What if anything does Bill English believe in?

Written By: - Date published: 7:05 am, February 21st, 2017 - 71 comments
Categories: bill english - Tags: , , , , , ,

I’m having trouble getting a handle on Bill English. On paper he should be more principled than Key, but in practice he seems to be just as morally “flexible”. He’s a Catholic who has changed his mind on marriage equality and attended (but did not speak at) the Big Gay Out. He’s a “compassionate conservative” who has presided over increases in poverty and homelessness, while describing young Kiwi workers as “pretty damned hopeless”. A “fiscal conservative” who has run up record-breaking government debt. An “honest bloke” who bent the rules to screw every last cent out of Parliamentary perks. Mmmmm.

Vernon Small seems to be wrestling with the same ambiguities in this interesting piece:

English punts talk of electoral deals, Maori seat strategy, into the stands
…
Faced with queries about the impact of the Maori-Mana non-aggression pact, announced on Monday, he punted them all into the distant future. Would National continue its long-standing policy of not fielding candidates in the Maori seats? “There is likely to be some discussion about that. We haven’t come to a conclusion but we didn’t stand last time.”

(Yes folks it’s true, National does repeated “dirty deals” in the Maori seats – does Patrick Gower know about this scandal???)

Well then, what about abolishing the Maori seats? Hmm. If it was “on the books” it was not a policy National was pursuing and he would need to check. (Yes the policy is still on the books, prime minister, but pursuing it would likely end the Maori Party’s support.) It all sounded as clear as mud and as weak as dishwater compared to John Key’s unequivocal answer before the 2014 election. … It would be a mistake to assume there is a change of policy in the wind on either score. More likely it is English’s instinctive default to caution.

At what point does caution become paralysis? And speaking of election deals, what about Winston?

Interestingly while Labour’s Andrew Little has reserved finance for Grant Robertson, English would not rule out Peters even in that role.

English won’t share the PM role, but anything else goes! How very “flexible”.

So, silly to ask if Mana leader Hone Harawira would have a place in his Government if the Mana-Maori Party deal delivered him the Te Tai Tokerau seat? You guessed it, English wouldn’t want to speculate on that, and it was not clear if the deal would make any difference … but it was (drum roll) “unlikely”.

Flexible even enough for Hone Harawira! (It would almost be worth it, just to watch certain commentators explode.)

So back to my titular question, what if anything does Bill English believe in? I guess we have to take him at his word, a blast from 2008:

English suggesting that winning is everything despite National’s highly principled statements – he suggests you target a few and do what you need to in order to win. “Winning is everything my man,” he said in the tape.

And there we have it.

PS – Unlike certain commentators Small can add – here’s a final quote from the piece:

… Sunday’s One News-Colmar Brunton poll sent a reminder to National – if one was needed – how tight the race is despite National’s strong polling … Even on 46 per cent, and with three or even four viable allies, there was still a majority out against the current Government. Together Labour, Green and NZ First totalled 52 per cent support. And they will all be in the next Parliament. …

71 comments on “What if anything does Bill English believe in? ”

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  1. Tony Veitch (not the partner-bashing 3rd rate broadcaster 1
    21 February 2017 at 7:36 am

    What a silly post! Of course Blingish believes in things.

    He believes that John Key could walk on water.

    He believes in keeping his snout in the public trough.

    He believes the market knows best.

    He believes that no vision for a better NZ for all people is the best vision. Choice, don’t you know.

    And yes, he believes in winning. That is all that matters. The end sure justifies the means.

    Our temporary PM is a man of strong beliefs!

    • paul andersen 1.1
      21 February 2017 at 9:33 am

      english believes that if he keeps on with the southland farmer bullsh*t , that most of the faithfull will look past his obvious hypocrisies .

  2. ianmac 2
    21 February 2017 at 8:45 am

    Key had very flexible beliefs which he modified according to his audience. He maintained his popularity. English will do the same. Do the people care?

  3. greywarshark 3
    21 February 2017 at 8:52 am

    Does English believe that there is a self-governing country called New Zealand that he is devoted and belongs to? If so, why is he and the ‘National’ Party not constantly protesting and threatening sanctions against Australia for locking away the citizens of our nation on trumped up immigration charges?

    Shades of the USA and their Mexican wetbacks. We apparently are Tasman wetbacks, not friendly allies, just subjects of this bullying, bellicose, belligerent nation of Oz which looks to the USA for its model.

    129 NZ in custody, second only to Iran with 184 (e&oe) that’s how I remember the figures that have just come over RadioNZ.

  4. Sabine 4
    21 February 2017 at 9:10 am

    i think the double dipper likes money, especially in his own bank account. So anything that makes him a coin is good business. The country? the people? ahh, who cares, that is not what he went into politics for.

