Trade retaliation

Written By: - Date published: 1:21 pm, August 3rd, 2016 - 50 comments
Categories: China, exports, john key, national, trade, useless - Tags: , , , , ,

McClay and Key have made a total mess of the Chinese steel fiasco:

Gordon Campbell on Todd McClay’s faulty memory
…
As NZF leader Winston Peters was saying yesterday, McClay’s obvious difficulty in getting his story straight is part of a wider credibility problem with this government. Time and again, whenever an issue arises the initial response by government is to deny or diminish the problem – nothing to worry about here, everything’s OK, move on. In McClay’s initial version, China’s threat to retaliate if we pursue dumping allegations over their steel was only ‘hypothetical’ – and was intimated to be a media creation that people shouldn’t take seriously.

Then, hang on. In line with the usual pattern, as embarrassing details emerged into daylight, the story changed. Oh, McClay had somehow ‘forgotten’ he was briefed on this issue only a week beforehand. Then, a bit later: oh, actually MFAT has been working on this issue for the past few months. Over which period, supposedly neither McClay and/or officials had thought to adequately brief Prime Minister John Key. McClay has apologised to the PM for that alleged lapse.

It has been a classic protect-the-leader response. Note: McClay apologized to Key for exposing him to criticism, and not to the New Zealand public for repeatedly misleading them. That’s the first rule in these kind of scandals: protect the leader at all costs.
…
Currently, the Key government is still locked in re-assurance mode. Allegedly, no threat of retaliation by the Chinese exists …

Well then, what a strange coincidence:

Zespri confirms Chinese officials issue risk notice over kiwifruit

Chinese authorities have followed through on their controversial threats to clamp down on imports of kiwifruit into the country.

It comes after China threatened to slow down New Zealand dairy, wool and kiwifruit exports, to retaliate against New Zealand for initiating a preliminary inquiry into cheap Chinese steel allegedly being dumped here.

After the threats were revealed, Prime Minister John Key publicly castigated Trade Minister Todd McClay for covering up the threats. He sought and received assurances China would not go through on them.

But on Tuesday, despite the assurances, China was revealed to have issued a risk notification and strengthened inspection and quarantine processes on New Zealand kiwifruit entering China ports. …

The Nats are in a difficult spot here, no doubt about it. The weak steel is a serious issue and it should be investigated. But their usual tactics of deny and lie have been caught out yet again. We need competent government on this issue – are we going to get it?

Vernon Small:

50 comments on “Trade retaliation ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Ad 1
    3 August 2016 at 1:36 pm

    Would be great to see some of our Ministers doing some actual political work for a change. Like standing up to China.

    Come on John, stand up to them.

    • Michelle 1.1
      3 August 2016 at 1:48 pm

      He needs to walk his talk and ‘get some guts’

    • Olwyn 1.2
      3 August 2016 at 3:55 pm

      Surely with a trade agreement it is more about paying attention from the outset. It is one thing to explain that we cannot use such-and-such steel because it does not meet NZ standards and another to subject China to media howls of “sub-standard steel from China” when the deal has been done and the road or bridge is half built.

      • Ad 1.2.1
        3 August 2016 at 4:09 pm

        Fully agree this sits in the first instance with NZTA and Fletchers.
        In particular their collective procurement, quality control, risk and audit, materials insurance, testing framework, completion bonding, and subcontractor control frameworks etc etc.

        But when all that fails – and trust me I know the infrastructure business reasonably well – it’s time to turn to politics. That’s NZTA’s job, not the contractors’. NZTA has the responsible Minister.

        China’s Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank, China Development Bank, and many others, may keep touting to have infrastructure jobs coming their way, but they will be treated like cheap subbies unless they understand the post-Christchurch safety framework with full Directors’ liabilities that is now in place.

        More broadly than New Zealand, it’s not anybody’s job but China’s job to prove their companies and their materials should be hired for jobs globally. This taint will go round the world real fast.

  2. McFlock 2
    3 August 2016 at 1:40 pm

    I have serious doubts about the leadership abilities of our prime minister – apparently none of his subordinates feel the need to advise him of important issues, instead preferring to fuck it up by themeselves.

    • ianmac 2.1
      3 August 2016 at 4:38 pm

      Surely Key was aware of this problem much much earlier than stated. I bet Key said to McClay,”Lie low. It will not be important.”
      Then when the truth started emerging it became, “You naughty boy Todd. You should have told me and if you say that you did tell me, remember that I and only I choose who will stay in Cabinet.”

      • McFlock 2.1.1
        3 August 2016 at 4:49 pm

        Yeah.

        I’m just really tired of the excuse that he didn’t fuck up because he made idiots responsible for the job and they fucked up.

        When did incompetence become an excuse for failure?

        • Ch-ch Chiquita 2.1.1.1
          3 August 2016 at 5:12 pm

          And I wonder how much each and every such incompetent idiot is being paid.

