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Voting away our democracy

Written By: - Date published: 11:00 am, April 13th, 2011 - 52 comments
Categories: democracy under attack, Gerry Brownlee - Tags: ,

Just before the second Christchurch earthquake, Gerry Brownlee was being criticised for the lack of progress in recovery. People suggested what was needed was an independent commissioner to lead the rebuilding – an ‘earthquake Tsar’. Brownlee responded “the last Tsar got shot“. Now, the new CERA law will make Brownlee our Tsar in a too literal sense.

You’ll remember that, after the first earthquake, the Canterbury Earthquake Response and Recovery Act (CERRA) was slammed through the House. It contained a ‘Henry the VIIIth clause’ that let Brownlee amend nearly any law of the land by decree without going through Parliament. There’s a myth that this power wasn’t abused; it was, in subtle ways.

Yesterday, National introduced the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Bill (soon to be CERA). I/S at No Right Turn describes its powers:

The bill is even more outrageous and undemocratic than the original. The least objectionable parts are those relating to the development of a recovery strategy and plans. No-one disputes the need for this sort of planning, but the Act puts it in the hands of CERA [the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Agency]. Which means that the big decisions around the future of Christchurch will be decided not by its people, but by Gerry Brownlee. Who while he is a Christchurch MP, isn’t exactly in the same position of democratic accountability as the elected representatives of the Christchurch City Council.

And after that it’s all downhill. CERA has the power to demand any information about anything from anyone. No warrant, no oversight, no safeguards. This is more power than the Serious Fraud Office, and with fewer checks and balances.

CERA, which means the Minister, also has wide powers to “assist” the rebuilding of Christchurch. They can:

And all of this without any effective rights of appeal and with only limited rights of compensation.

And to cap it all off, there’s the same dictatorial power to amend laws by regulation originally seen in CERRA v1.0.

This is too much power, in too few hands, with too few checks and balances to be safe. Democracies don’t do this sort of thing. But then, as we saw with ECan and with the original CERRA, National’s first response to any problem is dictatorship.

I would like very much to submit on this bill. But I can’t. Its being rammed through under urgency, with only a limited select committee process (basically, the Local Government and Environment Committee will be hearing from selected insiders tomorrow; ordinary concerned citizens are shut out of the process). And it’ll be law by Friday.

The power given to Brownlee here is unprecendented and uncontrolled. He will be appointing the CEO or CERA who will report to him. On Marae Investigates last Sunday, a disaster expert, Dr Regan Potangaroa, who has worked around the world said he had never seen such powers put into the hands of a minister, or anyone. He said they are powers that officials have in dictatorships.

(Potangaroa also graded the actual recovery effort on the ground a ‘D’ – Brownlee is very busy giving himself extraordinary powers but what extraordinary powers does it take to get people portaloos and temporary houses? I think that’s the worst part of this – extraordinary powers and appallingly subpar delivery of practical help)

In the information age, the new powers to demand any information from anyone are scary. For instance, Gerry Brownlee could have his man write to Lynn and say ‘I want the IP addresses and emails of everyone who has ever commented on The Standard on a post related to the earthquake’ and that would be legal. I’m sure Lynn would rather destroy the data and go to jail but it’s a taste of what Brownlee can do. He can compel anyone to tell him anything. Journalists and whistleblowers have a lot to fear. So do any citizens who want to cause a fuss because they live in a poor suburb which hasn’t got portaloos or is going to be demolished without justification.

That Brownlee might choose not to abuse these powers is no excuse for giving them to him. Democracies don’t work by giving one person unbridled power. In fact, history tells us, that voting in a ‘temporary’ Enabling Act is often the last act of democratic government on the road to dictatorship.

We’re told not to worry because CERA will expire in five years. Yeah, well the German Enabling Act of 1933 was meant to expire after four years (or when Hitler left power – clever). Julius Caesar was elected Dictator for ‘just’ ten years. The Committee of Public Safety was only meant to to a temporary measure. The dictatorship of the proletariat was supposed to melt away when it was no longer needed.

In five years time, what guarantee do we have that our Tsar (whoever it may then be) won’t decide that a fresh crisis – say another oil shock, a depression, civil strife, or an international war – doesn’t make it necessary for him to hold on to his powers and accumulate some more?

52 comments on “Voting away our democracy ”

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  1. ghostwhowalksnz 1
    13 April 2011 at 11:22 am

    A former woodwork teacher as Commissar for Christchurch ?

    l

  2. ianmac 2
    13 April 2011 at 11:30 am

    A certain corporal became Czar of Germany.
    A smiling money trader became Prime Minister of New Zealand.
    A carpenter became leader of a mystical Christain sect.
    So why not let a woodwork teacher become the most powerful/heaviest power in NZ? Huh? (But don’t cross him. He is mean. Power corrupts.)

  3. The Economic Illiteracy Support Group 3
    13 April 2011 at 11:41 am

    It will be interesting to see which Christchurch property developers will be contributing election funding to Gerry and/or the National Party at the election.

    The simplest way to get rid of this particular dictator is to make sure National don’t make it back as the government in November. Although it would also be useful if Labour were to put revocation of the CERA powers as an explicit election policy, so that it’s crystal clear they wouldn’t also be tempted by absolute power.

    • kiwinewt 3.1
      13 April 2011 at 1:24 pm

      I agree – and I’m sure I could convince most of my neighbors and friends to vote for Labour if this was on the table…

    • Rex Widerstrom 3.2
      13 April 2011 at 4:07 pm

      it would also be useful if Labour were to put revocation of the CERA powers as an explicit election policy, so that it’s crystal clear they wouldn’t also be tempted by absolute power.

      But they are, so they won’t. Or they wouldn’t have acquiesced so readily to this travesty in the first place. Or are we meant to conveniently forget that?

      Politicians are the elite. The elite are interested in the furtherance and extension of their own power ahead of any other consideration. Some will tell you (and may even have convinced themselves) that the end justifies the means – the end in this case being their ongoing ability to pass “good” legislation. Of course its goodness is decided solely by them because they are, after all, elite.