  5. Cinny 5
    21 February 2017 at 9:20 am

    I know, I know… he believes in God. That’s all I could come up with.

    • garibaldi 5.1
      21 February 2017 at 9:45 am

      That’s OK Cinny. It’s a bloody good starting point to explain his hypocrisy.

    • Draco T Bastard 5.2
      21 February 2017 at 12:34 pm

      I’m pretty sure that he doesn’t. If he did he wouldn’t do 90% of what he does in government. Belonging to the church is camouflage.

  6. Antoine 6
    21 February 2017 at 9:25 am

    I think you guys don’t understand English very well at all and don’t want to either. You are just trying to reinforce a bogeyman image of him in your minds so you can stoke your anger against the National Party.

    A.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 6.1
      21 February 2017 at 9:28 am

      The bogeyman isn’t usually portrayed as an incompetent hypocrite: English hasn’t the character to play one.

      PS: Anthony Robins: I’m having trouble getting a handle on Bill English”
      Blandtoine: “You don’t understand Bill English”.

      What next, a doctorate in tautology?

    • Cinny 6.2
      21 February 2017 at 10:43 am

      Will you help Antoine? By explaining what you think English believes in?

      • Antoine 6.2.1
        21 February 2017 at 11:29 am

        It wouldnt help, because people would just rubbish whatever I said.

        For anyone who really wants to form an accurate view, theres plenty of public domain information.

        I’m not asking you to support or like the guy, but you should at least know your enemy.

        A.

        • One Anonymous Bloke 6.2.1.1
          21 February 2017 at 12:02 pm

          You mean, like the links in the OP, one of which details private off-the-cuff remarks?

          The effects of the policies he pursues count far more than anything he might say.

        • Cinny 6.2.1.2
          21 February 2017 at 12:15 pm

          Antoine, you won’t say what English stands for.

          And use the excuse that people would rubbish whatever you said.

          Yet you are brave enough to come here and stir up things whenever it suits you?

          Knowledge is important and sharing it even more so, with holding knowledge is just a thirst for control.

          So if you do not wish to share your knowledge Antoine, that’s all on you, maybe you don’t know what English stands for either?

          I prefer facts to excuses any day of the week.

          • Antoine 6.2.1.2.1
            21 February 2017 at 12:23 pm

            Go find some facts then

            More productive than wrangling with me

          • Draco T Bastard 6.2.1.2.2
            21 February 2017 at 12:36 pm

            Yet you are brave enough to come here and stir up things whenever it suits you?

            It’s almost like he’s trying to start a flame war without being obvious about it.

            • Antoine 6.2.1.2.2.1
              21 February 2017 at 12:38 pm

              Nope

              Encouraging people to break out of the groupthink and be a bit more realistic

              Some of the characterisation of English here is simply delusional. When people make him into a cartoon ogre in their minds, all they’re doing is treading their own judgement in the mud.

              Just as a right-winger would be doing if they thought Andrew Little was some sort of Stalinist butcher.

              A.

              • Cinny …
                21 February 2017 at 2:18 pm

                Antoine, “Encouraging people to break out of the groupthink and be a bit more realistic”. Yet you are reluctant to give them any direction.

                Was looking for the 2002 leaders debate, seeing English was leader at the time.

                And am looking forward to the 2016 leaders debate. Maybe I’ll learn more about what English believes in then, maybe you will too Antoine.

                • Antoine …
                  21 February 2017 at 2:25 pm

                  > Was looking for the 2002 leaders debate, seeing English was leader at the time.

                  Is ancient history really, 15 years ago

                  I don’t mean this in a rude way, but how about googling
                  “Bill English” NZ
                  and see what comes up?

                  There’s quite a few media interviews, potted bios, opinion pieces, etc, if you go down far enough.

                  Or for that matter
                  “Mary English” NZ

                  His family seems similar to mine in that she has all the good sense 🙂

                  Or
                  “Bill English” social investment NZ
                  is another good one

                  And then there’s his 2017 ‘state of the nation’ speech

                  And yes of course there’ll be the leaders debate(s)

                  A.

                  (Preparing mentally to get rubbished by every one)

                  • Cinny …
                    21 February 2017 at 2:36 pm

                    Can’t find his 2017 state of the nation video Antoine, I’ve just spent some time searching for it, if you know where to find it would you please post the link for me. Thanks.

                  • One Anonymous Bloke …
                    21 February 2017 at 2:45 pm

                    English knows what he has to pay lip-service to: his remarks about swallowing dead rats demonstrate that quite clearly. “Social investment”, for example, is just another ambulance at the bottom, sold using the asinine truism that everyone approves of something to help the kids.

