Todd’s MAGA hat

Written By: - Date published: 7:59 am, May 25th, 2020 - 119 comments
Categories: Amy Adams, election 2020, International, national, paula bennett, racism, same old national, spin, the praiseworthy and the pitiful, todd muller, us politics - Tags:

Todd Muller has spent the weekend talking about his aims and aspirations for the National Party.  No sorry that is a joke, he has been talking all weekend about his MAGA hat.

Sure it is something that an affectionado of American Politics would collect.  Like instruments of torture or a Klu Klux Clan hood.  But why would you display it?  And why when it was attracting attention would you let it dominate the discourse for the first weekend, the very time where all attention is on you and it is a chance to hopefully create a good impression.

And while I could understand an indifference on his part to the hat he should have realised that it has become a hated symbol, the modern symbol of white supremacy.  And when the Muslim Community urges you to put it away you would have to suffer from severe tone deafness not to hear their message.  From Amelia Wade at the New Zealand Herald:

Todd Muller’s Make America Great Again cap represents more than a trip to the United States and has no place being in his Parliamentary office, says a Muslim community leader.

Aliya Danzeisen of the Islamic Women’s Council said she understands it’s a souvenir, but the cap should be kept at home.

“That hat represents the denial of the freedom of beliefs. That hat represents the denial of minority voices. That hat represents the vitriol that has been harming that nation and has been harming the world for the last four years,” Danzeisen said.

“If he wants to be the Prime Minister of New Zealand it would be nice if he’d choose to display objects that represent the values of New Zealand.”

Todd then topped things off by, checks notes, suggesting that Donald Trump was not so bad and the Democrats were also to blame for the state of US politics.  From Dan Satherley at  Newshub:

Asked on Magic Talk’s Sunday Cafe show what he thought of Trump, Muller said he was making the US a more politically divided place.

But he said Trump’s rivals, the Democrats, are also to blame.

“Over the last 30 or 40 years it’s become more and more partisan, and I think that doesn’t work for the country as a whole. This is not an anti-Republican or anti-Democrat – I think both sides have built that partisanship to the level that it appears from the outside to be becoming quite destructive.”

Anyone who can think that the Democrats are to blame for the extreme evil that the Republicans have been practising on the United States during the time of Trump needs to have their compass recalibrated.

Todd tried to walk back his earlier comment by criticising Trump’s style rather than his substance but if anything has made things worse.  From Claire Trevett in this morning’s Herald:

“I’ve been asked directly do I support President Trump’s style, and I say ‘not at all’.

“I find his style of politics appalling.

“Hopefully they can understand I am a respectful person, and that my collection of political paraphernalia doesn’t in any way seek to align myself to any particular political positioning of any individuals offshore.”

So he does not like Trump’s style.  Does this mean he is ok about the substance of what Trump has been doing?  The abysmal way that Trump has handled the Covid epidemic, the trashing of Constitutional norms, the active voter suppression steps, the rewarding of his mates and the mass incarceration of people wanting a better life?

To add to his problems Mueller has announced that he is reshuffling the National Caucus list.  And some of the details have already been leaked.  It appears that Bridges may be on the outer.  And in a particularly brutal take down Paula Bennett’s safe list spot may be taken by Amy Adams.  Paula may not make it back into Parliament given National’s list seats will be a priority.

Those first few days are meant to set the tone for the term of a new leader’s role.  Lefties will be quite comfortable with the way that the public persona of Todd Muller is emerging.

119 comments on “Todd’s MAGA hat ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Heather 1
    25 May 2020 at 8:15 am

    A sad day in NZ politics, where a stale, pale, older boomer considers he will lead NZ as PM.

    His ideas are outdated, he has no concept that NZ wants a new way to move forward, we do not want to return to the conservative past he is outlining.

    Even to be discussing Trump and Trumps views, while establishing a picture of what kind of a man Muller is makes me very queasy.

    • xanthe 1.1
      25 May 2020 at 11:51 am

      Let me make my position absolutely clear. Should Jacinda lose the 2020 election to Todd It will be in large part due to those who set about using the old white male meme to attack him. stupid. stupid. self centered idiots.

      The only way to carry 2020 is relentless positivity and compassion. !

      • observer 1.1.1
        25 May 2020 at 1:35 pm

        The problem with that line is it lets the baddies off the hook.

        e.g.

        "You're a cold, heartless, blood-sucking, selfish destroyer of lives. Another old white male!"

        "Aha! No, my grandmother was part-Maori! So you're wrong, I can't be a cold, heartless, blood-sucking, etc, etc. I win!"

        Target missed.

    • woodart 1.2
      25 May 2020 at 1:22 pm

      as leader of nats, hopeing to be p.m. muller will have to wear many hats. but this one will follow him around forever now, with all its baggage. this is worse than brash walking the plank. huge own goal at first kickoff .

    • G unit 1.3
      25 May 2020 at 10:35 pm

      Since when is someone who's born in 1968 a boomer? (23 December 1968 to be exact)

      He's Gen X.

      If you're going to slag him off at least get your basic facts correct.

  2. Wayne 2
    25 May 2020 at 8:17 am

    Micky,

    This, and the other items on The Standard about Todd, shows a whiff of panic on the side of the Left. It is no longer such as an easy walk to victory for Labour as seemed to be the case less than a week ago.

    • mickysavage 2.1
      25 May 2020 at 8:24 am

      Thanks Wayne I have actually been comforted by Todd's performance so far. John Key was years in the making and had the benefit of extensive soft media and a good back story, poor state housing kid excels.

      Todd has none of this. I have followed the hat story for a few days now but did not think it relevant until he was criticised on Eid Mubarak by a representative of the Muslim community.

      And his Trump comments are bizarre.

      Key filled me with dread. Todd doesn't.

      • Bruce 2.1.1
        25 May 2020 at 8:53 am

        Spot on Micky, he is so stale pale and male. I think you really need to go through the new National Party list, his rumoured demotion of many of the ethnic list MPs other than his CCP mate and his refusal in the early days to share an office with Simon in Tauranga are telling.

