What if Gilmore quits?

Written By: - Date published: 2:25 pm, May 8th, 2013 - 105 comments
Categories: accountability, john key, leadership, national, national/act government, slippery - Tags:

Stuff is reporting that John Key is signalling for Aaron Gilmore to stand down.

Prime Minister John Key says he can’t “reconcile” Aaron Gilmore’s text messages with his version of events of a boozy diner and has signalled he should stand down.

He contacted party president Peter Goodfellow this morning.

He can’t sack Gilmore from Parliament. But the move is a strong signal to Gilmore to step down.

“I find them difficult to reconcile with the version of events that Mr Gilmore gave my office … I said at the time if I found it difficult to reconcile those events I’ll treat this as a serious matter.”

This morning the National Party was shown text messages from Gilmore that appear to contradict assurances he gave Key.

What are Gilmore’s options?

He can try to tough it out and stay.

He can possibly stay as an independent like Brendon Horan, although this may require Key to remove him from the National caucus.

Or he can quit parliament.

The next on National Party’s list look to be Paul Foster-Bell Claudette Hauiti.*

Key won’t want any period of uncertainty that threatens his government’s thin majority.

What are the implications of Key’s latest statement?

[update]

Claudette Hauiti, in a 3 News article from August 2011, on her being a newby on National’s list, headlines her as: Lesbian, Maori, ex-Labour.   Moving a little beyond the sensationalist, stereotyping headline, we learn …. little:

Ms Hauiti says “I’m not made up of one particular thing, I’m made up of many things….my iwitanga…I’m also an urban Maori, I’m also a business woman…I’m also a mother and all those things help build a very strong character for the National Party”.

“I’ve had an excellent run to become the candidate for Mangere. I’ve had exceptional support,” she says.

National is struggling to shake its reputation as a boys’ club with only 16 of its 57 MPs being female.

We learn more from Express Online:

After I got my degree in journalism, I worked at TVNZ and they made me a political reporter. I’ve always had a background in politics and current affairs. I was also the producer of Eye To Eye with Willie Jackson, but all the programming I do has some political slant to it, whether it be subtle or not too subtle.

Although I’m considered socially liberal, economically I’m quite conservative and that has been because of my family background. My father has always been economically independent and insisted upon being independent of state funding. Having said that, we had always been Labour supporters and under the Labour party we got our first state house, but my parents worked very hard to buy it. I was brought up on the ethic of self-determination and self-reliance.

Hauiti was the 2011 National candidate for Mangere.

105 comments on “What if Gilmore quits? ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Jeeves 1
    8 May 2013 at 2:28 pm

    Foster-Bell is already on his way in. Claudette Hauiti is next.

  2. quartz 2
    8 May 2013 at 2:28 pm

    Paul Foster Bell is back in. He’s got Jackie Blue’s seat. It’s likely to be Claudette Hauiti.

  3. Pete 3
    8 May 2013 at 2:30 pm

    I posted this in the other thread, but it’s more appropriate here:

    I wonder if Gilmore will go feral, stay on in Parliament and vote against the budget out of spite. Would that mean the Nats would have to court Brendan Horan? If the stars align, the government could fall over this if they fail to get confidence and supply.

    • Enough is Enough 3.1
      8 May 2013 at 2:39 pm

      I don’t think we want the government to fall right now. The polls are still too close for my liking.

      By Xmas we will be light years ahead though. Can we drag this out until then….

      • Gosman 3.1.1
        9 May 2013 at 1:01 pm

        Yeah the economic figures are all going the left’s way. Oh wait a moment….

    • Nick 3.2
      8 May 2013 at 2:42 pm

      Budget won’t fail because the Maori Party are bound to vote for it by the C&S agreement

    • Lanthanide 3.3
      8 May 2013 at 2:47 pm

      “Would that mean the Nats would have to court Brendan Horan? If the stars align, the government could fall over this if they fail to get confidence and supply.”

      SIGH.

      Everyone here keeps forgetting, the Maori Party have signed a Confidence and Supply agreement with National. That means they vote for the budget. Even without Gilmour’s vote, National still have 63 votes in favour of their budget.

      • Te Reo Putake 3.3.1
        8 May 2013 at 3:22 pm

        True, Lanth. But, if the Maori Party felt the need to break the C&S arrangement in order to give themselves any hope of being in the next Parliament, now would be a good time, aye?

        A snap election forced by the MP could restore some of the mana they have lost (so to speak). They could take the moral highground, say they’ve lost confidence in Key and his bumbling administration and its time to put it to the people etc.

        In those circumstances, Tariana might reconsider her retirement. Or she could waddle off knowing she’s helped end the career of two PM’s and vastly improved the lives of maori.