      The honest ones won’t bother with the pretence, knowing you have no real options anyway.

    • Shane Gallagher 3.3
      13 April 2011 at 9:21 pm

      Why vote Labour? They have sold old. The Greens are the only party that are opposing this legislation

      • Colonial Viper 3.3.1
        13 April 2011 at 9:32 pm

        Don’t be so smug. The Greens always fail to accomplish change without help. 
         

        • Shane Gallagher 3.3.1.1
          13 April 2011 at 10:55 pm

          Smug? CV I respect your opinion a lot and always look out for your usually intelligent and incisive commentary but you are playing the man not the ball here. I expect more from you.
          The Greens change things all by themselves. We persuade others of the rightness of our policies. It makes the party and caucus work very hard to make solid, well informed and principled proposals for change, be that in a parliament or outside it. We have changed the debate time and again. What was considered “eco-warrior madness” a few years ago is now accepted wisdom – climate change, clean water, pollution, child abuse… the list goes on. Yes we do need help from others because we are a small party.
          But how is that relevant to the fact that Labour has not defended democracy? Labour has not defended the people of Christchurch from the stripping away of their democratic rights to have a say in the rebuilding of their city. That is something that the Labour party should be ashamed of. And I guess from your reaction CV, that you are ashamed of it as well.
           
           

          • Colonial Viper 3.3.1.1.1
            13 April 2011 at 11:15 pm

            Come now, in that case don’t start by accusing me of playing the man not the ball, but end up doing exactly the same yourself.
             
            Personally I have no idea why Labour has not stood up against CERA. It may be some stupid risk management strategy to avoid feared backlash from National’s inevitable PR spin. I am not in a position to know that but I hope that it is not something that facile.
             
            If you have read my comments (cheers for the positive feedback) you will also know that I think that LAB should be roaring ahead in this current economic climate and that it is not points to serious problems of disconnection and communication.
             

            What was considered “eco-warrior madness” a few years ago is now accepted wisdom – climate change, clean water, pollution, child abuse… the list goes on. Yes we do need help from others because we are a small party.
             

            Look, don’t go taking more credit for the NZ Greens on this stuff than it is due. And of course it is due some. Social issues like child abuse are longstanding and have nothing to do with the “ecowarrior” paradigm. And what child abuse stats have actually improved anyhows? The ‘anti-smacking’ legislation was extremely costly in terms of political capital. But how many young lives has it actually saved?
             
            Sorting out clean water and pollution…that was going on long before the Greens coalesced as a political force in NZ. And even today plenty of indicators show that things are getting worse, not better.
             
            Re: climate change. We live in a political and social system where thinking 5 years in advance is virtually impossible. And to my mind, only a small minority of people get climate change deep enough and seriously enough to base their voting on it. About 6-7% of them, at a guess.
             
            So if you wish, the Greens can take credit for this stuff but at the end of the day there is not that much credit to take – as yet.

  4. Jim Nald 4
    13 April 2011 at 11:41 am

    If I am PM Key, I would be relaxed and comfortable with CERRA giving Gerry massive amount of power and control.
    Too big to fail.
    Smile and wave away parliamentary democracy.

  5. PeteG 5
    13 April 2011 at 11:54 am

    Something special and urgent is required to help guide Christchurch’s recovery. I’ll be looking in particular to the Labour Christchurch MPs to see if they are happy with the outcome. All of them voted for the first reading.

    Labour earthquake recovery spokesman Clayton Cosgrove  said he would suggest a series of amendments. He has also said:

    “Let’s be under no illusion – this authority will have enormous power, and if that power is exercised appropriately and correctly, that is all for the good.”

    Extra power and less red tape is essential, it’s a matter of how much is sufficient.
     

    • Pete 5.1
      13 April 2011 at 12:13 pm

      ”Modern politicians often proudly announce their desire to sweep away red tape.  The contemporary prejudice is that too much paperwork slows you down, clogs things up. But if you take a historical view,  it’s bureaucracy that sees you through the rocky patches and enables the state to survive. Bureaucracy is not evidence of inertia, it is life saving continuity”
      A History of the World in 100 Objects

    • Bright Red 5.2
      13 April 2011 at 12:20 pm

      “Extra power and less red tape is essential”
      specifically what extra powers do you think are needed and what red tape shoul be gotten rid of. Or don’t you know and you’re just assuming it’s true because Gerry told you so.
      “it’s a matter of how much is sufficient”
      That’s a truism. We all want the govt to have as much power as we think is sufficient. If we didn’t we would want more or less.
      Cliches and tautologies, is this the depth of rightwing thinking?
       

  6. Kevin Hague 6
    13 April 2011 at 12:03 pm

    Absolutely right. Here’s Kennedy Graham’s First Reading Speech, explaining why the Green Party is opposing the Bill.

    The only others to join us in opposition yesterday were Chris Carter and Hone Harawira.
    Labour say they have done a deal with the Government, voting for the first reading with no guarantee of further support, in return for the extremely limited and secret select committee process you describe in the post. For us that’s part of the problem, not a solution.

    • The Economic Illiteracy Support Group 6.1
      13 April 2011 at 12:11 pm

      Good on the Green Party for voting against this appalling legislation. There are times when principles trump expediency, and this is absolutely one of those times.

    • Pascal's bookie 6.2
      13 April 2011 at 12:12 pm

      Good on y’all Kevin.

    • PeteG 6.3
      13 April 2011 at 12:13 pm

      What is the Green solution? How long would that take?

      • Colonial Viper 6.3.1
        13 April 2011 at 12:17 pm

        The Green solution is not having Gerry Brownlee as a dictator. And it would get Christchurch rebuilt far faster, for the benefit of the citizens, not the property developers.

        • PeteG 6.3.1.1
          13 April 2011 at 12:24 pm

          That’s not a solution, it’s a negative with some waffle.
           
