We are paying for Key and Coleman to attend the World Cup

Written By: - Date published: 8:58 am, October 28th, 2015 - 207 comments
Categories: john key, Minister for Overseas Holidays, national, same old national, the praiseworthy and the pitiful - Tags: ,

National, the party of careful management of the country’s finances and the party that opposed to any unjustified spending of tax money it created its own pet union, has engaged in expenditure that should do more than raise a few eyebrows. John Key and Jonathan Coleman are attending the Rugby World Cup on the taxpayer’s tab.

According to the Herald Bill English thinks that New Zealanders will not mind footing the bill. From the article:

Mr English told TV One’s Breakfast that New Zealanders were getting value for money from his colleagues’ travel.

That was because they were attending a wide range of other events and meetings while in Europe, and not just the rugby.

“I think New Zealanders would expect some form of representation from the government in the form of the sports minister and the Prime Minister to actually be at this game. Do you think we should stay home because we can’t afford it?” Mr English said.

“The Prime Minister is over there largely because of the free trade agreement launch with Europe, and that’s why the Trade Minister [Tim Groser] is there. So, actually they are economising.”

Andrew Little did the right thing by paying for his expenses.

The English defence should be used by the next social welfare beneficiary facing a charge of benefit fraud because they could not make ends meet.  If New Zealanders do not mind it must be OK.

And no sign of any opposition from the Taxpayer’s union. I wonder why?

207 comments on “We are paying for Key and Coleman to attend the World Cup ”

  1. roy cartland 1

    Paying alright:

    “exclusive suites Mr Key is likely to use are from $2200 to $4000 a night.”
    http://m.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11534171

    • Bob 1.1

      “exclusive suites Mr Key is likely to use”
      That sentence alone shows NZ Herald has given up pretending it’s anything other than a tabloid rag.

      They are one step away from turning into The Daily Mail! https://twitter.com/thepoke/status/518872066322231297

      • Henry Filth 1.1.1

        And what do you see as that one step?

        I see it as use of the word “revealed”, and a large amount of the content being lists- “Top 15 Auckland properties” and so on.

    • billmurray 1.2

      Roy, stop showing your class, the PM and entourage should be at World Cup final, and we should pay, Please stop being a whingeing peasant.

      • roy cartland 1.2.1

        “Roy, stop showing your class, the PM and entourage should be at World Cup final, and we should pay, Please stop being a whingeing peasant.”

        Your powers of debate are less than overwhelming. “Of course” just isn’t persuasive. You could always try to stop being a self-righteous boor, if you can.

    • whateva next? 1.3

      Not bunking with his boys then?

  2. dukeofurl 2

    It seems that Farrar is at the RWC too. keeping his eye on ministerial extravagances?

  3. vto 3

    Yep, all the rich pricks are out of the country at the world cup at the moment.

    Just like they all disappear during winter to the islands, or Europe or some such.

    You know the amazing thing about these exoduses? The country carries on fine. The rich prove themselves unnecessary to the running of the country. Don’t need them.

    And of course this could be tried in reverse. Lets try next year to have half the country’s cleaners, rubbish collectors, nurses, teachers, stop-go men, etc head off on a merry overseas jaunt and see how the country goes……

    The low paid are more valuable to the country than the rich.

    • mary_a 3.1

      Hear hear vto @ (3) Well summed up there 🙂

    • infused 3.2

      No, they only fund it.

      • Draco T Bastard 3.2.1

        The poor fund the economy and thus the entire country by working. The rich are simply bludgers.

        • john 3.2.1.1

          and who owns the company that PAYS our wages???

          • Draco T Bastard 3.2.1.1.1

            The person who owns the company doesn’t pay the wages. The people who actually do the work do. The person who owns the company just bludges off the workers.

        • Ilicit 3.2.1.2

          Without the poor, us paupers, this country would be stuffed.

          I still can’t get my head around the theory that rich people will be able to buy all the products manufactured by the poor.

          Perhaps they think that each of them are entitled to a million, or even a billion, Ferraris each, and each of those to be attended to by a million paupers to wash and polish them.

          Where the hell have simple economics gone ??

          How the hell does this government think they can get away with public funding for “jollies”.

          You can bet your bottom dollar that we are also paying for $1000 or more seats and all the perks that go with being on a paid holiday.

          And I sit here dying, waiting for the health system to catch up with me……

          Doctor freaking Coleman signed a Hippocratic Oath…….

          John “wimpy” Key made false promises before he even got into power.

          What hope do I hold to stay alive for another year ???

          None !!!

          • Draco T Bastard 3.2.1.2.1

            Where the hell have simple economics gone ??

            Economics has been ignored in favour of finances for quite some time now. Finances allows the rich to get richer and the problems to be blamed on those suffering them.

            https://vimeo.com/71074210

            • Richard@Down South 3.2.1.2.1.1

              Well said… It’s like Apple.. they make a lot of money (and that looks good on the face of it for an American company, but they employ few American’s except in retail stores, and they’re not exactly paid well… so the US economy doesn’t actually benefit from Apple, as Apple soaks up cash from the economy and keeps it in reserve (overseas as not to pay tax)

            • Ilicit 3.2.1.2.1.2

              It’s a juxtaposition of words DTB.

              Finance belongs to the so called private sector.

              Economics for a country belong to it’s government.

              Right no, we have a semi private sector government, it’s going to shatter many dreams when their return doesn’t match the share market.

              By that I simply mean the NZer’s who were sucked in and will suffer out of proportion. They just don’t know it right now, but they will soon !!!

              Sorry, out of breath….

    • Henry Filth 3.3

      I may be out of the country, but I’m not at the RWC.

      Possibly there are more of us rich pricks than you thought.

      • vto 3.3.1

        There are a hell of a lot of rich pricks Henry

        It in fact amazes me how many people in our community do not have to work for an income. The number is very high.

        Have been meaning to comment on exactly this point for some time.

        There are few people in NZ who actually do the work and activity required to run lives and the country …

        Anyways, point still stands. New Zealand doesn’t need the rich – proved.

        • ICD 3.3.1.1

          At what point does someone become a rich prick?

          I’m genuinely asking. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a number or some other indicator by which to tell who is and who isn’t.

          • vto 3.3.1.1.1

            Yeah, I don’t even really like the words “rich pricks” as it demeans many good people who have played the cards they have been dealt under the rules in place.

            An assessment might be a person who does not have to work at all or very much to live an above average comfortable life due to their financial resources.

            • ICD 3.3.1.1.1.1

              Thanks VTO (and OAB below), appreciate the feedback and explanations. Agree, there are a great number of people who have done exceedingly well off their own back.

              I just always assumed there was some real, or imaginary, financial threshold.

              • One Anonymous Bloke

                there are a great number of people who have done exceedingly well off their own back.

                Luck is not “your own back”, and that’s the only thing that separates those who do exceedingly well and those who don’t. Putting on airs about it can move you into the “prick” category pretty damn quick.

          • One Anonymous Bloke 3.3.1.1.2

            It isn’t so much the wealth as the attitude that defines them. “Pulling up the ladder” is a dead giveaway, for example.

  4. BM 4

    Key is the PM and as such should be there.

    Little is of no importance so of course he should pay his own way, it’s nothing more than just a holiday for him.

    • mary_a 4.1

      @ BM – one eyed much!

      • BM 4.1.1

        I disagree, I’d say the same if Clark was leader.

        Seriously, what reason is there for Little to be at the world cup?, shouldn’t he be back in NZ getting Labour sorted?.

        • Sabine 4.1.1.1

          the question does not arise, as Mr. Little pays for his own trip and thus is there as a ‘private person’ and not a “state sponsored Prime Minister”.

          So there, and yes, I taxpayer private and tax payer business have an issue with paying for the PM to go there, when we are cutting social services, health services, education services etc etc etc.
          If the PM feels his presence is needed he can stay on the Tax Payers dime and on a tight budget. 2 – 4000 grand to house him for a night? And a few hundred dollar more a day to feed and water him? With the cost of one day of the PM fellating the All Blacks you could house a family of 4 a full month at the cost of a standard rental in Auckland.

          You see BM, the funny thing with Austerity…its simply, we are either in this all together, or really it is just a very clumsy form of stealing from the poor to get ones own arse gold pleated.