                    Lifting people out of poverty by improving their household income and security of tenure isn’t on the horizon, let alone the agenda.

                    • Antoine …
                      21 February 2017 at 2:53 pm

                      If someone thinks English doesn’t prioritise poverty alleviation enough or doesn’t have a good strategy for tackling it, that’s their prerogative and no doubt they will vote accordingly.

                      If someone thinks he genuinely wants to see people poor or miserable, or simply doesn’t care, or is in thrall to some kind of sinister masters who thrive on poverty, then I’m sorry, that’s just loopy.

                      A.

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      21 February 2017 at 3:00 pm

                      Greed and attribution bias are thoroughly toxic; the banality of evil isn’t that sinister when you break it down.

                    • McFlock …
                      21 February 2017 at 3:18 pm

                      If someone’s been in politics for thirty-odd years and still doesn’t have a good strategy for tackling any of the problems facing ordinary NZers (e.g. housing, food, poverty, health, education, underemployment) then they’re incompetent and should fucking quit.

                      Or they’ve found a reason to not care.

                    • Antoine …
                      21 February 2017 at 3:26 pm

                      Well to state the obvious, he does think he has some good strategies, hence him not quitting.

                      You get a chance to fire him soon though, so there’s that 🙂

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      21 February 2017 at 3:31 pm

                      Or, he’s motivated by something else, like personal material benefit, for example. Or, as he told the guy with the tape: “winning”.

                      Your belief that his motives are genuine or even benign has no more rational basis than the notion that he is a shape-shifting lizard.

                      For your belief to have any factual basis, we are talking about a person who has changed significantly since he made that remark about “highly principled statements”.

                      I reckon he’s the same hollow man now as then, and you, knowing this, will twist and turn and deny and vote for him anyway.

                  • Antoine …
                    21 February 2017 at 3:34 pm

                    Well, OAB, if you want to believe he’s a shape shifting lizard, this will hurt no one but yourself 🙂

                    A.

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      21 February 2017 at 3:39 pm

                      As I said, it’s a notion that has no rational basis, and that being so: you have more in common with the people who believe it than I.

                      Let’s imagine for a moment that Bob Jones knows what he’s talking about, and “the stultification corresponding with National governments is welcomed by bigger players as it throws up acquisition opportunities, ”

                      Ponder for a moment the people on the other end of those “acquisition opportunities”, and your remark about those who “thrive on poverty”.

                    • Cinny …
                      21 February 2017 at 8:14 pm

                      Thanks for the link Antoine, much appreciated. Will still look for the video, because for me tone of voice etc is important.

                      Bloody annoying that it’s so hard to find, thought it would be front and centre, after all it’s Bills first State of the Nation speech.

                    • Antoine …
                      22 February 2017 at 4:48 am

                      Cinny if you are out of NZ, some video links will not work…?

    • Sabine 6.3
      21 February 2017 at 11:31 am

      so what is Bill English known for?
      other then douple dipping re housing alowance

      and selling state houses and state assets?

      Care to let us know, and no i don’t hate National, i just would never vote for them, cause bigotry and hypocrisy.

    • reason 6.4
      21 February 2017 at 12:00 pm

      Lignite …… Brown gold …. Bills sleeper in Southland … and election winner …

      . “And it’s hugely significant to Eastern Southland because of the extensive damage which large-scale lignite mining would cause to air quality, living conditions, and the high-quality rivers and streams on which Southland depends.” https://coalaction.org.nz/coal/lignite/stop-sniffing-the-lignite-bill

      Bill and National were more proactive … in doing nothing rather than building a lignite industry …… after their initial 2008 election win ……Stopping New Zealands tiny first steps towards Govt regulations and real change in response to Global warming was more pragmatic and sensible …….because it was the road to HelenGrad ….

      Herr Helens feminazi nanny state was the real threat …. to kiwi men in particular…….

      A real non emasculated kiwi man picked up a shovel, rolled up his sleeves, (unless he was a one sod wanker with a spade ) , and dug for New Zealand …. http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/71131637/finally-the-government-accepts-solid-energy-was-more-than-a-perfect-storm

      Beyond the ‘get stuck in’ smart thinking behind breeding millions more dairy cows and digging up brown coal from under cow pasture ……Bill knows New Zealand has to get more creative …. with maths.

      When PM ….. Johhny made-off shared some of his Merrill magic number tricks to Bill and others like Paula … it brought us wealth

      You have to be very smart to bend numbers …. forcing them to submit to your creativity ..