    • lprent 2.2
      25 May 2020 at 8:26 am

      Huh? What other political stories are there in NZ right now?
      Not to mention that it is a bit unusual for the National party to fall apart like this.
      Deluded…

      • Wayne 2.2.1
        25 May 2020 at 9:03 am

        National hasn't fallen apart. It has chosen a new Leader. And from all the contacts that I have, I can tell you he is a pretty popular choice.

        Labour's spin on all this (by it supporters) to paint him a some sort of hard right racist misogynist will utterly fail.

        It is game on from here, and in your hearts you know that this is true.

        • lprent 2.2.1.1
          25 May 2020 at 10:05 am

          It is game on from here, and in your hearts you know that this is true.

          Oh I agree that he is probably much closer to the core of National than the small group around Simon Bridges. They were starting to exhibit the classic bunker mentality.

          My remarks were about the political wisdom of changing leadership (and apparently much of the shadow lineup) four months before an election. You might remember that I pointed out exactly the same thing when Little stood down and the Labour caucus put up Jacinda Ardern.

          The actual bounce was about 8% with an exceptional communicator. But Labour had potential coalition partners – which National appears to be lacking (apart from the dependent sock-puppet). So far Todd Who? doesn’t appear to be doing too well. FFS: caught up in a MAGA hat. That is a classic media pigfucker mistake.

          Labour’s spin on all this (by it supporters) to paint him a some sort of hard right racist misogynist will utterly fail.

          As far as I am aware, the highlighting about possible racism in the move have come from National supporters (like the one I quoted yesterday in my post). I actually ran across it on Kiwiblog with something that Farrar mentioned and which was highlighted by the National supporters on that site. They appear to be (like you) quite sensitive about it.

          It has come up across the writing from some of the ethnic communities. Like Godfrey and the Muslim community. I’m guessing that will be something that they will highlight if that is what shows up in the
          reshuffle. Similarly with women (which hasn’t been raised a lot yet).

          From my perspective, I suspect that National is more interested in shoring up their base vote. So I think that they will sacrifice some of the good work they have been doing to get out of the rich white man trap over the last decade. Which does get start getting interesting politically. So I’ll have a look at seeing just who the shadow positions go to.

          BTW: I fixed your handle up.

        • mac1 2.2.1.2
          25 May 2020 at 10:35 am

          Wayne, can you give us your version of the first gaffe that Muller made in my book which was to bring his family into the political discourse at his first media meeting with a joking but disparaging remark about familial discord and having two red-haired children. For me the issue is the casual stereotyping and the seeming unawareness of this, a lack of sensitivity, on Muller's part.

          • joe90 2.2.1.2.1
            25 May 2020 at 12:47 pm

            joking but disparaging remark about familial discord and having two red-haired children

            Bloodlines..?

            • Shanreagh 2.2.1.2.1.1
              25 May 2020 at 2:05 pm

              I think he said 'red-headed' children rather than 'red-haired'. His wife appears to have red hair. Normally it is a recessive gene. From large Scottish ancestry red haired clan myself with a about 10-15% each generation.

              • mac1 …
                25 May 2020 at 2:41 pm

                Shanreagh, the context was that family disputes were to be had in his family because he had a 'red-headed '(you are right) wife and children, said jokingly. There is a stereotype about redheads that they are prone to anger and bolshy, and stereotypes are socially divisive, and 'othering'.

                https://www.thelist.com/129859/the-truth-about-redheads/

                or, https://owlcation.com/humanities/Redheads-Myths–Legends–and-Famous-Red-Hair

                • Shanreagh …
                  25 May 2020 at 9:09 pm

                  I heard the reference and Oh dear as one of them, that stereotype by some has almost made me fit it at times! Sad that a husband/father needs to use this. Then you get it with the freckles or 'fly spots' that often go with the red hair.

                  There are other sorts of 'othering' or awareness of difference as well for red haired people…..many Drs know to be cautious around doses of drugs etc as an over sensitivity to some drugs is known in people who have the red hair and pale skin.

                  • mac1 …
                    25 May 2020 at 10:16 pm

                    I have just read the whole article, Shanreagh, rather than the first bit about stereotypical anger. Since I have a red-headed daughter and my wife is a red-head, then I too must have the recessive gene! I was not a red head, but fair though I was freckled and my beard was reddish. The rest of the article is therefore more revealing to me, if it is scientifically accurate. Temperature intolerance, pain receptivity, dopamine production, vit D production, skin cancer.

                    Not being an obvious MC1R recessive gene carrier, I didn't get the angry man accusations for being a redhead. I got that for being of Irish extraction! But not for being thick- instead I was bullied for being bright.

                    Hence my no doubt 🙂 MC1R induced high reactions to bullies, stereotypers and bigots. Being one of the 'others' is a help to developing empathy for those who are 'othered' by racism, misogyny, or the rest of the bigot's tatty arsenal.

                    Thanks for your reply that led me to this further understanding.

            • mac1 2.2.1.2.1.2
              25 May 2020 at 2:48 pm

              Trump talking about Henry Ford’s bloodlines?

              https://truthout.org/articles/trump-condemned-for-praising-noted-anti-semite-henry-fords-good-bloodlines/

              Trump, another stereotype purveyor, the man who brings us MAGA hats.

        • KJT 2.2.1.3
          25 May 2020 at 10:59 am

          "Misogynist" Muller has already done that to himself.

          "Rascist" yet to be seen if he is. But obviously behind some of the people that put him there.

          "Hard right". Doesn't matter if he has inclinations that way. National spin doctors are well aware that, as a minimum, they have to, at least pretend to have a social conscience. Any "hard right" tendencies will be well hidden, in public.

          Hard right policies, like privatising health, have to be done by stealth. Or National's votes would be at ACT levels.

          • I Feel Love 2.2.1.3.1
            25 May 2020 at 12:46 pm

            He started literally, as a clean slate, Todd Who? Now he's Todd the guy with the MAGA hat, it's even emboldened the scary righties, "burka & Killary" types.

            • observer 2.2.1.3.1.1
              25 May 2020 at 1:12 pm

              Yes, that's exactly right.

              It isn't part of some cunning, dastardly plan. I don't know why some on here always reach for the conspiracy when the simplest explanation is overwhelmingly probable.

              He doesn't get it, not because he's evil, but because he's a dick.

    • KJT 2.3
      25 May 2020 at 8:29 am

      You should be proud. Lies, born to rule arrogance and misogyny in his very first speech.