          • BM 4.1.1.1.1

            What austerity?

            • RedLogix 4.1.1.1.1.1

              Oh I dunno – maybe the same austerity which has forced this govt to borrow $100b?

              • BM

                Isn’t that the opposite.

              • Enough is Enough

                RedLogix. The borrowing is done in order fund expenditure.

                Austerity is when you cut spending.

                • Draco T Bastard

                  National has cut spending in social areas and increased spending on corporations and the rich. The increased spending has resulted in the blowout of borrowing that this government has engaged in.

                  • Enough is Enough

                    It is still expenditure, no matter where it is directed, paid for through borrowing.

                    • Draco T Bastard

                      The point was that the majority of people have had the government expenditure on them decreased along with austerity and a few people have had the government expenditure on them increased against austerity. That increased expenditure on the few has necessitated the borrowing.

                    • Enough is Enough

                      I know what your demented point is.

                    • Draco T Bastard

                      No, I suspect that you don’t.

                  • Nessalt

                    National have increased benefits, increased spending on health care and on education as well as justice. How is this cutting social spending draco?

                    • McFlock

                      In the same way their increased expenditure has done wonders for schools and prisons. No, wait, they just pay the private sector to do what the public sector used to do, only the private sector does it half as well for twice the cash.

                      And then they find excuses to kick people off benefits for invented reasons.

                    • Draco T Bastard

                      When the ‘increase’ doesn’t even match inflation over the same time period then it’s a decrease in real terms. Health care, for example, once inflation and population growth are taken into consideration has had a funding decrease. Education has had a nominal cut of close to a billion dollars:

                      Today’s budget is a dismal affair, as the government shuffles money around and announces new spending while conveniently forgetting to mention that its a sub-inflation rise and that health and education are going backwards – as they have every year under National (Education has even been cut in nominal terms, falling from $11.5 billion in 2009 to $10.8 billion today).

                      National never increases social spending as it means that the rich won’t be able to get massively richer while doing nothing more.

                    • Kay

                      @Nessalt For the umpteenth time, National have NOT increased benefits. Do your research and stop pushing that line and go talk to people who are on benefits. It’s a load of bullshit.

                    • Venezia

                      Can you provide evidence for these “increased spending on health care and education as well as justice”? All the evidence I have seen suggest the opposite since National came to power in 2008.

                  • srylands

                    What a fantasy you engage in. Have you ever read the Crown accounts? You are simply making shit up. Read the 2008 PREFU.

                    You sound like Nicolae Ceaușescu on a bad day.

                    So the reason we have borrowed to avoid austerity is to fund “increased spending on corporations and the rich”.

                    I have printed that out and added it to the wall of infamy notice board in the office!

                    • One Anonymous Bloke

                      Put this one next to it:

                      Deriving 100% of one’s income from the taxpayer while advocating for ACT is a massive conflict of interest and perilously close to fraud.

            • Draco T Bastard 4.1.1.1.1.2

              The austerity that this government is forcing upon the majority of people so that the rich can stay rich.

          • Olwyn 4.1.1.1.2

            You see BM, the funny thing with Austerity…its simply, we are either in this all together, or really it is just a very clumsy form of stealing from the poor to get ones own arse gold plated.

            +1 Sabine – well said! Sums it up really.

          • alwyn 4.1.1.1.3

            I will believe that Little “pays for his own trip” when he produces a receipt proving that he paid for his ticket to the final.
            I don’t expect he will because I don’t believe he is going to.
            In fact, given his late decision to go to the thing he will have to be looking for a free one from some corporate or other because they were sold out ages ago.

            • Tracey 4.1.1.1.3.1

              do we know he made a late decision?

            • Gangnam Style 4.1.1.1.3.2

              Alwyn is being a shit stirrer because it has already come out that Little got given a ticket as a gift, but not paid for by taxpayers.

              • alwyn

                I was not aware that it had been admitted that Little was getting his ticket free. I am not surprised, although why he had to make a broad claim that he was paying for his attendance himself does seem to be stretching things.
                Perhaps Sabine who says
                “Mr. Little pays for his own trip and thus is there as a ‘private person’”
                and mary_a may rethink her statement that
                “Besides as far as Little is concerned, he’s paying for himself anyway”

                • mary_a

                  @ alwyn – even though Little received a free ticket, it seems he’s paying for his own transport and accommodation costs for the RWC. So in that respect, he is paying for himself.

                  • alwyn

                    Yes, well maybe he is. It does appear that he was fudging a bit about him paying for his going to the cup though doesn’t it. His original announcement certainly didn’t tell us this did it.
                    Incidentally who is the generous benefactor? Is he like the Labour MPs who raved on about the evils of the Auckland Casino but happily accepted their hospitality at the rugby test. Shouldn’t we be told who he is in hock to?

                    • One Anonymous Bloke

                      If he’s in hock to anyone yes of course we should be told all about it. The Waitemata Trust and Cabinet Club are obvious examples too.

                      The only way to stop the National Party selling MPs and legislation is to get money out of politics altogether.

        • mary_a 4.1.1.2

          @BM – same point could also apply to FJK!

          Other than wanting to be seen with and rubbing shoulders with royalty, celebrities, international rugby movers and shakers and off course the ABs, what reason has FJK got to be at the RWC? He has a country to get sorted!

          Besides as far as Little is concerned, he’s paying for himself anyway.

        • Ross 4.1.1.3

          What reason is there for Key to be at the Cup? The players don’t need him to scrub their backs after the game, as much as he might want to. 🙂

          But you’re missing the point. Key is entitled to be there but he shouldn’t expect taxpayers to foot the bill.

        • whateva next? 4.1.1.4

          “I disagree, I’d say the same if Clark was leader”
          doubt it…..

    • Pat 4.2

      Key is a perverted dick and should stay well away from anything and everyone

  5. Lanthanide 5

    Maybe this is the sort of thing Ad meant when he posted about how the left doesn’t like rugby.

    • Tracey 5.1

      yes except the Leader of the “Left” is going to the Rugby World Cup Final.

      • Lanthanide 5.1.1

        I think it’s appropriate for the PM to attend, especially as it is our ‘national’ game.

        So I have no problem with the government paying for this, especially as it is part of other travelling anyway.

        It seems that some people on the left don’t like it when the PM attends rugby, though.

        • Sabine 5.1.1.1

          I don’t mind for the PM to attend, on his own, on the cheapest possible way considering that we are cutting social services, cutting health care, gutting education, have no money for shelters and rape counceling, have no money to house our homeless, have no money to feed our children, have no money to fuck all other then attend rugby games, buy new flags, buy a new currency,etc etc etc.

          So you see where some of us might not be happy to pay a trip for the PM, that many of us will never in their life time will take.

          • left for deadshark 5.1.1.1.1

            +100 % Sabine

          • Lanthanide 5.1.1.1.2

            “So you see where some of us might not be happy to pay a trip for the PM, that many of us will never in their life time will take.”

            99.99% of people in this country will never do many of the things the Prime Minister does on a weekly or even daily basis.

            So that’s not really an argument.

            • Sabine 5.1.1.1.2.1

              99% of the country will have used our public schools, our public hospitals. About 50% of the country will have used social services for housing and or housing assistance. A too large percentage of our country will have used a shelter or needed counceling for abuse. A too large percentage of our children grow up poor in cold houses, with out adequate monetary support to cover the cost of growing into a productive adults.

              So really I don’t see your point as an argument for gold pleating Dear Leaders arse as valid either.

              • Enough is Enough

                Why do you call him Dear Leader.

                That is what the RWNJ’s called Helen for years. It was stupid then and it is stupid now.

                • Hami Shearlie

                  Maybe some call him “Dear Leader” because having him as leader is very very expensive to NZ? All those bodyguards milling around him while on holiday in the deep, dark, terrorist-filled and dangerous region of Hawaii, well, they don’t come free!

                • Sabine

                  it is a term of endearment. I really don’t think that PM just does him justices.
                  So dear Leader it is, and always will be. It is the right thing to do.

              • Lanthanide

                There are many many responsibilities that come with the office of PM, and a very demanding workload.

                There are also some privileges.