          Do you want the government out of it altogether and let Christchurch rebuild itself?

          • Jim Nald 6.3.1.1.1
            13 April 2011 at 12:28 pm

            That’s a great idea. Get Gerry out of government altogether to allow the Christchurch to rebuild.

          • Colonial Viper 6.3.1.1.2
            13 April 2011 at 12:36 pm

            Do you want the government out of it altogether and let Christchurch rebuild itself?
             

            Hahaha mate I gave you an answer and just because you didn’t like it you ignored it lol
             
            It sure is negative mate because cancelling out Gerry Brownlee puts Christchurch well ahead of the game immediately 😀
             
            The Government should provide the funds and the framework and the people of Christchurch should decide what they want done and how.
             
            Do you have a problem with Brownlee’s property developer mates not having first dibs PeteG?

            • Jim Nald 6.3.1.1.2.1
              13 April 2011 at 12:59 pm

              Watch the party coffers of the you-can’t-see-but-I-can-see political trusts swell to large proportions?
              CERRA won’t be legitimising political largesse in return for political patronage. Hmm, right.

      • Bright Red 6.3.2
        13 April 2011 at 12:23 pm

        I love how PeteG asks “How long would [the Greens plan] take?”
        As if this government is acting with incredible speed.
        Do you realise that it’s coming up on two months after the quake and not only are there no emergency houses built, they don’t even know who will build them? It was meant to be announced last Monday, that was delayed to this Monday… and that deadline passed without a peep.

        • PeteG 6.3.2.1
          13 April 2011 at 12:36 pm

          That would make the time it would take important, wouldn’t it.

          • Bright Red 6.3.2.1.1
            13 April 2011 at 12:43 pm

            explain how Brownlee’s new powers will speed up the construction of temporary housing.
            There has been no suggestion to date that laws and regualtions are the hold up. The hold up is that Brownlee can’t be arsed doing his job for the people in need. Too busy getting new powers to help out his developer mates.

      • Shane Gallagher 6.3.3
        13 April 2011 at 12:50 pm

        It would mean that the communities would be involved in the rebuilding of their communities – not a bunch of bureaucrats and politicians and property developers dictating from on high – I thought you right wingers  were all for small government and people doing it for themselves? 

        It would mean that stuff would be happening right now because the Greens would have enabled communities to start working with expert advice and assistance. The student army got on and did their thing as did many communities not thought about by the Nats – that is community action and the Greens would have been there to enable it.

        NACT/MP/Labour response is to impose dictatorship.  Hah! Some democracy we live in. 

        This is all about property developers cashing in on a major disaster.

        • freedom 6.3.3.1
          13 April 2011 at 1:11 pm

          Shane
          remember that the Greens voted for CERRA as well, they do not and should not get a pass because they make a little noise this time round

          • kiwinewt 6.3.3.1.1
            13 April 2011 at 1:29 pm

            The Greens only voted for CERRA as they believed, dictatorship or not, it might help Canterbury. It has been shown that it doesn’t (and got a large negative response from many Green supporters), so this time round they are doing the right thing. Labour should be opposing it as well. The MP are too busy under the desks of National with loud sucking noises to notice…

          • Shane Gallagher 6.3.3.1.2
            13 April 2011 at 11:03 pm

            Yes, and I defended the caucus for doing so (and caught a lot of flack for doing it) — they chose to give National the benefit of the doubt. This time there is no doubt. Anyway, the blame lies solely with the government – they are the ones who put that legislation together in the first place – talk about shock doctrine in practice.
             

  7. Bright Red 7
    13 April 2011 at 12:07 pm

    the vid that Kevin is referring to is here

  8. Pascal's bookie 8
    13 April 2011 at 12:14 pm

    Brownlee responded “the last Tsar got shot“.

    That would be brutal on a T-shirt.

    • ghostwhowalksnz 8.1
      13 April 2011 at 12:56 pm

      “The last Tsar got shot “ and then chucked down a mine shaft- gee they must have had it in for him, and his family.
      I wonder why that was ?

  9. vto 9
    13 April 2011 at 12:39 pm

    Perhaps I am  missing something here but exactly why does the central govt need these powers?

    The rebuild of the CBD is near 100% a private matter, which everyone seems to keep forgeting. No special powers needed there.

    The rebuild of the sewer and water infrastructure is easily overseen by the more than competent CCC people. It is a relatively simple though large job. Central govt will contribute funds only. No special powers needed there.

    The rebuild of public buildings in and around Chch is a matter for each individual owner (CCC, govt, dept of this or that). Funding is a simple process. No special powers needed there.

    If special powers are needed for a new City Plan (changing planning rules) then that could be dealt with on an individual legislative basis, following some rapid public input.

    If special powers are needed to designate entire suburbs as now no-build areas then that too can be dealt with on an individual basis.

    It seems to me that these “special powers” are not in fact needed much at all. In the few areas where some extraordinary measures may be required then it should be dealt with individually.

    I don’t think I have seen this govt explain in any decent manner the detailed reasons for these special powers.

    • freedom 9.1
      13 April 2011 at 1:07 pm

      This question becomes even more critical when you consider the bizarre and wide ranging powers regarding the limitless right to gather information.  Some relevant factors of concern are the secrecy behind the recent changes to the security and surveillance bill, the progress of the copyright infringement bill , the raft of changes to our judicial system and the ever dwindling opportunity for redress.
       
      Combined into what we must assume is a coherent policy from a functioning Government then these are not the actions of an open democratic authority.
       
       

    • Draco T Bastard 9.2
      13 April 2011 at 3:09 pm

      The government isn’t giving itself lots of special powers because it needs them but because they want them. It’s not that power corrupts but that corrupt people seek power.

    • Armchair Critic 9.3
      13 April 2011 at 11:37 pm

      +1 vto.

  10. Zaphod Beeblebrox 10
    13 April 2011 at 1:17 pm

    What do you do if you have no housing policy, no planning policies, no urban development policies, your local government policy revolves around stealing their powers and removing their resources??