      • North 2.1.2
        3 August 2016 at 10:35 pm

        Yeah…..ya gotta let King John have a way out…….but I reckon there must be some real disquiet in that caucus. And Judith’s on the prowl. Can’t help herself. Control freak. Nasty.

    • Repateet 2.2
      3 August 2016 at 11:07 pm

      Don’t doubt his leadership ability when his style of lying is so successfully learned by his underlings.

  3. save nz 3
    3 August 2016 at 1:42 pm

    We need competent government on this issue – are we going to get it? – Nope!

    The Natz are quite happy to have weak steel, when people die, they can just blame someone else for it.

    They got away with leaky building.

    At the end of the day, the Natz and in particular John Key are the worst negotiators possible for NZ. Time and time again, they come back from some overseas visit or trade deal only to report back they got nothing, Zilch, zip, zero and instead signed away some right or another costing the country billions for a magic bean, have crap goods streaming in or low wages workers, or actually just a golf game or handshake to feel they are important. No wonder the Natz are popular overseas. They really are the village idiots.

    • Draco T Bastard 3.1
      3 August 2016 at 2:07 pm

      +1

    • srylands 3.2
      3 August 2016 at 3:00 pm

      “Time and time again, they come back from some overseas visit or trade deal only to report back they got nothing, Zilch, zip, zero ”

      Can you give an example?

    • srylands 3.3
      3 August 2016 at 3:10 pm

      Perhaps you could run through the list of the trade agreements negotiated by the current government, and compare the outcomes to those achieved by the agreements concluded under the last Labour Government.

      https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/trade/free-trade-agreements/

      I can’t see any differences. Perhaps you could give three examples. Or are you simply making shit up?

      • Gangnam Style 3.3.1
        3 August 2016 at 3:34 pm

        # examples, ok, off the top of my head…

        Bending over backwards to Warner Brothers & selling out NZ workers when Peter Jackson pretended he was going to move his entire production over seas, yeah right!

        & 2 times coming back from the UK & Australia with diminished rights for New Zealanders living in those countries, hows that?

        • Chuck 3.3.1.1
          3 August 2016 at 6:21 pm

          “Bending over backwards to Warner Brothers & selling out NZ workers when Peter Jackson pretended he was going to move his entire production over seas, yeah right!”

          The Govt sorting out a deluded union about to wreak the NZ film industry more like it.

          “& 2 times coming back from the UK & Australia with diminished rights for New Zealanders living in those countries, hows that?”

          You are confusing the last Labour Government signing away rights for kiwis.

          The current Government is on the ball though…

          http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/77065181/Australia-opens-doors-to-citizenship-for-Kiwis-following-breakthrough-agreement

          • Gangnam Style 3.3.1.1.1
            3 August 2016 at 6:47 pm

            Yeah that’s precisely what unions do, destroy jobs :eyeroll: It was all a con on the part of Jackson & Warners, but whatevers, only the deluded believe otherwise.

            & no, the National Govt have been in for 8 or so years now, so again OWN IT! The “Labour did it too” meme is tired & meaningless.

            • Gosman 3.3.1.1.1.1
              4 August 2016 at 8:56 am

              Name me one worker who has been adversely affected by the outcome of the deal around the Hobbit? If you can’t name somebody then please explain to me exactly how a worker could be adversely affected.

        • Gosman 3.3.1.2
          4 August 2016 at 8:59 am

          When did Australia change the rules around New Zealanders living in Australia receiving benefits ? I believe it was when Helen Clark was PM. Did she do anything to stop this?

          • Halfcrown 3.3.1.2.1
            4 August 2016 at 9:29 am

            You are correct Gosman Clark 2001, and being the author of it did not do anything about it. However this current shower of shit has also not addressed the problem in the last 8 years.

          • One Anonymous Bloke 3.3.1.2.2
            4 August 2016 at 9:46 am

            A centre-right racist politician called John Howard pandered to centre-right hate speech around immigration. This happened in Australia. I’m not sure what Helen Clark could have done to solve centre-right bigotry.

            • Gosman 3.3.1.2.2.1
              4 August 2016 at 10:21 am

              Hold on. People are criticising National for not being able to get other nations to do something yet you think Labour not getting them to do it is okay because it is a little difficult. Me thinks you might have a case of double standards.

              Btw Labor was elected to power in Australia in 2007. Clark was still in power at this time. Why couldn’t she influence a center left party?

              • One Anonymous Bloke …
                4 August 2016 at 9:15 pm

                People…you might…

                There’s only one of me. I note your argument is based on you putting words in my mouth, and what else to expect, considering your well-earned reputation for lying.