        • Tracey 5.1.1.2

          Netball is also our national game and Cricket. How many matches of the women has he attended? How many times has he attended the Black Ferns playing world championship rugby?

          • mary_a 5.1.1.2.1

            @ Tracey (5.1.1.2) True … or rowing, although not a national sport, but one in which NZ competitors seem to do well in both here and internationally. Never known FJK to make his presence felt there either.

          • Banjo 5.1.1.2.2

            Agreed. According to Matthew Hooton “of course the Prime Minister should attend”, and by attending he is fulfilling his role as PM. In that case I would expect that he attended the netball world cup final in Australia in support of the Silver Ferns, and would have been at Twickenham in 2010 to witness the Black Ferns win their fourth consecutive rugby world cup.

            Can’t find any reference online to suggest Key was in attendance for either of these events, but he did send the Silver Ferns a video message of support so surely that should be good enough for any other NZ sports team playing in a world cup final.

          • Lanthanide 5.1.1.2.3

            So because he doesn’t attend sport A and ‘represent New Zealand’, he shouldn’t attend sport B to ‘represent New Zealand’ either?

            Do you want him to attend more sports, or fewer?

            • Banjo 5.1.1.2.3.1

              “Do you want him to attend more sports, or fewer?”

              In the context of the argument that he should attend the RWC final as part of his role and duties as PM, I think he should be consistent and give the same level of support to other NZ sports teams who reach world cup finals.

              Otherwise it suggests that he is only attending the RWC because of his personal enjoyment of mens rugby (which he is perfectly entitled to) but at the very least efforts should be made to reduce the cost to the taxpayer in that instance.

              It could also suggest that our PM doesn’t give as much kudos to successful womens sports teams as he does to mens.

              • One Anonymous Bloke

                Why stop at rugby? Why stop at sports?

                If the Prime Minister is required to attend global events in which New Zealand individuals or groups play a prominent role, there’ll be very little time left for them to do the actual Minister thing.

            • Matthew Hooton 5.1.1.2.3.2

              more

      • Nessalt 5.1.2

        He’s not the leader of the left. he’s the leader of the largest opposition party. big difference.

        Also, isn’t it great how you took less than one day to involve politics in sport after yesterdays comments? as if it matters that the left is seen to support sport?

        • Lanthanide 5.1.2.1

          “He’s not the leader of the left. he’s the leader of the largest opposition party. big difference.”

          His position in parliament is “leader of the opposition”. The fact that he is from Labour is technically irrelevant – there was some murmurings that Winston was going to try and stake a claim to the title, since Labour kept changing their leader.

          • Nessalt 5.1.2.1.1

            That doesn’t make him leader of the left either? his position may be leader of the opposition, which would arise from being leader of the largest opposition party i’m assuming. Labour don’t have an automatic claim to the title (maybe they do?). I’d put James Shaw as leader of the left, perhaps Phil Twyford. not angry andy

            • Lanthanide 5.1.2.1.1.1

              This is what Tracey said:

              yes except the Leader of the “Left” is going to the Rugby World Cup Final.

              She put left in quotation marks for a reason.

          • alwyn 5.1.2.1.2

            @Lanthanide
            The position of “Leader of the Opposition” is defined in the rules of Parliament.
            It is here
            http://www.parliament.nz/en-nz/about-parliament/how-parliament-works/ppnz/00HOOOCPPNZ_71/chapter-7-parties-and-government#_Toc268508502
            and it isn’t up for argument apparently because as it says
            “The leader of the largest party not in Government and not in coalition with a Government party is entitled to be recognised as the Leader of the Opposition. [29] ”
            Winston may have liked to pretend that he was the most effective leader of and opposition party but even when Cunliffe was leader the Labour Party got about three times as many votes, and members as he did.

        • Tracey 5.1.2.2

          You are a selective reader because I have constantly stated that the notion of seperating politics and sport is redundant and misguided, but feel free to link to where I stated otherwise.

          Do you understand what i means when someone puts “Left” like that?

    • North 5.2

      Used to love rugby until that selfish punk The Ponce Key set about colonising it. And making a total dick of Richie in the process. Bet Jerome Kaino gives him shit about his “mate”.

      • vto 5.2.1

        Ha, yep I been wondering which ones would be unimpressed with Key and especially his politics.

        Could easily be most of them…

        Must be tempting to drop a one-liner and knock the wind from the sails

  6. Tracey 6

    I don’t have a problem with a PM attending the World Cup Final. I am trying to recall if he was also at the Netball World Cup Final? IF he only goes to sports games that personally interest him, then, imo he is not doing so as leader of NZ or in th einterests of NZ and should pay associated expenses.

    He nearly went to the netball on Thursday night. Just nearly.

    The article refers to

    “Mr Key has chaired a meeting of the International Democratic Union in Marrakesh. ”

    When you look up that organisation I think everyone can agree it is not a NZ national interest type meeting but clearly a party ideological meeting, sow e should NOT be paying for any of that.

    IF, such as Coleman, there is something on (like a pre-set conference date) that they would have gone to anyway, then clearly it makes sense and I have no problem with them attending a match but if their business has ended they shold pay their own accomodation and food. Given how much money they all have (all politicians when you add in the stuff outside of salary) this shouldn’t be something they would question?

    We have a HIgh Commission in London so that is where any meetings he hosts should be held, meaning he doesn’t need suites of rooms in a hotel.

    • Ross 6.1

      I don’t think there’s any accommodation at the High Commission. However, his mate Lockwood Smith was renting a house in London last year. You’d like to think he could make room for one more.

      http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11187162

      • Tracey 6.1.1

        That’s why I said if he was hosting people Ross. He doesn’t need a suite of rooms to sleep in great comfort. You only usually need a suite of rooms if you are using them to host your guests on government business. The HIgh Commission is very suitable for him to hold his meetings with important people, and he can sleep in a relatively “cheap” Hotel for far less than $2000 per night.

        He and Bronagh could get a room at the Savoy (hardy clumming it) for the lower end of the 2000 to 4000 rate.

        Sofitel London St James is available from 28 October to 2 November. St James in Haymarket is near the NZHC

        Sofitel London St James
        London
        0.15 km from Theatre Royal Haymarket
        LUXURY ROOM, 1 King Size BedLUXURY ROOM, 1 King Size Bed
        32 m², 345 sq.ft.- MyBed, LCD TV, desk, bathroom with bathtub and rain shower, complimentary WIFI & mineral water, CD player, Hermes toiletries, safe, coffee machine and tea making facility, individually controlled air-conditioning, minibar

        NZD5075.00

        I’m sure a bigger room with a sep area for him to do his late night work (whenhe isnt at his “office” set up at the HC, would still total less that $4000 a night… IF he wanted more luxury he could top it up himself?

        http://www.sofitel.com/gb/booking/rates.shtml?packId=36051338402

      • Gangnam Style 6.1.2

        And John Key has a house in London

        http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/newzealand/11156005/John-Key-the-poor-boy-who-saved-New-Zealands-economy.html

        “He owns an apartment in London, a beach house in Hawaii, a ski pad in……”

    • alwyn 6.2

      I don’t know whether Key attended the full scale Netball event but he certainly went to the “Fast5” World Championship final.
      See the last line of this news report that says he was there.
      http://www.mynetball.co.nz/latest-news/177-my-netball/1776-fast5-ferns-capture-inaugural-world-series-title.html
      ” Prime Minister John Key was a keen spectator at the final, adding his endorsement to the action-packed concept.”

      • Tracey 6.2.1

        so that’s like going to rugby 7s. 3 years ago. I assume that was all you could find?

        • alwyn 6.2.1.1

          Was that really 3 years ago?
          I just googled a simple query and that showed up. I assumed that when it said “latest news” it meant it.
          It was merely the first thing I found in the list of responses from Google. It was obviously more than you bothered with, wasn’t it.

  7. mary_a 7

    But doesn’t FJK own a flat in London for his own personal use? If so, then surely he should be using that.

    A good AUSTERITY measure would be to also accommodate the other govt ministers attending the RWC! After all, austerity applies to the rest of us.

    So a good practical move as an example for the rest of the country, is to lead from the top! But as far as that one is concerned, let’s not hold our breath!