      Bent numbers start weak and get worse,……. so a compassionate number lovers man will make safe “havens”……. To protect and hide this poor vulnerable monjey

      Jealous people may call it fraud or cheating …. like our cheap corruption sourced cabon credits http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/71131637/finally-the-government-accepts-solid-energy-was-more-than-a-perfect-storm …. which we are still trading with

      In reality New Zealand polluters and our National party were so smart it was embarrassing ….. to make millions from climate change initiatives … while increasing their/our CO2 pollution.

      Pure Genius letting NZ win on the world stage …… and leading the war on green talibanastas

      Blue Greens …… also know as the ‘Black Ands’ …..

      Describes The Hiding that Nationals ‘wealth ‘ generation gives sustainability or other environmental concerns …. every time.

  7. saveNZ 7
    21 February 2017 at 9:28 am

    Bill English, like Key is open to anything to the highest bidder and the most persuasive crony argument – but unlike Key who probably paid a fortune to keep the idea alive in MSM that ‘he was such a popular PM’ – English is unable to keep the charade alive that he actually has a plan, let alone if it makes any sense.

    It’s now harder for Labour, because National has poisoned all the wells so it is hard to untangle from their destruction of our economy and social systems, from dirty environmental and stone age economics (building for new migrants and offshore commercial interests, Agriculture, citizenship, dodgy degrees and tourism) into the new economy – because we are now in very deep in that area and that’s exactly how Key, his banker friends and his off shore IDU chums probably wanted it. Any sudden changes and the ponzi scheme falls over, taking it’s victims with it.

  8. The decrypter 8
    21 February 2017 at 9:44 am

    He is being pushed and prodded by his masters. He knows the big picture but can’t fill in the gaps. Sort of like making the village idiot kid the school dux. Andrew is going to slaughter him in the leaders debate.

  9. Sable 9
    21 February 2017 at 10:37 am

    The problem with the current crop of political parties is the same one the US voters face. Its not picking a good party is making the best of what you have and whats on offer is none too inspiring.

    • greywarshark 9.1
      21 February 2017 at 12:22 pm

      We aren’t at Trump level at present, though Key was going amuse-and-confuse-the-populace route. So try to develop critical thinking in NZ, first applying to ourselves personally and then the country and its economy and we will be unlikely to get caught in a USA mire.

  10. Ad 10
    21 February 2017 at 11:28 am

    English is the most you can expect. Underneath English is his Minister of Finance, Mr Joyce.

    Neither of them have been able to explain clearly their plan for New Zealand. They definitely have individual plans, and individual deals.

    But what I would hope for any fresh government is this sense:
    – What kind of society do we want to encourage?
    – What kinds of industries do we want to encourage?
    – By what we celebrate, what do we show we value?

    I still find it a whole lot easier to answer those with Labour and Greens leadership than I do with English and his mob.

    Even with our shrunken, truncated, low-ambition and disaggregated public state as it is, a minimum job of government is to be coherent. It’s a big part of how I decide to vote.

    • saveNZ 10.1
      21 February 2017 at 12:14 pm

      “Neither of them have been able to explain clearly their plan for New Zealand.”

      Their plan is to stay in power as long as possible!

      We all know their election strategy is to introduce tax cuts and ALSO seems to be to pump money into the regions to counter Winston Peters and Labour and into tech and science areas to counter they are complete idiots.

      This is to show they actually ‘care’ about the regions. sarc. And they are also funding areas outside of their normal stone age criteria, so they have something to say and pretend they are not dinosaurs, come election time. AKA Centre for Space Science Technology (CSST) which will be based in Alexandra, with offices in Dunedin, New Plymouth, and Lincoln.

      Of course under a Labour government this would probably have been started years ago and is clearly a step in the right direction – but the timing of starting this, and the locations are interesting – especially since it is rumoured the government refused to properly fund and support previous climate change research and actually nearly drove the scientist over the edge… What a change of heart in election year!

      No doubt if Natz get re-elected the money will dry up next funding round or run into the ground with Natz cronies and go back to normal National pursuits and cronies of building leaky buildings, mining coal and leaching nitrates into waterways.

      That is why it is so hard to win against National – they can buy the election with OUR money and mimic other opposition policy for the short term to win.

      Hope Labour promises more and for the right reasons!

  11. Ian 11
    21 February 2017 at 11:37 am

    “A “fiscal conservative” who has run up record-breaking government debt.”

    I don’t want to get nit-picky and I am certainly no fan of Farmer Bill, but by what measure do you assert ‘record breaking govt debt’? If we use the commonly used public debt to GDP ratio, then that honour belongs to Labour (c. 66% in 1988).

    Second, our fixation on debt and deficit reduction – something both major parties focus on, is a Monetarist (and neo-liberal) approach to the economy and its management.
    A Keynsian or neo-Keynsian would make a good case that we haven’t leveraged enough deficit spending when the economy is tanking.