      • dukeofurl 3.3.2
        3 August 2016 at 4:07 pm

        Saudi Arabia- Gulf States

        “New Zealand is in negotiations to conclude five free trade agreements, with another process towards negotiations underway”

        Theres a bigger list of FTA concluded but not in force- TPA death spiral

      • save nz 3.3.3
        3 August 2016 at 5:07 pm

        TPPA so good for dairy and the country – ha ha ha – Even JK could not lie well enough to proclaim a good deal there. Funny enough now instead of milk sales we now have farm sales under National… And instead of $8 for milk solids what is it $5 or is it even less?

        Going to the UK to sort out NZ working Visas and get our youth a good deal…

        Going to OZ to sort out the imprisoned Kiwi’s who were being deported…

        Sending Collins to the anti corruption summit (held by Cameron who has a family tax haven in Panama) and now we are being investigated by the EU for corruption and dodgy tax havens set up by John Key’s sometimes family lawyer…

        Every time JK goes to lobby for Helen Clark her chances drop further.

        • save nz 3.3.3.1
          3 August 2016 at 5:13 pm

          Importing in pollen with PSA virus after being told it was very dangerous to biosecurity to do that!

    • esoteric pineapples 3.4
      3 August 2016 at 3:59 pm

      +1000

    • Me 3.5
      5 August 2016 at 10:12 am

      +10
      Hope you don’t mind, I’m reposting “At the end…idiots” on my Facebook page. Never a truer statement.

  4. Draco T Bastard 4
    3 August 2016 at 2:01 pm

    We need competent government on this issue – are we going to get it?

    Nope because they’re too gutless to say to China: We’d like to do this investigation to clear up the matter and put in place processes to ensure that it doesn’t happen again but, as you’re opposed to this, we’ll just be stopping all trade with China.

    • Michelle 4.1
      4 August 2016 at 8:33 am

      Our PM is very gutless and when he goes overseas he is like a little lamb going to be the slaughted

  5. doc 5
    3 August 2016 at 2:13 pm

    shining example of free trade at work, you got the big boots you get the best from free trade….

  6. dukeofurl 6
    3 August 2016 at 2:14 pm

    We double down and do a ban on all chinese steel until the strength certificates can be individually verified.

  7. adam 7
    3 August 2016 at 2:44 pm

    One day, and two ministers exposed for incompetence. Housing and now this.

    Where are the media calling for heads, where are the cartoons, where is the laughing at these muppets when they walk down the street?

    I think we are now into fully laugh at a national MP mode. I mean yes you could get angry, and you could shout. But seriously.

    The only response to this level of incompetence – laughter, these guys are so bad you gotta laugh at them.

    • Keith 7.1
      3 August 2016 at 3:29 pm

      I worry because this amount of incompetence means National tends to resonate with voters and goes up in the polls!

      Still the oblivion of lying will be interesting. Who will fluff their lines this time?

  8. xanthe 8
    3 August 2016 at 2:53 pm

    eeek first time i have seen zespri porn on the standard 🙂

  9. The Chairman 9
    3 August 2016 at 2:55 pm

    “The Chinese had expressed their extreme displeasure at New Zealand inquiries into cheap Chinese steel allegedly dumped on the local market.”

    What about our displeasure (not to mention the potential risk to life) from being the recipients of inferior steel?

    • Draco T Bastard 9.1
      3 August 2016 at 3:05 pm

      Apparently that doesn’t matter to either the Chinese or our government.

      • The Chairman 9.1.1
        3 August 2016 at 3:34 pm

        It’s looking that way.

        As far as the Government is concerned, they could be doing far more.

        ACRS New Zealand head Stephen Hicks had first-hand experience of the UK regime, and said it was the “wild west” in New Zealand.

        Dr Hicks said the gold-plate standard in steel quality was Europe and the UK, where no steel could be used structurally unless it was certified, and all testing had to be audited by a third party.

        In the face of a resistant Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), he said unfortunately it came back to political will.

        “How it would look would be that the government mandates the performance requirements in the product standards, saying these tests have to be repeated three or four times, and those tests have to be done or overseen by a third party organisation.”

        He said the other crucial catalyst would be customer demand – and the government was key there too because it could require all road builders to use only properly certified steel.

        http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/299574/nz-the-'wild-west'-of-steel-testing

        • save nz 9.1.1.1
          3 August 2016 at 5:09 pm

          Exactly look at Pike River!! A death mine. Nobody held accountable!!!
          CTV building, another death building. Nobody held accountable!!!

  10. joe90 10
    3 August 2016 at 2:58 pm

    Tories huh…

    Theresa May has been warned by China not to risk driving away Chinese investors as the country’s official news agency questioned the British government’s delay in approving the controversial new Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant.

    Xinhua news agency said China understood and respected Britain’s requirement for more time to think about the deal, but it dismissed fears that China would put “backdoors” into the technology used on the project, that might present threats to UK national security.

