Time for the Goffice to step up to the plate

Written By: - Date published: 11:36 am, January 29th, 2011 - 137 comments
Categories: assets, election 2011, john key, labour, national, phil goff - Tags:

We face a stark choice this year: a Labour-led government, which will create fairer tax and invest in jobs and innovation, or National-led government, which will govern for the kleptocracy, giving them tax cuts, then selling our assets and slashing our public services to pay for them. So why is the Goffice doing such a bad job making the case?

I can’t for the life of me work out what the hell Labour was thinking presenting a tax package without the costings. It’s not hard to do. In fact, NZIER did it within three days. They conclude that the $5,000 tax free bracket and GST off fruit and vegetables could be paid for by a 53% tax over $100,000. NZIER reckons that would leave 96% of taxpayers better off.

The top rate can be less and the threshold higher if investment property ring-fencing is also introduced. With $400 million from ring-fencing and the same from clamping down on tax avoidance and other loopholes, the new top rate be 45% at $120,000, and 97% of people would be better off.

Hell, Labour could simply say ‘we’ll introduce the Australian rates and thresholds’, which would give a tax cut to the 2.5 million on incomes below $42,000, and pay for taking GST off fruit and vegetables. (cheers to Marty for the tax numbers)

But by not having their shit together, they’ve let National and the media make them look stupid and irresponsible.

Why didn’t Phil Goff get up and say ‘I am here today to announce a tax increase, for myself. National has taken for the poor and given to the rich. People like me on high incomes do not need the tax cuts John Key has given us. I will increase the taxes on the rich and lessen the burden on 97% of Kiwi families, who have been preyed upon by this National government’? And why didn’t he have a simple table of costings, to prove it?

Where was the follow up and where was the messaging? If Goff is going to present a policy that makes him a bit of a modern-day Robin Hood why not have the gumption to frame it that way too?

Then there’s National partial asset sale policy. Everyone knew it was coming. On The Standard, we’ve published the Treasury papers, and even suggested more sneaky ways National might go about it than they actually have done.

Hell, we’ve all known National intends to sell assets since before Bill English split the beans at that cocktail party. So where’s Labour’s preparation? You would think they would have had a killer bunch of lines sorted. Nope.

Unlike Labour, National and Key have been building to this election for five years, as Matthew Hooton reveals (behind pay-wall):

As a strategy, it’s always been obvious. The breakthrough is Mr Key having the emotional intelligence, interpersonal skills and patience necessary to execute it, day-in, day-out since 2006. … the volleyball games at Ratana, the white-man dancing at the Big Gay Out and all the other excruciating photo ops that have made the vast majority love him, feel comfortable with him and, most importantly, trust him.

All so that he can build up the political capital needed to announce privatisation – under the pretext of a debt problem which he worsened and privatisation won’t solve – while still maintaining the popularity to get over the line at the election, which will be in July because the numbers won’t hold until November.

The media’s smart enough to see the holes in Key’s plan – even when praising it, like Fran O’Sullian this morning:

selling shareholdings in SOEs to fund assets such as hospitals and schools will inevitably run up against the argument that the Government is forgoing reliable dividend streams to fund assets that it cannot afford to build just now.

the reality is that unless the Government gets more revenue in from somewhere it remains vulnerable to accusations it is flicking assets to fund last year’s income tax cuts for top-earning Kiwis.

The Prime Minister repeatedly stressed this week that the 2010 National’s “tax-switch” package was revenue neutral.

But even on Budget night, Treasury forecasts predicted the switch would result in a $460 million shortfall in the 2011 year – which was certainly not enough to fund the big personal tax cuts at upper income levels that went into effect on October 1.

If Fran O’Sullivan can say ‘National has slashed taxes for the very richest New Zealanders with borrowed money. Now, it is selling our assets and cutting public services to pay for them’ why can’t Labour?

It has become more important than ever that we have a Labour-led government after the next election. The damage National will do in its second term will be irreversible. The election is only six months away but, in a two-news cycle a day world, that is still plenty of time to frame Key as having conned his way into our trust, and now wanting to sell the assets we have built up over generations and cut our public services to pay for tax cuts for the few. There is still time for Goff to position himself as a man willing to take back from the rich and make everyone else better off. What it takes is a concerted effort, not one-offs with little follow-through.

It’s a piece of luck for Labour that a Treasury paper from December confirms that ownership of assets if they are sold will go overseas. But it seems to me Labour is reliant too much on good fortune falling in its lap.The Goffice, if it really wants to become the Prime Minister’s office, needs to start making its own luck.

137 comments on “Time for the Goffice to step up to the plate ”

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  1. Treetop 1
    29 January 2011 at 11:55 am

    “If you think you can you will” is a better alternative to “If you think you can’t you won’t”

  2. Pete 2
    29 January 2011 at 12:03 pm

    The Goffice, if it really wants to become the Prime Minister’s office, needs to start making its own luck.

    Yes, but to get more luck and less muck they need to go back to the drawing board and think things through a lot better. They seem to be reactive and irrational.

    It has become more important than ever that we have a Labour-led government after the next election.

    I wouldn’t put it that strongly, but it’s important Labour at least becomes a much stronger more credible opposition, and starts to look like they are capable of taking over if the voters throw the dice that way. If Labour lose things won’t be as desperate as you make out, but a strong Labour will ensure a better balance. If they keep going like they are it may effectively give National an open chequebook.

  3. Roger 3
    29 January 2011 at 12:19 pm

    I am considerably more disappointed with the media treatment of this than with Phil Goff. He did not present the numbers but as you have Eddie it can be tax neutral quite easily within reasonable bounds. While he did not present the numbers he has insisted that the package would not put us into more debt. The reason he had to do this was because media journalists and presenters including National Radio were repeatedly questioning him on how much this is going to cost and can we really afford it.

    I do not understand the high level of questioning considering that a increase in GST from 12.5% to 15% of consumption spending (some of a person’s income) was supposedly going to magically pay for tax cuts from 39% to 33% for the top earners down to 2% at the bottom. John Key said that the tax cuts were going to be neutral and everyone was going to be better off. This doesn’t add up. Key was not pulled up on this and harassed about the cost and fiscal irresponsibility by media the way Phil Goff has been.

    Maybe its because National presented bullshit numbers which must be better than not presenting numbers.

    • Eddie 3.1
      29 January 2011 at 12:25 pm

      It’s not fair that National was allowed to get away with making tax promises it didn’t keep and it was never held to this level of scrutiny. But life isn’t fair and politics even less so. The media are the way they are and Labour allowed National to shape the analysis of both its own tax policies and Labour’s.

      giving a specific number for a tax change and not showing how you’re going to pay for it is amateur and allows you to be framed as irresponsible. If they didn’t want to get specific about what will happen at the top end, they should have just said ‘there will be a tax-free bracket’ and not defined it, piquing interest for later.

      Btw, by this in 1999, Labour had announced its tax policy in full detail.

      captcha: analysis

  4. Salsy 4
    29 January 2011 at 12:22 pm

    The Cabinet reshuffle really needs to bring in new fresh energy right up to the helm – Cunliffe as deputy – facing off with Key & Blinglish. Lets face it, this ones about finance.

    • The Voice of Reason 4.1
      29 January 2011 at 2:54 pm

      I understand Labour have a policy of having a male/female and urban/provincial leader and deputy. That would preclude Cunliffe being Goff’s deputy. National have maintained an urban/country split too, I believe, and the Greens have male/female co-leaders.

  5. pollywog 5
    29 January 2011 at 12:35 pm

    Goff is our very own John Kerry to Key’s Dubya…

    • Eddie 5.1
      29 January 2011 at 12:40 pm

      I just wonder some times how much he really wants the job.

      • Anthony C 5.1.1
        29 January 2011 at 1:01 pm

        Exactly, who are this guys strategists?

      • Pete 5.1.2
        29 January 2011 at 1:14 pm

        That’s a major issue – he doesn’t look like he is totally behind and enthused by the lines he keeps repeating. Is he having to comply with the weight of numbers below him? Is he going through the motions as a caretaker? Or does he just lack the confidence to do what he really believe in?

        Labour are in a bit of a bind, they and Goff have to lift their game, any major changes (eg leadership) would set them back even further at this stage of the cycle, it would add to the appearance of tryhard desperation.

        • pollywog 5.1.2.1
          29 January 2011 at 2:11 pm

          30 yrs in parliament has got to jade even the most idealistic of politicians.

          Seems like he’s just going through the motions cos no matter what, he’s made his money and his mark through the Clark years and now seems content to play off the crumbs Key keeps feeding him in the media.

          Yeah, after all’s said and done, it’d be nice to have former PM added to his CV, but he just doesn’t seem to be cut from leadership cloth.

          Labour should have rolled him 18 months ago.

      • Gus 5.1.3
        31 January 2011 at 8:00 pm

        Bang on Eddie. Its almost like sometimes its a ‘take it or leave’ attitude. Doesnt make sense.

