This is Key’s scandal

Written By: - Date published: 12:49 pm, July 31st, 2013 - 64 comments
Categories: accountability, dpf, john key, making shit up, Media, Parliament, spin, Spying - Tags: , , ,

Key’s loyal retainers are trying to keep him out of the Vance spying scandal. Naturally David Farrar is the most pathetic – Imperator Fish has the last word on that subject (a must read). Turning now to actual journalists, here’s Audrey Young:

Key stands clear of inquiry fallout

Prime Minister John Key is seeking to distance himself from damaging fallout from David Henry’s inquiry into the leak of the GCSB spy agency report, just as his controversial GCSB bill returns to Parliament.

Mr Key has written to the Speaker David Carter to put on the record his disappointment that phone records and swipe card records of the journalist who received the leaked report, Andrea Vance, were handed over to the inquiry that Mr Key’s department commissioned.

And Mr Henry himself weighed in last night to reinforce the statement that he neither requested nor sought the journalist’s phone records. …

Mr Key said in his letter to Mr Carter that on finding out that Parliamentary Service had voluntarily supplied the journalist’s phone records “I was deeply concerned and troubled by this news”.

Sorry Audrey – Key doesn’t get to “stand clear” this scandal, he created it. Remember this, from just 5 days ago?

No action over phone log access attempt

No action will be taken against David Henry for attempting to access phone records of a journalist as he tried to find out who leaked a sensitive report into Government spying, Prime Minister John Key says.

There we have John Key himself acknowledging that Henry requested the Vance phone records (contrary to what Henry is now claiming). This wasn’t a Parliamentary Services “stuff up”. You don’t pass over three months worth of phone records by accident. They were passed over because they were requested by John Key’s enquiry, as he acknowledged above.

However speaking in Korea today Key said he did not believe Henry, a former top public servant brought in to find the leaker, had impinged on any media freedoms and no action would be taken against him.

He said Henry also would be considered for doing future Government reports.

Henry had been asked to carry out an enquiry using terms of reference given to him by the prime minister’ office. Nobody complained about those terms, Key said.

Key set the terms, no one complained (this was all in Key’s office – who the Hell was in a position to “complain”?). Henry was following instructions, nothing to see here, move along.

“He then went out and did his own thing. I wasn’t involved in any of that,” Key said today, adding that he made it clear to Henry that he expected access records to be accessed.

If anyone can work out what that means do let us know.

While no action would be taken regarding Henry’s actions, a different approach might be taken next time.

“Maybe if we go away next time and write another enquiry we’ll be really, really specific in the terms” of reference.

Key said that when the report emerged while he was on a trip to China the media had been “screaming at me” to hold an enquiry because they believed the Government had leaked the report.

This was all done at the direction of Key’s office (Wayne Eagleson –“If you speak to him you speak to me”). They’re trying to throw Parliamentary Services under the bus, but this is Key’s scandal start to finish. Final word to Alistair Thompson in his must read piece today:

But the amount of damage that has been done here should not be underestimated and it will not go away quickly. The Press Gallery will remember this.

Coming on top of the months of obfuscation and outright lying and evasiveness over every aspect of this story from the Kim Dotcom raids and who knew about them when, to the illegal GCSB spying, to the appointment of a child-hood friend of the PM’s as GCSB Director and now the Andrea Vance and Peter Dunne affair – we will remember.

64 comments on “This is Key’s scandal ”

  1. infused 1

    Cool… watch Shearer mumble his way through it.

    • Te Reo Putake 1.1

      Whoop, whoop! Terrain warning, divert now. Whoop whoop!

      • infused 1.1.1

        not diverting shit. This is hardly going to go away quickly. Just pointing out the incompetence of Labour to smash National with this.

  2. yeshe 2

    Thx for your post Anthony ..undoubtedly just as it is. The Alistair Thompson link is a must-must-read for its clarity of summation.

    How does Dunne tolerate this ignominy ? Somehow I keep hoping he will have an epiphany and vote against the GCSB bill — this is his last chance to be remembered for anything decent.