      Keeping up the National party tradition.

      Repeating the same bullshit over and over. Unfortunately for those of us who care about our children's future, it too often works.

      https://getpocket.com/explore/item/cognitive-ability-and-vulnerability-to-fake-news

      "For example, repeated over and over, a story such as the one about the Pope endorsing Trump can create a glow around a political candidate that persists long after the story is exposed as fake".

      We need to make at least three steps forward, to counter National propagandising their way back into power at some stage, and marching us backward.

      Fortunately Muller is unlikely to inspire. Yet another “Peter Principle” corporate drone.
      Most of us have already seen more of those than we would like, at work.

    • left_forward 2.4
      25 May 2020 at 8:38 am

      National seems to have indeed lanced its festering boil and has a choice now on its way forward.

      This conversation is far from desperate Wayne, its just a valid enquiry as to whether the poison has been entirely excised – it is National after all. Todd’s Trumpist badge of honour and response suggests that he is impressed by the toxic POTUS.

    • Robert Guyton 2.5
      25 May 2020 at 8:58 am

      Wayne, "the Left" would have reacted energetically to whom ever replaced Simon Bridges, because of the natural tension that builds around a desperate action such as a late-run de-capitation of a rival political party. You believe the coalition was experiencing "an easy walk to victory" with Simon in the leadership role, but that replacement Todd Muller has provoked panic immediately upon his selection, despite his having to spend his first few days defending a glaring fault in his behaviour and belief; an admiration for Trump and the coveting and ill-considered display of a politically charged icon of the American Right Wing?

      I

      don't

      think

      so.

      • gsays 2.5.1
        25 May 2020 at 9:18 am

        Good to see you back round these parts Robert.

        • Robert Guyton 2.5.1.1
          25 May 2020 at 9:40 am

          Thanks, gsays. I've found it's safer to talk politics-only around here; deeper ideas are much harder to present without creating warps in the fabric of conviviality. Todd's hat is a good one to kick around and only Wayne seems perturbed by the game smiley

    • ianmac 2.6
      25 May 2020 at 9:56 am

      Wayne. Reading between your lines is a hint of unease about the Stolid Todd.

    • aom 2.7
      25 May 2020 at 10:07 am

      No need for the 'left' to panic Wayne – Muller screwed up, danced on a pin-head and dissembled so often during his RNZ appearance with Kathryn Ryan that he is going to be toast the first time he has to face the PM in Parliament.

    • Anne 2.8
      25 May 2020 at 10:28 am

      Sorry Wayne it ain't panic. Its incredulity. That a man aspiring to be our PM thinks it is okay to prominently display a MAGA hat given all it now represents.

      Aliya Danzeisen of the Islamic Women’s Council says:

      “That hat represents the denial of the freedom of beliefs. That hat represents the denial of minority voices. That hat represents the vitriol that has been harming that nation and has been harming the world for the last four years,”

      Very well said.

      • Bg 2.8.1
        25 May 2020 at 11:22 am

        … and the Burka represents???

        • McFlock 2.8.1.1
          25 May 2020 at 11:39 am

          He had a burka on the shelf, too?

        • left_forward 2.8.1.2
          25 May 2020 at 12:44 pm

          I don't think that in this company Bigly, you will receive much support for a position that relies on your ignorance of another culture, even though you made a clever-boy connection. I assume that you don't have a clue what the burqa represents to muslim women, so it is up to you to find that out. But your passive aggressive question also suggests you already judge a culture you have no knowledge of, but still want to attack it and thus continue the harm that Islamic Women's Council has highlighted.

          So, it is a false equivalence, because we all know what the MAGA culture is about.

          • Bg 2.8.1.2.1
            25 May 2020 at 12:57 pm

            I know what the Burka represents alright, and so do you, or do you believe that we should both travel to Saudi Arabia to protest against female gentital mutalition and see where that gets us?

            Btw why are so many black people supporting Trump?

            • left_forward 2.8.1.2.1.1
              25 May 2020 at 1:52 pm

              No mate, you're on your own… in every respect.

            • McFlock 2.8.1.2.1.2
              25 May 2020 at 5:54 pm

              Heh – this tweet seems relevant:

              If you condemn this quintessential symbol of far-right white supremacist political populism then, ahahhahah, you must also condemn this widely worn piece of clothing linked religious faith on the grounds that some governments use it as a discriminatory tool. Fucking WOW.

  3. Anker 3
    25 May 2020 at 8:28 am

    Wayne, I am panicking because I see a guy talking a big talk “I will be PM” and threatening what we have achieved under this govt in terms of the eradication of Covid19 ie talking about opening up our boarder ASAP. He is either reckless and ignorant, or at a time of crisis trying to get votes from vulnerable industries such as tourism. And he’s spinning a big line about National being better for business, the evidence for which doesn’t exist. And then I see the MAGA hat. And you brushed it off earlier, but read and re-read this article and let it sink in. Not helped by muller saying he doesn’t like trumps style. But no critique of the substance.

    unfortunately when people are vulnerable as many are now they fall for the big guy, talking a big line. At least with Simon it felt like what you see is what you get

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12334259

  4. Adrian 4
    25 May 2020 at 8:32 am

    So advice selection is not one of his managerial strong points. Matthew Hooten FFS !
    I can see a tone deaf wreck on the way.

  5. Tricledrown 5
    25 May 2020 at 8:46 am

    Muler opening our border to China when China have shown they were covering up the numbers of Covid 19 infections and deaths.

    Until we can be assured China is telling the truth ,with the outbreak of covid 19 in Northern China there has been no news on the numbers of cases in this region I would be very suspicious of the CCP and their NZ propaganda arm the National Party.

    • Graeme 5.1
      25 May 2020 at 9:10 am

      If we open our border to China prematurely the US border to us will be closed for a very long time.

      Todd’s thinking on this is a little shallow and appears focused on very short term political considerations. He’s going to run into a conflict between US and Chinese interests very soon.

    • gsays 5.2
      25 May 2020 at 9:22 am

      The notion that Bridges was the only one delivering on behalf of big $ donations from China can be kicked to touch.

      When Muller opined that China would be one of the first countries we open the border to, I did a double take at the tranny.

