car?
    Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
    3 days ago
  • What Does Car Registration Look Like: A Comprehensive Guide
    Car registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...
    3 days ago
  • How to Share Computer Audio on Zoom
    Zoom is a video conferencing service that allows you to share your screen, webcam, and audio with other participants. In addition to sharing your own audio, you can also share the audio from your computer with other participants. This can be useful for playing music, sharing presentations with audio, or ...
    3 days ago
  • How Long Does It Take to Build a Computer?
    Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
    3 days ago
  • How to Put Your Computer to Sleep
    Sleep mode is a power-saving state that allows your computer to quickly resume operation without having to boot up from scratch. This can be useful if you need to step away from your computer for a short period of time but don’t want to shut it down completely. There are ...
    3 days ago
  • What is Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT)?
    Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
    3 days ago
  • iPad vs. Tablet Computers A Comprehensive Guide to Differences
    In today’s digital age, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the vast array of portable computing options available, iPads and tablet computers stand out as two prominent contenders. While both offer similar functionalities, there are subtle yet significant differences between these two devices. This ...
    3 days ago
  • How Are Computers Made?
    A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...
    3 days ago
  • How to Add Voice Memos from iPhone to Computer
    Voice Memos is a convenient app on your iPhone that allows you to quickly record and store audio snippets. These recordings can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as taking notes, capturing ideas, or recording interviews. While you can listen to your voice memos on your iPhone, you ...
    3 days ago
  • Why My Laptop Screen Has Lines on It: A Comprehensive Guide
    Laptop screens are essential for interacting with our devices and accessing information. However, when lines appear on the screen, it can be frustrating and disrupt productivity. Understanding the underlying causes of these lines is crucial for finding effective solutions. Types of Screen Lines Horizontal lines: Also known as scan ...
    3 days ago
  • How to Right-Click on a Laptop
    Right-clicking is a common and essential computer operation that allows users to access additional options and settings. While most desktop computers have dedicated right-click buttons on their mice, laptops often do not have these buttons due to space limitations. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to right-click ...
    3 days ago
  • Where is the Power Button on an ASUS Laptop?
    Powering up and shutting down your ASUS laptop is an essential task for any laptop user. Locating the power button can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you’re new to ASUS laptops. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on where to find the power button on different ASUS laptop ...
    3 days ago
  • How to Start a Dell Laptop: A Comprehensive Guide
    Dell laptops are renowned for their reliability, performance, and versatility. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who needs a reliable computing device, a Dell laptop can meet your needs. However, if you’re new to Dell laptops, you may be wondering how to get started. In this comprehensive ...
    3 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Serious populist discontent is bubbling up in New Zealand
    Two-thirds of the country think that “New Zealand’s economy is rigged to advantage the rich and powerful”. They also believe that “New Zealand needs a strong leader to take the country back from the rich and powerful”. These are just two of a handful of stunning new survey results released ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago
  • How to Take a Screenshot on an Asus Laptop A Comprehensive Guide with Detailed Instructions and Illu...
    In today’s digital world, screenshots have become an indispensable tool for communication and documentation. Whether you need to capture an important email, preserve a website page, or share an error message, screenshots allow you to quickly and easily preserve digital information. If you’re an Asus laptop user, there are several ...
    3 days ago
  • How to Factory Reset Gateway Laptop A Comprehensive Guide
    A factory reset restores your Gateway laptop to its original factory settings, erasing all data, apps, and personalizations. This can be necessary to resolve software issues, remove viruses, or prepare your laptop for sale or transfer. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to factory reset your Gateway laptop: Method 1: ...
    3 days ago
  • The Folly Of Impermanence.
    You talking about me?  The neoliberal denigration of the past was nowhere more unrelenting than in its depiction of the public service. The Post Office and the Railways were held up as being both irremediably inefficient and scandalously over-manned. Playwright Roger Hall’s “Glide Time” caricatures were presented as accurate depictions of ...
    3 days ago
  • A crisis of ambition
    Roger Partridge  writes – When the Coalition Government took office last October, it inherited a country on a precipice. With persistent inflation, decades of insipid productivity growth and crises in healthcare, education, housing and law and order, it is no exaggeration to suggest New Zealand’s first-world status was ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Have 308 people in the Education Ministry’s Curriculum Development Team spent over $100m on a 60-p...
    Rob MacCulloch writes – In 2022, the Curriculum Centre at the Ministry of Education employed 308 staff, according to an Official Information Request. Earlier this week it was announced 202 of those staff were being cut. When you look up “The New Zealand Curriculum” on the Ministry of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • 'This bill is dangerous for the environment and our democracy'
    Chris Bishop’s bill has stirred up a hornets nest of opposition. Photo: Lynn Grieveson for The KākāTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate from the last day included:A crescendo of opposition to the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill is ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The Bank of our Tamariki and Mokopuna.
    Monday left me brokenTuesday, I was through with hopingWednesday, my empty arms were openThursday, waiting for love, waiting for loveThe end of another week that left many of us asking WTF? What on earth has NZ gotten itself into and how on earth could people have voluntarily signed up for ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • The worth of it all
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.State of humanity, 20242024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?Full story Share ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • What is the Hardest Sport in the World?
    Determining the hardest sport in the world is a subjective matter, as the difficulty level can vary depending on individual abilities, physical attributes, and experience. However, based on various factors including physical demands, technical skills, mental fortitude, and overall accomplishment, here is an exploration of some of the most challenging ...
    4 days ago
  • What is the Most Expensive Sport?