    • ankerawshark 7.1

      Maybe JK doesn’t like his own flat and is being “fussy” like those pesky housing corp tenants that Paula Bennett bleet’s on about who turn down housing.

      It is beyond me that JK can even consider staying in a hotel at $2000 – $4000 a day, especially when he has his own digs.

    • Hami Shearlie 7.2

      Apparently he can’t stay in the place he owns – a relative is house-sitting there, a niece or something and God forbid that Jonkey should be made to share a bathroom or something!! No, that would be more unthinkable than our paying megabucks to a most expensive hotel!

      • mary_a 7.2.1

        @ Hami Shearlie (7.2) – well FJK wouldn’t need to shower in his own flat would he He’d find out where Richie and the boys are staying and shower with them I’d say! That way, there would be more room for his “guests” staying in his apartment to carry out their ablutions.

        A “considerate” move on FJK’s part wouldn’t you say?

  8. shorts 8

    if Key could handle himself as a statesperson and represent the country without appearing on John Oliver I wouldn’t mind… its out national game and all that plus we also hosted the last one so some sort of representation seems fitting

    What I do begrudge is the way Key and co will shove it in our faces, like 12 year olds on some merry jaunt

    English can’t even sell the trip to the taxpayers

    *faceplam*

  9. tangled_up 9

    “I think New Zealanders would expect some form of representation from the government in the form of the sports minister and the Prime Minister to actually be at this game.”

    That’s probably true. It would be happening if Labour were in government too.

    “The English defence should be used by the next social welfare beneficiary facing a charge of benefit fraud because they could not make ends meet. If New Zealanders do not mind it must be OK.”

    I think New Zealanders do mind about benefit fraud.

  10. Matthew Hooton 10

    Of course the prime minister should attend (and probably the sports minister too). And the taxpayer should pay. Had the election turned out differently, it would be Cunliffe and Mallard and quite rightly too. Whether you like it or not, John Key is the leader of the country and in attending this match he is fulfilling that role, just as Bolger and Clark would have done. A case can be make that is the part of his job he does best and he should pay more attention to other aspects of it!

    • Ross 10.1

      Matthew

      I don’t think anyone is saying they shouldn’t attend. But they are well-remunerated for what they do and enjoy numerous perks. They can afford to pay their own way.

      • Matthew Hooton 10.1.1

        It’s a work trip. The employer pays. When a poor and downtrodden PM is elected, are you saying s/he should pay their own way?

        • Ross 10.1.1.1

          When a poor and downtrodden PM is elected, pigs will fly!

          If watching the World Cup final is work, I’m in the wrong job. 🙂

        • Sabine 10.1.1.2

          Do you consider the welfare recipients of this country to be the employer of Dear Leader?
          Do you consider the sick people on a waiting list for chemo therapy the employer of Dear Leader?
          Do you consider the unemployed workers of Fonterra and others the employer of Dear Leader?
          Do you consider the homeless or soon to be homeless in lovely Aotearoa the employer of Dear Leader?
          Do you consider the victims of domestic assault that have no more safe houses the employer of Dear leader?
          Do you consider the kids that go to school hungry to be the employer of Dear Leader?
          Do you consider the Care Givers of our elderlies, our physically handicapped, our mentally impaired the employer of Dear Leader?
          Do you consider the people of certain parts of CHCH to be the employer of Dear Leader?
          Do you consider the pupils of public schools and their teacher to be the employer of Dear Leader?
          Do you consider the nurses and nurse aids in public hospitals to be the employer of Dear Leader?

          Cause for all these Employers of Dear Leader, the treasury and Dear Leader has nothing but contempt and a closed purse.

          Do you really believe that this country has no other issues than the PM going to horse around with the blond locks of Richie on tax payers dime when the country is a 100 billion and counting in debt?
          What was the spiel again about the conservatives being so ‘fiscally responsible” and good with money, and ‘only spend what you have’, and don’t buy shit on a CreditCard for future generations to pay off.

          Oh yeah,….that does not fit in with the narrative that you are paid to peddle? Cause thats what you do ey? Peddle a container load of horsemanure ever single day of your life to promote Dear Leader, our most exalted and accomplished Doer of Nothing Much.

        • Gangnam Style 10.1.1.3

          If its work (PM hat) then they shouldn’t be drinking, theres not many jobs where you get paid to drink!

        • McFlock 10.1.1.4

          Don’t pms get several hundred thousand a year?

          I’d be okay with elected officials going according to my employer’s policy on remuneration for work trips: modest transport, meals and accommodation, and if I want to upgrade I pay the extra myself. $2200/night room? yeah, I’d have to front around $2k myself.

    • Ad 10.2

      All they had to do was lift a fucking finger and ensure that there was open air rights for broadcast simulcast across New Zealand.

      After all, if we are prepared to subsidise a couple of citizens to go and see it – elected though they may be – they should subsidise all citizens.

      And I betcha paying for simulcast air rights to (say) 10 open air venues across New Zealand would be a helluva lot cheaper subsidy per person than the bill for the politicians to be sent to the game in person.

      Politicians – even Ministers and Prime Ministers – are mere citizens.

    • Sacha 10.3

      Any thoughts on why Groser would be there?

    • Tracey 10.4

      So why doesn’t he go to the Netball Finals, or the Womens rugby finals Matthew as prime minister? Clark, to my recall attended rugby and netball matches (both national sports).

  11. Ross 11

    It does seem off that our esteemed multi-millionaire PM doesn’t want to pay his own way. I imagine virtually all his other costs associated with this jaunt will be paid for by organisers of the World Cup, so all he’d have to pay is his airfare and hotel. I’m surprised he doesn’t want to do that.

    • Sabine 11.1

      you don’t get rich by paying your own way. It simply does not work that way. One gets rich by having others pay for them. Simple as that. Our Dear Leader, the great exalted Richie Boy Fan, our most esteemed Flag changer, Money Printer, and Beer drinker knows that.

    • Draco T Bastard 11.2

      It does seem off that our esteemed multi-millionaire PM doesn’t want to pay his own way.

      You don’t get and stay rich by paying for anything.

  12. Whispering Kate 12

    Is the Gov tab paying also for his top dollar fares and high priced hotel expenses to Marrakesh to chair the International Democrat Union which he is also attending. this most definitely has nothing to do with the good of this country being a right wing gathering of like minds to discuss more pain for the disadvantaged of the planet. Why don’t journalists ask this tough question to double dip Bill or demand an explanation from him about it.

  13. infused 13

    Fuck this is laughable.

    As Matthew said, this is effectively a work trip. he’s the pm, our national game.

    His wealth shouldn’t have any bearing at all.

    The left are fucked.

    • Lanthanide 13.1

      +1

      After the discussion Ad’s post generated with a whole bunch of people saying “show us the evidence”.

      Well this is the evidence. As is the Greens stance around early bar openings for the RWC.

      • infused 13.1.1

        And how my drunken incidents were reported???

        ffs.

      • Enough is Enough 13.1.2

        Agreed

      • Tracey 13.1.3

        And yet, the LEADER of the Labour party IS attending. Many here have said they support the PM going (many who regularly show themselves to be “left” on this blog.

        • Lanthanide 13.1.3.1

          And many others have made it seem like a problem that he is going.

          The point is, the fact that we are even having this conversation at all, shows that the left is not comfortable with sports and politics. Some people on the left ‘have’ to go out of their way to show up how horrible John Key is for doing the same thing that 98% of other world leaders do – attend high-profile sporting events that their national team is playing the final in.

          • Tracey 13.1.3.1.1

            how many do ya reckon on this thread? 10?

            surely the point is that the leader of the labour party is showing his idoltry of sport by going? thecrest of nz voters dont know about the 10 haters on here?

    • Sabine 13.2

      but his wealth has no bearings.

      However, considering that many services in NZ including vital services such as Health Care have been cut, services to social welfare have been cut, services to the public education system have been cut, one could make the point that we a. either have the money to fund it all properly and that includes trips overseas, or we b. don’t have the money to fund it all properly and that includes trips overseas, and cuts need to be made and that includes trips overseas.
      As rugby is not something that is vital to the well being of the country (morally maybe, but fiscally?) one could argue that this trip is just a vanity project and maybe should have been gutted as such. Dear Leader could have scored quite a few brownie points, by going to the local pub at 5 am in the morning and have his beer with some of his other employers 🙂 NO you think Not?