        Ok, just kidding about the vastly improved bit, it’s just her immediate family that’s done well out of her time in parliament. But given that she has no loyalty to speak of, why wouldn’t she stab Key as royally as she did HC?

        • Lanthanide 3.3.1.1
          8 May 2013 at 4:38 pm

          Historically snap elections and those that force them have been punished.

          The MP might be a little more of a special case, but the other side of the coin is why did they sign a C&S agreement in the first place if they weren’t going to honor it. Gilmour going rogue, or Banks being kicked out, would just smack of opportunism by the MP as they haven’t signaled any particular unhappiness about the government, aside them always voting against their legislation – Sharples keeps bleating on about “being at the table” as well.

          Also a snap election at this stage is unlikely to favour the opposition, so again not necessarily a great tactic for the MP to follow if they want to be part left government in the near future.

      • gobsmacked 3.3.2
        8 May 2013 at 3:50 pm

        Lanth is right. The govt majority on the budget is not threatened.

        Be careful what we wish for. Key might be quite happy to call a snap election saying “Aaron Gilmore is MMP’s fault! Give me a majority!”. We would then be relying on David Shearer to persuasively articulate the case for a Labour-led multi-party gov’t being more stable. That’s a roll of the dice, at best.

        • freedom 3.3.2.1
          8 May 2013 at 5:01 pm

          Labour might be wise to consider that even with National gone, they may not be leading the next Government of NZ. Many many people understand that National and Labour were both first time Governments once and after 38 PMs playing progressively chaotic table tennis with our country, a lot of people are thinking a change of tacticians might be just what is needed.

    • Mary 3.4
      8 May 2013 at 2:49 pm

      Yes, let’s hope Gilmore goes feral. The only trouble is that the Nats’ bully boys will try very hard to force him out of parliament from behind the scenes. Gilmore does have a bit to hang on to, though. There is a little wriggle-room in those text messages for him to say that he didn’t lie to Key. He did of course, but we want Aaron to stay! Go Aaron! Stand up to that Keys guy!

      • paul andersen 3.4.1
        8 May 2013 at 4:27 pm

        yes, I think aaron should stay on and wear a bright blue jacket with a large N on it as proof of what we have as a ruling -elite-.

        • One Anonymous Knucklehead 3.4.1.1
          8 May 2013 at 4:34 pm

          If he really wants to make a statement he will wear a suit with the letter N cut out with scissors. The hollow party and all that 🙂

  4. Robert Glennie 4
    8 May 2013 at 2:35 pm

    National will still have Peter Dunne and John Banks to rely on. Is there not time for Claudette Hauiti to become acquainted with the basics of Parliament before the Budget?

  5. Winston Smith 5
    8 May 2013 at 2:36 pm

    What are the implications of Key’s latest statement?

    -Parliament and the National party will be improved.

  6. One Anonymous Knucklehead 6
    8 May 2013 at 2:38 pm

    Love the way the Stuff headline: “PM turns on Gilmore” makes Key sound untrustworthy: Slippery hasn’t got your back, Aaron.

  7. mickysavage 7
    8 May 2013 at 2:46 pm

    It is fascinating watching National eating its young …

    • Tim 7.1
      8 May 2013 at 3:35 pm

      I was having that very thought MS just as I was watching Soimun Brudjiss in QT.
      I bet he’s no longer Aaron’s very best friend now

    • tinfoilhat 7.2
      8 May 2013 at 4:02 pm

      I was just thinking how similar they were to the Labour party.

  8. Blue 8
    8 May 2013 at 2:46 pm

    Why would he “have his back” ? Gilmore acted like an A grade arsehole, let down his party and needs to leave. Its a two way street in politics.

    • Mary 8.1
      8 May 2013 at 2:50 pm

      No, it’s a multi-way street in politics.

    • One Anonymous Knucklehead 8.2
      8 May 2013 at 2:54 pm

      Sorry, you appear to have missed the point of my comment, which is that the lying Prime Minister can no longer expect the media to cast him in a kindly light.

      • paul andersen 8.2.1
        8 May 2013 at 4:30 pm

        thats definitley the biggest change. now only trogladites like osullivan are boosting for key, the rest have pretty much had there eyes opened.

  9. Ad 9
    8 May 2013 at 2:47 pm

    This, plus the rest, gives a good rotting out-they-go stench to this Government.

    Popcorn is heating up.

    • Mary 9.1
      8 May 2013 at 2:53 pm

      The popcorn will go cold very quickly if Gilmore leaves parliament. It will be extremely boring of Gilmore if that’s what he does. I know he’s probably in many respects pretty boring already but that doesn’t mean he needs to continue to to be boring. Come on Aaron, this is your chance.