    Also noticeable absence of anything to do with these issues on Stuff this morning — is this part of the secret rumblings maybe ?? Is an explosion coming ?

    • bad12 2.1

      What makes you think that Peter ‘the Hairdo’ Dunne will not be standing again at the 2014 election, everything i have read and seen of Him would suggest that He is going to…

      • Veutoviper 2.2.1

        Tracey Watkins also has another opinion piece on Stuff that I read early this morning on the situation re Press Gallery reporters – but it was not highlighted on the main Stuff page.

        http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/8984706/Truth-a-long-time-coming

        • Colonial Viper 2.2.1.1

          A deeply embarrassed Carter owned up to the breach and offered Vance an extraordinary apology.

          Only days ago, Carter gave Parliament an assurance that the phone records were not handed over.

          The admission raises more questions than it answers…

          Smells like a limited hangout to me.

          http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limited_hangout

          A limited hangout, or partial hangout, is a public relations or propaganda technique that involves the release of previously hidden information in order to prevent a greater exposure of more important details.

          It takes the form of deception, misdirection, or coverup often associated with intelligence agencies involving a release or “mea culpa” type of confession of only part of a set of previously hidden sensitive information, that establishes credibility for the one releasing the information who by the very act of confession appears to be “coming clean” and acting with integrity; but in actuality, by withholding key facts, is protecting a deeper operation and those who could be exposed if the whole truth came out. In effect, if an array of offenses or misdeeds is suspected, this confession admits to a lesser offense while covering up the greater ones.

      • bad12 2.2.2

        And the ‘snow flakes fall ever thicker’, i will assume at this early stage that the House speaker will now ‘protect’ the Slippery little Shyster from further probing during Parliaments Question Time by simply pointing at the Privileges Committee Inquiry being the place to ask such questions,

        Delay, Deny, Denigrate, and abuse, cover up the truth until such time as the heat of the matter dies down, then release a weak,insipid untrue account of events which exonerates the Prime Ministers Office….

  3. amirite 3

    I hope the media pounce and hold on this because the apathetic public needs a goddamn wake-up.

  4. bad12 4

    i have posted this comment elsewhere today but it is topical so i will repeat it at the risk of boring everybody,

    Here’s what i think happened, and to a certain extent the trail can be followed albeit it does get confusing,

    Slippery the PM set up the inquiry giving Henry his instructions and telling Him that if He needed any help to ask Eagleson,

    Henry went to Dunne and asked for His phone records which Dunne refused, it is Dunne’s contention that Henry then went to Parliamentary Services but i do not believe that to be the case,

    i believe that Henry went to Eaggleson with the request that He (Eagglson), get the phone records which Eagglson did which makes Henry’s claim of not having asked for the phone records about 1/2 true,

    Yesterday at question time in the Parliament Russell Norman directly asked the prime Minister whether or not His(Slippery’s), Chief of Staff had in fact asked parliamentary Services for the phone record,

    The Slippery little Shyster answered with words to this effect, ”i am not aware if my Chief of Staff asked Parliamentary Services for those phone records”, ”but i apologize if He did”, WTF,

    The WTF of course is mine, and, i wouldn’t expect the media, television or any other, to hold the Slippery little Shyster to account for what is becoming obvious as from television, to print, to radio, they are all, while issuing the odd ”hurrumph” as you have quoted in this post, to a man/woman running with the ‘Line’ naughty Parliamentary Services for having released the phone records,

    What i see is the usual ‘media snow flake shower’ accusing the wrong people of wrongdoing while allowing the Prime Minister complete exoneration when in actual fact it is becoming glaringly obvious that it was the Prime Ministers office that requested/demanded that Parliamentary Services release those phone records…

  5. quartz 5

    “Blame the help”, eh? Cowards.

  6. King Kong 6

    Have you thought that this might be deliberate.

    Feed Labour a superficial poll bounce on an issue that will be forgotten in a few months time in order to keep Labour liability #1 at the helm. This would ensure a National victory at the next election with the election campaign resembling a blood sport.