  12. Sam C 12
    21 February 2017 at 11:44 am

    Flipping this post on its head, what does Andrew Little believe in?

    Maybe that’s why he is mired in the preferred PM stakes, behind even Winnie.

    Come on Andy, tell us what you believe in!

  13. AB 13
    21 February 2017 at 12:26 pm

    My impression is that Bill believes:
    1.) That markets are efficient and always produce fair and just outcomes
    2.) That there is a natural social hierarchy and that the shots should by and large be called by the better class of people who have demonstrated their superiority by accumulating wealth and power
    3) That the better class of people have obligations to the lower orders to ensure that they don’t suffer too badly, but not so much as to disrupt the natural order of things
    4) That human beings (particularly the lower orders) are sinful and will tend do the wrong thing ethically and financially (i.e. make bad choices) unless watched, controlled and generally not given too much leeway. While the better class of people should generally be free to operate as they please.

    I think Bill’s vision is essentially pre-Democratic.

  14. Draco T Bastard 14
    21 February 2017 at 12:27 pm

    So back to my titular question, what if anything does Bill English believe in?

    He believes in personal wealth and power.

    Thing is, he also knows that to have that wealth and power the country needs to have lots of poor people and so he works in a government that creates poor people while a few get wealthier upon the work of those poor people.

  15. KJT 15
    21 February 2017 at 12:28 pm

    From his own statement, “prisons are a moral and fiscal failure”.
    Just before approving the finances to build more!

  16. reason 16
    21 February 2017 at 12:41 pm

    Sounds like a overt derail sam c ….

    If you know Bill E s stance on spam and dick pic s you could make yourself relevant to the topic

  17. In Vino 17
    21 February 2017 at 3:26 pm

    Do I not remember Blinglish being secretly taped at a National Party Conference, where he did express some honest views about how we needed to toughen up on Welfare and spending on the people at the bottom of the heap? That was probably genuine, but I cannot remember the exact wording…

  18. risildowgtn 18
    21 February 2017 at 4:40 pm

    He believes in low wages

    • In Vino 18.1
      21 February 2017 at 7:40 pm

      For certain people – not himself. Double-dipper… By his deeds shall we know him.

      • In Vino 18.1.1
        22 February 2017 at 9:27 pm

        There was definitely something he said about the need to ‘cut back’ (I think) on spending or policies aimed at assisting the lower echelons. Probably impossible to find it now unless somebody else remembers more than I do.

  19. Red Hand 19
    21 February 2017 at 6:51 pm

    Religiously speaking he believes the Catechism of the Catholic Church, including forgiveness of sins.
    http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/credo.htm

  20. Ffloyd 20
    22 February 2017 at 9:37 am

    English believes that Nick Smith is ‘doing a good job acksherly’ Chuckle,wheeze,fall about!

  21. rod 21
    22 February 2017 at 5:10 pm

    English believes in Hosking, Gower,Young and Trevett.

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    A cracked or damaged laptop screen can be a frustrating experience, impacting productivity and enjoyment. Fortunately, laptop screen repair is a common service offered by various repair shops and technicians. However, the cost of fixing a laptop screen can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article delves into the ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    14 hours ago

  • How Long Do Gaming Laptops Last? Demystifying Lifespan and Maximizing Longevity
    Gaming laptops represent a significant investment for passionate gamers, offering portability and powerful performance for immersive gaming experiences. However, a common concern among potential buyers is their lifespan. Unlike desktop PCs, which allow for easier component upgrades, gaming laptops have inherent limitations due to their compact and integrated design. This ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    14 hours ago

  • Climate Change: Turning the tide
    The annual inventory report of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions has been released, showing that gross emissions have dropped for the third year in a row, to 78.4 million tons: All-told gross emissions have decreased by over 6 million tons since the Zero Carbon Act was passed in 2019. ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    15 hours ago

  • How to Unlock Your Computer A Comprehensive Guide to Regaining Access
    Experiencing a locked computer can be frustrating, especially when you need access to your files and applications urgently. The methods to unlock your computer will vary depending on the specific situation and the type of lock you encounter. This guide will explore various scenarios and provide step-by-step instructions on how ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    16 hours ago

  • Faxing from Your Computer A Modern Guide to Sending Documents Digitally
    While the world has largely transitioned to digital communication, faxing still holds relevance in certain industries and situations. Fortunately, gone are the days of bulky fax machines and dedicated phone lines. Today, you can easily send and receive faxes directly from your computer, offering a convenient and efficient way to ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    16 hours ago