  10. King Kong 10
    8 May 2013 at 3:00 pm

    Nice to see you kind hearted lefties baying to see someones life destroyed.

    If Helen Kelly and her union were representing Gilmore she would have exploded by now at his treatment.

    • One Anonymous Knucklehead 10.1
      8 May 2013 at 3:03 pm

      Do you think his life is going to be destroyed? He has all the skills necessary to become an investment banker or tax exile.

      • Tim 10.1.1
        8 May 2013 at 3:36 pm

        …. or some other kind of pimp

        • One Anonymous Knucklehead 10.1.1.1
          8 May 2013 at 3:51 pm

          I’m not sure he has the cunning or knowledge of the less edifying aspects of human nature to make a successful pimp.

          • Clockie 10.1.1.1.1
            8 May 2013 at 4:55 pm

            That’s a mighty fine double act you guys have got going there.. 🙂

            • Colonial Viper 10.1.1.1.1.1
              8 May 2013 at 5:00 pm

              Well, that’s not pimping, that’s acting of another nature…

      • tricledrown 10.1.2
        8 May 2013 at 11:35 pm

        primitive primate what Slippery is saying Aaron your not even in my league when it comes to lying, we want a more professional class of liar like me .
        When I lie I get away with it every time !
        For even trying to imitate my leadership your a goner!

    • mickysavage 10.2
      8 May 2013 at 3:04 pm

      So KK what aspect of Gilmore’s treatment do you think it is unfair?

      I don’t see anyone baying. All I see is a level of bemusement and amusement as National kneecaps itself.

      • One Anonymous Knucklehead 10.2.1
        8 May 2013 at 3:12 pm

        I will miss him. As the wide mouthed frog said, “You don’t see many of those, do you?”

      • King Kong 10.2.2
        8 May 2013 at 3:14 pm

        Lets be fair, this issue is no using of slave labour (field) fiddling expenses then sabotaging your leader (carter) or even cracking one off on the taxpayer (jones).

        He got pissed and acted like a bit of a cock. The subsequent heat has become the story and now he has lost his job.

        That is politics I guess. All I was pointing out was the irony of how much glee there was around here at the prospect of a Dad of two losing his income.

        • Clockie 10.2.2.1
          8 May 2013 at 3:31 pm

          Wellll…. He has bragged about having done well enough that he never needs to work again. I don’t think anyone is going to starve here.. Also of course, being a parliamentarian should never be regarded as a “job”. It is ideally something that people expect to do for a part of their working life because they believe in what they are doing and as a service to the country. Of course I’m talking ideals here and they’re in short supply among pollys. Also if you “act like a bit of a cock” when the leader of your party has bragged about setting higher standards I think you can expect to get the old heave-ho don’t you, really??

          Also, you chaps are always telling us that there is plenty of work out there for those who want to do if you’re not a lazy bludger who’s fussy about what you’re prepared to do.

          From what is freely available in the public domain it appears that the man is a braggart, a bully, and a big noting liar. This is who he is, not a temporary fall from grace while pissed.

          • King Kong 10.2.2.1.1
            8 May 2013 at 3:46 pm

            I am glad that you are so certain that he can be written off as someone who deserves all he gets off the back of a week of sensationalised media articles.

            The left, ladies and gentleman. The moral guardians of caring.

            • One Anonymous Knucklehead 10.2.2.1.1.1
              8 May 2013 at 3:49 pm

              Stop being so precious, Precious. Oh, and point out where someone has written him off. Clockie, who you replied to, describes his fall from grace as “temporary”. Are you experiencing cognitive dissonance again much, sweety?

              • Clockie …
                8 May 2013 at 4:24 pm

                Ah-hem, well actually, I pretty much did “write him off”. Based on what the man writes about himself and what others are reported to have said about him, it seems plain to me and I suspect many others that he is not someone you’d want as a landlord or a boss. Personally I wouldn’t want him as my brother in law, my rubbish collector or my MP either thanks.

                • One Anonymous Knucklehead …
                  8 May 2013 at 4:28 pm

                  Ok, well I guess you’ll just have to suffer KK’s accusations 😆

                  • Clockie …
                    8 May 2013 at 4:43 pm

                    Willingly :). This is about chickens deservedly coming home to roost. Most of us who have been wage slaves and tenants at some time in our lives have been on the receiving end of the crap handed out by the Aaron Gilmore’s of this world and yes, by golly-gosh, it is rather nice to see them come a cropper occasionally.

        • fender 10.2.2.2
          8 May 2013 at 3:41 pm

          You sure are a strange animal KK, just this morning you claimed Gilmore was a ‘sex criminal’.

          Now you are concerned for the financial future of someone who has boasted that investments he has made mean he never needs to work again.