    Absolute genius.

    • amirite 6.1

      Turning the whole media community against you, that’s genius? Riiiiight….

    • tricledrown 6.2

      KK have a cup of tea and a sit down your redneck has veins ready to pop!

    • North 6.3

      Might be deliberate ? Which if it were would mean we live in a fascistic oligarchy.

      “Not boverred” KK ?

  7. tracey 7

    Lets not forget the press conference when key asked journalists if they really wanted their emails revealled???

    • Jackal 7.1

      Yep! The journalist’s must be wondering if this is the tip of the surveillance iceberg…an iceberg that will likely sink the bad ship National. Certainly their captain doesn’t have both oars in the water and is looking decidedly drunk at the helm.

  8. captain hook 8

    Its more than just a scandal.
    Kweewee has gathered around him a whole gang of hairy assed schoolboy familiars who cant read and dont give a stuff as long as they bask in the glow of the chosen one.
    Well its starting to smell like a dead mackerel in the moonlight.
    When there are fullscale nincompoops like David Carter giving out carte blance to any dweeb in a suit then the parliament and our democracy is in real trouble.

  9. burt 9

    David Henry – The guy who wrote to Labour before the 2005 election and was ignored… He made a bad call… he changed the rules… Now … It’s all different.

    He has a long history of being a highly principled player – pity self serving defenders of corruption only listen to him when it suites their self serving corrupt agenda.

    • ak 9.1

      Ahhh….wee burt reminds us that nine years ago Labour did something that he considered wrong. How suite.

    • tricledrown 9.2

      Keys promise of higher standards just another lie Burt!

  10. Veutoviper 10

    I posted this on the Media Honeymoon thread, but it is also very relevant here – and a Must Listen IMO.

    Sir Geoffrey Palmer’s excellent interview on Nine to Noon this morning, in which he considered that the checking of phone records etc of MPs/Ministers by the Henry Inquiry was in itself a breach of Parliamentary Privilege.

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2563981/phone-records-handed-over-during-gcsb-investigation

    He covers this in the first two minutes or so of the interview, but the whole interview is well worth listening to as he gives an excellent overview of the history of the Parliamentary Services, their role, their culture; and of particular relevance here – his views (not particularly complimentary) on how the Henry Inquiry was set up and its wide TORs, and Henry’s lack of legal qualifications; and the wider ramifications of the whole fiasco vis a vis democracy.

    If Palmer’s points are picked up (as they should be IMO) this can of worms gets bigger and bigger.

  11. Te Reo Putake 11

    An excellent statement from the journos’ union:

    Journalists’ union condemns release of phone records:

    The Parliamentary Service’s decision to hand over a reporter’s telephone records to the Henry Inquiry strikes at the core of journalistic freedom, says the union that represents journalists, the EPMU.

    Although Mr Henry has stated he did not request the information and returned it immediately, the fact it was made available is deeply concerning.

    Protection of sources is a key ethical consideration for journalists. When sources know they can provide information to journalists without fear of retribution, they are able to hold authorities to account.

    If government agencies are able to delve into journalists’ communications, it will seriously impede the flow of information to journalists and have a chilling effect on media freedom.

    The revelations are particularly concerning in the context of allegations that the New Zealand Defence Force monitored journalist Jon Stephenson’s communications in Afghanistan, and at a time when the Government intends to pass a contentious law which will allow the GCSB to legally spy on New Zealanders.

    The EPMU welcomes the strong statements made by the Speaker and the Prime Minister criticising the release of Andrea Vance’s telephone records.

    However, this release occurred because of an investigation initiated by the Prime Minister, whose office was active in advising the Parliamentary Service to supply Peter Dunne’s phone records. It is likely the Parliamentary Service would have felt under pressure to be as helpful to the inquiry as possible.

    The public and the news media need reassurance that the Government is committed to the highest ideals of democracy. There must be a full and open inquiry into both the release of Andrea Vance’s telephone records and the alleged monitoring of Jon Stephenson.