      • woodart 5.2.1
        25 May 2020 at 9:35 am

        doesnt matter who is driving the nats bus nowdays. it goes where the beijing office wants . kiwis who think the nat party is for them (farmers, small business, etc) are deluding themselves. todd who might display american political icons, but will be under no illusion that the jade dragon has the power.

        • Robert Guyton 5.2.1.1
          25 May 2020 at 9:44 am

          Also on Todd's trophy-shelf, Chinese liquor.

          • Jiggy Jones 5.2.1.1.1
            25 May 2020 at 10:26 am

            Absolutely. More than one bottle. Those shelves deserve a forensic study…

            His comments re: water are deeply concerning. As are his pathetic attempts to take credit for emissions concessions. He worked against the bill.

            • ianmac 5.2.1.1.1.1
              25 May 2020 at 10:55 am

              "He worked against this Bill"

              My thoughts too. Stolid Todd worked hard to get the Bill as small/light as possible – and succeeded.

          • Dennis Frank 5.2.1.1.2
            25 May 2020 at 11:12 am

            And what about those Hilary Clinton buttons I keep hearing the mention of?? A dead give-away of hard-right loyalties… 🤑

  6. I Feel Love 6
    25 May 2020 at 8:51 am

    Re the hat, it's doesn't symbolise "inclusiveness" does it? I'm a war buff, I have a U Boat uniform from my NZ Navy grandfather (my family is old navy), if I were seeking a public leadership role I wouldn't bloody display it. He's made a mistake, dog whistling to the loony right, he's alienating the soft centre, which is fine by me.

  7. John G 7
    25 May 2020 at 9:10 am

    Is it just me or is there an obvious problem that the Nat party can't or won't see.

    Don Brash – conservative christian ( not 100% sure on that but his father was a minister)

    John Key – no obvious religious conviction

    Bill English- Conservative christian

    Simon Bridges- Conservative christian

    Todd Muller – Conservative christian

    Christopher Luxon- Conservative christian

    Obviously can't say yet about Muller or Luxon, but all have been rejected by the electorate except Key.

    What's that about the separation of church and state ?

  8. barry 8
    25 May 2020 at 9:15 am

    The Maga hat is a lightning rod for the left, which is what is designed to be. While we are looking at the hat his hands will be picking our pockets.

    As for the trumpians and the democrats – "you also had people that were very fine people, on both sides.".

    • I Feel Love 8.1
      25 May 2020 at 9:19 am

      The hat isn't just a "lightning rod" for the left.

    • Gristle 8.2
      25 May 2020 at 9:54 am

      Anybody who tries to push a model that Labour=Democrats and National=GOP have a bad understanding of the political landscapes. Republican policies tend to be right of ACT (and whatever Christian party is operatic g today.) Whereas most National MPs would feel right at home in the Democratic Party.

      So if Muller supports Trump's substance then we've got another wolf in sheep's clothing.

      • Grumpy 8.2.1
        25 May 2020 at 1:00 pm

        Good comment of where the US Democrat Party would fit in our politics. Even more incredible when Clinton is thought of as "left". Most US politicians would fit into National, especially the Clintons, Biden, Pelosi, Feinstein etc….

  9. Dennis Frank 9
    25 May 2020 at 10:07 am

    Anyone who can think that the Democrats are to blame for the extreme evil that the Republicans have been practising on the United States during the time of Trump needs to have their compass recalibrated.

    You really can't tell the difference between tribalism & evil?? Unwillingness to acknowledge that the Dems share responsibility for co-creating the partisan divide there signals that you intend to allow your partisan stance to prevent you from seeing things from a dispassionate, balanced perspective. Being realistic becomes impossible.

    "Lefties will be quite comfortable with the way that the public persona of Todd Muller is emerging." Understandable – taking refuge in delusions is a traditional lefty thing.

    Apart from those two points I share your distaste, as expressed, on a feeling level. The MAGA hat symbolises nationalism. The National Party was nationalist (a refuge for closet fascists) before it became liberal, so using it as a symbol for his connection to rural Aotearoa is sensible politics. Making rabid leftists salivate like Pavlov's dog seems an unanticipated consequence – but icing on the cake for him.

    • left_forward 9.1
      25 May 2020 at 1:04 pm

      Pavlov's dog salivated because it knew it was going to get a food reward, not because it was baying to attack.

      The MAGA hat represents Trumpism, a concept that goes way beyond nationalism. It incorporates corruption, absolutism, anti-science, mysogyny, racism, anti-truth, and so on… all undesirable values that nobody of sane mind would want to see infiltrating into NZ politics.

      For a truly balanced perspective, you would not minimise what the hat symbolises.

    • patricia 9.2
      25 May 2020 at 2:01 pm

      His casual brushing aside the upset expressed by the Muslim community was telling.

      He more or less said there was no problem with the hat because of …"context",

      So, the context being "He" owned it as a trophy made it ok?

      The "tin ear" was passed over with the National Party Leadership role it seems

      I thought he didn't do "opposition for oppositions" sake?

      • Dennis Frank 9.2.1
        25 May 2020 at 2:23 pm

        Seeing things from the point of view of others is never easy – for anybody. Nobody would expect any Nat leader to be empathic: tribalism ensures that empathic Nats never emerge as leadership contenders!

        Nats have a political culture based on entitlement due to tradition & vested interests – minority groups are normally viewed either as an irritant to be marginalised or a tedious irrelevance to be ignored.

        We will see, given time, if he can transcend such tribalism. A natural leader will evolve as an individual from experience in any status situation – statesmen (and stateswomen) emerge (rarely) after becoming adept at representing an entire populace as well as their original tribal base. Jacinda has that, right?

        Re being oppositional, I suggest reserving judgment awhile. Balancing the common good with catering to his tribal base will be a severe test for him.

  10. AB 10
    25 May 2020 at 10:28 am

    I'm not sure that the MAGA hat will have much impact outside a circle of people who detest the Nats anyway. I would tend to regard collecting paraphernalia as more dweeby than a sign of malevolence. For me it tends to reinforce how uninteresting and unoriginal he is – rather than him being any sort of wolf in sheep's clothing. To me he's coming across as a dull, but imposing, bully – a backward-looking arse-kicker who represents a vision that I hope enough of us want to leave behind.