    • johnm 5.2
      29 January 2011 at 2:16 pm

      Hi pollywog I agree a kernel of truth in what you say: We almost have here a two headed one party state. Goff seems to me to be going through the motions!

    • Mrhappy 5.3
      3 February 2011 at 9:10 am

      So does that make Brownlee the New Zealand Dick Cheney?

  6. just saying 6
    29 January 2011 at 1:22 pm

    I’ve come to the reluctant conclusion that we’d be better off if Labour doesn’t lead the next, government, and I say this as someone with loved ones who will be worst affected by another Nat govt. Who are already being hurt actually.

    Goff and the Labour front bench are neither competent nor left wing. If Labour squeezes in with its policy of doing nothing much and trying to maintain some kind of 2000sesque holding pattern it will be a one term government. Everyone who doesn’t know already will be very clear in the next few years that bold action is required, along with wise courageous and compassionate responses to new problems as they emerge. If there is one thing worse that National in 2011, it’s National in 2014 with the country in a bigger shambles and with greater civil unrest than we have now. And there is the potential for a landslde to boot.

    • Deadly_NZ 6.1
      29 January 2011 at 7:21 pm

      “And there is the potential for a landslide to boot.” yeah and after 3 more years of the NACT thieves there wont be anything left and it won’t matter who’s in government as they will be told what to do by the Multinational corporations run by key and his mates..

      But that’s where we are going to end up unless Goff has a change of direction, Grows a pair, or is rolled, and someone else with some balls steps up.. But a Ballless Goff, is worse than useless, as he is becoming a laughing (A tax reform package with NO costings MY GOD MAN!) stock, and all the fence sitters won’t go for that. So really it don’t Matter how bad Shonkey is , the NACTS are laughing all the way to the polling booth.

      And that’s the sad truth of the matter.

      • marty mars 6.1.1
        29 January 2011 at 8:52 pm

        That is my view too deadly – after another 3 years of the gnats the for sale sign will come down because there won’t be any need for it – the sale will have happened and it will be too late to reverse it.

  7. Zeroque 7
    29 January 2011 at 1:28 pm

    I agree with most of what you say Eddie. I am fairly confident that the Labour tax policy will be popular with voters and that the Nats asset sales agenda leaves the Nats vulnerable. It just seems incredible that Labour seem adept at not capitalising on opportunities as much as they ought to be. I wonder what’s going on behind the scenes. Goff doesnt always look confident and it’s almost like at times he doubts some of the things he is saying.

  8. Adolf Fiinkensein 8
    29 January 2011 at 1:49 pm

    \”They conclude that the $5,000 tax free bracket and GST off fruit and vegetables could be paid for by a 53% tax over $100,000. NZIER reckons that would leave 96% of taxpayers better off.\”

    Just as well neither NZIER nor you blokes are running the country. They and you forgot to factor in the 90% of taxpayers who would arrange their affairs to avoid your futile 53c surtax.

    You\’d be lucky if you collected a lousy hundred million let alone $1.2 billion.

    Oh, and while you\’re at it, would you care to specify just which tax loop holes you are talking about? They wouldn\’t be the ones Bill English has already closed off, by any chance?

    You guys had better get used to the taste of locusts. You\’re going to be in the wilderness for at least forty years before you find some poor bastard called Moses.

    • Draco T Bastard 8.1
      29 January 2011 at 2:35 pm

      Blinglish closed off one or two but he certainly didn’t close off the ones that needed to be closed. No CGT and no ring fencing. Those two alone would probably pay for the $5k tax free bracket.

    • IrishBill 8.2
      29 January 2011 at 3:58 pm

      Advice from a guy who names himself after Hitler and refers to islanders as “darkies”? ROFL

  9. Gina 9
    29 January 2011 at 1:56 pm

    Zeroque
    I think Goff might be worried about appearing too left wing. Labour are in need of corporate and business donors or they cannot fight the next election. So Goff is saying what the left tell him to but he knows he runs the risk of an all out media war against him. Believe me the corporate media don’t want a labour govrnment. The big business people Labour needs to fund his campaign are most likely setting Labour up as we speak like Owen Glen did last time. Whats a bet we see Owen Glen back again giving more money to Labour then revealing more labour corruption next election. Really labour need to get their base educated that unless they fund politics the rich will take over like in the US.
    Best solution would be a major funding drive for labour. We could push the fact that if the people dont fund labour their only alternative is the rich so workers will loose control of their party. Once the coffers are full of non corporate money we might see a bit more left wing conviction coming from Goff and the party.

    • Draco T Bastard 9.1
      29 January 2011 at 2:38 pm

      /agreed

      Problem, Labour is so right-wing that the base that they should be calling on don’t support them that much any more.

      • the sprout 9.1.1
        29 January 2011 at 5:39 pm

        exactly

      • Pete 9.1.2
        29 January 2011 at 5:43 pm

        Funny.

        The left thing Labour are too right wing.
        The right think National are too left wing.
        Why doesn’t everyone swap which party they vote for?

      • mickysavage 9.1.3
        29 January 2011 at 9:10 pm

        I disagree. Over the past 12 months Labour has come out with more left wing policy than it has since the 1970s.

        Obviously not left wing enough for some but some of us are not looking for the perfect political party …

        • QoT 9.1.3.1
          29 January 2011 at 10:02 pm

          I don’t want a perfect party, I want one that seems to give a shit and is willing to put its ego on the line to refute neoliberalism and remember why exactly they’re called “Labour”.

        • Draco T Bastard 9.1.3.2
          29 January 2011 at 11:59 pm

          I’m not looking for the perfect political party either – just one that takes account of that minor inconvenience called reality. None of the parties seem capable of doing that.

  10. Pete 10
    29 January 2011 at 2:10 pm

    Goff doesn’t always look confident and it’s almost like at times he doubts some of the things he is saying.
    I think Goff might be worried about appearing too left wing.

    Or maybe he’s being pushed where he isn’t comfortable, not his natural state – policy-wise and/or level of leadership.

    • Bill 10.1
      29 January 2011 at 2:37 pm

      Which might explain why the likes of Cunliffe aren’t being given more media exposure? Insofar as their pronouncements or rhetoric would leave Goff looking stranded and playing awkward catch-up?

      I agree with comments that Goff appears to be responding to pressures from within the party and isn’t comfortable with his positioning.

      So what is the point of him? If the Labour Party is playing out some internal political game, they should cut the crap and conclude the game with whatever configuration or part configuration they have instead of waiting for whatever preferred situation it is that are waiting for.

      Since the left appears to have enough grunt within the party to push a neo-lib leader to positions he appears less than comfortable with, one would assume they have the grunt to quit with the pussy footing and to just get on with it.

      Further, one could argue they have a moral obligation to do so.

  11. ianmac 11
    29 January 2011 at 2:29 pm

    Maybe a week/month is a long time in politics. Now is not the time for a brilliant burst. Now is the time to light small smouldering fires and build slowly towards an election. The electorate especially that of the swinging voter has a short memory so capitalise on that.
    “Hold your fire men! Wait till you see the yellow of their jaundiced eyes!”

    • Draco T Bastard 11.1
      29 January 2011 at 2:40 pm

      While I kinda agree Labour do need to be able to deflect the incoming attack from the right – mostly the MSM and NACT.

  12. Gina 12
    29 January 2011 at 2:35 pm

    Pete

    Yes that’s a possibility. He was a Rogernome after all.

    I honestly think the only aleternative leader we have is Andrew Little. Be great if it were possible to add him to the list now pending someones elses early retirement then put him in as leader beffore the election . The media would try to crucify him but I don’t think they would suceed.
    I’d also advise Labour to make sure Andrew is high on the list. The nats will go all out to defeat Andrew in his electorate if they think he wont be on the list and they can knock out a potential future Labour leader who is already polling reasonably well before he has even entered parliament. Labour need to get smart pretty quick.

    • The Voice of Reason 12.1
      29 January 2011 at 2:59 pm

      The Nats can’t go all out in New Plymouth, Gina. They’re stuck with the plonker MP who narrowly won it last election, and who has made no impression at all since his surprise win. I’d presume Little will have a top ten list ranking to back it up, but I’d be shocked if he doesn’t bolt in in his hometown.

      • Gina 12.1.1
        29 January 2011 at 3:13 pm

        I have read a couple of times that Little will not be on the list. That he thinks he can win without being on the list. That is more than likely correct however look at what happened to the perenially popular Jim Anderton in the Christchurch Mayoral race. The National party machine unexpectedly defeated him.

        As I said if Little is not on the list the Nats will go all out to ensure he doesn’t get elected. If he’s on the list they wont bother much and it’ll be easier for him to get the seat.

        Remember, Little in one poll got to 9% for preferred prime minister and hes not in parliament. Even John Key cannot boast that kind of popularity before he was ever elected as an MP. The Nats will be out to stop him ever getting in if he’s not guaranteed a high list placing.