    It is clear we cannot trust Government agencies to look into their own activities. In the interests of openness and rebuilding public trust, the Government must also review the operations of its intelligence agencies before giving the GCSB further powers.

  12. tracey 12

    Who in parliamentary services authorised the handing over and/or handed them over. There must be a who or whos

  13. Treetop 13

    Dunne is such a coward, he spills the beans to Vance and Dunne probably feels betrayed by Vance for doing her job. The PM goes tut tut and Dunne cannot pretend that he did not open his gob. The PM is not interested enough in getting to the bottom of the contents of Dunne’s emails to do with the Kitteridge report because Key would then be a vote short.

    Does Key think that the GCSB legislation is going to be a fix all for any incident which threatens his government?

    The biggest attack in this country is occurring in the Beehive by the government.

  14. aerobubble 14

    Oh the irony. A contractor arguably reading the request provide logs and other data he should not of.
    Ironic as the PM considers that arguable legality to be the new low standard necessary for all government. Yes, you guess it, if you can find an opinion that argues that something that is obviously illegal, isn’t then you can whitewash it. Now the PM is now having to defend just that, that he is not responsible because a contractor arguably acted lawfully when providing his inquiry with logs about a journalist. Arguable there now is no press freedom, welcome to dictatorship Aotearea.

  15. Dv 15

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/8986200/Keys-office-ordered-records-released

    Prime Minister John Key has confirmed his chief of staff told Parliamentary Service staff to supply records to a ministerial inquiry after the department initially refused to cooperate.

    OOPS

    • Poission 15.1

      Wayne Eagleson is the culprit.he needs to be questioned at the select committee.looks like Farrar got it wrong again.

      • Treetop 15.1.1

        Eagleson and Dunne have had a close working relationship, Dunne as revenue minister and Eagleson at the IRD.

        • aerobubble 15.1.1.1

          Exactly. By muddling the investigation, Eagleson has put the content of the documents out of the picture. In US cop show parlance, he allegedly imposed himself on a ongoing investigation into a national security leak – the kitteridge report. His motives? friendship, loyalty to Key? and even keeping his job should Dunne be forced to walk? Key should excise the cancer sooner than later.

    • Treetop 15.2

      Up set the PM and you (chief of staff) could be looking for a new job, this is why I think that the person was following instructions from the top. Sometimes there is no pleasing your boss.

    • calltoaccount 15.3

      Uh oh, Key’s rebuttal, from the link…

      But Key said it was clear to everyone that the request was in relation to ministers, and not journalists.

      “He was clear that was for minsters and staff, not journalists. Everyone understood that was outside the terms of reference.”

      • r0b 15.3.1

        Apparently “everyone” did not…

        Another flimsy cover-up lie.

      • BLiP 15.3.2

        Ooooh, and another one for the list. Thank’s John, I’m lovin’ it . . .

        the terms of the enquiry made it clear to everyone that it was only the phone records of parliamentary staff and ministers that were to be provided

        . . . if it was “clear to everyone” then why did his own Chief of Staff put the pressure on Parliamentary Services and, speaking of Wayne “If you speak to him you speak to me” Eagleson, what’s his role in all this? Didn’t our infrequent but entirely welcome contributor “CrosbyTextor” mention something about a stitch-up to knobble Dunne . . . amusing at the time, perhaps prescient also, even if it was Kevin Taylor who was identified as being part of that “while he’s overseas” covert PR operation.

        Good to see the media get its act together over this. Oddly enough, it can’t usually be bothered bestirring itself since abandoning its Fourth Estate principles in some corporate profit-driven chase for eyeballs, but when the government’s actions impact directly on that pursuit, watch out. Perhaps now the spotlight will turn on our Prime Minister, John Key, and his performance across all his portfolios. Is there one he hasn’t mangled? So far as his handling of the GCSB/SIS portfolio is concerned, he has, in effect, been so incompetent as to be commit treason. What scant confidence the public may have had in its guardians, including even, to some extent, the armed forces, has been trashed thanks to his clumsy mendacity and bumbling, mumbling obfuscation.