    It said: “China can wait for a rational British government to make responsible decisions, but cannot tolerate any unwanted accusation against its sincere and benign willingness for win-win cooperation.”

    https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/aug/01/china-warns-uk-over-suspicious-approach-to-hinkley-point-deal

    • save nz 10.1
      3 August 2016 at 5:21 pm

      That deal is the joke of the century. While China puts through solar power they sell power at 3 times the rate to the UK and put the UK in eye watering debt. Why bother with military force when China can just turn the lights off in Britain! Ha Ha.

      Or mother nature can do it for them, aka “The Japanese nuclear plant stricken by a deadly tsunami two years ago is facing the dire issue of containing radioactive waste water, as operators rush to repair yet another possible disaster.

      The March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami left the Fukushima Dai-ichi plant stricken, badly damaging its reactors, which serve to cool nuclear cores.

      Now contaminated groundwater containing radioactive strontium, a byproduct of nuclear fission, is leaking from damaged reactor structures at an alarming rate of 75 gallons per minute.”

  11. SimonM 11
    3 August 2016 at 3:08 pm

    I don’t think it will come to much. There’s no way Beijing would want to damage their man in Wellington, Don Key, when he’s already doing such a great job for them.

  12. Sabine 12
    3 August 2016 at 5:29 pm

    i think the hardest part is finding someone ‘competent’ within the National Party.

    the incompetent ones are constantly on tv touted as heros of the realm.

    but then, they may call it incompetence where i call it an all around ‘we can’t give a fuck’ attitude to anything that concerns this country.

    housing for the people? We can’t give a fuck we have ours.
    food for kids in schools? we can’t give a fuck we’re not hungry.
    surgery for sick people? we can’t give a fuck we are not sick.
    safe steel for our buildings? We can’t give a fuck cause we are not going to upset the chinese.

    see, its only incompetence if you look at it from our side.

  13. gsays 13
    3 August 2016 at 7:22 pm

    An unintended consequence of the race to the bottom.

    ‘spose this means we are sure of be buying more cheap Chinese locos

  14. NZSage 14
    4 August 2016 at 7:09 am

    There’s a lesson to be learnt here.

    If China can ignore the supposedly free trade agreement they have with NZ perhaps we can stick two fingers up the the TPPA when and if it commences.

    • RedLogix 14.1
      4 August 2016 at 7:37 am

      For a very long time the Chinese have more or less done whatever they liked in terms of international trade. Especially around fixing their currency artificially low while everyone else’s has been floated.

      The lesson has been there to learn for quite some time.

    • Draco T Bastard 14.2
      4 August 2016 at 9:25 am

      International law isn’t followed by the major players unless it suits them to do so. We’ve seen this time and time again over the years.

      The lesson is that international law isn’t worth the paper that it’s written on.

      • Instauration 14.2.1
        5 August 2016 at 9:51 pm

        Yep – opine duality and hypocrisy
        China sells steel to international markets at less than the cost of production = “Dumping”
        New Zealand sells KG of milk fat to international markets at less than the cost of production = “difficult trading conditions”

  15. Neil 15
    4 August 2016 at 9:10 am

    NZ Herald readers may be surprised to learn that there is in fact a steel fiasco, as that publication have refused to report on it.
    http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2016/07/28/guest-blog-neil-watts-dont-mention-the-steel/#comment-347165

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    It is quiet reading time in Room 13! It is so quiet you can hear the Tui outside. It is so quiet you can hear the Fulton Hogan crew.It is so quiet you can hear old Mr Grant and old Mr Bradbury standing by the roadworks and counting the conesand going on ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • A question of confidence is raised by the Minister of Police, but he had to be questioned by RNZ to ...
    It looks like the new ministerial press secretaries have quickly learned the art of camouflaging exactly what their ministers are saying – or, at least, of keeping the hard news  out of the headlines and/or the opening sentences of the statements they post on the home page of the governments ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • Xmas  good  cheer  for the dairy industry  as Fonterra lifts its forecast
    The big dairy co-op Fonterra  had  some Christmas  cheer to offer  its farmers this week, increasing its forecast farmgate milk price and earnings guidance for  the year after what it calls a strong start to the year. The forecast  midpoint for the 2023/24 season is up 25cs to $7.50 per ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • MICHAEL BASSETT: Modern Maori myths
    Michael Bassett writes – Many of the comments about the Coalition’s determination to wind back the dramatic Maorification of New Zealand of the last three years would have you believe the new government is engaged in a full-scale attack on Maori. In reality, all that is happening ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • Dreams of eternal sunshine at a spotless COP28
    Mary Robinson asked Al Jaber a series of very simple, direct and highly pertinent questions and he responded with a high-octane public meltdown. Photos: Getty Images / montage: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR The hygiene effects of direct sunshine are making some inroads, perhaps for the very first time, on the normalised ‘deficit ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • LINDSAY MITCHELL: Oh, the irony
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – Appointed by new Labour PM Jacinda Ardern in 2018, Cindy Kiro headed the Welfare Expert Advisory Group (WEAG) tasked with reviewing and recommending reforms to the welfare system. Kiro had been Children’s Commissioner during Helen Clark’s Labour government but returned to academia subsequently. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Transport Agencies don’t want Harbour Tunnels
    It seems even our transport agencies don’t want Labour’s harbour crossing plans. In August the previous government and Waka Kotahi announced their absurd preferred option the new harbour crossing that at the time was estimated to cost $35-45 billion. It included both road tunnels and a wiggly light rail tunnel ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    4 days ago