        • The Voice of Reason 12.1.1.1
          29 January 2011 at 3:27 pm

          You might be right, Gina, but it would be very strange. I can’t think of a prospective MP from any party who has put themselves under that much pressure, but there may be some I suppose. Bob whatsit from Tauranga? I could see it if you were a long time MP with a whopping majority, but not at the first try.

          As for Little assuming the leadership, even if Goff lost the election and immediately quit as leader, I don’t think Little is going to be given the Big Job on his first day at work. More likely King does a caretaker role till the dust settles and a new direction and leadership can be found. Then perhaps he could step up. Me personally, I’d love to see Little/Adern winning the 2014 poll, but only after Goff/King have won in 2011.

          • Gina 12.1.1.1.1
            29 January 2011 at 3:48 pm

            If Little doesn’t make it throught this election he wont be a potential leader for 2014. I really think the country urgently needs one of the major parties to steer us away from the police state we arre headed towards. I’m happy for noses to be out of joint ot achieve that. If Goff suddenly becomes Roger Douglas or similar I want someone there who can oust him.
            With the threat of austerity, police state etc we need an alternative pretty quick or our democracy will be toast. I don’t know where Little stands on the police state and the direction of Labour in that regard but I don’t care who’s nose is out of joint if we can get someone who will lead the Labour party away from that then I’m for it.

            No time for politeness or noses out of joint as the free world burns. 2011 – 2014 is a danger zone for us all and thats why I’m here commenting on this blog.

            • Pete 12.1.1.1.1.1
              29 January 2011 at 3:59 pm

              What the heck are you talking about – a police state? Doesn’t look anything like going there, and our democracy is more dependable than most.There’s always things to improve on but nothing drastic that should stuff things up badly.

              • Gina …
                29 January 2011 at 4:08 pm

                Sorry Pete but are you wearing blackout glasses. The search and surveillance bill destroys the freedom of the press. News outlets will have to hand over their sources to to the government. No one will dob in government corruption once that happens.
                There are things happening overseas on daily basis that our press refuse to publish and I can see those same things beginning here.

                We are going to have courts without Juries, no right to silence etc etc and I have good reason to suspect the Nats are making our electoral roles able to be changed online so they can be hacked. Even if they dont hack them the multinationals will to get the election results they want. John Key is here for a reason and its not to help you and I.

                • Pete …
                  29 January 2011 at 4:16 pm

                  John Key is here for a reason

                  Yes, popular vote.

                  The world didn’t end for righties in the Clark years, and it won’t end for lefties in the Key years. There are a few differences between the two main parties but far more similarities in practice.

                  New Zealand will still be chugging along when Labour get back in.

                • Gina …
                  29 January 2011 at 4:23 pm

                  The Nats have increased the prison bjudget by 40%. Either they secretly know private prisons will cost a whole lot more or they are planning to imprison a lot more people. Their justification that long term prisoners will amount to a 40% increase seems unlikley.

                  Interesting that Harper in Canada is expanding prisons despite falling crime rates for more than 2 decades. And corporations in the US are making a fortune out of prison labour. It would seem to me that prisoners working profits should go to their victums not to corporations. World economies are being threatened and crashed one at a time and its been done one at a time delberatly so that there is no rebellion to the international banking power structure. Our time will come. If New Zealand stands up against privatisation the bankers will threaten our economy. If we don’t stand up we will loose our country.

                  Exactly when this will happen is not certain. It might be years away but the international economic meltdown was no accident.

                  • Nick C …
                    29 January 2011 at 6:35 pm

                    I hear they’ve also got satellites in space which send down beams to control our minds. No wonder they have been so high in the polls despite being so bad at everything.

                    Better put your tinfoil hat on Gina, or they will get you next!

                    • orange whip? …
                      29 January 2011 at 7:31 pm

                      That’s a bit silly Nick. Gina gave several verifiable statements of fact to support her contention.

                      And instead of disproving any of them, you throw up a ridiculous, unverifiable mocking statement as if it were on a par with Gina’s easily testable examples.

                      It doesn’t reflect well on you, Nick. It shows that your thoughts are so rutted that anything you haven’t heard about before goes right over your head or is deflected via ridicule.

                      How about you contest Gina’s statements about prison numbers, judicial system changes, or removal of the right to silence instead?

                    • Nick C …
                      29 January 2011 at 8:45 pm

                      Vague accusations that the press are self sensoring political content, Key facilitating a plot by multinationals to hack the electoral role and wrig an election. Come on…

                    • orange whip? …
                      29 January 2011 at 9:09 pm

                      No Nick, try the three items I mentioned. You did read them yes? You must have in order to be able to reply as you did. So why did you ignore them? No way to address them without looking foolish I suppose.

                      Let’s hear your arguments for why Gina is wrong about the removal of the right to silence.

                      If you’re going to use cheap mockery you’d best be sure to do it from a solid footing, Nick, because you will be called on it.

                  • Pete …
                    30 January 2011 at 7:43 am

                    Either they secretly know private prisons will cost a whole lot more or they are planning to imprison a lot more people.

                    The prison population has been rising significantly over the last decade, due to political responses to public knee-jerks. Much of this happened under Labour – increased police numbers, tougher sentences – these have a flow on effect. This has merely continued under National. Three strikes hasn’t had an effect yet, but they have to plan for that.

                    The public seem to want more people jailed for longer, the politicians don’t seem to be able to resist that pressure. The public don’t seem to care about addressing the real problems of mental health issues for example, they just want the problems locked away out of sight.

                    Gina, you should look at what has been happening, not worry about an imaginary conspiracy.

                    • orange whip? …
                      30 January 2011 at 8:08 am

                      Gina is looking at exactly what has happened in other countries that have followed the same prescription.

                      No “imaginary conspiracy” required, just a dispassionate examination of facts.

                    • Nick C …
                      30 January 2011 at 11:05 am

                      @Orange whip – with regard to your previous commment: If Gina makes 3 debatable claims and 2 rediculous claims, i’m entitled to mock her for the rediculous claims, no?

                    • orange whip? …
                      30 January 2011 at 7:13 pm

                      Do what you like mate.

                      Just that you look a bit silly rushing in to mock someone who raised some very valid and arguably important material without even vaguely addressing it, and then when called on it you pretty much do it again as if you still hadn’t bothered reading it the 1st or 2nd times.

                      That’s all I’m saying. But don’t let that stop you.

                  • RobertM …
                    30 January 2011 at 5:05 pm

                    Collins has never made any secret that the Nat policy is to imprison more and build more prisons. But aren’t we on the wrong track. In Britain the Tory-Lib govt intends to reduce prison numbers, close prisons and reduce police numbers and salaries by a third. Of course they have kept a strong air force and navy. And it was always the British Marines, SAS and SBS in police uniforms ( not the police themselves) that did the hard necessary actions like smashing the miners and beating up Scargill’s thugs. And of course in Britain they have since almost done away with the miners and Brit coal industry. Offending isn’t to do with poverty or mental illness, both problems have been solved with welfare and modern drugs, if they were used intelligently. All people do better if they can control their own lives ( other than the seriously retarded and alzheimers victims) People know best, Gina, not you, not the social worker, planner, professor, doctor or policemen.

      • Bob Stanforth 12.1.2
        29 January 2011 at 3:25 pm

        Let me guess, you live there, right? I suspect from your comments you do not, but do tell 🙂

        Take it from someone who does live in NP, who thought he WAS a plonker of an MP, but had his opinion revised – he is a bloody good and very active local MP.

        • The Voice of Reason 12.1.2.1
          29 January 2011 at 4:23 pm

          Not in the electorate, Bob, but not too far away. Had my car parked across the road from Young’s office on Thursday, as it happens. Harry Duynhoven’s resounding mayoralty win is a good indicator of where the seat is going, but hey, if you think Young’s a good MP then enjoy him while you can! Your assessment does make me sure that Little would have to have the backup of a list placing though. If there are locals like yourself who are prepared to reconsider Young, then maybe it will be tighter than I’ve been saying.

          • Bob Stanforth 12.1.2.1.1
            29 January 2011 at 4:46 pm

            VoR, I was most def. not a fan, he came across as an arse, but Ive been swayed by the effort Ive seen him put in locally. But then Harry puts in effort as well – he came to our kids school sports day and stayed for ages – but I still think Harry’s an arse 🙂

            As for Harry being elected, that was more a reflection of the paucity of decent candidates – hell, even I voted for him, didn’t want the utterly idiotic JR getting in! Harry will make a decent enough small town Mayor, but don’t confuse that with an election outcome. NP is still a marginal seat, but that will be tested soon enough 🙂 As for Little, he will need to be high up the list, union people tend to polarise voters in towns like this 😉

    • just saying 12.2
      29 January 2011 at 3:04 pm

      At least Little is competent at the politics game. He’s a pretty smooth operator. Not left enough for my taste, but not a mealy mouthed Rogernome way out of his depth.