        I think its becoming increasingly apparent across wider sections of the public, as Alistair Thompson points out, that we are dealing with a “rogue government”. Now that its true nature has finally been exposed directly to the typically indolently cooperative media, attention might also turn to how John Key’s tenure has impacted upon those National Ltd™ has already victimised.

    • Colonial Viper 15.4

      Since when do PS staff follow instructions from the Prime Minister’s office around other MP’s metadata?

      • calltoaccount 15.4.1

        Rob/CV: The “everyone” being the staff being set up for blame for a ‘mistake’. The PS would have been correct to pass on Dunne’s data, but went too far with Vance’s, in this version.

        I thought we had JK when I saw the headline; just needs all the ends tied up to rule out the obvious rebuttals. These liars are expert liars after all. 😉

  16. tracey 16

    Yup self interest rules. It was ways going to the the p gallery feeling threatened to start looking deeper

  17. tracey 17

    Yup self interest rules. It was ways going to the the p gallery feeling threatened to start looking deeper

  18. bad12 18

    From today’s question time in the Parliament, the smoke clears a little as both Russell Norman and David Shearer take turns at making the Slippery little Shyster ‘spin’,

    And, doesn’t He do it well our Prime Minister, ‘spin’ that is, changing direction at will all the while declaring ‘i have no responsibility’,

    The gist of the Prime Ministers replies, His chief of Staff, Eaggleson told all Ministers who had access to the report, the contents of which where leaked to Vance the Dominion Post reporter, to allow the Henry inquiry to access their phone records,

    His Chief of Staff who emailed Parliamentary Services with a request that they provide to the Henry inquiry phone records between all Ministers who had access to the leaked report and the DomPost reporter Vance,

    This the Prime Minister now claims absolves Him from responsibility as what the Eaggleson email really ‘Meant’ was that they only wanted the Ministers in questions side of the phone record TO the DomPost reporter Vance, and that the email didn’t ‘Mean’ that the inquiry wanted the DomPost reporter Vance’s phone records TO the Ministers in question,

    That absolves the Prime Minister of nothing, and my view is that Parliamentary Services should withhold all service to the Prime Ministers Office until such time as He makes a full apology to Parliamentary Services for having released the phone records of Vance to the Henry inquiry…

    • marty mars 18.1

      I agree that key doesn’t do spin well – he’s a liar and an ‘off the cuff’er and those two attributes always end up in trouble. He’ll keep telling more and more lies to cover up the original lies and the story or spin will get more nonsensical and stupid. Time to bring the hammer down on this turd and squash him politically – not even the mythical middlenz like shitspinning liars.

  19. Tigger 19

    Imp Fish nails Farrar’s hypocrisy in such an elegant way that it is a masterpiece. Praise Jebus for blogs like that, and this, for keeping me sane.

  20. tsmithfield 20

    There is to be a public enquiry into the whole affair.

    So, if Key is lying, it should come out.

    • yeshe 20.1

      interesting that Dunne’s name is not on the list .. ??

    • lprent 20.2

      Perhaps they should get someone independent to set the terms of the enquiry this time. Somehow letting John Key and his staff do that last time has just looked extremely shifty to ANY outside observation – wouldn’t you agree?

      You realise that this will be the third (oops fourth) enquiry into this pile of crap. The first being the whitewash from our ancient Inspector General of using the GCSB to bug DotCom

  21. Adrian 21

    Ever hear of a Chief of Staff doing something without making sure it is what his immediate senior actually wants. Nothing in writing of course. This is the most corrupt government in our history.