  • Webworm Presents: Jurassic Park on 35mm
    Hi,Paying Webworm members such as yourself keep this thing running, so as 2023 draws to close, I wanted to do two things to say a giant, loud “THANKS”. Firstly — I’m giving away 10 Mister Organ blu-rays in New Zealand, and another 10 in America. More details down below.Secondly — ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    4 days ago

  • The Prime Minister's Dream.
    Yesterday saw the State Opening of Parliament, the Speech from the Throne, and then Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s dream for Aotearoa in his first address. But first the pomp and ceremony, the arrival of the Governor General.Dame Cindy Kiro arrived on the forecourt outside of parliament to a Māori welcome. ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • National’s new MP; the proud part-Maori boy raised in a state house
    Probably not since 1975 have we seen a government take office up against such a wall of protest and complaint. That was highlighted yesterday, the day that the new Parliament was sworn in, with news that King Tuheitia has called a national hui for late January to develop a ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago

  • Climate Adam: Battlefield Earth – How War Fuels Climate Catastrophe
    This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Adam Levy. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). War, conflict and climate change are tearing apart lives across the world. But these aren't separate harms - they're intricately connected. ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • They do not speak for us, and they do not speak for the future
    These dire woeful and intolerant people have been so determinedly going about their small and petulant business, it’s hard to keep up. At the end of the new government’s first woeful week, Audrey Young took the time to count off its various acts of denigration of Te Ao Māori:Review the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Another attack on te reo
    The new white supremacist government made attacking te reo a key part of its platform, promising to rename government agencies and force them to "communicate primarily in English" (which they already do). But today they've gone further, by trying to cut the pay of public servants who speak te reo: ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago

  • For the record, the Beehive buzz can now be regarded as “official”
    Buzz from the Beehive The biggest buzz we bring you from the Beehive today is that the government’s official website is up and going after being out of action for more than a week. The latest press statement came  from  Education Minister  Eric Stanford, who seized on the 2022 PISA ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago

  • Climate Change: Failed again
    There was another ETS auction this morning. and like all the other ones this year, it failed to clear - meaning that 23 million tons of carbon (15 million ordinary units plus 8 million in the cost containment reserve) went up in smoke. Or rather, they didn't. Being unsold at ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell On The Government’s Assault On Maori
    This isn’t news, but the National-led coalition is mounting a sustained assault on Treaty rights and obligations. Even so, Christopher Luxon has described yesterday’s nationwide protests by Maori as “pretty unfair.” Poor thing. In the NZ Herald, Audrey Young has compiled a useful list of the many, many ways that ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    5 days ago

  • Rising costs hit farmers hard, but  there’s more  positive news  for  them this  week 
    New Zealand’s dairy industry, the mainstay of the country’s export trade, has  been under  pressure  from rising  costs. Down on the  farm, this  has  been  hitting  hard. But there  was more positive news this week,  first   from the latest Fonterra GDT auction where  prices  rose,  and  then from  a  report ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    5 days ago

  • ROB MacCULLOCH:  Newshub and NZ Herald report misleading garbage about ACT’s van Veldon not follo...
    Rob MacCulloch writes –  In their rush to discredit the new government (which our MainStream Media regard as illegitimate and having no right to enact the democratic will of voters) the NZ Herald and Newshub are arguing ACT’s Deputy Leader Brooke van Veldon is not following Treasury advice ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Top 10 for Wednesday, December 6
    Even many young people who smoke support smokefree policies, fitting in with previous research showing the large majority of people who smoke regret starting and most want to quit. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s my pick of the top 10 news and analysis links elsewhere on the morning of Wednesday, December ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • Eleven years of work.
    Well it didn’t take six months, but the leaks have begun. Yes the good ship Coalition has inadvertently released a confidential cabinet paper into the public domain, discussing their axing of Fair Pay Agreements (FPAs).Oops.Just when you were admiring how smoothly things were going for the new government, they’ve had ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • Why we're missing out on sharply lower inflation
    A wave of new and higher fees, rates and charges will ripple out over the economy in the next 18 months as mayors, councillors, heads of department and price-setters for utilities such as gas, electricity, water and parking ramp up charges. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Just when most ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • How Did We Get Here?
    Hi,Kiwis — keep the evening of December 22nd free. I have a meetup planned, and will send out an invite over the next day or so. This sounds sort of crazy to write, but today will be Tony Stamp’s final Totally Normal column of 2023. Somehow we’ve made it to ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    5 days ago