    Easy- vote yourself unlimited powers and pretend you can design all these policies in your head. Then force all people to disclose all information (private and otherwise) and all reports.  Glad I don’t live in the Christchurch.

    • vto 10.1
      13 April 2011 at 1:28 pm

      Yes and don’t forget we also suffer under an Environment Canterbury tyranny owned and driven from Wellington with ridiculous powers over the water flowing through our region.

      Plus CERA with dictatorial powers.

      Add to that the fact that the armed forces are still out and about and being viewed a little more ominously. The armed forces of course are doing a marvellous job, however when they begin to take a large part in civilian life it becomes unnerving. Particularly when stories emerge of them verbally harassing civiliains and meting out vigilante justice to accused looters.

      It is time for the armed forces to depart. Their use in civil matters is of grave concern and should only be done in absolute emergencies, which this was of course. No longer.

      If Canterbury’s current settings were operating in some other third world country we would be getting all uppity about their lack of democracy. Like Libya. Or Indonesia.

      • Zaphod Beeblebrox 10.1.1
        13 April 2011 at 2:21 pm

        I was thinking more of Romania or some of the other Eastern European Soviet Republics. Massively dominant centrally controlled planning decided on a whim by an unchallengable individual.

        What are the principles, objectives and raison d’etre of the whole process- err nobody knows.

        • Draco T Bastard 10.1.1.1
          13 April 2011 at 3:18 pm

          Actually, we do know – it’s the principles, objectives and raison d’etre of psychopaths. Those who seek power for its own sake.

      • Swampy 10.1.2
        14 April 2011 at 10:06 pm

        “Particularly when stories emerge of them verbally harassing civiliains and meting out vigilante justice to accused looters.”

        What stories? There has not been a whisper of any such thing in the media. Sounds like nonsense.

  11. Andrew Geddis 11
    13 April 2011 at 3:01 pm

    Without wishing to comment on the other aspects of the CERA, it actually is incorrect to say “The power given to Brownlee here is unprecendented and uncontrolled. He will be appointing the CEO or CERA who will report to him.” The CEO will be appointed by the State Services Commissioner, and Brownlee will have no formal role in that (see here: http://www.ssc.govt.nz/display/document.asp?docid=8050)

    That said, no doubt the ability to work with the Minister will be a pretty key consideration in the appointment … but it isn’t quite as much a closed loop as you suggest.

  12. Steve Withers 12
    13 April 2011 at 3:22 pm

    According to the most recent Colmar-Brunton poll, roughly 54% of Kiwis support National. They are, de facto, supporting National disregarding democracy, accountability and transparency. Probably because they can’t spell them, never mind know why they matter or why it’s relevant now.  

    Ok, most of us will know a C-B poll more than 8 weeks before an election typically gives National 8 points too much and everyone else too little due to persistent (and consistent) over-sampling of National voters (for at least the past 15 years), but even so….there are still a lot of Kiwis out there who – really –  don’t give a rat’s arse about democracy or anything connected with it.

    Many of them will vote to get rid of MMP and many of THEM, perversely, voting to strip themselves of the only vote they have that actually counts: their MMP party vote.

    I’m not sure what anyone can do when so many are so dreadfully ignorant of what is in their best interest. I guess you could respond as National has and make out like thieves while the dummies keep on voting for you.

  13. Steve Withers 13
    13 April 2011 at 3:30 pm

    Andrew: The SSC boss doesn’t appoint anyone the Cabinet doesn’t like. That’s just how it is. Even under the most hands-off govt it’s still nods and winks. This crowd would be MUCH less subtle than that.

    • gobsmacked 14.1
      13 April 2011 at 9:44 pm

      That Stuff thread is amazing, hundreds of comments in just a couple of hours, very anti.

      The official opposition (Labour) are just a slow-moving rusty old tanker, and National know it. They can do whatever they want under urgency, and by the time they’re done and dusted, Labour MPs will be preparing to hold a meeting to discuss whether they should hold a meeting to possibly object (or not).
      Of all the world’s “old” democracies, I can’t think of a single one where the government has an easier ride than in New Zealand today.

    • Pete 14.2
      13 April 2011 at 11:08 pm

      The only MP that has impressed me on this is Gareth Hughes. I’ve been a fairly staunch Labour supporter, but this puts the Greens in play for me come election day.

  15. Boom 15
    13 April 2011 at 6:58 pm
    I’m not for this sort of legislation – but Lianne Dalziel seems to be.

    Select committee member Lianne Dalziel suggested the reason for the rushed legislation was because the council ”had failed to come up with a plan after the earthquake.”

    • Swampy 15.1
      14 April 2011 at 10:09 pm

      Oh, anything to try to smear Bob Parker. But you know, he’s only the frontman. All the decisions made by elected councillors are subject to a vote and he is only one (or two) of the votes. So Liane will have to explain why she’s so keen to shaft all the Labour councillors as well.

  16. MrSmith 16
    13 April 2011 at 7:03 pm

    That useless fat prick running things, we are screwed now and the greens just got my vote, we are now going to get endless announcements from Jerry with photo op’s for Wonkey right up to the election , Sickening thought.
     
    Piss off PeteG!