  22. bad12 22

    From the mouth of Peter ‘the Hairdo’ Dunne via RadioNZ National while i was getting tonight’s dinner in the oven,

    ”Henry came to Me asking for My phone records so that they could be compared with Vance’s phone records”, unquote,

    Is Dunne creating mischief by telling porkies or is Dunne telling the truth???, if that was the truth from Dunne then it becomes obvious that the Prime Ministers claim made in the Parliament today that Eaggleson’s email was intended to solicit from Parliamentary Services only Ministers phone records is an utter and total piece of bulls**t,

    If what Dunne is publicly saying is true then it becomes obvious that my previous assertion that it was Henry who approached Eaggleson for help as the Prime Minister had told him to do and Eagglson sent the email to Parliamentary Services acting on the instruction of the Prime Minister which he had previously given to Eagglson,

  23. bad12 23

    As we all have come to expect, John Armstrong but BrainsWeak, the titular head of the Fifth Column of New Zealand Jonolism and Herald political commentator made a brief appearance on RadioNZ’s afternoons with Jim Mora and stuck strictly to the Slippery little Shysters ‘spin’ that the release of Vance’s phone records was the fault of Parliamentary Services,

    It appears also that it wasn’t only the Parliamentary phone systems records that they went after, there appears to have been at least an attempt to get at Her cell phone data as well…

  24. Jane 24

    I do care quite a bit about what is going on in the country and the direction, but I don’t think I care much about this issue and haven’t found many outside of the politically interested group that do either.

    Politicians and Journolists all swim in the same shallow mud filled pond and there is only a marginal difference as to which I trust less, the polictical jounolists churn out an endless supply of dross and are happy to cut stories so as to make them fit their narrative and love being part of the story. Vance allegedly published a leaked copy of an unreleased report so her paper could get the ‘scoop’, everyone screamed for an enquiry and now are crying that they might have been enquired into.

    The more I think about it I’m starting to wonder how healthy this secret relationship between politicians and jouronolists really is, all the nudge nudge wink wink, leak this, cosy that, how does anyone know what sort of influence the press gallery hold over MP’s? It could well be an environment riddled with corruption, is it time that all correspondence between jounolists and MP’s to be published? Everyone is vigilant to the influence of business, foreign powers, unions, donors etc but how about some sunlight on what goes on here. Jounolists are always telling us that we must trust them, they know what the real story is, they are so important, time for them to be honest themselves!

    • bad12 24.1

      i am amused, ”but you don’t care”…

      • Jane 24.1.1

        Ha ha, by the end I was thinking that to! I suppose I care less about what may or may not have been leaked, released, requested because it’s politians and journalists and cared more about the secrecy going on and why shouldn’t we get to see all records.

        • bad12 24.1.1.1

          Lolz, i am amused that you don’t care and then go on to a list of Government corruption that has never been exposed in this country, except where that corruption is carried out openly such as in the Sky city casino deal between that organization and the present Government,

          i am sure others could add a fair few more instances to the above as well,

          Of course the fact that this Government’s accessing of a member of the media’s phone records by accident or design whether legal or illegal will soon be possible for any Prime Minister to order once the GCSB Legislation is passed in the House has not it would seem entered your calculation of what is or isn’t of interest,

          Once such Legislation is passed the uncovering of any of the corruption that would catch your interest will become just that much more unlikely because any Government will know who each journalist has spoken to at any given time, thus have every opportunity to catch and punish those who would expose such corruption befor that exposure became public…

    • karol 24.2

      Yes, but up til recently, the press gallery have sucked up the the NAct government. A rift between them and mutual suspicions could have a lasting impact on how the government is reported.

  25. I read Imperator Fish’s post that Anthony referred to in his opening post. It is Must Read stuff.

    If I were Farrar, I would’ve cringed at Scott’s razor sharp observations.

    http://www.imperatorfish.com/2013/07/he-delivers-and-how.html

  26. TruthSeeker 26

    The most intriguing aspect of the email that Key tabled in the House today is the date on it: 30 May.

    The inquiry was announced on 15 April and completed on 5 June.

    So the inquiry was in its sixth week when Henry finally requested the phone records on 30 May; the very same day referred to phone records in the House. Intriguing.