    • Pete 12.3
      29 January 2011 at 3:18 pm

      Far too early for Little, he has to prove his worth in parliament first, presuming he gets in (most likely one way or another). I doubt National will be worrying about Little at this stage. Maybe 2014, but even that is a fast track – and would leave some more senior noses out of joint.

      No leader will be ideal for all party factions – but they have to be strong enough and successful enough to quell dissent with their popularity. Who in Labour could manage that?

    • RobertM 12.4
      29 January 2011 at 5:04 pm

      I doubt that Little is a sure thing in the New plymouth electorate. I’ve only spent one night in New Plymouth in about 2004- but to me mainstreet New Plymouth was in every way a conservative country town even compared with Palmeston North. I slept in bus from the moment we left New Plymouth and saw nothing until we arrived at Palmy for refreshments-but doubt I missed seeing anything of the ‘sophistication’ of Inglewood, Patea and Hawera. I supect Taranaki is very much the backwoods and eminently cultivatable with a bit of Nact redneck and racist appeal. Cynical, but.
      In terms of the media, the australian takeover of the major and provincial newspapers results in a bland managed product, and much less access for freelancers and alternative commentators. After NZ did the apostary of rejecting Beazley and Howard third anzac frigate, the Australian were determined to stamp out independent kiwi comment. Now after the tenure of the overated kiwi halfback David Kirk’s as local Fairfax boss, you can’t even write a letter on any national or defence topic for most provincial papers without having it edited and suppressed by sub editors in Auckland and Christchurch. The local provincials have lost all control of their serious product, editorially.

      • Craig Glen Eden 12.4.1
        30 January 2011 at 9:17 am

        One night in a town in 2004 and you think you know how the electorate will vote in 2011?

        Please!

        Little who is a Naki boy returning home, is down to earth but very comfortable with public speaking and mixing with all types will go down well in NP.
        Young only won because Dynhoven was unwell and couldn’t campaign as he usually does. Some locals thought the lack of campaigning by Harry was a sign that he was tired and it was therefore time for a change any change. What they now realise is Young was all spent after the campaign, Young is not liked he just happened to be their. He has no credentials and I suspect on election night he will be gone as fast as Paula Bennett losses Waitakere

        • RobertM 12.4.1.1
          30 January 2011 at 4:51 pm

          No, I don’t think, I’m wrong, my antenna is pretty good. The first look at a town or person, usually give a pretty accurate reading , 99% of the time. Its only one percent of people, your RFK’s and Churchills that people always percieve as idiots, the first time and gradually revise, their opinions.
          The fact Dynhoven was selectable as New Plymouth Labour MP shows it a pretty, conservative town and neither Clark or I could really stomach him. He is what he seems, a staunch. conservative Dutchmen, selected because of past Labour ‘Mistakes’ by Clark like selecting Jan Walker in Timaru in 1985.Dynhoven’s main profile was on transport and defence he advocated, first the Danish Standflex cutters for the Navy and then British Vosper, OPVs’ to get spin off construction work in the naki. But I viewed the Irish- Tenix OPV’s Otago and Wellington as a better design to go after the whalers and poachers.
          Doubtless, Young won because of the swing to National and the general provincial reaction to Bradford’s Bill and Clark’s liberalism. Anyone who has observed Young in parliament, knows he’s an weak and inexperienced and fluffs things like asking questions in the house. The initial test. So if Little wins, it will really be because he’s running against a very weak opponent without much local appeal.

  13. marty mars 13
    29 January 2011 at 3:01 pm

    It seems like goff doesn’t believe he can win – he has bought into the lines and as others have said appears to be going through the motions. The advice he is getting is below bad. All of the times he takes a hit from the gnats or the media are times where he could turn it around on his attackers – even the hair job.

    key is so confident now – overconfident – and if you couple that with his addiction to popularity it would seem not that difficult to put some peas/pee in his bed. But that can only happen if labour aren’t scared of him and his apparent popularity.

    If goff actually believes he is just there to lose the election then he may as well just rip into everything and go down fighting – his years in the house must be worth something. And if he believes he can win then get the lines sorted and start using them otherwise his legacy will be a small footnote in wikipedia written by his enemies.

    • Pete 13.1
      29 January 2011 at 3:20 pm

      Little didn’t do himself any favours openly accepting defeat in Botany even before candidates had been selected – Labour may not win the seat but they could win some brownie (and whitey) points if they at least gave it a decent attempt.

      I agree that at a minimum they should refresh deputy, there has to be some look of the future in leadership.

      • mickysavage 13.1.1
        29 January 2011 at 9:56 pm

        Strange post Pete.

        National has a huge majority and a two party swing of no less than about 28% will win the seat.

        This may happen, you never know. The moon may turn green and Key may also turn out to be a woman.

        Labour will be giving it a really good run. Michael Wood is a serious talented candidate who will be in Parliament fairly soon. But if Labour announced that it was running a serious campaign and then lost then idiots who do not know better would interpret it as being a loss.

        The future looks rosy. I think Jacinda Ardern will form part of it although I think that Andrew Little will be an effective MP but not a leader.

        • marty mars 13.1.1.1
          29 January 2011 at 10:32 pm

          don’t have a “serious campaign” for that seat but “give it a good run”

          what does that mean?

          • The Voice of Reason 13.1.1.1.1
            29 January 2011 at 10:36 pm

            Using the opportunity to promote the party, rather than the candidate. It’s rather like playing for the draw in football terms, a good tactic when you are away from home.

      • orange whip? 13.1.2
        29 January 2011 at 10:59 pm

        I agree that at a minimum they should refresh deputy, there has to be some look of the future in leadership.

        You mean like English? lol.

        • Pete 13.1.2.1
          30 January 2011 at 7:46 am

          One fossil in leadership looks fine for experience, but when both are fossils the party looks prehistoric. Voters are not looking for last century parties.

          • orange whip? 13.1.2.1.1
            30 January 2011 at 8:11 am

            Fair call. Frankly I think Labour should get rid of the pair of them. Or more accurately, shouldn’t have given either of them the job 2 years ago.

            • Pete 13.1.2.1.1.1
              30 January 2011 at 8:37 am

              I think it was a reasonable decision after the election – install leadership with experience to help the transition to Opposition. But then, if they thought Goff was the right choice to see them through to the election, they should have replaced deputy with a fresh new face, injected some new ideas and enthusiasm.

              And if they really did think there was someone better than Goff to lead that should have changed last year, so the new leadership team was prepared and ready to launch now.

              Too late for changing the leader, but they could get away with changing deputy. And time for the Goffice to step up to the plate.

              • Salsy …
                30 January 2011 at 10:03 pm

                Why? Aussie Labour did just a couple of months before the election.. they won.

                • QoT …
                  30 January 2011 at 10:23 pm

                  I don’t think NZ Labour has a Julia Gillard equivalent …

                  • Salsy …
                    30 January 2011 at 10:55 pm

                    Based on Cunliffes performance on The nation also reported by The Standard I would have a hundred times more confidence in placing him opposite John Key in the all important, upcoming leaders debates. When Key is made to look dumb, he looks really, really dumb and frighteningly untrustworthy. Cunliffe can wipe the floor with him intellectually, he’s powerful and knows his facts. Goff on the other hand, knows his facts but cannot deliver them. He is unfortunately, more likely to made a fool of..

                    • QoT …
                      31 January 2011 at 7:50 am

                      This is all very true, Salsy. My concern is that there’s a consistent narrative in NZ politics and media at the moment which is deeply anti-intellectual, hence the constant focus on Key as being everyone’s chum, salt of the earth, not one of those ivory tower bigwigs with their theories and ideologies.

                    • Pete …
                      31 January 2011 at 8:33 am

                      Goff’s problem is not anti-intellectualism, he’s not portraying himself as an intellectual, he’s trying populist pandering with little attempt to show any sign he knows the facts. His current impression just doesn’t seem to fit his personality.

                      He needs to try something other than try-hard fraud. Honest intellectual would be nowhere near as bad.

  14. Rharn 14
    29 January 2011 at 3:12 pm

    Labour need to dump King and replace her with Cunnilife. Will this happen………..nope. They just don’t have the killer instinct to win this election or the political nous to do so. When one considers all the mistakes and corruption of Key and his cronies and the ‘letoffs’ that Goff has not capitalised under his watch is it any wonder that Key and the Nats are so far ahead of Labour in the polls. Labour might just squeak home with the help of the minor parties but Goff needs to up his game and if he can not do this then the caucus need to help him do it by replacing King with someone who can.

    • Gina 14.1
      29 January 2011 at 3:20 pm

      As a woman and a feminist I have to agree with you on that one. Its not fair but men hate her. And lets face it shes not a leader type. She reminds me of Mrs Marsh the dental woman.

      • Craig Glen Eden 14.1.1
        30 January 2011 at 10:16 am

        Men don’t hate her at all Gina what a croc of shit. In fact if anything she is a very typical Kiwi girl type, she loves a good laugh is easy to get on with and loves her rugby.In fact I know guys who think she is a good stick when they have spent time with her.