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    Buzz from the Beehive The Nanny State has scored some wins (or claimed them) in the past day or two but it faltered when it came to protecting Kiwi citizens from being savaged by one woman armed with a sharp tongue. The wins are recorded by triumphant ministers on the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago

  • Acceptance, decency, road food.
    Sometimes you see your friends making the case so well on social media you think: just copy and share.On acceptance and decency, from Michèle A’CourtA notable thing about anti-trans people is they way they talk about transgender women and men as though they are strangers “over there” when in fact ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago

  • Climate Change: More Labour sabotage
    Not that long ago, things were looking pretty good for climate change policy in Aotearoa. We finally had an ETS, and while it was full of pork and subsidies, it was delivering high and ever-rising carbon prices, sending a clear message to polluters to clean up or shut down. And ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago

  • Is bundling restricting electricity competition?
    Comparing (and switching) electricity providers has become easier, but bundling power up with broadband and/or gas makes it more challenging. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The Kākā TL;DR: The new Consumer Advocacy Council set up as a result of the Labour Government’s Electricity Price Review in 2019 has called on either ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Westland Milk puts heat on competitors as global dairy demand  remains softer for longer
    Hokitika-based Westland Milk Products  has  put the heat on dairy giant Fonterra with  a $120m profit turnaround in 2022, driven by record sales. Westland paid its suppliers a 10c premium above the forecast Fonterra price per kilo, contributing $535m to the West Coast and Canterbury economies. The dairy ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    2 days ago

  • BRYCE EDWARDS’ Political Roundup:  The Beehive’s revolving door and corporate mateship
    * Bryce Edwards writes – New Zealanders are uncomfortable with the high level of influence corporate lobbyists have in New Zealand politics, and demands are growing for greater regulation. A recent poll shows 62 per cent of the public support having a two-year cooling off period between ministers leaving public ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: The Beehive’s revolving door and corporate mateship
    New Zealanders are uncomfortable with the high level of influence corporate lobbyists have in New Zealand politics, and demands are growing for greater regulation. A recent poll shows 62 per cent of the public support having a two-year cooling off period between ministers leaving public office and becoming lobbyists and ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    2 days ago

  • A miracle pill for our transport ills
    This is a guest post by accessibility and sustainable transport advocate Tim Adriaansen It originally appeared here.   A friend calls you and asks for your help. They tell you that while out and about nearby, they slipped over and landed arms-first. Now their wrist is swollen, hurting like ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    2 days ago

  • The Surprising Power of Floating Wind Turbines
    Floating offshore wind turbines offer incredible opportunities to capture powerful winds far out at sea. By unlocking this wind energy potential, they could be a key weapon in our arsenal in the fight against climate change. But how developed are these climate fighting clean energy giants? And why do I ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago

  • The next Maori challenge
    Over the past two or three weeks, a procession of Maori iwi and hapu in a series of little-noticed appearances before two Select Committees have been asking for more say for Maori over resource management decisions along the co-governance lines of Three Waters. Their submissions and appearances run counter ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago

  • Secret “war-crime” warrants by International Criminal Court is mischief-making
    The decision of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue war crimes arrest warrants for the Russian President and the Russia Children Ombudsman may have been welcomed by the ideologically committed but otherwise seems to have been greeted with widespread cynicism (see Situation in Ukraine: ICC judges issue arrest warrants ...
    Open ParachuteBy Ken
    3 days ago

  • How to answer Drunk Uncle Kevin's Climate Crisis reckons
    Let’s say you’re clasping your drink at a wedding, or a 40th, or a King’s Birthday Weekend family reunion and Drunk Uncle Kevin has just got going.He’s in an expansive frame of mind because we’re finally rid of that silly girl. But he wants to ask an honest question about ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • National’s Luxon may be glum about his poll ratings but has he found a winner in promising to rai...
    National Party leader Christopher Luxon may  be feeling glum about his poll ratings, but  he could be tapping  into  a rich political vein in  describing the current state of education as “alarming”. Luxon said educational achievement has been declining,  with a recent NCEA pilot exposing just how far it has ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    3 days ago

  • Climate Change: More Labour foot-dragging
    Yesterday the IPCC released the final part of its Sixth Assessment Report, warning us that we have very little time left in which to act to prevent catastrophic climate change, but pointing out that it is a problem that we can solve, with existing technology, and that anything we do ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • Te Pāti Māori Are Revolutionaries – Not Reformists.
    Way Beyond Reform: Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer have no more interest in remaining permanent members of “New Zealand’s” House of Representatives than did Lenin and Trotsky in remaining permanent members of Tsar Nicolas II’s “democratically-elected” Duma. Like the Bolsheviks, Te Pāti Māori is a party of revolutionaries – not reformists.THE CROWN ...
    Bowalley Road
    3 days ago

  • When does history become “ancient”, on Tinetti’s watch as Minister of Education – and what o...
    Buzz from the Beehive Auckland was wiped off the map, when Education Minister Jan Tinetti delivered her speech of welcome as host of the inaugural Conference of Pacific Education Ministers “here in Tāmaki Makaurau”. But – fair to say – a reference was made later in the speech to a ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • Climate Catastrophe, but first rugby.
    Morning mate, how you going?Well, I was watching the news last night and they announced this scientific report on Climate Change. But before they got to it they had a story about the new All Blacks coach.Sounds like important news. It’s a bit of a worry really.Yeah, they were talking ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • What the US and European bank rescues mean for us
    Always a bailout: US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the Government would fully guarantee all savers in all smaller US banks if needed. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: No wonder an entire generation of investors are used to ‘buying the dip’ and ‘holding on for dear life’. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Who will drain Wellington’s lobbying swamp?
    Wealthy vested interests have an oversized influence on political decisions in New Zealand. Partly that’s due to their use of corporate lobbyists. Fortunately, the influence lobbyists can have on decisions made by politicians is currently under scrutiny in Guyon Espiner’s in-depth series published by RNZ. Two of Espiner’s research exposés ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago

  • It’s Raining Congestion
    Yesterday afternoon it rained and traffic around the region ground to a halt, once again highlighting why it is so important that our city gets on with improving the alternatives to driving. For additional irony, this happened on the same day the IPCC synthesis report landed, putting the focus on ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    3 days ago

  • Checking The Left: The Dreadful Logic Of Fascism.
    The Beginning: Anti-Co-Governance agitator, Julian Batchelor, addresses the Dargaville stop of his travelling roadshow across New Zealand . Fascism almost always starts small. Sadly, it doesn’t always stay that way. Especially when the Left helps it to grow.THERE IS A DREADFUL LOGIC to the growth of fascism. To begin with, it ...
    Bowalley Road
    3 days ago