  27. bad12 27

    Listening to RadioNZ National this morning it appears that i have missed AN EMAIL, i describe the contents of what i though was THE email from the Prime Ministers Chief of staff Eaggleson to Parliamentary Services,

    The Email i describe above and how i describe it is pretty much correct, but there appears now to be a second Email from Eaggleson to the Parliamentary Service of an entirely different nature,

    The second Email from Eaggleson to the Parliamentary Service is said to contain such niceties as a demand to Parliamentary Services from the Office of the Prime Minister that they accord the Henry inquiry access to any information He requests and hand over ‘any relevant data’,

    So the plot thickens, i better track down the actual words of this Email…

  28. bad12 28

    At some point in the examination of Slippery the Prime Minister’s entrails surrounding the Vance phone records scandal Russell or Dave should ask Him this question,

    Did anyone from the Prime Ministers Office or the Henry inquiry itself at any time ask the cell phone providers of both Dunne and Vance for access to the records of their cell phones,

    Now that should get the Slippery one ‘spinning’ at full speed…

  29. tracey 29

    This what separates farrar from whaleoil. Ironic that he posted it from usa.

  30. bad12 30

    Now that is sad, the head of Parliamentary Services has resigned, as we learn today from questioning of the Prime Minister by Russell Norman today, there are 2 emails from the Prime Ministers Chief of Staff to Parliamentary Services which using different language ask/demand that Parliamentary Services hand over data to the Henry inquiry,there are also 22 unreleased emails from the Henry inquiry to [public services,

    Possibly buried in the 22 emails that the Henry inquiry sent to Parliamentary Services is the real truth of what the Henry inquiry was trying to elicit from Parliamentary Services,

    Steven Joyce, speaking on behalf of the absent Prime Minister at question time today refused Russell Norman’s request that the 22 Henry emails be released and tabled in the Parliament,

    How toxic these 22 Henry emails are to the Prime Ministers reputation,(haha yes joke),will probably decide whether or not these emails are released…

  31. bad12 31

    Peter Dunne on Prime News just now has just confirmed what i was alluding to in a couple of comments about Dunne and Vance’s personal mobile phone data being sought by the Henry inquiry,

    Dunne says that Henry came to Him during the inquiry with questions about specific conversations made between Dunne and Vance on their mobile phones…

    • bad12 31.1

      PS, these may have been specific text conversations as opposed to voice ones, Dunne on Prime-News tonight did not differentiate…

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    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Minister acknowledges passing of Sir Robert Martin (KNZM)
    New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Speech to New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, Parliament – Annual Lecture: Challenges ...
    Good evening –   Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Accelerating airport security lines
    From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Community hui to talk about kina barrens
    People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Kiwi exporters win as NZ-EU FTA enters into force
    Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Mining resurgence a welcome sign
    There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill passes first reading
    The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Government to boost public EV charging network
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure.  The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Residential Property Managers Bill to not progress
    The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Independent review into disability support services
    The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Justice Minister updates UN on law & order plan
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Ending emergency housing motels in Rotorua
    The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Trade Minister travels to Riyadh, OECD, and Dubai
    Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Education priorities focused on lifting achievement
    Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • NZTA App first step towards digital driver licence
    The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say.  “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Supporting whānau out of emergency housing
    Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Tribute to Dave O'Sullivan
    Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Speech – Eid al-Fitr
    Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government saves access to medicines
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff.    “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Pharmac Chair appointed
    Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Taking action on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
    Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says.  “Every day, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • New sports complex opens in Kaikohe
    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Diplomacy needed more than ever
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges.    “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Anzac Commemorative Address, Buttes New British Cemetery Belgium
    Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service.  It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Anzac Commemorative Address – NZ National Service, Chunuk Bair
    Distinguished guests -   It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders.   Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Anzac Commemorative Address – Dawn Service, Gallipoli, Türkiye
    Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia.   Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • PM announces changes to portfolios
    Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New catch limits for unique fishery areas
    Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week 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
    2 weeks 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
    2 weeks 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
    2 weeks 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
    2 weeks ago

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