        Goff is the problem though, the rest of the team needs to be let of the leash especially Cunliffe but others to like Parker.
        It presents like Goff has to be put up on everything when Cunliffe could take Key and English out on the economy alone.

    • the sprout 14.2
      29 January 2011 at 6:48 pm

      I agree, King’s hopelessness is only surpassed and mitigated by her invisibility.
      Change her for Street.

      • Jenny 14.2.1
        29 January 2011 at 6:53 pm

        How about Mallard?

      • QoT 14.2.2
        29 January 2011 at 10:05 pm

        You did see this post by Danyl, right? While we’re talking about “invisibility”.

        • the sprout 14.2.2.1
          29 January 2011 at 10:23 pm

          yeah.. King ranks 4th – Goff, then Carter, then Cunliffe… then King. to be honest i’m surprised she’s even that high

          • QoT 14.2.2.1.1
            29 January 2011 at 11:03 pm

            Yeah, but Street and Dyson are basically invisible especially compared to the attention some of the Greens got.

            • the sprout 14.2.2.1.1.1
              29 January 2011 at 11:20 pm

              Street and Dyson are basically invisible

              neither of them are Deputy Leaders of the Opposition either;
              not really their roles to be getting media profile like it is for King

              • QoT …
                29 January 2011 at 11:22 pm

                Yes, but they’re being soundly trounced by less-experienced counterparts in a much smaller party with even less leverage with mainstream media. If the problem with Annette King is her invisibility the answer is hardly coming off the Labour front bench.

                • the sprout …
                  29 January 2011 at 11:29 pm

                  true, but then invisibility is only one of many of King’s problems and i suspect with the current leadership many of labour’s front bench are holding back.

                  which is not to detract from the efforts of some greens, they have at times done well, typically better than labour… although that’s not hard at present

                  • QoT …
                    30 January 2011 at 9:58 am

                    You have a good point there. Certainly it would be hard to do worse than the current leadership, but the bugger of it is that we’re in an election year already and I think it would simply be impossible to (a) convince Goff and King they need to go and (b) build the profile of their replacements fast enough.

          • orange whip? 14.2.2.1.2
            29 January 2011 at 11:03 pm

            Make that Goff, then Carter, then MALLARD, then Cunliffe… then King.

            • ianmac 14.2.2.1.2.1
              29 January 2011 at 11:19 pm

              When Annette King started as a MP she was marked as PM material. Almost as though it is a kiss of death to name anyone so.

  15. infused 15
    29 January 2011 at 3:58 pm

    When I look at Goff, I see someone who isn’t confident. His words sound hollow. It comes across like oh you did that, well I’m going to one up you…

    Regardless of who I vote for, that’s how I see him. Everyone I talk to says the same thing. You need to lose Goff before Labour gets any traction.

    My 2c’s. I’ve said this from the start. You all said “oh he’s going to get better”. Well he hasn’t.

    EDIT: The other thing I’ve noticed is that he doesn’t get much air time. I believe this is related to people not really giving a toss what he has to say.

    • Gina 15.1
      29 January 2011 at 4:28 pm

      I think he doesn’t get air time because the corporate media want tax cuts, hate unions etc etc.

    • Jum 15.2
      29 January 2011 at 7:04 pm

      Goff not getting much air time is all about the rightwing controlling airwaves and written media. If NAct gets in again the left-leaning i.e. objective blogs will be on notice as well.

      • infused 15.2.1
        29 January 2011 at 8:52 pm

        Oh bullshit. Labour held the spotlight when in power.

        • Draco T Bastard 15.2.1.1
          29 January 2011 at 9:00 pm

          No, they didn’t except insofar as that they got a hell of a lot of criticism and NACT didn’t. hmmm… Seems the same’s happening now except that the MSM ignore/criticise Labour even more and still give John Key rim jobs glowing, uncritical reports that are totally lacking in any sort of fact checking.

  16. the sprout 16
    29 January 2011 at 5:48 pm

    Well said Eddie.
    I would love to see a press release along the lines of what you’ve suggested above, and I think voters would too. But we never do.

    I sorely lament what is going on with Labour’s leadership and whoever’s charged with comms and strategy. I look forward to a change of guard, but I fear we’ll have to lose the next election first – and what a terrible price that will incur. I feel very fcuked-off with the pathetic performance we’ve seen from Labour this term.

  17. Salsy 17
    29 January 2011 at 6:05 pm

    Interesting blog/opinion goff-needs-to-exceed-expectations . Bold reorganisation, filling the void to counter his own failings. The cabinet reshuffle is really their last hand..

  18. Chris73 18
    29 January 2011 at 6:18 pm

    Actually I agree with this, Labour can’t expect people to trust and vote for them untill they start showing they have their s**t sorted and stop looking like amateurs

    • KJT 18.1
      29 January 2011 at 7:02 pm

      I don’t think either party have their shit sorted. National increasing our debt both present and future to pay for continued giveaways to their constituency in the grand tradition of Muldoon. (30 billion since being elected). Labour too scared to go back and say what they stand for. If they even remember. It has been over 30 years since they were a party of principles after all.

      Unfortunately unless Labour get their shit together we will have nothing left as National will have mined, sold or given away everything.

      • Chris73 18.1.1
        29 January 2011 at 7:14 pm

        Personally I think we should be mining more, if the minerals are there lets get them out

        • KJT 18.1.1.1
          29 January 2011 at 7:24 pm

          What are you going to sell for no taxes/subsidies to the rich when it is all gone?

          • Chris73 18.1.1.1.1
            29 January 2011 at 7:58 pm

            and Labours big idea to solve our money problem is (drum roll please) raise taxes and give everyone (including the rich) an extra 10 bucks a week…wow

            • infused 18.1.1.1.1.1
              29 January 2011 at 8:53 pm

              burn

            • Draco T Bastard 18.1.1.1.1.2
              29 January 2011 at 9:05 pm

              Lovely attempt to not answer the question. Not really surprising though as a RWNJ, when confronted with reality, always tries to distract away from and to ignore it.

            • QoT 18.1.1.1.1.3
              29 January 2011 at 11:04 pm

              Yeah, $10 a week, that’s such chump change. Except for the New Zealanders who aren’t privileged enough to have a computer, an internet connection, and time to spend being sarcastic on blogs because they can’t even afford to eat.

              • Lanthanide …
                30 January 2011 at 10:00 am

                But what does $10/week buy, really? 5 litres of petrol, maybe 1 meal for a family of 4?

                • QoT …
                  30 January 2011 at 10:05 am

                  Let me guess, Lanth … you’ve never had to choose between “having enough food to make three full meals for the whole family on Sunday” and “filling up the car so you don’t have to walk an hour to work all week”.

                  • Lanthanide …
                    31 January 2011 at 1:15 pm

                    No, I haven’t. That’s why I’m asking if it really does make a big difference or not.

                    I think raising the minimum wage to $14/hour would make a bigger difference and is where the money should be coming from anyway – not the government.

                    Also, I don’t think $10 would cover either of your examples.

                    • Colonial Viper …
                      6 February 2011 at 12:03 pm

                      $10 can cover a meal for a family of four, but its really slim pickings for all. Very difficult to eat healthy. Very helpful if whoever is preparing the meal knows how to cook from scratch. $3 pasta, $3 mince, $4 tomatoes, mushrooms and other vege to make a sauce with.

                      Bear in mind that to cover all food on Christmas day for a prisoner, Corrections used a budget of ~$4 per person. That is seriously frak all.

                      http://www.corrections.govt.nz/about-us/fact-sheets/managing-offenders/general_info/christmas-in-prison.html

                      Also its not unusual for adults to skip a meal or two during the week to make sure their kids can get fed.

                      This is a frakking different and difficult life. I’m about to pop out to a cafe for lunch with friends, its gonna set me back $20-25 without trying. I’m lucky in that I don’t have to think twice about doing that.

                      For many fellow citizens its not even a remote possibility.

  19. Jum 19
    29 January 2011 at 7:00 pm

    It’s time Goff did what JKeyll does but for a completely different reason.

    JKeyll lurks behind his useless mps (and that’s all of them, especially the women that he is deliberately setting up to get rid of if he gets in again, by inferring they can’t handle the job, yet the job he has given them was a deliberately destructive road), looking sharkish.

    Goff needs to front up with the multi talent that is in the Labour Party. When a specific question is asked that requires a policy answer the actual opposition mp in that shadow portfolio should answer it.

    We need to see that Goff isn’t just a lone leader; the talent in his party is great. Team Goff I call them. They’re acting as a team; they should be seen in public as one.