  • Good Friends and Terrible Food
    Hi,From an incredibly rainy day in Los Angeles, I just wanted to check in. I guess this is the day Trump may or may not end up in cuffs? I’m attempting a somewhat slower, less frenzied week. I’ve had Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s new record on non-stop, and it’s been a ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    3 days ago

  • At a glance – What evidence is there for the hockey stick?
    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
    4 days ago

  • Carry right on up there, Corporal Espiner
    RNZ has been shining their torch into corners where lobbyists lurk and asking such questions as: Do we like the look of this?and Is this as democratic as it could be?These are most certainly questions worth asking, and every bit as valid as, say:Are we shortchanged democratically by the way ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • This smells
    RNZ has continued its look at the role of lobbyists by taking a closer look at the Prime Minister's Chief of Staff Andrew Kirton. He used to work for liquor companies, opposing (among other things) a container refund scheme which would have required them to take responsibility for their own ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago

  • Major issues on the table in Mahuta’s  talks in Beijing with China’s new Foreign Minister
    Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta has left for Beijing for the first ministerial visit to China since 2019. Mahuta is  to  meet China’s new foreign minister Qin Gang  where she  might have to call on all the  diplomatic skills  at  her  command. Almost certainly she  will  face  questions  on what  role ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    4 days ago

  • Inside TOP's Teal Card and political strategy
    TL;DR: The Opportunities Party’s Leader Raf Manji is hopeful the party’s new Teal Card, a type of Gold card for under 30s, will be popular with students, and not just in his Ilam electorate where students make up more than a quarter of the voters and where Manji is confident ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • Make Your Empties Go Another Round.
    When I was a kid New Zealand was actually pretty green. We didn’t really have plastic. The fruit and veges came in a cardboard box, the meat was wrapped in paper, milk came in a glass bottle, and even rubbish sacks were made of paper. Today if you sit down ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on how similar Vladimir Putin is to George W. Bush
    Looking back through the names of our Police Ministers down the years, the job has either been done by once or future party Bigfoots – Syd Holland, Richard Prebble, Juduth Collins, Chris Hipkins – or by far lesser lights like Keith Allen, Frank Gill, Ben Couch, Allen McCready, Clem Simich, ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    4 days ago

  • CHRIS TROTTER:  Te Pāti Māori’s uncompromising threat to the status quo
    Chris Trotter writes – The Crown is a fickle friend. Any political movement deemed to be colourful but inconsequential is generally permitted to go about its business unmolested. The Crown’s media, RNZ and TVNZ, may even “celebrate” its existence (presumably as proof of Democracy’s broad-minded acceptance of diversity). ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Shining a bright light on lobbyists in politics
    Four out of the five people who have held the top role of Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff since 2017 have been lobbyists. That’s a fact that should worry anyone who believes vested interests shouldn’t have a place at the centre of decision making. Chris Hipkins’ newly appointed Chief of ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago

  • Auckland Council Draft Budget – an unnecessary backwards step
    Feedback on Auckland Council’s draft 2023/24 budget closes on March 28th. You can read the consultation document here, and provide feedback here. Auckland Council is currently consulting on what is one of its most important ever Annual Plans – the ‘budget’ of what it will spend money on between July ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    4 days ago

  • Talking’ Posey Parker Blues
    by Molten Moira from Motueka If you want to be a woman let me tell you what to do Get a piece of paper and a biro tooWrite down your new identification And boom! You’re now a woman of this nationSpelled W O M A Na real trans woman that isAs opposed ...
    RedlineBy Admin
    4 days ago

  • More Māori words make it into the OED, and polytech boss (with rules on words like “students”) ...
    Buzz from the Beehive   New Zealand Education Minister Jan Tinetti is hosting the inaugural Conference of Pacific Education Ministers for three days from today, welcoming Education Ministers and senior officials from 18 Pacific Island countries and territories, and from Australia. Here’s hoping they have brought translators with them – or ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago

  • Social intercourse with haters and Nazis: an etiquette guide
    Let’s say you’ve come all the way from His Majesty’s United Kingdom to share with the folk of Australia and New Zealand your antipathy towards certain other human beings. And let’s say you call yourself a women’s rights activist.And let’s say 99 out of 100 people who listen to you ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • The Greens, Labour, and coalition enforcement
    James Shaw gave the Green party's annual "state of the planet" address over the weekend, in which he expressed frustration with Labour for not doing enough on climate change. His solution is to elect more Green MPs, so they have more power within any government arrangement, and can hold Labour ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago

  • This sounds familiar…
    RNZ this morning has the first story another investigative series by Guyon Espiner, this time into political lobbying. The first story focuses on lobbying by government agencies, specifically transpower, Pharmac, and assorted universities, and how they use lobbyists to manipulate public opinion and gather intelligence on the Ministers who oversee ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago

  • Letter to the NZ Herald: NCEA pseudoscience – “Mauri is present in all matter”
    Nick Matzke writes –   Dear NZ Herald, I am a Senior Lecturer in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Auckland. I teach evolutionary biology, but I also have long experience in science education and (especially) political attempts to insert pseudoscience into science curricula in ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • So what would be the point of a Green vote again?
    James Shaw has again said the Greens would be better ‘in the tent’ with Labour than out, despite Labour’s policy bonfire last week torching much of what the Government was doing to reduce emissions. File Photo: Lynn Grieveson/Getty ImagesTL;DR: The Green Party has never been more popular than in some ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • Gas stoves pose health risks. Are gas furnaces and other appliances safe to use?
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Sarah Wesseler Poor air quality is a long-standing problem in Los Angeles, where the first major outbreak of smog during World War II was so intense that some residents thought the city had been attacked by chemical weapons. Cars were eventually discovered ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • Genetic Heritage and Co Governance
    Yesterday I was reading an excellent newsletter from David Slack, and I started writing a comment “Sounds like some excellent genetic heritage…” and then I stopped.There was something about the phrase genetic heritage that stopped me in tracks. Is that a phrase I want to be saying? It’s kind of ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • BRIAN EASTON: Radical Uncertainty
    Brian Easton writes – Two senior economists challenge some of the foundations of current economics. It is easy to criticise economic science by misrepresenting it, by selective quotations, and by ignoring that it progresses, like all sciences, by improving and abandoning old theories. The critics may go ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Geoffrey Miller: New Zealand’s Middle East strategy, 20 years after the Iraq War
    This week marks the twentieth anniversary of the Iraq War. While it strongly opposed the US-led invasion, New Zealand’s then Labour-led government led by Prime Minister Helen Clark did deploy military engineers to try to help rebuild Iraq in mid-2003. With violence soaring, their 12-month deployment ended without being renewed ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    5 days ago