    • tc 10.1
      25 May 2020 at 12:45 pm

      Agreed, just a blokey array of trinkets he should've kept in his pool room.

      Judgement fail assuming he cares, don't think he does as you say and he's got a fluffy onside media with the usual cheerleaders to take care of 'perception' anyway.

      Like Wayne's defence of it on TS said, he was being recognised as an up and comer so in that sense he's now arrived.

  11. RRM 11
    25 May 2020 at 10:45 am

    Todd's MAGA hat that has a Killary badge on the side of it?

    The Media Party hates all National Party leaders equally. He is just bringing this out into the open.

    Don't let this distract you from the fact that Golriz posed for selfies with Rwandan genocide criminals.

    • Dennis Frank 11.1
      25 May 2020 at 11:15 am

      Only one, that I saw. One swallow does not make a summer, as the Brits say…

      • Grumpy 11.1.1
        25 May 2020 at 1:04 pm

        …….but the one who was a MAGA genocidal war criminal, not so much a swallow as a gulp!

        So Greens support black genocide? Really? Just as illogical as claiming Muller supports Trump but even if he did, so do 50% of American voters.

    • observer 12.1
      25 May 2020 at 12:33 pm

      That's barely even a take. It's a primary school essay (C-) mixed with a 3 a..m talkback call.

      Zero understanding of the word 'persecution', that's for sure.

      • McFlock 12.1.1
        25 May 2020 at 12:44 pm

        Or that the MAGA hat literally represents the persecution of women, people of colour, and queer folk. Look at the policies enacted to "maga", and the actions of the yanks who wear it.

        • Grumpy 12.1.1.1
          25 May 2020 at 1:08 pm

          That's a rather long bow. The Trump administration seems to have a rather large proportion of "…women, people of colour and queer folk…"

          You comment seems to have a bit of Biden's claim that if you dont vote for him "you ain"t black"

          • McFlock 12.1.1.1.1
            25 May 2020 at 1:21 pm

            I mean, I could point to things like:

            • Muslim ban.
            • DACA.
            • ICE detentions (and conditions, and child kidnappings).
            • Abortion rights.
            • Trans rights.
            • Queer rights.

            But if you don't know about them already, you're wilfully avoiding them.

          • left_forward 12.1.1.1.2
            25 May 2020 at 1:35 pm

            What is the source of your info Grumpy, or does 'seems to have' infer a conveniently hidden truth. Why would such people want to work for Trump when he promotes policies and groups that harm their own? Sycophants perhaps?

            • Grumpy 12.1.1.1.2.1
              25 May 2020 at 1:56 pm

              Several very high profile appointees fit those categories. Richard Grenell and Ben Carson are obvious examples.

              What policies does he promote that harm their own? Trump is recognised as a social liberal, indeed it has always been assumed that if he ran for office it would be as a Democrat rather than a Republican.

              • observer …
                25 May 2020 at 2:01 pm

                Obviously nobody thinks he is a social liberal. I assume you don't either. I would give you a link but it's hard to link to all the news, from 4 years of Trump. It would break the site.

                Start with the Supreme Court.

    • RedBaronCV 12.2
      25 May 2020 at 12:58 pm

      I thought they were shallow comments. Owning/displaying this stuff signals to others that their beliefs are okay and that they may wish to act on them.

      And Ryan looks like quite a young guy but plenty of people somewhat older, a lot of them women, will remember people ( particularly old white male men who dominate parliament) busy stuffing their beliefs down others throats. So a lot of people are wary

      • Chris T 12.2.1
        25 May 2020 at 1:49 pm

        "I thought they were shallow comments. Owning/displaying this stuff signals to others that their beliefs are okay and that they may wish to act on them."

        Thought it signaled he owns a US political souvenir hat, to go alongside his H Clinton badges.

        • observer 12.2.1.1
          25 May 2020 at 1:58 pm

          And when asked about he did indeed use the "both sides" line …

          "Asked on Magic Talk's Sunday Cafe show what he thought of Trump, Muller said he was making the US a more politically divided place. But he said Trump's rivals, the Democrats, are also to blame.

          "Over the last 30 or 40 years it's become more and more partisan, and I think that doesn't work for the country as a whole. This is not an anti-Republican or anti-Democrat – I think both sides have built that partisanship to the level that it appears from the outside to be becoming quite destructive."

          That's exactly the problem. He thinks "both sides" is balanced. Trump = not Trump. The NZ public overwhelmingly don't. Even National voters don't.

          • Chris T 12.2.1.1.1
            25 May 2020 at 2:17 pm

            Personally think you are reading a bit to much into what he is saying, but there you go.

            To me that reads as Trump is divisive, but the attitude of the Dems should also take blame.

            Missing where you are getting the whole "Balanced" both as bad as each other thing from.

  13. Shanreagh 13
    25 May 2020 at 11:49 am

    No matter where Todd Muller ends up, if he aspires further without being distracted by foot in mouth aspects like the MAGA hat he needs staff who will say 'hey boss, not sure that hat is a good look' and he needs to be open enough to accept their wisdom. Having been in the situation of advising 2 Ministers (lab/nat) on issues like these in a previous life I would have suggested he take all of his overseas souvenirs down and put them away and leave only ones that involve NZ ie meeting NZ people, opening NZ firms & a few of his family.

    Not sure if he has got this, or will give his staff licence to do this. Many managers feel threatened by this. He does not seem to be able to work it out for himself.

    On the other hand if the electorate was not already beaten about by his lack of awareness on social issues, ie being guided by his church, this glimpse of a not so personable individual gives us all a warning.

    He seems a klutz but then as they say many of his electorates would vote for a dog sitting on a letterbox if it had a blue ribbon around its neck.

    Klutz

    1) a foolishly clumsy person, or (2) a stupid person, especially one who is socially inept

    It won't worry the 'once over lightly Nats' but it will worry some of them who work on a more principled approach.

    I am glad we have had this brief glimpse though.

    If he doesn’t get someone we will have more ‘foot in mouth’ to look forward to.

    • I Feel Love 13.1
      25 May 2020 at 1:16 pm

      Good comment, and my take too.