      • infused 13.2.1

        If you want to make NZ look like a 3rd world country, sure.

        funding a few thousand for a trip, vs millions for services is quite different.

        • BM 13.2.1.1

          I get the feeling sabine is one of those hard core lefty Catholics, the type who spend their day self flagellating and wallowing in misery and woe.

          • Sabine 13.2.1.1.1

            nah, not quite, just someone who is fiscally conservative. You see, I do like to buy stuff as much as any other one, i just don’t do it on the credit card.
            I would also like to leave a few things behind when I bite the dust, like, social welfare, health care, intact infrastructure, etc etc.

            I am something the right only profess to be when it comes to slacking off a leftie, I am a conservative when it comes to spending money that I have or not have.

            And I am one of the very few Kiwis that does not have a credit card, does not have a loan, and still lives very very well, and travels well, and eats well, and drinks well, and loves well, cause there ain’t no debt collector giving me grief and all i have I own.

            And I would expect the same attitude of someone who ran on the platform of fiscal responsibilities, and good business sense and holds the purse to the well being of the country.

            And this current National Government has neither.

            • BM 13.2.1.1.1.1

              So you eat well, travel well, drink well and yet moan about inequality in NZ.

              • Sabine

                Yes. because It concerns me.
                I am lucky enough today to eat well, to sleep well, and to love well, and in my younger years I was able to travel well.

                And because I have had all of these things, and because I am very aware of how quickly life can change I would like to preserve what we have, I would like to be able to leave something behind (and no I don’t have children), I would like for other people to also have a good life.

                Because you see there but for the grace of god I go.

                And just because, before I ate well, and slept well, I was homeless, living the life of a street kid at a young age, have had my fair share of sexual harassment (which is what got me on the street in the first place) and I have slept rough, and gone without food for a few days here and there.
                I actually know what I speak of.
                And I would love for other people to not have to go through the shit I did in order to find a place where they are finally able to say, I eat well, I sleep well and I love well.

                • BM

                  I have to ask, what do you do for the less well off in society.?

                  Do you donate food, money, your time?

                  • Sabine

                    Yes. I do.
                    Look BM, I am not an island, and one day i am going to be old and decrepit (more so than now), and I will depend on the good will of others.
                    And when I am old and decrepit I will also depend to some extend on the government be it only for old age pension.
                    I am neither rich nor poor, i don’t own a house (never saw the reason for it, especially as I have no kids, so there is no need to leave something physically behind), but I have my business, I earn my live, I have some young girls work for me (a pay above the min wage) and I try to be a decent human being.

                    But I do know, that we can’t live in a society where over 50% of the people don’t know where the next meal is coming from, or if they still have a rental next week, or if they can afford to go to a doctor if they fall ill.
                    So yes, I would like for our governments, regardless of stripes and affiliations, to work for the better of the country. I have no issues paying taxes to afford a decent Infrastructure, good hospitals, good schools for future generations, good old folk homes where one can live out live with dignity etc etc.
                    And I have no issues helping others that need help.

                    I am no Island, I live in my community, and If I want a nice community I need to do my bit.

                    And I will never forget the feeling of being hungry to the point of fainting, sleeping in half finished building sites at the beginning of the winter and only not contemplating suicide because you see, tomorrow might just be the day evertyhing changes and life is good.

                  • appleboy

                    One Thing I would wager $50 on, BM does not give anything to anyone, and always crosses the street or averts eyes passing street collectors. You know that’s disturbingly true.

          • Tracey 13.2.1.1.2

            are you a hard core evangelist rightie?

        • Ross 13.2.1.2

          Infused,

          So a few thousand is such chicken feed, the PM will able to dip into his pocket and he won’t even notice the difference, right?

          • Sabine 13.2.1.2.1

            ah matey
            a few thousands here
            a few thousand there

            soon we are talking billions. 🙂

          • Hami Shearlie 13.2.1.2.2

            And we all know that Jonkey is very very fond of “feeding the chickens” now, don’t we?

            • mary_a 13.2.1.2.2.1

              @ Hami Shearlie (13.2.1.2.2)

              If the ABs win next weekend, as a reward, FJK might offer Richie and the boys the opportunity to “feed his chickens.” After that they could go on to play with the carefully packed away (in FJK’s luggage) repaired MBIE damaged inflatable sheep (which Blinglish denies it is).

              Cluck, cluck … baa baa … chickens, sheep – oh such fun. Now anyone got a pony tail?

        • Draco T Bastard 13.2.1.3

          If you want to make NZ look like a 3rd world country, sure.

          National’s already doing that by cutting essential services and upping how much of our wealth that the rich get.

        • Sabine 13.2.1.4

          i don’t make the rules, currently it is national doing that.

          But you know for once I agree with you. Cutting vital services and buying private trinkets and overseas trips at taxpayers expense is very much the hallmark of a 3rd world country.

    • stigie 13.3

      I cant believe this post ?

    • Ross 13.4

      If watching the World Cup final is work, we all need better work stories.

      He’s a well paid public servant who surely can afford to pay his own way.

  14. ropata 14

    Taxpayers Union is eerily quiet about this, clearly our divine ruler Jong Kee is beyond question, too bad we can’t fund women’s refuges or counselling services

  15. Steve Reeves 15

    “The Prime Minister is over there largely because of the free trade agreement launch with Europe, and that’s why the Trade Minister [Tim Groser] is there. So, actually they are economising.”

    What is the free trade agreement with Europe???

    • dukeofurl 15.1

      Thats where the semantics come in .

      AT the moment they are “reflecting” on whether or not to “begin negotiations”, which is code for trips around major events and holidays.

      Key doesnt do any of the actual work regarding these things, even Groser is mostly an ornament ( “What makes you think Ive read the TPPA?”)

    • Matthew Hooton 15.2

      NZ and the EU are soon to begin negotiations on an FTA.

      • Tracey 15.2.1

        Sure. What about the chairing of the right wing ideological “spread the good news about conservatism” meeting, was that PM stuff too?

        Based on how much we backtracked on TPP from nothing short of a great deal will do to whatever we could get, maybe it would be better if he stayed out of future ones

        😉

  16. Sabine 16

    Well I guess the few thousands (or tens of thousands) to house the PM and his Posse overseas to watch a game of Rugby will be paid for by the same people that can’t find a house.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/73393355/housing-new-zealand-misses-new-homes-target
    “Housing New Zealand will not meet its commitment to build 2000 new homes by December.

    In June, the agency warned that its Christchurch construction drive would not be completed until next year.

    Its annual report reveals those on the waiting list for a state home around the rest of New Zealand will also face delays.

    As at June 30, HNZ had only completed 666 of the new homes.

    Chief executive Glen Sowry said a further 1359 were in development, and the build programme was still “a top priority”.

    “The majority will have been completed by the end of 2015 and the rest will be under construction by that time,” he said.

    In the 2014/15 financial year, the agency only completed 247 builds outside Christchurch, less than half of its target.”
    —————————————————————————————————————————
    and this is one of the reasons, i would have preferred Dear Leader to stay at home, watch the games at 5 am in the mornings in one of the Pubs that stayed open for the games, lifting a beer or many with the people that pay his wage.
    He could watch his game, and then go to the office and put in a good day of work, one part of it, making sure his Government and his Staff meeting the deadlines and targets they themselves have set. But I guess, that would actually be work, and he could not be photographed getting all souped up in a locker room with the boys.

    Priorities our little country has them.

    • Rosemary McDonald 16.1

      “But I guess, that would actually be work, and he could not be photographed getting all souped up in a locker room with the boys.”

      Without this, he’d be nothing.

      Anyone want to bet that he’ll be down there on the field for the prizegiving…doing the truly creepy three way thing again?

      Whoever wins.

      He’s just painting the letter box while the house falls down.

      • mary_a 16.1.1

        @ Rosemary McDonald (16.1) – I believe Prince Harry is presenting the cup. So the security will be thick and FJK might not get a look in to be able to repeat his three way handshake performance of 2011.