    • Chris73 19.1
      29 January 2011 at 7:27 pm

      That’ll be difficult since a number of MPs are on record (mainly Trev Mallard via red alert) as being for private-public partnerships as well as Goff being a cabinet minister in the Lange govt as well…

  20. Salsy 20
    29 January 2011 at 7:33 pm

    Yes but all we ever see is him and King striding down the corridors of parliement – and there is nothing empowing there – way too nanny. Where on Nationals side we see countless shots of Key and English looking tight, well dressed, in communciation and in control. Wake the fuck up Labour, fire your advisor, survey the public, make the neccessary adjustments and let the change begin.. NZ prefer your policies, just not your people – that should be an easy fix..

    • Anne 20.1
      29 January 2011 at 7:58 pm

      Hey Salsy, don’t blame Goff and King or their advisors for the parliamentary corridor shots. That’s the fault of the TV media and it’s no accident. They do it to politicians they have decided to humiliate and/or degrade. Think about it. They did it to Winston Peters in 2007/08… Rodney Hide in 2009/10. It was the same shot nearly every time – walking along the corridor to the debating chamber with files under their arms. They did it to Helen Clark for the whole of her third term in office. And they do it to Goff and King on a weekly basis. Rarely seen them do it to their chosen one, John Key. Even before he became PM they always placed him in a positive looking setting.

  21. belladonna 21
    29 January 2011 at 10:44 pm

    I do not know one person who thinks Goff can win for Labour . Most of us on this site are left wing but if WE dont think Labour can win with Goff then how the hell can we expect the average voting public to do so. This reminds me of the Bill Rowling election when we all hoped but knew in our hearts it wouldnt happen and it didnt. Just find a new leader, any leader and go for it. Let’s at least give it a shot. If we dont then we could find ourselves in the wilderness for a long time. Do what is right for the country.

  22. just saying 22
    29 January 2011 at 10:50 pm

    It’s not just that I don’t think he can win, I don’t think he deserves to win.

    I truly don’t get it. How can keeping Goff possibly be in the best interests of a win for the left. If they raffled off the leadership they couldn’t do worse (unless Goff’s name was in the hat).

    Goff himself could do what’s best for the country. He just cares more for his own ambitions.

    • QoT 22.1
      29 January 2011 at 11:06 pm

      Raffling the leadership could be awesome. Or a random draw, anyway, raffles would be too open to charges of corruption.

      • orange whip? 22.1.1
        29 January 2011 at 11:08 pm

        Dance-off. It’s the only fair way.

        • QoT 22.1.1.1
          29 January 2011 at 11:11 pm

          Jesus, OW, don’t give the righties another opportunity to play that ~hilarious~ vid of Mallard and Hodgson dancing.

          (I have major fucking gripes on that one because it’s like, two government MPs are trying to show kids that you should be active/get up and dance even if you look like a dork, and how does our media spin that? LOL U SHOULDNT DANCE U LOOK LYKE A DORK. Thanks, people, really helping our teenagers accept themselves and be unafraid to participate.)

      • the sprout 22.1.2
        29 January 2011 at 11:22 pm

        ancient athenians chose their leaders by lot

  23. BLiP 23
    30 January 2011 at 1:30 am

    I wonder sometimes if Labour is not part of the chimera.

    • Afewknowthetruth 23.1
      30 January 2011 at 9:03 am

      Labour and Nationa; are just two faces of the same coin, and neither can save us from what is underway…. the complete breakdown of western civilisation, due to resource depletion, the destruction of our life-support systems and inherent flaws in the economic system. National may perhaps brinbg about a faster collapse for NZ than Labour.

      Anyone connected with a mainstream political party is, by definition, part of the problem.

      Goff is either an ignorant opportunist, or an evil hypocrite, which is why we are fully justified in telling him to Philg Off.

  24. NX 24
    30 January 2011 at 4:07 am

    The top rate can be less and the threshold higher

    Why? If anyone can afford a tax rate @ 53% it’s rich people.

  25. Rob Carr 25
    6 February 2011 at 11:31 am

    I disagree on it being a plan which started 5 years ago. The method of these sales is a strategy suggested for Brash to use assuming he won the 2005 campaign, Key has merely adopted it. More 6-7 years ago.

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    1 day ago
  • Harris vs Trump

    We’ve been selected to rock your asses 'til midnightThis is my term, I've shaved off my perm, but it's alrightI solemnly swear to uphold the ConstitutionGot a rock 'n' roll problem? Well we got a solutionLet us be who we am, and let us kick out the jams, yeahKick out ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago
  • Treaty Bill “a political stunt”

    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon appears to have given ACT Leader David Seymour more than he has been admitting in the proposals to go forward with a Treaty Principles Bill.All along, Luxon has maintained that the Government is proceeding with the Bill to honour the coalition agreement.But that is quite specific.It ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 day ago
  • An average 219 NZers migrated each day in July

    Kia ora. Long stories short, here’s my top six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Wednesday, September 11:Annual migration of New Zealanders rose to a record-high 80,963 in the year to the end of July, which is more than double its pre-Covid levels.Two ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • What you’re wanting to win more than anything is The Narrative

    Hubris is sitting down on election day 2016 to watch that pig Trump get his ass handed to him, and watching the New York Times needle hover for a while over Hillary and then move across to Trump where it remains all night to your gathering horror and dismay. You're ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • National’s automated lie machine

    The government has a problem: lots of people want information from it all the time. Information about benefits, about superannuation, ACC coverage and healthcare, taxes, jury service, immigration - and that's just the routine stuff. Responding to all of those queries takes a lot of time and costs a lot ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago
  • Christopher Luxon: A Man of “Faith” and “Compassion” Speaks on the Treaty Pr...

    Synopsis: Today - we explore two different realities. One where National lost. And another - which is the one we are living with here. Note: the footnote on increased fees/taxes may be of interest to some readers.Article open.Subscribe nowIt’s an alternate timeline.Yesterday as news broke that the central North Island ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Member’s Day

    Today is a Member's Day. First up is the third reading of Dan Bidois' Fair Trading (Gift Card Expiry) Amendment Bill, which will be followed by the committee stage of Deborah Russell's Family Proceedings (Dissolution for Family Violence) Amendment Bill. This will be followed by the second readings of Katie ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago
  • Northern Expressway Boondoggle

    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has been soaring high with his hubris of getting on and building motorways but some uncomfortable realities are starting to creep in. Back in July he announced that the government was pushing on with a Northland Expressway using an “accelerated delivery strategy” The Coalition Government is ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    2 days ago
  • Never Enough

    However much I'm falling downNever enoughHowever much I'm falling outNever, never enough!Whatever smile I smile the mostNever enoughHowever I smile I smile the mostSongwriters: Robert James Smith / Simon Gallup / Boris Williams / Porl ThompsonToday in Nick’s Kōrero:A death in the Emergency Department at Rotorua Hospital.A sad homecoming and ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Question Two of The Kākā Project of 2026 for 2050 (TKP 26/50)

    Kia ora.Last month I proposed restarting The Kākā Project work done before the 2023 election as The Kākā Project of 2026 for 2050 (TKP 26/50), aiming to be up and running before the 2025 Local Government elections, and then in a finalised form by the 2026 General Elections.A couple of ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Why is God Obsessed with Spanking?

    Hi,If you’ve read Webworm for a while, you’ll be aware that I’ve spent a lot of time writing about horrific, corrupt megachurches and the shitty men who lead them.And in all of this writing, I think some people have this idea that I hate Christians or Christianity. As I explain ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • Inside the public service

    In 2023, there were 63,117 full-time public servants earning, on average, $97,200 a year each. All up, that is a cost to the Government of $6.1 billion a year. It’s little wonder, then, that the public service has become a political whipping boy castigated by the Prime Minister and members ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago
  • New Models Show Stronger Atlantic Hurricanes, and More of Them

    This is a re-post from This is Not Cool Here’s an example of some of the best kind of climate reporting, especially in that it relates to impacts that will directly affect the audience. WFLA in Tampa conducted a study in collaboration with the Department of Energy, analyzing trends in ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago
  • Where ever do they find these people?

    A riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma, is how Winston Churchill described the Soviet Union in 1939.  How might the great man have described the 2024 government of New Zealand, do we think? I can't imagine he would have thought them all that mysterious or enigmatic. I think ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Motorway madness

    How mad is National's obsession with roads? One of their pet projects - a truck highway to Whangārei - is going to eat 10% of our total infrastructure budget for the next 25 years: Official advice from the Infrastructure Commission shows the government could be set to spend 10 ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • Our transport planning system is fundamentally broken

    Ever since Wayne Brown became mayor (nearly two years ago now) he’s been wanting to progress an “integrated transport plan” with the government – which sounded a lot like the previous Auckland Transport Alignment Project (ATAP) with just a different name. It seems like a fair bit of work progressed ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    3 days ago
  • Thou Shalt Not Steal

    And they taught usWhoa-oh, black woman, thou shalt not stealI said, hey, yeah, black man, thou shalt not stealWe're gonna civilise your black barbaric livesAnd we teach you how to kneelBut your history couldn't hide the genocideThe hypocrisy to us was realFor your Jesus said you're supposed to giveThe oppressed ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • How mismanagement, not wind and solar energy, causes blackouts

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections In February 2021, several severe storms swept across the United States, culminating with one that the Weather Channel unofficially named Winter Storm Uri. In Texas, Uri knocked out power to over 4.5 million homes and 10 million people. Hundreds of Texans died as a ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago
  • The ‘Infra Boys’ Highway to Budget Hell

    Chris Bishop has enthusiastically dubbed himself and Simeon Brown “the Infra Boys”, but they need to take note of the sums around their roading dreams. Photo: Lynn GrievesonMōrena. Long stories short, here’s my top six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Tuesday, September ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Media Link: “AVFA” on the politics of desperation.