    • patricia 13.2
      25 May 2020 at 2:11 pm

      I would add that he doesn't appear to consider other points of view. Some of his statements were full of ego and hubris.

  14. observer 14
    25 May 2020 at 12:55 pm

    It's not that he's some closet white supremacist. It's a revealing indication of his complete lack of awareness.

    Let's play a game. You are an ambitious politician. You start plotting to become leader, weeks ago (we now know this was true for Muller). You have one huge advantage – no baggage.

    In fact, every single leader of the opposition in modern history had more baggage than you. They were ex-Ministers or high profile or had a back story (good or bad). Shearer was probably the least known, but even he had already been named NZer of the year.

    So you take 5 minutes to think about anything that might become baggage. You check your social media posts, make sure you haven't had a drunken rant in the distant past. If you got done for trying weed 30 years ago, you fess up. Get it out of the way. Better from you than from a "gotcha" reporter. It won't hurt you politically. You don't need some mysterious adviser to tell you this. It's obvious.

    Then you look around your office and see the MAGA hat. (In fact you see it every day).

    Which of the following do you immediately understand?

    1) It looks bad. Get rid.

    2) It won't matter.

    If you choose #1 then you understand how politics works.

    If you choose #2 you are Todd Muller. Clueless.

    And if you still don't understand, then look up some useful chapters in your guidebook, "Politics For Dummies". The one Hooton gave you to read. Headings include "Opportunity Cost", "Set the Agenda", "Explaining is Losing", etc, etc.

    • ianmac 14.1
      25 May 2020 at 1:58 pm

      Stolid Todd said his MAGA hat will go with him to his new office. If he does the poor judgement.

      If he leaves it at home then he really had something to hide. Or something.

      • observer 14.1.1
        25 May 2020 at 2:07 pm

        I imagine Hooton or Kaye will be whispering in his ear "For god's sake, kill the story!".

        That's why people who say it doesn't matter are so wrong. It's a character test. We will find out how stubborn he is. Mistakes aren't fatal, until you dig in and defend.

  15. Sanctuary 15
    25 May 2020 at 12:56 pm

    Todd has no chance. His ruthless demotions of Bridges and Bennett – when rumour has it has win was razor thin – and the ambitions of Collins means he will be white anted and under mined for the next three months, pending a blood letting once they lose.

    The other hing is this. Labour lost “middle New Zealand” for over a decade thanks to the lazy arrogance of Sue Bradford and the Greens in the section 59 debacle. Those voters seem to have shifted back to Labour due to COVID-19, and it is entirely possible it will take National a decade to win them back.

    • left_forward 15.1
      25 May 2020 at 1:25 pm

      The other hing? Do you mean when the nation woke up from its long slumber into the realisation that we will not punish or threaten our children with violence, particularly as when we say, we love them?

      If you are still back there Sanctuary, then your view of what has happened since will be skewed.

    • solkta 15.2
      25 May 2020 at 7:54 pm

      Funny how that issue supposedly chased punters to National when John Key and most of National also supported that legislation, it passed 113 votes to 8.

  17. Treetop 17
    25 May 2020 at 1:59 pm

    I want to see and hear how Muller goes in the debating chamber and during question time. Also how the displaced National MPs behave.

    Will someone be stupid enough to ask a question about the MAGA hat?

    • observer 17.1
      25 May 2020 at 2:11 pm

      Ardern doesn't do dirty, but she could have some fun with it. Answering a Q about anything really …

      "Well, Mr Speaker, wearing my Prime Minister's hat, I would say … "

      "I welcome the new leader of the opposition, who threw his hat in the ring …"

  18. observer 18
    25 May 2020 at 2:42 pm

    Muller just held a press conference announcing his new (old) team. So of course he gets questions about the hat. Not what he wanted to talk about. Reduced to saying "I've never worn it". Yes, that's a direct quote.

    (Are you starting to understand now, Todd? This is not a business meeting, where you decide the agenda. Better learn fast).

  19. Robert Guyton 19
    25 May 2020 at 2:47 pm

    They'll be rueing the Trump-hat. There is no upside to it. The stratedgy now is to muddy the waters, talk their way out of it. Every forum that features the hat now provides the chance for them to smudge the primary reaction: using soothing words, splitting hairs, dancing on pin-heads and so forth and so on. It's how damage is reduced these days.

  20. Robert Guyton 20
    25 May 2020 at 2:50 pm

    I think they're preparing Nicola Willis for the top job, when it becomes certain that no one can challenge Jacinda.

  21. Tricledrown 21
    25 May 2020 at 2:56 pm

    Let's not get carried away 120 days till election night people will be feeling the pinch by then.

    No MMP election has delivered a landslide.

    • observer 21.1
      25 May 2020 at 3:04 pm

      It won't be a landslide. If Labour and the Greens have a working majority together, say 55 + 10, I'd be delighted.

  22. Jackel 22
    25 May 2020 at 5:15 pm

    What sort of dick collects American political memorabilia. Oh, that's right he's in the National party, that would explain it. I'm definitely getting rid of my MANGA, make angry nats go away, hat as I'm not sure of it's meaning or cultural context.

  23. James B 23
    25 May 2020 at 5:58 pm

    Well at least you have your very own, home grown Todd Derangement Syndrome now…lol (well at least on the left)

    I have been coming here daily for years, as I do really enjoy many of the regulars comments and the topics. I seldom comment as if you disagree here you will get nailed to the post, more often than not. It’s can be the left’s echo chamber, except for the Greens here balancing out the left.

    However I feel many of you accuse the right of dirty, nasty, personal attacks, then do it daily here to anyone you disagree with or worse if they are anything right of labour, especially politicians …. Playing the man/woman and not the ball. But its ok when the left do it!

    You talk a big game, following our Prime ministers “kindness” but spewing vile crap about anyone who thinks differently. Its just the same (in relation to the MAGA cap) as the right calling Jacinda a communist because she was chanting “comrade” at a rally… it’s just bullshit.

    Regardless I will still visit every day as I can't help myself"lol, just I do with KB and TDB.

    • Robert Guyton 23.1
      25 May 2020 at 6:14 pm

      Comments here about Todd Muller's MAGA cap are "vile crap"?

    • I Feel Love 23.2
      25 May 2020 at 6:46 pm

      "chanted" "comrade" "rally", bullshit, nice try though.