        Unidentified guest comes to mind here 🙂

    • Reddelusion 16.2

      And if he did Sabine you would also see fault with that as well. You appear to have a massive guilt complex and make yourself feel better by judging others that helps absolve you of your meagre contribution to help the needy

  17. Matt 17

    I’m sure you weren’t upset when Helen Clark attended the Quarterfinal at Millennium Stadium in 2007. Attendance at that particular match was quite cynical as the All Blacks were thought to be shoo ins. Cue the camera shot of Helen applauding a terrific All Blacks victory. Instead it was an extremely sour moment as any chance of a 4th term in office off the back of a World Cup victory was snatched away in an instant.

    • Ross 17.1

      I don’t know anyone upset at our esteemed PM attending the World Cup final. Just as long as he pays his own way and lays off the turps.

  18. One Two 18

    Get outside for some fresh air and realise how asinine this particular discussion is

  19. Venezia 19

    Snouts in the trough again! Bludging on the taxpayer when they should be paying for this jaunt themselves. I’m thinking of the axing of Community Education, underfunding of health and education (except for Charter Schools of course) – to pay for the already wealthy to enjoy expensive publicly funded holidays like this.

  20. Nick 20

    I think the worst part is not the rugby, it’s the other important meetings where we are represented by this clown. He’s so lightweight and frivolous, casual, uncaring and disinterested in his actual role. It’s like he’s a Shortland St actor pretending to be PM (and a lot of people watch it) unfortunately it’s real, not a soap opera.

  21. Mike Bond 21

    It is real sad to see the comments on this site as people continue the negativity against Key. When a Labour government was in power, that PM went all around the world attending functions as the New Zealand representative and the tax payer paid. That is how it should be. Now Key and company do the same and you all have a go at them? Read anywhere about the Labour party and it’s supporters and you will see the words “Hypocrites”, “negative”, etc. If Labour want any chance of winning the next election, we need to see an end to the hypocrisy and negativity from the leader all the way down and hopefully this will filter through to the supporters and a new fresh approach to take on the right will lead to ultimate victory come 2017.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 21.1

      🙄

      If you want to talk to Labour why don’t you use their website?

      That said, why they or anyone else would listen to a right wing troll trolling rote-learned attack lines is beyond me.

      • The lost sheep 21.1.1

        “That said, why they or anyone else would listen to a right wing troll trolling rote-learned attack lines is beyond me.”

        You mean like YOU spend so much time reading and reacting to the attack lines of right wing trolls OAB?

        Beats me also.

    • Smilin 21.2

      What a patronising ignorant excuse for the use of words collectively organised to attempt to be an opinion of substance and value.
      Get a life this tory BS that runs this country is good at lying nothing else

  22. Bea Brown 22

    Mike Bond
    I couldn’t agree more. I would add another word ‘destructive’ which is what a group of old Lefty friends bemoaned over coffee.
    We all thought destructive both of the interests of NZ and of the Party itself.
    It’s like the old song ‘accentuate the positive’. We want to hear strong messages about what Labour will do with our support.
    Attacking Key in this insanely repetitive and childish way and frothing at the mouth doesn’t look like a government-in-waiting.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 22.1

      That’s right: it looks like a bunch of citizens on a left wing blog, rather than the Labour Party. That’s because The Standard isn’t the Labour Party.

      Continuing to pretend it is makes you boring as well as right wing.

    • Mike Bond 22.2

      Thanks for that. How could I have forgotten the “destructive” part. Worst for me is that they don’t see what they are doing!

    • Ffloyd 22.3

      Bb, Don’t you watch key at QA in Parliament. Insanely repetitive, childish, mouth frothing, abusive, malicious, vindictive, dishonest, lying, anything but be a pm we can be proud of instead of excruciatingly embarrassing. Oh, forgot screaming banshee. All this so he doesn’t have to be a true politician and answer the questions asked of him in a measured and stately manner. He offers nothing of any value to NZer’s. Except the rich of course.

      • Mike Bond 22.3.1

        And Little is so much better? As long as Labour have supporters like you that do not see the truth of what is happening, they will never be the government. Do you not realise that 92% of the public do not want Little as their PM? Time for Labour to do something drastic and become an opposition of note again.

        • One Anonymous Bloke 22.3.1.1

          It’s time you realised that people here have memories, and can remember what Helen Clark’s rating was before she became PM.

          Because that’s all it takes to know that your deeply held beliefs bad faith comments are complete nonsense as well as motivated by malice.

    • North 22.4

      Except Bea Brown……John McCaw was never into rugby……as proof – “I don’t recall where I sat on the ’81 Tour”. Then all these years later the big blouse is hard out trying to transfuse Richie’s ‘macho’ and be “Rugby-mad PM John Key…….” – as heard from some breathless flibbertigibbet news reader. It’s so fake, so embarrassing, so disgraceful. The sort of ‘never could do woulda loved to……’ dickhead you can see stalking around any rugby club at 4.30 pm on any winter Saturday afternoon. To whom everyone has to be ‘nice’. This is our PM ??? This wannabe……

  23. Bea Brown 23

    Even more boring are the same old insults about John Key.
    But I guess if it entertains you…

  24. Smilin 24

    Well Bill you want to come and tell that BS to me personally? I ll send you to Liverpool

  25. NZJester 25

    Maybe the National Party should be paying for this out of their party funds, instead of the tax payer. Lets face it the only reason Key is going is for more camera face time with the ABs and is nothing more than a political photo opportunity for him.

  26. RedBaronCV 26

    Why doesn’t he bunk down in the dressing room – he spends enough time in there.

  27. Bill English said that the public did not mind picking up the tab for Ministers to go to the R.W.C.

    Really Bill? I’d have told you to pay your own way and stop dipping into that public purse you so jealously guard.

  28. With lifetime of involvement in rugby I clearly have done more to get the All Blacks to their final than John Key. I resent that John Key gets to go and and I have to pay for him.
    I resent that his son got to do his Mad Max look in the All Black changing room at Eden Park. My kids were more deserving.

  29. reason 29

    I stopped following the rugby years ago when the AB’s became a corporate team and moved to sky ………… It really is a dull game to watch which may be why the Nat’s rushed through the pro-alcohol get pissed to watch the world cup laws that they did under urgency ……..

    Not having followed Thugby for a while I’m confused about John keys role in the team….. does he have to suck Mckaws dick??????? …… or is it the other way around?

    It must be said …….the All blacks are legends ……………. for choking in world cups …..

    But apart from that they are world leaders in a minor, boring violent sport …… that means so much to us.

    Go the mighty national party All blacks ………….. do it for john the hammer man Key.

  30. Smilin 30

    The ability to see the All Blacks in any test these days I compare with how it was back in the non corporate days
    In the sixties about 90% of our small town was able to go to our provincial city to see the test now its reserved for those who have the dosh and media pr ops and you could even feel good if our PM turned up
    Not so sure our PM creates the same mana now
    So go the AB’s, the country, it is there in you, its your day to represent NZ