    In this podcast Selwyn Manning and I talk about what appears to be a particular type of end-game in the long transition to systemic realignment in international affairs, in which the move to a new multipolar order with different characteristics … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    4 days ago
  • The cost of flying blind

    Just over two years ago, when worries about immediate mass-death from covid had waned, and people started to talk about covid becoming "endemic", I asked various government agencies what work they'd done on the costs of that - and particularly, on the cost of Long Covid. The answer was that ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Seymour vs The Clergy

    For paid subscribers“Aotearoa is not as malleable as they think,” Lynette wrote last week on Homage to Simeon Brown:In my heart/mind, that phrase ricocheted over the next days, translating out to “We are not so malleable.”It gave me comfort. I always felt that we were given an advantage in New ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    4 days ago
  • Unstoppable Minister McKee

    All smiles, I know what it takes to fool this townI'll do it 'til the sun goes downAnd all through the nighttimeOh, yeahOh, yeah, I'll tell you what you wanna hearLeave my sunglasses on while I shed a tearIt's never the right timeYeah, yeahSong by SiaLast night there was a ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Could outdoor dining revitalise Queen Street?

    This is a guest post by Ben van Bruggen of The Urban Room,.An earlier version of this post appeared on LinkedIn. All images are by Ben. Have you noticed that there’s almost nowhere on Queen Street that invites you to stop, sit outside and enjoy a coffee, let alone ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    4 days ago
  • Hipkins challenges long-held Labour view Government must stay below 30% of GDP

    Hipkins says when considering tax settings and the size of government, the big question mark is over what happens with the balance between the size of the working-age population and the growing number of Kiwis over the age of 65. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMōrena. Long stories short; here’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Your invite to Webworm Chat (a bit like Reddit)

    Hi,One of the things I love the most about Webworm is, well, you. The community that’s gathered around this lil’ newsletter isn’t something I ever expected when I started writing it four years ago — now the comments section is one of my favourite places on the internet. The comments ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    4 days ago
  • Seymour’s Treaty bill making Nats nervous

    A delay in reappointing a top civil servant may indicate a growing nervousness within the National Party about the potential consequences of David Seymour’s Treaty Principles Bill. Dave Samuels is waiting for reappointment as the Chief Executive of Te Puni Kokiri, but POLITIK understands that what should have been a ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #36

    A listing of 34 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, September 1, 2024 thru Sat, September 7, 2024. Story of the week Our Story of the Week is about how peopele are not born stupid but can be fooled ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago
  • Time for a Change

    You act as thoughYou are a blind manWho's crying, crying 'boutAll the virgins that are dyingIn your habitual dreams, you knowSeems you need more sleepBut like a parrot in a flaming treeI know it's pretty hard to seeI'm beginning to wonderIf it's time for a changeSong: Phil JuddThe next line ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Security Politics in Peripheral Democracies: Excerpt Six.

    The “double shocks” in post Cold War international affairs. The end of the Cold War fundamentally altered the global geostrategic context. In particular, the end of the nuclear “balance of terror” between the USA and USSR, coupled with the relaxation … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    5 days ago
  • Buried deep

    Here's a bike on Manchester St, Feilding. I took this photo on Friday night after a very nice dinner at the very nice Vietnamese restaurant, Saigon, on Manchester Street.I thought to myself, Manchester Street? Bicycle? This could be the very spot.To recap from an earlier edition: on a February night ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago
  • Security Politics in Peripheral Democracies, Excerpt Five.

    Military politics as a distinct “partial regime.” Notwithstanding their peripheral status, national defense offers the raison d’être of the combat function, which their relative vulnerability makes apparent, so military forces in small peripheral democracies must be very conscious of events … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    6 days ago
  • Leadership for Dummies

    If you’re going somewhere, do you maybe take a bit of an interest in the place? Read up a bit on the history, current events, places to see - that sort of thing? Presumably, if you’re taking a trip somewhere, it’s for a reason. But what if you’re going somewhere ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago
  • Home again

    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on anything you may have missed. Share Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • Dead even tie for hottest August ever

    Long stories short, here’s the top six news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above between Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer:The month of August was 1.49˚C warmer than pre-industrial levels, tying with 2023 for the warmest August ever, according ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • The Hoon around the week to Sept 7

    The podcast above of the weekly ‘Hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers on Thursday night features co-hosts and talking about the week’s news with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent on the latest climate science on rising temperatures and the debate about how to responde to climate disinformation; and special guest ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • Have We an Infrastructure Deficit?

    An Infrastructure New Zealand report says we are keeping up with infrastructure better than we might have thought from the grumbling. But the challenge of providing for the future remains.I was astonished to learn that the quantity of our infrastructure has been keeping up with economic growth. Your paper almost ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    7 days ago
  • Councils reject racism

    Last month, National passed a racist law requiring local councils to remove their Māori wards, or hold a referendum on them at the 2025 local body election. The final councils voted today, and the verdict is in: an overwhelming rejection. Only two councils out of 45 supported National's racist agenda ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    7 days ago
  • Homage to Simeon Brown

    Open to all - happy weekend ahead, friends.Today I just want to be petty. It’s the way I imagine this chap is -Not only as a political persona. But his real-deal inner personality, in all its glory - appears to be pure pettiness & populist driven.Sometimes I wonder if Simeon ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 week ago
  • Government of deceit

    When National cut health spending and imposed a commissioner on Te Whatu Ora, they claimed that it was necessary because the organisation was bloated and inefficient, with "14 layers of management between the CEO and the patient". But it turns out they were simply lying: Health Minister Shane Reti’s ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago
  • The professionals actually think and act like our Government has no fiscal crisis at all

    Treasury staff at work: The demand for a new 12-year Government bond was so strong, Treasury decided to double the amount of bonds it sold. Photo: Lynn GrievesonMōrena. Long stories short; here’s my top six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Friday, September ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Roundup 6-September-2024

    Welcome to another Friday and another roundup of stories that caught our eye this week. As always, this and every post is brought to you by the Greater Auckland crew. If you like our work and you’d like to see more of it, we invite you to join our regular ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 week ago
  • Security Politics in Peripheral Democracies; Excerpt Four.

    Internal versus external security. Regardless of who rules, large countries can afford to separate external and internal security functions (even if internal control functions predominate under authoritarian regimes). In fact, given the logic of power concentration and institutional centralization of … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    1 week ago
  • A Hole In The River

    There's a hole in the river where her memory liesFrom the land of the living to the air and skyShe was coming to see him, but something changed her mindDrove her down to the riverThere is no returnSongwriters: Neil Finn/Eddie RaynerThe king is dead; long live the queen!Yesterday was a ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Bright Blue His Jacket Ain’t But I Love This Fellow: A Review and Analysis of The Rings of Power E...

    My conclusion last week was that The Rings of Power season two represented a major improvement in the series. The writing’s just so much better, and honestly, its major problems are less the result of the current episodes and more creatures arising from season one plot-holes. I found episode three ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    1 week ago
  • Who should we thank for the defeat of the Nazis

    As a child in the 1950s, I thought the British had won the Second World War because that’s what all our comics said. Later on, the films and comics told me that the Americans won the war. In my late teens, I found out that the Soviet Union ...
    Open ParachuteBy Ken
    1 week ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #36 2024

    Open access notables Diurnal Temperature Range Trends Differ Below and Above the Melting Point, Pithan & Schatt, Geophysical Research Letters: The globally averaged diurnal temperature range (DTR) has shrunk since the mid-20th century, and climate models project further shrinking. Observations indicate a slowdown or reversal of this trend in recent decades. ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago
  • Join us for the weekly Hoon on YouTube Live at 5pm

    Photo by Jenny Bess on UnsplashCome and join us for our weekly ‘Hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm.Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream for our chat about the week’s news with special guests:5.00 pm - 5.10 pm - Bernard and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Media Link: Discussing the NZSIS Security Threat Report.

    I was interviewed by Mike Hosking at NewstalkZB and a few other media outlets about the NZSIS Security Threat Report released recently. I have long advocated for more transparency, accountability and oversight of the NZ Intelligence Community, and although the … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    1 week ago
  • How do I make this better for people who drive Ford Rangers?