      & the hat is vile, Larry David did an episode of his show where he'd wear it as a form of social distancing, very funny.

      • James B 23.2.1
        25 May 2020 at 7:09 pm

        If he starts playing out the Trump play book then he's toast anyway, "but as soon as he spoke folks here just started piling on… mind you its half reason I come here lol..

        • I Feel Love 23.2.1.1
          25 May 2020 at 7:35 pm

          uNo they didn't actually, the first few days, a lot of comments were "he speaks well", check back, coz to be fair he hasn't really said much of substance, the MAGA hat filled that void. Not much "vile crap" at all, care to recant "chanting comrade rally" or link to said "rally"? & “lol” reminds me of another commenter who always ended with “lol”.

    • McFlock 23.3
      25 May 2020 at 8:14 pm

      "~ Derangement Syndrome" is getting as tired as "~gate".

  24. lebleaux 24
    26 May 2020 at 11:40 am

    "I have been coming here daily for years, as I do really enjoy many of the regulars comments and the topics. I seldom comment as if you disagree here you will get nailed to the post, more often than not. It’s can be the left’s echo chamber, except for the Greens here balancing out the left."

    I thought it was just me who came here for entertainment, but it appears I have a friend in James B.

    All this talk of a hat has made me somewhat introspective. I have a couple of brass artillery shell cases – does that make me a war-mongering baby killer – nope, merely the holder of a souvenir that one of my parents purloined 60 years ago. I have a pewter letter opener with a handle in the shape of a platypus – does this make me environment trasher who appropriates other peoples culture – nope it makes me the recipient of a souvenir that was given to me following the presentation of a paper at the Melbourne Convention Centre. What I don't have is a MAGA hat. This is because, or so it appears, that the outrage expressed has made Make Ardern Go Away hats very difficult to come by.

    Enjoy.

    • observer 24.1
      26 May 2020 at 11:44 am

      Everyone's moved on, but thank you for keeping the hat story alive.

      86% do not want Ardern to Go Away. Enjoy that.

      • I Feel Love 24.1.1
        26 May 2020 at 10:06 pm

        New team of Nats, new team of trolls (I've been lurking for years), surely just a coincidence…

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • Bernard’s Saturday Soliloquy for the week to July 27

    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 27 were:1. The Minister for Ford Rangers strikes againTransport Minister Simeon Brown was again the busiest of the Cabinet ministers this week, announcing an ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 mins ago
  • Ticket To Anywhere

    You got a fast carAnd I want a ticket to anywhereMaybe we make a dealMaybe together we can get somewhereAny place is betterYesterday’s newsletter, Trust In Me, on the report of abuse in state care, and by religious organisations, between 1950 and 2019, coupled with the hypocrisy of Christopher Luxon ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    47 mins ago
  • Stories of varying weight

    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 hours ago
  • Balancing External Security and the Economy

    New Zealand is again having to reconcile conflicting pressures from its military and its trade interests. Should we join Pillar Two of AUKUS and risk compromising our markets in China? For a century after New Zealand was founded in 1840, its external security arrangements and external economics arrangements were aligned. ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    18 hours ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: The unravelling of the offsets

    The ‘50 Shades of Green’ farmers’ protest in 2019 was heavy on climate change denial, but five years on, scepticism and criticism about the idea that pine forests can save us is growing across the board. File photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s the top six news items of note in climate ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    23 hours ago
  • What makes us tick

    This morning the sky was bright.The birds, in their usual joyous bliss. Nature doesn’t seem to feel the heat of what might angst humans.Their calls are clear and beautiful.Just some random thoughts:MāoriPaul Goldsmith has announced his government will roll back the judiciary’s rulings on Māori Customary Marine Title, which recognises ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    24 hours ago
  • Foreshore and seabed 2.0

    In 2003, the Court of Appeal delivered its decision in Ngati Apa v Attorney-General, ruling that Māori customary title over the foreshore and seabed had not been universally extinguished, and that the Māori Land Court could determine claims and confirm title if the facts supported it. This kicked off the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the Royal Commission report into abuse in care

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    He aha te kai a te rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the aspirations of Ngāti Maniapoto, Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka says. “My thanks to Te Nehenehenui Trust – Ngāti Maniapoto for bringing their important kōrero to a ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Transport Minister thanks outgoing CAA Chair

    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has thanked outgoing Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority, Janice Fredric, for her service to the board.“I have received Ms Fredric’s resignation from the role of Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority,” Mr Brown says.“On behalf of the Government, I want to thank Ms Fredric for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Test for Customary Marine Title being restored

    The Government is proposing legislation to overturn a Court of Appeal decision and amend the Marine and Coastal Area Act in order to restore Parliament’s test for Customary Marine Title, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says.  “Section 58 required an applicant group to prove they have exclusively used and occupied ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Opposition united in bad faith over ECE sector review

    Regulation Minister David Seymour says that opposition parties have united in bad faith, opposing what they claim are ‘dangerous changes’ to the Early Childhood Education sector, despite no changes even being proposed yet.  “Issues with affordability and availability of early childhood education, and the complexity of its regulation, has led ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Kiwis having their say on first regulatory review

    After receiving more than 740 submissions in the first 20 days, Regulation Minister David Seymour is asking the Ministry for Regulation to extend engagement on the early childhood education regulation review by an extra two weeks.  “The level of interest has been very high, and from the conversations I’ve been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government upgrading Lower North Island commuter rail

    The Coalition Government is investing $802.9 million into the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines as part of a funding agreement with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), KiwiRail, and the Greater Wellington and Horizons Regional Councils to deliver more reliable services for commuters in the lower North Island, Transport Minister Simeon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government moves to ensure flood protection for Wairoa

    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced his intention to appoint a Crown Manager to both Hawke’s Bay Regional and Wairoa District Councils to speed up the delivery of flood protection work in Wairoa."Recent severe weather events in Wairoa this year, combined with damage from Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 have ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM speech to Parliament – Royal Commission of Inquiry’s Report into Abuse in Care

    Mr Speaker, this is a day that many New Zealanders who were abused in State care never thought would come. It’s the day that this Parliament accepts, with deep sorrow and regret, the Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.  At the heart of this report are the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges torture at Lake Alice