    The allure of sport transcends age, culture, and geographical boundaries. It captivates hearts, ignites passions, and provides unparalleled entertainment. Behind the spectacle, however, lies a fascinating world of financial investment and expenditure. Among the vast array of competitive pursuits, one question looms large: which sport carries the hefty title of ...
    4 days ago
  • Pickleball On the Cusp of Olympic Glory
    Introduction Pickleball, a rapidly growing paddle sport, has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions around the world. Its blend of tennis, badminton, and table tennis elements has made it a favorite among players of all ages and skill levels. As the sport’s popularity continues to surge, the question on ...
    4 days ago
  • The Origin and Evolution of Soccer Unveiling the Genius Behind the World’s Most Popular Sport
    Abstract: Soccer, the global phenomenon captivating millions worldwide, has a rich history that spans centuries. Its origins trace back to ancient civilizations, but the modern version we know and love emerged through a complex interplay of cultural influences and innovations. This article delves into the fascinating journey of soccer’s evolution, ...
    4 days ago
  • How Much to Tint Car Windows A Comprehensive Guide
    Tinting car windows offers numerous benefits, including enhanced privacy, reduced glare, UV protection, and a more stylish look for your vehicle. However, the cost of window tinting can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article provides a comprehensive guide to help you understand how much you can expect to ...
    4 days ago
  • Why Does My Car Smell Like Gas? A Comprehensive Guide to Diagnosing and Fixing the Issue
    The pungent smell of gasoline in your car can be an alarming and potentially dangerous problem. Not only is the odor unpleasant, but it can also indicate a serious issue with your vehicle’s fuel system. In this article, we will explore the various reasons why your car may smell like ...
    4 days ago
  • How to Remove Tree Sap from Car A Comprehensive Guide
    Tree sap can be a sticky, unsightly mess on your car’s exterior. It can be difficult to remove, but with the right techniques and products, you can restore your car to its former glory. Understanding Tree Sap Tree sap is a thick, viscous liquid produced by trees to seal wounds ...
    4 days ago
  • How Much Paint Do You Need to Paint a Car?
    The amount of paint needed to paint a car depends on a number of factors, including the size of the car, the number of coats you plan to apply, and the type of paint you are using. In general, you will need between 1 and 2 gallons of paint for ...
    4 days ago
  • Can You Jump a Car in the Rain? Safety Precautions and Essential Steps
    Jump-starting a car is a common task that can be performed even in adverse weather conditions like rain. However, safety precautions and proper techniques are crucial to avoid potential hazards. This comprehensive guide will provide detailed instructions on how to safely jump a car in the rain, ensuring both your ...
    4 days ago
  • Can taxpayers be confident PIJF cash was spent wisely?
    Graham Adams writes about the $55m media fund — When Patrick Gower was asked by Mike Hosking last week what he would say to the many Newstalk ZB callers who allege the Labour government bribed media with $55 million of taxpayers’ money via the Public Interest Journalism Fund — and ...
    Point of OrderBy gadams1000
    4 days ago
  • EGU2024 – An intense week of joining sessions virtually
    Note: this blog post has been put together over the course of the week I followed the happenings at the conference virtually. Should recordings of the Great Debates and possibly Union Symposia mentioned below, be released sometime after the conference ends, I'll include links to the ones I participated in. ...
    4 days ago
  • Submission on “Fast Track Approvals Bill”
    The following was my submission made on the “Fast Track Approvals Bill”. This potential law will give three Ministers unchecked powers, un-paralled since the days of Robert Muldoon’s “Think Big” projects.The submission is written a bit tongue-in-cheek. But it’s irreverent because the FTAB is in itself not worthy of respect. ...
    Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy
    4 days ago
  • The Case for a Universal Family Benefit
    One Could Reduce Child Poverty At No Fiscal CostFollowing the Richardson/Shipley 1990 ‘redesign of the welfare state’ – which eliminated the universal Family Benefit and doubled the rate of child poverty – various income supplements for families have been added, the best known being ‘Working for Families’, introduced in 2005. ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    4 days ago
  • A who’s who of New Zealand’s dodgiest companies
    Submissions on National's corrupt Muldoonist fast-track law are due today (have you submitted?), and just hours before they close, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop has been forced to release the list of companies he invited to apply. I've spent the last hour going through it in an epic thread of bleats, ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • On Lee’s watch, Economic Development seems to be stuck on scoring points from promoting sporting e...
    Buzz from the Beehive A few days ago, Point of Order suggested the media must be musing “on why Melissa is mute”. Our article reported that people working in the beleaguered media industry have cause to yearn for a minister as busy as Melissa Lee’s ministerial colleagues and we drew ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • New Zealand has never been closed for business
    1. What was The Curse of Jim Bolger?a. Winston Peters b. Soon after shaking his hand, world leaders would mysteriously lose office or shuffle off this mortal coilc. Could never shake off the Mother of All Budgetsd. Dandruff2. True or false? The Chairman of a Kiwi export business has asked the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • Stop the panic – we’ve been here before
    Jack Vowles writes – New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Minister welcomes hydrogen milestone
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 hours ago
  • Urgent changes to system through first RMA Amendment Bill
    The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    14 hours ago
  • Overseas decommissioning models considered
    Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago
  • Release of North Island Severe Weather Event Inquiry
    Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago
  • Justice Minister to attend Human Rights Council
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order.  “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Patterson reopens world’s largest wool scouring facility
    Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Speech to the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective Summit, 18 April 2024
    Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing  At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin    Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho    Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today.    I am delighted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Government to introduce revised Three Strikes law
    The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • New diplomatic appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions.   “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says.    “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Humanitarian support for Ethiopia and Somalia
    New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today.   “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Arts Minister congratulates Mataaho Collective
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