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    Note: As a paid-up Webworm member, I’ve recorded this Webworm as a mini-podcast for you as well. Some of you said you liked this option - so I aim to provide it when I get a chance to record! Read more ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    12 hours ago
  • Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6.06 pm on March 18
    TL;DR: In my ‘six-stack’ of substacks at 6.06pm on Monday, March 18:IKEA is accused of planting big forests in New Zealand to green-wash; REDD-MonitorA City for People takes a well-deserved victory lap over Wellington’s pro-YIMBY District Plan votes; A City for PeopleSteven Anastasiou takes a close look at the sticky ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    24 hours ago
  • Peters holds his ground on co-governance, but Willis wriggles on those tax cuts and SNA suspension l...
    Buzz from the Beehive Here’s hoping for a lively post-cabinet press conference when the PM and – perhaps – some of his ministers tell us what was discussed at their meeting today. Until then, Point of Order has precious little Beehive news to report after its latest monitoring of the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago
  • Labour’s final report card
    David Farrar writes –  We now have almost all 2023 data in, which has allowed me to update my annual table of how  went against its promises. This is basically their final report card. The promise The result Build 100,000 affordable homes over 10 ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • “Drunk Uncle at a Wedding”
    I’m a bit worried that I’ve started a previous newsletter with the words “just when you think they couldn’t get any worse…” Seems lately that I could begin pretty much every issue with that opening. Such is the nature of our coalition government that they seem to be outdoing each ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago
  • Wang Yi’s perfectly-timed, Aukus-themed visit to New Zealand
    Geoffrey Miller writes – Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on Dune 2, and images of Islam
    Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture ...
    1 day ago
  • New Rail Operations Centre Promises Better Train Services
    Last week Transport Minster Simeon Brown and Mayor Wayne Brown opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre. The new train control centre will see teams from KiwiRail, Auckland Transport and Auckland One Rail working more closely together to improve train services across the city. The Auckland Rail Operations Centre in ...
    1 day ago
  • Bernard's six newsy things at 6.36am on Monday, March 18
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson said in an exit interview with Q+A yesterday the Government can and should sustain more debt to invest in infrastructure for future generations. Elsewhere in the news in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 6:36am: Read more ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: Wang Yi’s perfectly-timed, Aukus-themed visit to New Zealand
    Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. It is more than just a happy ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    1 day ago
  • The Kaka’s diary for the week to March 25 and beyond
    TL;DR: The key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to March 18 include:China’s Foreign Minister visiting Wellington today;A post-cabinet news conference this afternoon; the resumption of Parliament on Tuesday for two weeks before Easter;retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson gives his valedictory speech in Parliament; ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Bitter and angry; Winston First
    New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters’s state-of-the-nation speech on Sunday was really a state-of-Winston-First speech. He barely mentioned any of the Government’s key policies and could not even wholly endorse its signature income tax cuts. Instead, he rehearsed all of his complaints about the Ardern Government, including an extraordinary claim ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    2 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    2 days ago
  • Out of Touch.
    “I’ve been internalising a really complicated situation in my head.”When they kept telling us we should wait until we get to know him, were they taking the piss? Was it a case of, if you think this is bad, wait till you get to know the real Christopher, after the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • The bewildering world of Chris Luxon – Guns for all, not no lunch for kids
    .“$10 and a target that bleeds” - Bleeding Targets for Under $10!.Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.This government appears hell-bent on either scrapping life-saving legislation or reintroducing things that - frustrated critics insist - will be dangerous and likely ...
    Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy
    3 days ago
  • Expert Opinion: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    It hardly strikes me as fair to criticise a government for doing exactly what it said it was going to do. For actually keeping its promises.”THUNDER WAS PLAYING TAG with lightning flashes amongst the distant peaks. Its rolling cadences interrupted by the here-I-come-here-I-go Doppler effect of the occasional passing car. ...
    3 days ago
  • Manufacturing The Truth.
    Subversive & Disruptive Technologies: Just as happened with that other great regulator of the masses, the Medieval Church, the advent of a new and hard-to-control technology – the Internet –  is weakening the ties that bind. Then, and now, those who enjoy a monopoly on the dissemination of lies, cannot and will ...
    3 days ago
  • A Powerful Sensation of Déjà Vu.
    Been Here Before: To find the precedents for what this Coalition Government is proposing, it is necessary to return to the “glory days” of Muldoonism.THE COALITION GOVERNMENT has celebrated its first 100 days in office by checking-off the last of its listed commitments. It remains, however, an angry government. It ...
    3 days ago
  • Can you guess where world attention is focussed (according to Greenpeace)? It’s focussed on an EPA...
    Bob Edlin writes –  And what is the world watching today…? The email newsletter from Associated Press which landed in our mailbox early this morning advised: In the news today: The father of a school shooter has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter; prosecutors in Trump’s hush-money case ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Further integrity problems for the Greens in suspending MP Darleen Tana
    Bryce Edwards writes – Is another Green MP on their way out? And are the Greens severely tarnished by another integrity scandal? For the second time in three months, the Green Party has secretly suspended an MP over integrity issues. Mystery is surrounding the party’s decision to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Jacqui Van Der Kaay: Greens’ transparency missing in action
    For the last few years, the Green Party has been the party that has managed to avoid the plague of multiple scandals that have beleaguered other political parties. It appears that their luck has run out with a second scandal which, unfortunately for them, coincided with Golraz Ghahraman, the focus ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago
  • Bernard’s Dawn Chorus with six newsey things at 6:46am for Saturday, March 16
    TL;DR: The six newsey things that stood out to me as of 6:46am on Saturday, March 16.Andy Foster has accidentally allowed a Labour/Green amendment to cut road user chargers for plug-in hybrid vehicles, which the Government might accept; NZ Herald Thomas Coughlan Simeon Brown has rejected a plea from Westport ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • How Did FTX Crash?
    What seemed a booming success a couple of years ago has collapsed into fraud convictions.I looked at the crash of FTX (short for ‘Futures Exchange’) in November 2022 to see whether it would impact on the financial system as a whole. Fortunately there was barely a ripple, probably because it ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    4 days ago
  • Elections in Russia and Ukraine
    Anybody following the situation in Ukraine and Russia would probably have been amused by a recent Tweet on X NATO seems to be putting in an awful lot of effort to influence what is, at least according to them, a sham election in an autocracy.When do the Ukrainians go to ...
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s six stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15
    TL;DR: Shaun Baker on Wynyard Quarter's transformation. Magdalene Taylor on the problem with smart phones. How private equity are now all over reinsurance. Dylan Cleaver on rugby and CTE. Emily Atkin on ‘Big Meat’ looking like ‘Big Oil’.Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15Photo by Jeppe Hove Jensen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Buzz from the Beehive Finance Minister Nicola Willis had plenty to say when addressing the Auckland Business Chamber on the economic growth that (she tells us) is flagging more than we thought. But the government intends to put new life into it:  We want our country to be a ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • National’s clean car tax advances
    The Transport and Infrastructure Committee has reported back on the Road User Charges (Light Electric RUC Vehicles) Amendment Bill, basicly rubberstamping it. While there was widespread support among submitters for the principle that EV and PHEV drivers should pay their fair share for the roads, they also overwhelmingly disagreed with ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Government funding bailouts
    Peter Dunne writes – This week’s government bailout – the fifth in the last eighteen months – of the financially troubled Ruapehu Alpine Lifts company would have pleased many in the central North Island ski industry. The government’s stated rationale for the $7 million funding was that it ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Two offenders, different treatments.
    See if you can spot the difference. An Iranian born female MP from a progressive party is accused of serial shoplifting. Her name is leaked to the media, which goes into a pack frenzy even before the Police launch an … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    4 days ago
  • Treaty references omitted
    Ele Ludemann writes  – The government is omitting general Treaty references from legislation : The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last Government in a bid to get greater coherence in the public service on Treaty ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • The Ghahraman Conflict
    What was that judge thinking? Peter Williams writes –  That Golriz Ghahraman and District Court Judge Maria Pecotic were once lawyer colleagues is incontrovertible. There is published evidence that they took at least one case to the Court of Appeal together. There was a report on ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 15
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Climate Scorpion – the sting is in the tail. Introducing planetary solvency. A paper via the University of Exeter’s Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.Local scoop: Kāinga Ora starts pulling out of its Auckland projects and selling land RNZ ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The day Wellington up-zoned its future
    Wellington’s massively upzoned District Plan adds the opportunity for tens of thousands of new homes not just in the central city (such as these Webb St new builds) but also close to the CBD and public transport links. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Wellington gave itself the chance of ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Weekly Roundup 15-March-2024
    It’s Friday and we’re halfway through March Madness. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt asked how we can get better event trains and an option for grade separating Morningside Dr. On Tuesday Matt looked into ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    4 days ago
  • That Word.
    Something you might not know about me is that I’m quite a stubborn person. No, really. I don’t much care for criticism I think’s unfair or that I disagree with. Few of us do I suppose.Back when I was a drinker I’d sometimes respond defensively, even angrily. There are things ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • The Hoon around the week to March 15
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:PM Christopher Luxon said the reversal of interest deductibility for landlords was done to help renters, who ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Labour’s policy gap