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

  • New Zealaders  have  high expectations of  new  government:  now let’s see if it can deliver?
    The electorate has high expectations of the  new  government.  The question is: can  it  deliver?    Some  might  say  the  signs are not  promising. Protestors   are  already marching in the streets. The  new  Prime Minister has had  little experience of managing  very diverse politicians  in coalition. The economy he  ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    6 days ago

  • You won't believe some of the numbers you have to pull when you're a Finance Minister
    Nicola of Marsden:Yo, normies! We will fix your cost of living worries by giving you a tax cut of 150 dollars. 150! Cash money! Vote National.Various people who can read and count:Actually that's 150 over a fortnight. Not a week, which is how you usually express these things.And actually, it looks ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • Pushback
    When this government came to power, it did so on an explicitly white supremacist platform. Undermining the Waitangi Tribunal, removing Māori representation in local government, over-riding the courts which had tried to make their foreshore and seabed legislation work, eradicating te reo from public life, and ultimately trying to repudiate ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago

  • Defence ministerial meeting meant Collins missed the Maori Party’s mischief-making capers in Parli...
    Buzz from the Beehive Maybe this is not the best time for our Minister of Defence to have gone overseas. Not when the Maori Party is inviting (or should that be inciting?) its followers to join a revolution in a post which promoted its protest plans with a picture of ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Threats of war have been followed by an invitation to join the revolution – now let’s see how th...
     A Maori Party post on Instagram invited party followers to ….  Tangata Whenua, Tangata Tiriti, Join the REVOLUTION! & make a stand!  Nationwide Action Day, All details in tiles swipe to see locations.  • This is our 1st hit out and tomorrow Tuesday the 5th is the opening ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Top 10 for Tuesday, December 4
    The RBNZ governor is citing high net migration and profit-led inflation as factors in the bank’s hawkish stance. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s my pick of the top 10 news and analysis links elsewhere on the morning of Tuesday, December 5, including:Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr says high net migration and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • Nicola Willis' 'show me the money' moment
    Willis has accused labour of “economic vandalism’, while Robertson described her comments as a “desperate diversion from somebody who can't make their tax package add up”. There will now be an intense focus on December 20 to see whether her hyperbole is backed up by true surprises. Photo montage: Lynn ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • CRL costs money but also provides huge benefits
    The City Rail Link has been in the headlines a bit recently so I thought I’d look at some of them. First up, yesterday the NZ Herald ran this piece about the ongoing costs of the CRL. Auckland ratepayers will be saddled with an estimated bill of $220 million each ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    6 days ago

  • And I don't want the world to see us.
    Is this the most shambolic government in the history of New Zealand? Given that parliament hasn’t even opened they’ve managed quite a list of achievements to date.The Smokefree debacle trading lives for tax cuts, the Trumpian claims of bribery in the Media, an International award for indifference, and today the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • Cooking the books
    Finance Minister Nicola Willis late yesterday stopped only slightly short of accusing her predecessor Grant Robertson of cooking the books. She complained that the Half Yearly Economic and Fiscal Update (HYEFU), due to be made public on December 20, would show “fiscal cliffs” that would amount to “billions of ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago

  • Most people don’t realize how much progress we’ve made on climate change
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections The year was 2015. ‘Uptown Funk’ with Bruno Mars was at the top of the music charts. Jurassic World was the most popular new movie in theaters. And decades of futility in international climate negotiations was about to come to an end in ...
    Skeptical Science
    7 days ago

  • Of Parliamentary Oaths and Clive Boonham
    As a heads-up, I am not one of those people who stay awake at night thinking about weird Culture War nonsense. At least so far as the current Maori/Constitutional arrangements go. In fact, I actually consider it the least important issue facing the day to day lives of New ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    7 days ago

  • Bearing True Allegiance?
    Strong Words: “We do not consent, we do not surrender, we do not cede, we do not submit; we, the indigenous, are rising. We do not buy into the colonial fictions this House is built upon. Te Pāti Māori pledges allegiance to our mokopuna, our whenua, and Te Tiriti o ...
    Bowalley Road
    7 days ago

  • You cannot be serious
    Some days it feels like the only thing to say is: Seriously? No, really. Seriously?OneSomeone has used their health department access to share data about vaccinations and patients, and inform the world that New Zealanders have been dying in their hundreds of thousands from the evil vaccine. This of course is pure ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    7 days ago