    Home, home again to a long warm embrace. Plenty of reasons to be glad to be back.But also, reasons for dejection.You, yes you, Simeon Brown, you odious little oik, you bible thumping petrol-pandering ratfucker weasel. You would be Reason Number One. Well, maybe first among equals with Seymour and Of-Seymour ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago
  • A missed opportunity

    The government introduced a pretty big piece of constitutional legislation today: the Parliament Bill. But rather than the contentious constitutional change (four year terms) pushed by Labour, this merely consolidates the existing legislation covering Parliament - currently scattered across four different Acts - into one piece of legislation. While I ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago
  • Nicola Willis Seeks New Sidekick To Help Fix NZ’s Economy

    Synopsis:Nicola Willis is seeking a new Treasury Boss after Dr Caralee McLiesh’s tenure ends this month. She didn’t listen to McLiesh. Will she listen to the new one?And why is Atlas Network’s Taxpayers Union chiming in?Please consider subscribing or supporting my work. Thanks, Tui.About CaraleeAt the beginning of July, Newsroom ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 week ago
  • Inflation alive and kicking in our land of the long white monopolies

    The golden days of profit continue for the the Foodstuffs (Pak’n’Save and New World) and Woolworths supermarket duopoly. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMōrena. Long stories short; here’s my top six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Thursday, September 5:The Groceries Commissioner has ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The thermodynamics of electric vs. internal combustion cars

    This is a re-post from The Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler I love thermodynamics. Thermodynamics is like your mom: it may not tell you what you can do, but it damn well tells you what you can’t do. I’ve written a few previous posts that include thermodynamics, like one on air capture of ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago
  • Security Politics in Peripheral Democracies: Excerpt Three.

    The notion of geopolitical  “periphery.” The concept of periphery used here refers strictly to what can be called the geopolitical periphery. Being on the geopolitical periphery is an analytic virtue because it makes for more visible policy reform in response … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    1 week ago
  • Venus Hum

    Fill me up with soundThe world sings with me a million smiles an hourI can see me dancing on my radioI can hear you singing in the blades of grassYellow dandelions on my way to schoolBig Beautiful Sky!Song: Venus Hum.Good morning, all you lovely people, and welcome to the 700th ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • I Went to a Creed Concert

    Note: The audio attached to this Webworm compliments today’s newsletter. I collected it as I met people attending a Creed concert. Their opinions may differ to mine. Read more ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    1 week ago

  • Need and value at forefront of public service delivery

    New Cabinet policy directives will ensure public agencies prioritise public services on the basis of need and award Government contracts on the basis of public value, Minister for the Public Service Nicola Willis says. “Cabinet Office has today issued a circular to central government organisations setting out the Government’s expectations ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours ago
  • Minister to attend Police Ministers Council Meeting

    Police Minister Mark Mitchell will join with Australian Police Ministers and Commissioners at the Police Ministers Council meeting (PMC) today in Melbourne. “The council is an opportunity to come together to discuss a range of issues, gain valuable insights on areas of common interest, and different approaches towards law enforcement ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 hours ago
  • New Bill to crack down on youth vaping

    The coalition Government has introduced legislation to tackle youth vaping, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello announced today. “The Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Amendment Bill (No 2) is aimed at preventing youth vaping.  “While vaping has contributed to a significant fall in our smoking rates, the rise in youth vaping ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago
  • Interest in agricultural and horticultural products regulatory review welcomed

    Regulation Minister David Seymour, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds, and Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard have welcomed interest in the agricultural and horticultural products regulatory review. The review by the Ministry for Regulation is looking at how to speed up the process to get farmers and growers access to the safe, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Bill to allow online charity lotteries passes first reading

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government is moving at pace to ensure lotteries for charitable purposes are allowed to operate online permanently. Charities fundraising online, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust and local hospices will continue to do ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Tax exempt threshold changes to benefit startups

    Technology companies are among the startups which will benefit from increases to current thresholds of exempt employee share schemes, Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Revenue Minister Simon Watts say. Tax exempt thresholds for the schemes are increasing as part of the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2024-25, Emergency ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Getting the healthcare you need, when you need it

    The path to faster cancer treatment, an increase in immunisation rates, shorter stays in emergency departments and quick assessment and treatments when you are sick has been laid out today. Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has revealed details of how the ambitious health targets the Government has set will be ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Targeted supports to accelerate reading

    The coalition Government is delivering targeted and structured literacy supports to accelerate learning for struggling readers. From Term 1 2025, $33 million of funding for Reading Recovery and Early Literacy Support will be reprioritised to interventions which align with structured approaches to teaching. “Structured literacy will change the way children ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Survivors invited to Abuse in Care national apology

    With two months until the national apology to survivors of abuse in care, expressions of interest have opened for survivors wanting to attend. “The Prime Minister will deliver a national apology on Tuesday 12 November in Parliament. It will be a very significant day for survivors, their families, whānau and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Rangatahi inspire at Ngā Manu Kōrero final

    Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini kē - My success is not mine alone but is the from the strength of the many. Aotearoa New Zealand’s top young speakers are an inspiration for all New Zealanders to learn more about the depth and beauty conveyed ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Driving structured literacy in schools

    The coalition Government is driving confidence in reading and writing in the first years of schooling. “From the first time children step into the classroom, we’re equipping them and teachers with the tools they need to be brilliant in literacy. “From 1 October, schools and kura with Years 0-3 will receive ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Labour’s misleading information is disappointing

    Labour’s misinformation about firearms law is dangerous and disappointing, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee says.   “Labour and Ginny Andersen have repeatedly said over the past few days that the previous Labour Government completely banned semi-automatic firearms in 2019 and that the Coalition Government is planning to ‘reintroduce’ them.   ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Govt takes action on mpox response, widens access to vaccine

    The Government is taking immediate action on a number of steps around New Zealand’s response to mpox, including improving access to vaccine availability so people who need it can do so more easily, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti and Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. “Mpox is obviously a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Next steps agreed for Treaty Principles Bill

    Associate Justice Minister David Seymour says Cabinet has agreed to the next steps for the Treaty Principles Bill. “The Treaty Principles Bill provides an opportunity for Parliament, rather than the courts, to define the principles of the Treaty, including establishing that every person is equal before the law,” says Mr Seymour. “Parliament ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government unlocking potential of AI

    Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins today announced a programme to drive Artificial Intelligence (AI) uptake among New Zealand businesses. “The AI Activator will unlock the potential of AI for New Zealand businesses through a range of support, including access to AI research experts, technical assistance, AI tools and resources, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government releases Wairoa flood review findings

    The independent rapid review into the Wairoa flooding event on 26 June 2024 has been released, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown and Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced today. “We welcome the review’s findings and recommendations to strengthen Wairoa's resilience against future events,” Ms ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Promoting faster payment times for government

    The Government is sending a clear message to central government agencies that they must prioritise paying invoices in a timely manner, Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Andrew Bayly says. Data released today promotes transparency by publishing the payment times of each central government agency. This data will be published quarterly ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Acknowledgement to Kīngi Tuheitia speech

    E te māngai o te Whare Pāremata, kua riro māku te whakaputa i te waka ki waho moana. E te Pirimia tēnā koe.Mr Speaker, it is my privilege to take this adjournment kōrero forward.  Prime Minister – thank you for your leadership. Taupiri te maunga Waikato te awa Te Wherowhero ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Interim fix to GST adjustment rules to support businesses

    Inland Revenue can begin processing GST returns for businesses affected by a historic legislative drafting error, Revenue Minister Simon Watts says. “Inland Revenue has become aware of a legislative drafting error in the GST adjustment rules after changes were made in 2023 which were meant to simplify the process. This ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Strong uptake for cervical screening self-test

    More than 80 per cent of New Zealand women being tested have opted for a world-leading self-test for cervical screening since it became available a year ago. Minister of Health Dr Shane Reti and Associate Minister Casey Costello, in her responsibility for Women’s Health, say it’s fantastic to have such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Ministry for Regulation’s first Strategic Intentions document sets ambitious direction

    Regulation Minister David Seymour welcomes the Ministry for Regulation’s first Strategic Intentions document, which sets out how the Ministry will carry out its work and deliver on its purpose. “I have set up the Ministry for Regulation with three tasks. One, to cut existing red tape with sector reviews. Two, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Māori Education Advisory Group established

    The Education Minister has established a Māori Education Ministerial Advisory Group made up of experienced practitioners to help improve outcomes for Māori learners. “This group will provide independent advice on all matters related to Māori education in both English medium and Māori medium settings. It will focus on the most impactful ways we can lift ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government welcomes findings of NZ Superannuation Fund review

    The Government has welcomed the findings of the recent statutory review into the Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation and the New Zealand Superannuation Fund, Minister of Finance Nicola Willis says. The 5-yearly review, conducted on behalf of Treasury and tabled in Parliament today, found the Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
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  • First of five new Hercules aircraft takes flight

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