    It was not so much the Labour Party but really the Chris Hipkins party yesterday at Labour’s caucus retreat in Martinborough. The former Prime Minister was more or less consistent on wealth tax, which he was at best equivocal about, and social insurance, which he was not willing to revisit. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #11 2024
    Open access notables A Glimpse into the Future: The 2023 Ocean Temperature and Sea Ice Extremes in the Context of Longer-Term Climate Change, Kuhlbrodt et al., Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society: In the year 2023, we have seen extraordinary extrema in high sea surface temperature (SST) in the North Atlantic and in ...
    5 days ago
  • Melissa remains mute on media matters but has something to say (at a sporting event) about economic ...
     Buzz from the Beehive   The text reproduced above appears on a page which records all the media statements and speeches posted on the government’s official website by Melissa Lee as Minister of Media and Communications and/or by Jenny Marcroft, her Parliamentary Under-secretary.  It can be quickly analysed ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • The return of Muldoon
    For forty years, Robert Muldoon has been a dirty word in our politics. His style of government was so repulsive and authoritarian that the backlash to it helped set and entrench our constitutional norms. His pig-headedness over forcing through Think Big eventually gave us the RMA, with its participation and ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Will the rental tax cut improve life for renters or landlords?
    Bryce Edwards writes –  Is the new government reducing tax on rental properties to benefit landlords or to cut the cost of rents? That’s the big question this week, after Associate Finance Minister David Seymour announced on Sunday that the Government would be reversing the Labour Government’s removal ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: What Saudi Arabia’s rapid changes mean for New Zealand
    Saudi Arabia is rarely far from the international spotlight. The war in Gaza has brought new scrutiny to Saudi plans to normalise relations with Israel, while the fifth anniversary of the controversial killing of Jamal Khashoggi was marked shortly before the war began on October 7. And as the home ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    5 days ago
  • Racism’s double standards
    Questions need to be asked on both sides of the world Peter Williams writes –   The NRL Judiciary hands down an eight week suspension to Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu , an Auckland-born Samoan, after he calls Ezra Mam, Sydney-orn but of Aboriginal and Torres Strait ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • It’s not a tax break
    Ele Ludemann writes – Contrary to what many headlines and news stories are saying, residential landlords are not getting a tax break. The government is simply restoring to them the tax deductibility of interest they had until the previous government removed it. There is no logical reason ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • The Plastic Pig Collective and Chris' Imaginary Friends.
    I can't remember when it was goodMoments of happiness in bloomMaybe I just misunderstoodAll of the love we left behindWatching our flashbacks intertwineMemories I will never findIn spite of whatever you becomeForget that reckless thing turned onI think our lives have just begunI think our lives have just begunDoes anyone ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Who is responsible for young offenders?
    Michael Bassett writes – At first reading, a front-page story in the New Zealand Herald on 13 March was bizarre. A group of severely intellectually limited teenagers, with little understanding of the law, have been pleading to the Justice Select Committee not to pass a bill dealing with ram ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on National’s fantasy trip to La La Landlord Land
    How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is: (a) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was ...
    5 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 14
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Jonathon Porritt calling bullshit in his own blog post on mainstream climate science as ‘The New Denialism’.Local scoop: The Wellington City Council’s list of proposed changes to the IHP recommendations to be debated later today was leaked this ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • No, Prime Minister, rents don’t rise or fall with landlords’ costs
    TL;DR: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Cartoons: ‘At least I didn’t make things awkward’
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Tom Toro Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in Playboy, the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. Related: What 10 EV lovers ...
    5 days ago
  • Solving traffic congestion with Richard Prebble
    The business section of the NZ Herald is full of opinion. Among the more opinionated of all is the ex-Minister of Transport, ex-Minister of Railways, ex MP for Auckland Central (1975-93, Labour), Wellington Central (1996-99, ACT, then list-2005), ex-leader of the ACT Party, uncle to actor Antonia, the veritable granddaddy ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    5 days ago
  • I Think I'm Done Flying Boeing
    Hi,Just quickly — I’m blown away by the stories you’ve shared with me over the last week since I put out the ‘Gary’ podcast, where I told you about the time my friend’s flatmate killed the neighbour.And you keep telling me stories — in the comments section, and in my ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    5 days ago
  • Invoking Aristotle: Of Rings of Power, Stones, and Ships
    The first season of Rings of Power was not awful. It was thoroughly underwhelming, yes, and left a lingering sense of disappointment, but it was more expensive mediocrity than catastrophe. I wrote at length about the series as it came out (see the Review section of the blog, and go ...
    6 days ago
  • Van Velden brings free-market approach to changing labour laws – but her colleagues stick to distr...
    Buzz from the Beehive Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden told Auckland Business Chamber members they were the first audience to hear her priorities as a minister in a government committed to cutting red tape and regulations. She brandished her liberalising credentials, saying Flexible labour markets are the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Why Newshub failed
    Chris Trotter writes – TO UNDERSTAND WHY NEWSHUB FAILED, it is necessary to understand how TVNZ changed. Up until 1989, the state broadcaster had been funded by a broadcasting licence fee, collected from every citizen in possession of a television set, supplemented by a relatively modest (compared ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Māori Party on the warpath against landlords and seabed miners – let’s see if mystical creature...
    Bob Edlin writes  –  The Māori Party has been busy issuing a mix of warnings and threats as its expresses its opposition to interest deductibility for landlords and the plans of seabed miners. It remains to be seen whether they  follow the example of indigenous litigants in Australia, ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • There’s a name for this
    Every year, in the Budget, Parliament forks out money to government agencies to do certain things. And every year, as part of the annual review cycle, those agencies are meant to report on whether they have done the things Parliament gave them that money for. Agencies which consistently fail to ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago
  • Echoes of 1968 in 2024?  Pocock on the repetitive problems of the New Left
    Mike Grimshaw writes – Recent events in American universities point to an underlying crisis of coherent thinking, an issue that increasingly affects the progressive left across the Western world. This of course is nothing new as anyone who can either remember or has read of the late ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Positive progress for social worker workforce
    New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours ago
  • Minister confirms reduced RUC rate for PHEVs
    Cabinet has agreed to a reduced road user charge (RUC) rate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. Owners of PHEVs will be eligible for a reduced rate of $38 per 1,000km once all light electric vehicles (EVs) move into the RUC system from 1 April.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 hours ago
  • Trade access to overseas markets creates jobs
    Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay, says that today’s opening of Riverland Foods manufacturing plant in Christchurch is a great example of how trade access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand.  Speaking at the official opening of this state-of-the-art pet food factory the Minister noted that exports ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    8 hours ago
  • NZ and Chinese Foreign Ministers hold official talks
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago
  • Kāinga Ora instructed to end Sustaining Tenancies
    Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber: Growth is the answer
    Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Singapore rounds out regional trip
    Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships.      “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister van Velden represents New Zealand at International Democracy Summit
    Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Insurance Council of NZ Speech, 7 March 2024, Auckland
    ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland  Acknowledgements and opening  Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho.  Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau  My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Five-year anniversary of Christchurch terror attacks
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says.  “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024
    Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024  Acknowledgements and opening  Morena, Nga Mihi Nui.  Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau  Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Early visit to Indonesia strengthens ties
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country.   “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • China Foreign Minister to visit
    Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week.  “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister opens new Auckland Rail Operations Centre
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Celebrating 10 years of Crankworx Rotorua
    The Government is proud to support the 10th edition of Crankworx Rotorua as the Crankworx World Tour returns to Rotorua from 16-24 March 2024, says Minister for Economic Development Melissa Lee.  “Over the past 10 years as Crankworx Rotorua has grown, so too have the economic and social benefits that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government delivering on tax commitments
    Legislation implementing coalition Government tax commitments and addressing long-standing tax anomalies will be progressed in Parliament next week, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The legislation is contained in an Amendment Paper to the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill issued today.  “The Amendment Paper represents ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Significant Natural Areas requirement to be suspended
    Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard has today announced that the Government has agreed to suspend the requirement for councils to comply with the Significant Natural Areas (SNA) provisions of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity for three years, while it replaces the Resource Management Act (RMA).“As it stands, SNAs ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government classifies drought conditions in Top of the South as medium-scale adverse event
    Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has classified the drought conditions in the Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts as a medium-scale adverse event, acknowledging the challenging conditions facing farmers and growers in the district. “Parts of Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts are in the grip of an intense dry spell. I know ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
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  • Government partnership to tackle $332m facial eczema problem
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