  • A promise kept: govt pulls the plug on Lake Onslow scheme – but this saving of $16bn is denounced...
    Buzz from the Beehive After $21.8 million was spent on investigations, the plug has been pulled on the Lake Onslow pumped-hydro electricity scheme, The scheme –  that technically could have solved New Zealand’s looming energy shortage, according to its champions – was a key part of the defeated Labour government’s ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    7 days ago

  • CHRIS TROTTER: The Maori Party and Oath of Allegiance
    If those elected to the Māori Seats refuse to take them, then what possible reason could the country have for retaining them?   Chris Trotter writes – Christmas is fast approaching, which, as it does every year, means gearing up for an abstruse general knowledge question. “Who was ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    7 days ago

  • BRIAN EASTON:  Forward to 2017
    The coalition party agreements are mainly about returning to 2017 when National lost power. They show commonalities but also some serious divergencies. Brian Easton writes – The two coalition agreements – one National and ACT, the other National and New Zealand First – are more than policy documents. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 week ago

  • Climate Change: Fossils
    When the new government promised to allow new offshore oil and gas exploration, they were warned that there would be international criticism and reputational damage. Naturally, they arrogantly denied any possibility that that would happen. And then they finally turned up at COP, to criticism from Palau, and a "fossil ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago

  • GEOFFREY MILLER:  NZ’s foreign policy resets on AUKUS, Gaza and Ukraine
    Geoffrey Miller writes – New Zealand’s international relations are under new management. And Winston Peters, the new foreign minister, is already setting a change agenda. As expected, this includes a more pro-US positioning when it comes to the Pacific – where Peters will be picking up where he ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 week ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the government’s smokefree laws debacle
    The most charitable explanation for National’s behaviour over the smokefree legislation is that they have dutifully fulfilled the wishes of the Big Tobacco lobby and then cast around – incompetently, as it turns out – for excuses that might sell this health policy U-turn to the public. The less charitable ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    1 week ago

  • Top 10 links at 10 am for Monday, December 4
    As Deb Te Kawa writes in an op-ed, the new Government seems to have immediately bought itself fights with just about everyone. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Here’s my pick of the top 10 news and analysis links elsewhere as of 10 am on Monday December 4, including:Palau’s President ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

  • Be Honest.
    Let’s begin today by thinking about job interviews.During my career in Software Development I must have interviewed hundreds of people, hired at least a hundred, but few stick in the memory.I remember one guy who was so laid back he was practically horizontal, leaning back in his chair until his ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago

  • Geoffrey Miller: New Zealand’s foreign policy resets on AUKUS, Gaza and Ukraine
    New Zealand’s international relations are under new management. And Winston Peters, the new foreign minister, is already setting a change agenda. As expected, this includes a more pro-US positioning when it comes to the Pacific – where Peters will be picking up where he left off. Peters sought to align ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    1 week ago

  • Auckland rail tunnel the world’s most expensive
    Auckland’s city rail link is the most expensive rail project in the world per km, and the CRL boss has described the cost of infrastructure construction in Aotearoa as a crisis. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The 3.5 km City Rail Link (CRL) tunnel under Auckland’s CBD has cost ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

  • First big test coming
    The first big test of the new Government’s approach to Treaty matters is likely to be seen in the return of the Resource Management Act. RMA Minister Chris Bishop has confirmed that he intends to introduce legislation to repeal Labour’s recently passed Natural and Built Environments Act and its ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 week ago