  • The motorways are finished
    After seventy years, Auckland’s motorway network is finally finished. In July 1953 the first section of motorway in Auckland was opened between Ellerslie-Panmure Highway and Mt Wellington Highway. The final stage opens to traffic this week with the completion of the motorway part of the Northern Corridor Improvements project. Aucklanders ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    5 days ago

  • Kicking National’s tyres
    National’s appointment of Todd McClay as Agriculture spokesperson clearly signals that the party is in trouble with the farming vote. McClay was not an obvious choice, but he does have a record as a political scrapper. The party needs that because sources say it has been shedding farming votes ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago

  • As long as there is cricket, the world is somehow okay.
    Rays of white light come flooding into my lounge, into my face from over the top of my neighbour’s hedge. I have to look away as the window of the conservatory is awash in light, as if you were driving towards the sun after a rain shower and suddenly blinded. ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • So much of what was there remains
    The columnists in Private Eye take pen names, so I have not the least idea who any of them are. But I greatly appreciate their expert insight, especially MD, who writes the medical column, offering informed and often damning critique of the UK health system and the politicians who keep ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • 2023 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A chronological listing of news articles posted on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Mar 12, 2023 thru Sat, Mar 18, 2023. Story of the Week Guest post: What 13,500 citations reveal about the IPCC’s climate science report   IPCC WG1 AR6 SPM Report Cover - Changing ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • Financial capability services are being bucked up, but Stuart Nash shouldn’t have to see if they c...
    Buzz from the Beehive  The building of financial capability was brought into our considerations when Social Development and Employment Minister Carmel Sepuloni announced she had dipped into the government’s coffers for $3 million for “providers” to help people and families access community-based Building Financial Capability services. That wording suggests some ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    7 days ago

  • Things that make you go Hmmmm.
    Do you ever come across something that makes you go Hmmmm?You mean like the song?No, I wasn’t thinking of the song, but I am now - thanks for that. I was thinking of things you read or hear that make you stop and go Hmmmm.Yeah, I know what you mean, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    7 days ago

  • The hoon for the week that was to March 19
    By the end of the week, the dramas over Stuart Nash overshadowed Hipkins’ policy bonfire. File photo: Lynn GrieveasonTLDR: This week’s news in geopolitics and the political economy covered on The Kākā included:PM Chris Hipkins’ announcement of the rest of a policy bonfire to save a combined $1.7 billion, but ...
    The KakaBy Peter Bale
    7 days ago

  • Saving Stuart Nash: Explaining Chris Hipkins' unexpected political calculation
    When word went out that Prime Minister Chris Hipkins would be making an announcement about Stuart Nash on the tiles at parliament at 2:45pm yesterday, the assumption was that it was over. That we had reached tipping point for Nash’s time as minister. But by 3pm - when, coincidentally, the ...
    PunditBy Tim Watkin
    1 week ago

  • Radical Uncertainty
    Two senior economists challenge some of the foundations of current economics. It is easy to criticise economic science by misrepresenting it, by selective quotations, and by ignoring that it progresses, like all sciences, by improving and abandoning old theories. The critics may go on to attack physics by citing Newton.So ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago

  • Jump onto the weekly hoon on Riverside at 5pm
    Photo by Walker Fenton on UnsplashIt’s that time of the week again when and I co-host our ‘hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kaka for an hour at 5 pm. Jump on this link on Riverside (we’ve moved from Zoom) for our chat about the week’s news with ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

  • The Dream of Florian Neame: Accepted
    In a nice bit of news, my 2550-word deindustrial science-fiction piece, The Dream of Florian Neame, has been accepted for publication at New Maps Magazine (https://www.new-maps.com/). I have published there before, of course, with Of Tin and Tintagel coming out last year. While I still await the ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    1 week ago

  • Snakes and leaders
    And so this is Friday, and what have we learned?It was a week with all the usual luggage: minister brags and then he quits, Hollywood red carpet is full of twits. And all the while, hanging over the trivial stuff: existential dread, and portents of doom.Depending on who you read ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago

  • This station is Karanga-a-Hape, Chur!
    When I changed the name of this newsletter from The Daily Read to Nick’s Kōrero I was a bit worried whether people would know what Kōrero meant or not. I added a definition when I announced the change and kind of assumed people who weren’t familiar with it would get ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago

  • Greens don’t shy from promoting a candidate’s queerness but are quiet about govt announcement on...
    There was a time when a political party’s publicity people would counsel against promoting a candidate as queer. No matter which of two dictionary meanings the voting public might choose to apply – the old meaning of odd, strange, weird, or aberrant, or the more recent meaning of gay, homosexual ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 week ago

  • Ask Me Anything about the week to March 17
    Photo by Joakim Honkasalo on UnsplashIt’s that time of the week for an ‘Ask Me Anything’ session for paying subscribers about the week that was for the next hour, including:PM Chris Hipkins announcement of the rest of a policy bonfire to save a combined $1.7 billion, but which blew up ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

  • Slow consenting could create $16b climate liability by 2050
    Even though concern over the climate change threat is becoming more mainstream, our governments continue to opt out of the difficult decisions at the expense of time, and cost for future generations. Photo: Lynn Grieveson/Getty ImagesTLDR: Now we have a climate liability number to measure the potential failure of the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