  • Protecting Your Home Computer A Guide to Cyber Awareness
    In our increasingly digital world, home computers have become essential tools for work, communication, entertainment, and more. However, this increased reliance on technology also exposes us to various cyber threats. Understanding these threats and taking proactive steps to protect your home computer is crucial for safeguarding your personal information, finances, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    16 hours ago

  • Server-Based Computing Powering the Modern Digital Landscape
    In the ever-evolving world of technology, server-based computing has emerged as a cornerstone of modern digital infrastructure. This article delves into the concept of server-based computing, exploring its various forms, benefits, challenges, and its impact on the way we work and interact with technology. Understanding Server-Based Computing: At its core, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    17 hours ago

  • Vroom vroom go the big red trucks
    The absolute brass neck of this guy.We want more medical doctors, not more spin doctors, Luxon was saying a couple of weeks ago, and now we’re told the guy has seven salaried adults on TikTok duty. Sorry, doing social media. The absolute brass neck of it. The irony that the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    17 hours ago

  • Jones finds $410,000 to help the government muscle in on a spat project
    Buzz from the Beehive Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones relishes spatting and eagerly takes issue with environmentalists who criticise his enthusiasm for resource development. He relishes helping the fishing industry too. And so today, while the media are making much of the latest culling in the public service to ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    18 hours ago

  • Again, hate crimes are not necessarily terrorism.
    Having written, taught and worked for the US government on issues involving unconventional warfare and terrorism for 30-odd years, two things irritate me the most when the subject is discussed in public. The first is the Johnny-come-lately academics-turned-media commentators who … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    20 hours ago

  • Despair – construction consenting edition
    Eric Crampton writes – Kainga Ora is the government’s house building agency. It’s been building a lot of social housing. Kainga Ora has its own (but independent) consenting authority, Consentium. It’s a neat idea. Rather than have to deal with building consents across each different territorial authority, Kainga Ora ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    20 hours ago

  • Coalition promises – will the Govt keep the commitment to keep Kiwis equal before the law?
    Muriel Newman writes – The Coalition Government says it is moving with speed to deliver campaign promises and reverse the damage done by Labour. One of their key commitments is to “defend the principle that New Zealanders are equal before the law.” To achieve this, they have pledged they “will not advance ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    21 hours ago

  • An impermanent public service is a guarantee of very little else but failure
    Chris Trotter writes –  The absence of anything resembling a fightback from the public servants currently losing their jobs is interesting. State-sector workers’ collective fatalism in the face of Coalition cutbacks indicates a surprisingly broad acceptance of impermanence in the workplace. Fifty years ago, lay-offs in the thousands ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    22 hours ago

  • What happens after the war – Mariupol
    Mariupol, on the Azov Sea coast, was one of the first cities to suffer almost complete destruction after the start of the Ukraine War started in late February 2022. We remember the scenes of absolute destruction of the houses and city structures. The deaths of innocent civilians – many of ...
    Open ParachuteBy Ken
    22 hours ago

  • Babies and benefits – no good news
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – Ten years ago, I wrote the following in a Listener column: Every year around one in five new-born babies will be reliant on their caregivers benefit by Christmas. This pattern has persisted from at least 1993. For Maori the number jumps to over one in three.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    23 hours ago

  • Should the RBNZ be looking through climate inflation?
    Climate change is expected to generate more and more extreme events, delivering a sort of structural shock to inflation that central banks will have to react to as if they were short-term cyclical issues. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    23 hours ago

  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours, as of 9:16 am on Thursday, April 18 are:Housing: Tauranga residents living in boats, vans RNZ Checkpoint Louise TernouthHousing: Waikato councillor says wastewater plant issues could hold up Sleepyhead building a massive company town Waikato Times Stephen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    24 hours ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the public sector carnage, and misogyny as terrorism
    It’s a simple deal. We pay taxes in order to finance the social services we want and need. The carnage now occurring across the public sector though, is breaking that contract. Over 3,000 jobs have been lost so far. Many are in crucial areas like Education where the impact of ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    1 day ago

  • Meeting the Master Baiters
    Hi,A friend had their 40th over the weekend and decided to theme it after Curb Your Enthusiasm fashion icon Susie Greene. Captured in my tiny kitchen before I left the house, I ending up evoking a mix of old lesbian and Hillary Clinton — both unintentional.Me vs Hillary ClintonIf you’re ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    1 day ago

  • How extreme was the Earth's temperature in 2023
    This is a re-post from Andrew Dessler at the Climate Brink blog In 2023, the Earth reached temperature levels unprecedented in modern times. Given that, it’s reasonable to ask: What’s going on? There’s been lots of discussions by scientists about whether this is just the normal progression of global warming or if something ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 day ago