  • Ministers visit Hawke’s Bay to grasp recovery needs
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon joined Cyclone Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell and Transport and Local Government Minister Simeon Brown, to meet leaders of cyclone and flood-affected regions in the Hawke’s Bay. The visit reinforced the coalition Government’s commitment to support the region and better understand its ongoing requirements, Mr Mitchell says.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • New Zealand condemns malicious cyber activity
    New Zealand has joined the UK and other partners in condemning malicious cyber activity conducted by the Russian Government, Minister Responsible for the Government Communications Security Bureau Judith Collins says. The statement follows the UK’s attribution today of malicious cyber activity impacting its domestic democratic institutions and processes, as well ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Disestablishment of Te Pūkenga begins
    The Government has begun the process of disestablishing Te Pūkenga as part of its 100-day plan, Minister for Tertiary Education and Skills Penny Simmonds says.  “I have started putting that plan into action and have met with the chair and chief Executive of Te Pūkenga to advise them of my ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Climate Change Minister to attend COP28 in Dubai
    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts will be leaving for Dubai today to attend COP28, the 28th annual UN climate summit, this week. Simon Watts says he will push for accelerated action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement, deliver New Zealand’s national statement and connect with partner countries, private sector leaders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • New Zealand to host 2024 Pacific defence meeting
    Defence Minister Judith Collins yesterday announced New Zealand will host next year’s South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting (SPDMM). “Having just returned from this year’s meeting in Nouméa, I witnessed first-hand the value of meeting with my Pacific counterparts to discuss regional security and defence matters. I welcome the opportunity to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Study shows need to remove distractions in class
    The Government is committed to lifting school achievement in the basics and that starts with removing distractions so young people can focus on their learning, Education Minister Erica Stanford says.   The 2022 PISA results released this week found that Kiwi kids ranked 5th in the world for being distracted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Minister sets expectations of Commissioner
    Today I met with Police Commissioner Andrew Coster to set out my expectations, which he has agreed to, says Police Minister Mark Mitchell. Under section 16(1) of the Policing Act 2008, the Minister can expect the Police Commissioner to deliver on the Government’s direction and priorities, as now outlined in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • New Zealand needs a strong and stable ETS
    New Zealand needs a strong and stable Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) that is well placed for the future, after emission units failed to sell for the fourth and final auction of the year, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says.  At today’s auction, 15 million New Zealand units (NZUs) – each ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • PISA results show urgent need to teach the basics
    With 2022 PISA results showing a decline in achievement, Education Minister Erica Stanford is confident that the Coalition Government’s 100-day plan for education will improve outcomes for Kiwi kids.  The 2022 PISA results show a significant decline in the performance of 15-year-old students in maths compared to 2018 and confirms ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Collins leaves for Pacific defence meeting
    Defence Minister Judith Collins today departed for New Caledonia to attend the 8th annual South Pacific Defence Ministers’ meeting (SPDMM). “This meeting is an excellent opportunity to meet face-to-face with my Pacific counterparts to discuss regional security matters and to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to the Pacific,” Judith Collins says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Working for Families gets cost of living boost
    Putting more money in the pockets of hard-working families is a priority of this Coalition Government, starting with an increase to Working for Families, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says. “We are starting our 100-day plan with a laser focus on bringing down the cost of living, because that is what ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Post-Cabinet press conference
    Most weeks, following Cabinet, the Prime Minister holds a press conference for members of the Parliamentary Press Gallery. This page contains the transcripts from those press conferences, which are supplied by Hansard to the Office of the Prime Minister. It is important to note that the transcripts have not been edited ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Lake Onslow pumped hydro scheme scrapped
    The Government has axed the $16 billion Lake Onslow pumped hydro scheme championed by the previous government, Energy Minister Simeon Brown says. “This hugely wasteful project was pouring money down the drain at a time when we need to be reining in spending and focussing on rebuilding the economy and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • NZ welcomes further pause in fighting in Gaza
    New Zealand welcomes the further one-day extension of the pause in fighting, which will allow the delivery of more urgently-needed humanitarian aid into Gaza and the release of more hostages, Foreign Minister Winston Peters said. “The human cost of the conflict is horrific, and New Zealand wants to see the violence ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Condolences on passing of Henry Kissinger
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters today expressed on behalf of the New Zealand Government his condolences to the family of former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, who has passed away at the age of 100 at his home in Connecticut. “While opinions on his legacy are varied, Secretary Kissinger was ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Backing our kids to learn the basics
    Every child deserves a world-leading education, and the Coalition Government is making that a priority as part of its 100-day plan. Education Minister Erica Stanford says that will start with banning cellphone use at school and ensuring all primary students spend one hour on reading, writing, and maths each day. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • US Business Summit Speech – Regional stability through trade
    I would like to begin by echoing the Prime Minister’s thanks to the organisers of this Summit, Fran O’Sullivan and the Auckland Business Chamber.  I want to also acknowledge the many leading exporters, sector representatives, diplomats, and other leaders we have joining us in the room. In particular, I would like ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Keynote Address to the United States Business Summit, Auckland
    Good morning. Thank you, Rosemary, for your warm introduction, and to Fran and Simon for this opportunity to make some brief comments about New Zealand’s relationship with the United States.  This is also a chance to acknowledge my colleague, Minister for Trade Todd McClay, Ambassador Tom Udall, Secretary of Foreign ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • India New Zealand Business Council Speech, India as a Strategic Priority
    Good morning, tēnā koutou and namaskar. Many thanks, Michael, for your warm welcome. I would like to acknowledge the work of the India New Zealand Business Council in facilitating today’s event and for the Council’s broader work in supporting a coordinated approach for lifting New Zealand-India relations. I want to also ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Coalition Government unveils 100-day plan
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has laid out the Coalition Government’s plan for its first 100 days from today. “The last few years have been incredibly tough for so many New Zealanders. People have put their trust in National, ACT and NZ First to steer them towards a better, more prosperous ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • New Zealand welcomes European Parliament vote on the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement
    A significant milestone in ratifying the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was reached last night, with 524 of the 705 member European Parliament voting in favour to approve the agreement. “I’m delighted to hear of the successful vote to approve the NZ-EU FTA in the European Parliament overnight. This is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago

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