  • THOMAS CRANMER: Challenging progressivism in New Zealand’s culture wars
    Thomas Cranmer writes  Like it or not, the culture wars have entered New Zealand politics and look set to broaden and intensify. The culture wars are often viewed as an exclusively American phenomenon, but the reality is that they are becoming increasingly prominent in countries around the world, ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 week ago

  • District Court Judges appointed
    Attorney-General David Parker has announced the appointment of Christopher John Dellabarca of Wellington, Dr Katie Jane Elkin of Wellington, Caroline Mary Hickman of Napier, Ngaroma Tahana of Rotorua, Tania Rose Williams Blyth of Hamilton and Nicola Jan Wills of Wellington as District Court Judges.  Chris Dellabarca Mr Dellabarca commenced his ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago

  • New project set to supercharge ocean economy in Nelson Tasman
    A new Government-backed project will help ocean-related businesses in the Nelson Tasman region to accelerate their growth and boost jobs. “The Nelson Tasman region is home to more than 400 blue economy businesses, accounting for more than 30 percent of New Zealand’s economic activity in fishing, aquaculture, and seafood processing,” ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • National’s education policy: where’s the funding?
    After three years of COVID-19 disruptions schools are finally settling down and National want to throw that all in the air with major disruption to learning and underinvestment.  “National’s education policy lacks the very thing teachers, parents and students need after a tough couple of years, certainty and stability,” Education ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Free programme to help older entrepreneurs and inventors
    People aged over 50 with innovative business ideas will now be able to receive support to advance their ideas to the next stage of development, Minister for Seniors Ginny Andersen said today. “Seniors have some great entrepreneurial ideas, and this programme will give them the support to take that next ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government target increased to keep powering up the Māori economy
    A cross government target for relevant government procurement contracts for goods and services to be awarded to Māori businesses annually will increase to 8%, after the initial 5% target was exceeded. The progressive procurement policy was introduced in 2020 to increase supplier diversity, starting with Māori businesses, for the estimated ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Continued progress on reducing poverty in challenging times
    77,000 fewer children living in low income households on the after-housing-costs primary measure since Labour took office Eight of the nine child poverty measures have seen a statistically significant reduction since 2018. All nine have reduced 28,700 fewer children experiencing material hardship since 2018 Measures taken by the Government during ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Speech at Fiji Investment and Trade Business Forum
    Deputy Prime Minister Kamikamica; distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. Tēnā koutou katoa, ni sa bula vinaka saka, namaste. Deputy Prime Minister, a very warm welcome to Aotearoa. I trust you have been enjoying your time here and thank you for joining us here today. To all delegates who have travelled to be ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government investments boost and diversify local economies in lower South Island
    $2.9 million convertible loan for Scapegrace Distillery to meet growing national and international demand $4.5m underwrite to support Silverlight Studios’ project to establish a film studio in Wanaka Gore’s James Cumming Community Centre and Library to be official opened tomorrow with support of $3m from the COVID-19 Response and Recovery ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government future-proofs EV charging
    Transport Minister Michael Wood has today launched the first national EV (electric vehicle) charging strategy, Charging Our Future, which includes plans to provide EV charging stations in almost every town in New Zealand. “Our vision is for Aotearoa New Zealand to have world-class EV charging infrastructure that is accessible, affordable, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • World-leading family harm prevention campaign supports young NZers
    Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment Priyanca Radhakrishnan has today launched the Love Better campaign in a world-leading approach to family harm prevention. Love Better will initially support young people through their experience of break-ups, developing positive and life-long attitudes to dealing with hurt. “Over 1,200 young kiwis told ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • First Chief Clinical Advisor welcomed into Coroners Court
    Hon Rino Tirikatene, Minister for Courts, welcomes the Ministry of Justice’s appointment of Dr Garry Clearwater as New Zealand’s first Chief Clinical Advisor working with the Coroners Court. “This appointment is significant for the Coroners Court and New Zealand’s wider coronial system.” Minister Tirikatene said. Through Budget 2022, the Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Next steps for affected properties post Cyclone and floods
    The Government via the Cyclone Taskforce is working with local government and insurance companies to build a picture of high-risk areas following Cyclone Gabrielle and January floods. “The Taskforce, led by Sir Brian Roche, has been working with insurance companies to undertake an assessment of high-risk areas so we can ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • New appointment to Māori Land Court bench
    E te huia kaimanawa, ko Ngāpuhi e whakahari ana i tau aupikinga ki te tihi o te maunga. Ko te Ao Māori hoki e whakanui ana i a koe te whakaihu waka o te reo Māori i roto i te Ao Ture. (To the prized treasure, it is Ngāpuhi who ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Government focus on jobs sees record number of New Zealanders move from Benefits into work
    113,400 exits into work in the year to June 2022 Young people are moving off Benefit faster than after the Global Financial Crisis Two reports released today by the Ministry of Social Development show the Government’s investment in the COVID-19 response helped drive record numbers of people off Benefits and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Vertical farming partnership has upward momentum
    The Government’s priority to keep New Zealand at the cutting edge of food production and lift our sustainability credentials continues by backing the next steps of a hi-tech vertical farming venture that uses up to 95 per cent less water, is climate resilient, and pesticide-free. Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor visited ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Conference of Pacific Education Ministers – Keynote Address
    E nga mana, e nga iwi, e nga reo, e nga hau e wha, tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou kātoa. Warm Pacific greetings to all. It is an honour to host the inaugural Conference of Pacific Education Ministers here in Tāmaki Makaurau. Aotearoa is delighted to be hosting you ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • New $13m renal unit supports Taranaki patients
    The new renal unit at Taranaki Base Hospital has been officially opened by the Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall this afternoon. Te Huhi Raupō received around $13 million in government funding as part of Project Maunga Stage 2, the redevelopment of the Taranaki Base Hospital campus. “It’s an honour ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
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  • Second Poseidon aircraft on home soil
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