  • Backbone, revisited
    The schools are on holiday and the sun is shining in the seaside village and all day long I have been seeing bunches of bikes; Mums, Dads, teens and toddlers chattering, laughing, happy, having a bloody great time together. Cheers, AT, for the bits of lane you’ve added lately around the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago

  • Ministers are not above the law
    Today in our National-led authoritarian nightmare: Shane Jones thinks Ministers should be above the law: New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of over-stepping its mandate by subpoenaing a minister for its urgent hearing on the Oranga Tamariki claim. The tribunal is looking into the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago

  • What’s the outfit you can hear going down the gurgler? Probably it’s David Parker’s Oceans Sec...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point  of Order first heard of the Oceans Secretariat in June 2021, when David Parker (remember him?) announced a multi-agency approach to protecting New Zealand’s marine ecosystems and fisheries. Parker (holding the Environment, and Oceans and Fisheries portfolios) broke the news at the annual Forest & ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago

  • Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Bryce Edwards writes  – Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Matt Doocey doubles down on trans “healthcare”
    Citizen Science writes –  Last week saw two significant developments in the debate over the treatment of trans-identifying children and young people – the release in Britain of the final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review into gender healthcare, and here in New Zealand, the news that the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • A TikTok Prime Minister.
    One night while sleeping in my bed I had a beautiful dreamThat all the people of the world got together on the same wavelengthAnd began helping one anotherNow in this dream, universal love was the theme of the dayPeace and understanding and it happened this wayAfter such an eventful day ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago

  • Texas Lessons
    This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    2 days ago

  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links at 6:06 am
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours as of 6:06 am on Wednesday, April 17 are:Must read: Secrecy shrouds which projects might be fast-tracked RNZ Farah HancockScoop: Revealed: Luxon has seven staffers working on social media content - partly paid for by taxpayer Newshub ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Fighting poverty on the holiday highway
    Turning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago

  • Bernard's six-stack of substacks at 6:26 pm
    Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • At a glance – Is the science settled?
    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
    3 days ago

  • Apposite Quotations.
    How Long Is Long Enough? Gaza under Israeli bombardment, July 2014. This posting is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...
    Bowalley Road
    3 days ago

  • What’s a life worth now?
    You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • Howling at the Moon
    Karl du Fresne writes –  There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Newshub is Dead.
    I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • Seymour is chuffed about cutting early-learning red tape – but we hear, too, that Jones has loose...
    Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago

  • Was Hawkesby entirely wrong?
    David Farrar  writes –  The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • PRC shadow looms as the Solomons head for election
    PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time. A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Climate Change: Criminal ecocide
    We are in the middle of a climate crisis. Last year was (again) the hottest year on record. NOAA has just announced another global coral bleaching event. Floods are threatening UK food security. So naturally, Shane Jones wants to make it easier to mine coal: Resources Minister Shane Jones ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • Is saving one minute of a politician's time worth nearly $1 billion?
    Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Long Tunnel or Long Con?
    Yesterday it was revealed that Transport Minister had asked Waka Kotahi to look at the options for a long tunnel through Wellington. State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    3 days ago

  • Smoke And Mirrors.
    You're a fraud, and you know itBut it's too good to throw it all awayAnyone would do the sameYou've got 'em goingAnd you're careful not to show itSometimes you even fool yourself a bitIt's like magicBut it's always been a smoke and mirrors gameAnyone would do the sameForty six billion ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • What is Mexico doing about climate change?
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections The June general election in Mexico could mark a turning point in ensuring that the country’s climate policies better reflect the desire of its citizens to address the climate crisis, with both leading presidential candidates expressing support for renewable energy. Mexico is the ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • State of humanity, 2024
    2024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?When I say 2024 I really mean the state of humanity in 2024.Saturday night, we watched Civil War because that is one terrifying cliff we've ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Govt’s Wellington tunnel vision aims to ease the way to the airport (but zealous promoters of cycl...
    Buzz from the Beehive A pet project and governmental tunnel vision jump out from the latest batch of ministerial announcements. The government is keen to assure us of its concern for the wellbeing of our pets. It will be introducing pet bonds in a change to the Residential Tenancies Act ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • The case for cultural connectedness
    A recent report generated from a Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) survey of 1,224 rangatahi Māori aged 11-12 found: Cultural connectedness was associated with fewer depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms and better quality of life. That sounds cut and dry. But further into the report the following appears: Cultural connectedness is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Useful context on public sector job cuts
    David Farrar writes –    The Herald reports: From the gory details of job-cuts news, you’d think the public service was being eviscerated.   While the media’s view of the cuts is incomplete, it’s also true that departments have been leaking the particulars faster than a Wellington ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell On When Racism Comes Disguised As Anti-racism
    Remember the good old days, back when New Zealand had a PM who could think and speak calmly and intelligently in whole sentences without blustering? Even while Iran’s drones and missiles were still being launched, Helen Clark was live on TVNZ expertly summing up the latest crisis in the Middle ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    4 days ago