    For the first time, the Government is formally acknowledging some children and young people at Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital experienced torture. The final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care “Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light,” was tabled in Parliament ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges courageous abuse survivors

    The Government has acknowledged the nearly 2,400 courageous survivors who shared their experiences during the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care. The final report from the largest and most complex public inquiry ever held in New Zealand, the Royal Commission Inquiry “Whanaketia – through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Half a million people use tax calculator

    With a week to go before hard-working New Zealanders see personal income tax relief for the first time in fourteen years, 513,000 people have used the Budget tax calculator to see how much they will benefit, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “Tax relief is long overdue. From next Wednesday, personal income ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Paid Parental Leave improvements pass first reading

    Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says a bill that has passed its first reading will improve parental leave settings and give non-biological parents more flexibility as primary carer for their child. The Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill (No3), passed its first reading this morning. “It includes a change ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Rebuilding the economy through better regulation

    Two Bills designed to improve regulation and make it easier to do business have passed their first reading in Parliament, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. The Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Bill and Regulatory Systems (Immigration and Workforce) Amendment Bill make key changes to legislation administered by the Ministry ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • ‘Open banking’ and ‘open electricity’ on the way

    New legislation paves the way for greater competition in sectors such as banking and electricity, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Competitive markets boost productivity, create employment opportunities and lift living standards. To support competition, we need good quality regulation but, unfortunately, a recent OECD report ranked New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Charity lotteries to be permitted to operate online

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says lotteries for charitable purposes, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, and local hospices, will soon be allowed to operate online permanently. “Under current laws, these fundraising lotteries are only allowed to operate online until October 2024, after which ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Accelerating Northland Expressway

    The Coalition Government is accelerating work on the new four-lane expressway between Auckland and Whangārei as part of its Roads of National Significance programme, with an accelerated delivery model to deliver this project faster and more efficiently, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “For too long, the lack of resilient transport connections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Sir Don to travel to Viet Nam as special envoy

    Sir Don McKinnon will travel to Viet Nam this week as a Special Envoy of the Government, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.    “It is important that the Government give due recognition to the significant contributions that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made to New Zealand-Viet Nam relations,” Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Grant Illingworth KC appointed as transitional Commissioner to Royal Commission

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says newly appointed Commissioner, Grant Illingworth KC, will help deliver the report for the first phase of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons, due on 28 November 2024.  “I am pleased to announce that Mr Illingworth will commence his appointment as ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ to advance relationships with ASEAN partners

    Foreign Minister Winston Peters travels to Laos this week to participate in a series of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-led Ministerial meetings in Vientiane.    “ASEAN plays an important role in supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Mr Peters says.   “This will be our third visit to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Backing mental health services on the West Coast

    Construction of a new mental health facility at Te Nikau Grey Hospital in Greymouth is today one step closer, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “This $27 million facility shows this Government is delivering on its promise to boost mental health care and improve front line services,” Mr Doocey says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ support for sustainable Pacific fisheries

    New Zealand is committing nearly $50 million to a package supporting sustainable Pacific fisheries development over the next four years, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones announced today. “This support consisting of a range of initiatives demonstrates New Zealand’s commitment to assisting our Pacific partners ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Students’ needs at centre of new charter school adjustments

    Associate Education Minister David Seymour says proposed changes to the Education and Training Amendment Bill will ensure charter schools have more flexibility to negotiate employment agreements and are equipped with the right teaching resources. “Cabinet has agreed to progress an amendment which means unions will not be able to initiate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Commissioner replaces Health NZ Board

    In response to serious concerns around oversight, overspend and a significant deterioration in financial outlook, the Board of Health New Zealand will be replaced with a Commissioner, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti announced today.  “The previous government’s botched health reforms have created significant financial challenges at Health NZ that, without ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister to speak at Australian Space Forum

    Minister for Space and Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins will travel to Adelaide tomorrow for space and science engagements, including speaking at the Australian Space Forum.  While there she will also have meetings and visits with a focus on space, biotechnology and innovation.  “New Zealand has a thriving space ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Climate Change Minister to attend climate action meeting in China

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts will travel to China on Saturday to attend the Ministerial on Climate Action meeting held in Wuhan.  “Attending the Ministerial on Climate Action is an opportunity to advocate for New Zealand climate priorities and engage with our key partners on climate action,” Mr Watts says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Oceans and Fisheries Minister to Solomons

    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is travelling to the Solomon Islands tomorrow for meetings with his counterparts from around the Pacific supporting collective management of the region’s fisheries. The 23rd Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Committee and the 5th Regional Fisheries Ministers’ Meeting in Honiara from 23 to 26 July ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Government launches Military Style Academy Pilot

    The Government today launched the Military Style Academy Pilot at Te Au rere a te Tonga Youth Justice residence in Palmerston North, an important part of the Government’s plan to crackdown on youth crime and getting youth offenders back on track, Minister for Children, Karen Chhour said today. “On the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Nine priority bridge replacements to get underway

    The Government has welcomed news the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has begun work to replace nine priority bridges across the country to ensure our state highway network remains resilient, reliable, and efficient for road users, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“Increasing productivity and economic growth is a key priority for the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Update on global IT outage

    Acting Prime Minister David Seymour has been in contact throughout the evening with senior officials who have coordinated a whole of government response to the global IT outage and can provide an update. The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has designated the National Emergency Management Agency as the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New Zealand, Japan renew Pacific partnership

    New Zealand and Japan will continue to step up their shared engagement with the Pacific, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “New Zealand and Japan have a strong, shared interest in a free, open and stable Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says.    “We are pleased to be finding more ways ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New infrastructure energises BOP forestry towns

    New developments in the heart of North Island forestry country will reinvigorate their communities and boost economic development, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones visited Kaingaroa and Kawerau in Bay of Plenty today to open a landmark community centre in the former and a new connecting road in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • 'Pacific Futures'

    President Adeang, fellow Ministers, honourable Diet Member Horii, Ambassadors, distinguished guests.    Minasama, konnichiwa, and good afternoon, everyone.    Distinguished guests, it’s a pleasure to be here with you today to talk about New Zealand’s foreign policy reset, the reasons for it, the values that underpin it, and how it ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-07-27T00:32:15+00:00