  • Govt ignored economic analysis of smokefree reversal
    Costello did not pass on analysis of the benefits of the smokefree reforms to Cabinet, emphasising instead the extra tax revenues of repealing them. Photo: Hagen Hopkins, Getty Images TL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me at 7:26 am today are:The Lead: Casey Costello never passed on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • True Blue.
    True loveYou're the one I'm dreaming ofYour heart fits me like a gloveAnd I'm gonna be true blueBaby, I love youI’ve written about the job cuts in our news media last week. The impact on individuals, and the loss to Aotearoa of voices covering our news from different angles.That by ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • Who is running New Zealand’s foreign policy?
    While commentators, including former Prime Minister Helen Clark, are noting a subtle shift in New Zealand’s foreign policy, which now places more emphasis on the United States, many have missed a key element of the shift. What National said before the election is not what the government is doing now. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago

  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #15
    A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 7, 2024 thru Sat, April 13, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week is about adults in the room setting terms and conditions of ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • Feline Friends and Fragile Fauna The Complexities of Cats in New Zealand’s Conservation Efforts

    Cats, with their independent spirit and beguiling purrs, have captured the hearts of humans for millennia. In New Zealand, felines are no exception, boasting the highest national cat ownership rate globally [definition cat nz cat foundation]. An estimated 1.134 million pet cats grace Kiwi households, compared to 683,000 dogs ...

    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    5 days ago

  • Or is that just they want us to think?
    Nice guy, that Peter Williams. Amiable, a calm air of no-nonsense capability, a winning smile. Everything you look for in a TV presenter and newsreader.I used to see him sometimes when I went to TVNZ to be a talking head or a panellist and we would yarn. Nice guy, that ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Fact Brief – Did global warming stop in 1998?
    Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Did global warming stop in ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • Arguing over a moot point.
    I have been following recent debates in the corporate and social media about whether it is a good idea for NZ to join what is known as “AUKUS Pillar Two.” AUKUS is the Australian-UK-US nuclear submarine building agreement in which … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    6 days ago

  • No Longer Trusted: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    Turning Point: “What has turned me away from the mainstream news media is the very strong message that its been sending out for the last few years.” “And what message might that be?” “That the people who own it, the people who run it, and the people who provide its content, really don’t ...
    Bowalley Road
    6 days ago

  • Mortgage rates at 10% anyone?
    No – nothing about that in PM Luxon’s nine-point plan to improve the lives of New Zealanders. But beyond our shores Jamie Dimon, the long-serving head of global bank J.P. Morgan Chase, reckons that the chances of a goldilocks soft landing for the economy are “a lot lower” than the ...
    Point of OrderBy xtrdnry
    6 days ago

  • Sad tales from the left
    Michael Bassett writes –  Have you noticed the odd way in which the media are handling the government’s crackdown on surplus employees in the Public Service? Very few reporters mention the crazy way in which State Service numbers rocketed ahead by more than 16,000 during Labour’s six years, ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • In Whose Best Interests?
    On The Spot: The question Q+A host, Jack Tame, put to the Workplace & Safety Minister, Act’s Brooke van Velden, was disarmingly simple: “Are income tax cuts right now in the best interests of lowering inflation?”JACK TAME has tested another MP on his Sunday morning current affairs show, Q+A. Minister for Workplace ...
    Bowalley Road
    6 days ago

  • Don’t Question, Don’t Complain.
    It has to start somewhereIt has to start sometimeWhat better place than here?What better time than now?So it turns out that I owe you all an apology.It seems that all of the terrible things this government is doing, impacting the lives of many, aren’t necessarily ‘bad’ per se. Those things ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • Auckland faces 25% water inflation shock
    Three Waters became a focus of anti-Government protests under Labour, but its dumping by the new Government hasn’t solved councils’ funding problems and will eventually hit the back pockets of everyone. Photo: Lynn Grieveson/Getty ImagesTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me at 8:06 am today are:The Government ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • Small accomplishments and large ironies
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.Share Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • The Song of Saqua: Volume VII
    In order to catch up to the actual progress of the D&D campaign, I present you with another couple of sessions. These were actually held back to back, on a Monday and Tuesday evening. Session XV Alas, Goatslayer had another lycanthropic transformation… though this time, he ran off into the ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    6 days ago

  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    11 hours ago

  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    16 hours ago

  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    17 hours ago

  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago

  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago

  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago

  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    24 hours ago

  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector.    "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
    Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
    Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
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    3 days ago

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