          • King Kong 10.2.2.2.1
            8 May 2013 at 3:52 pm

            Don’t for one second think I give a toss about Gilmore. Just pointing out that you can call us Torys sociopaths but you lefties like to watch someone being mauled in public as much as the next man.

            • fender 10.2.2.2.1.1
              8 May 2013 at 4:02 pm

              Nothing wrong with celebrating the fact that an incompetent wanker gets kicked out of a position he should never have been placed into in the first place.

              If National had a robust list selection process this fool wouldn’t be anywhere near parliament, it’s not a place for monkeys despite appearances.

            • One Anonymous Knucklehead 10.2.2.2.1.2
              8 May 2013 at 4:03 pm

              Schadenfraude is a necessary part of politics, especially as a setback for the National Party might just result in a decrease in infant mortality rates.

            • Clockie 10.2.2.2.1.3
              8 May 2013 at 4:48 pm

              Ape. So you don’t give a toss about him either, but we are sociopaths…

              Considering how much hard-arsed muck you fling around about other people on your periodic visits to this site, I think it’s just a little rich for you to be taking the high moral tone with us now, don’t you think? (That was a rhetorical question) No, you don’t think.

            • emergency mike 10.2.2.2.1.4
              8 May 2013 at 5:55 pm

              “…you lefties like to watch someone being mauled in public as much as the next man.”

              Oh ya it’s so weird how our hippy-love dries up when it comes to egotistical, arrogant, lying, born-to-rule bullies who are getting a 6 figure salary from the state to be our democratic ‘representatives’.

        • Kevin Welsh 10.2.2.3
          8 May 2013 at 3:48 pm

          “All I was pointing out was the irony of how much glee there was around here at the prospect of a Dad of two losing his income.”

          Really KK?

          I think the glee is more about the fuckwit who threatened to have someone else’s employment terminated, is about to have his terminated.

          • Clockie 10.2.2.3.1
            8 May 2013 at 4:27 pm

            Kevin Walsh +1. This is where much of my own feeling about this lovely man comes from.

        • Populuxe1 10.2.2.4
          8 May 2013 at 4:19 pm

          You mean, like Darren Hughes?

        • tricledrown 10.2.2.5
          8 May 2013 at 11:39 pm

          king kong you are asking us to believe your bs.Gilmore is last on the list so will be vert unlikely to be re elected any way!
          Wasn’t it Mattspew hootten that said he should go instantly!

    • Te Reo Putake 10.3
      8 May 2013 at 3:38 pm

      “If Helen Kelly and her union were representing Gilmore she would have exploded by now at his treatment.”

      Rubbish. Any advocate with HK’s smarts would have told him to fess up completely and openly and not try to wriggle out of it. The incident would have already been yesterdays news if he had been properly advised. His difficulty is that he appears to have used John Key as his union rep, following the path laid down by the PM over the last five years: a BS, bluster, forgetfullness and ‘so what?’ attitude have worked for Key. It’s just that Gilmore isn’t half as good at it as his boss.

      The guts of it isn’t that Gilmore is getting his marching orders for being a pompous git one drunken Saturday night, it’s for dragging Key into the frame by behaving just like him in the cover up.

    • Colonial Viper 10.4
      8 May 2013 at 3:45 pm

      If Helen Kelly and her union were representing Gilmore she would have exploded by now at his treatment.

      Trust all these right wing layabouts who want the benefits of union protection without actually joining a union.

      • King Kong 10.4.1
        8 May 2013 at 4:05 pm

        Who mentioned benefits. The only way that Aaron Gilmore could become a more hated figure is to have Helen Kelly represent him.
        Just ask that Aussie actors union and the maritime union.

        • One Anonymous Knucklehead 10.4.1.1
          8 May 2013 at 4:10 pm

          Do you think he’s “hated”? I think he’s just made an egg of himself and I hope learned one or two valuable lessons: drinking with lawyers has its costs and learn to apologise well.

          PS: and always front foot your mistakes.

    • paul andersen 10.5
      8 May 2013 at 4:33 pm

      I dont want aaron destroyed. I want him to remain as a glorious example of keys asperational society, an example of the free market and unrestain excess and what the feral, sorry free market, throws up.

    • QoT 10.6
      8 May 2013 at 4:53 pm

      So … you missed the hilarious bit in his self-penned CV where he brags about never having to work again, I take it.

      • Colonial Viper 10.6.1
        8 May 2013 at 4:54 pm

        Won’t anyone think of the children? Private school fees are a human right!

  11. Mary 11
    8 May 2013 at 3:12 pm

    I think Key’s being very clever. He’s calling on Gilmore to quit so that he stays credible dealing with an incredible situation, but he doesn’t want Gilmore to quit because of the numbers. So he says he wants Gilmore to quit but that he can’t force him to and that sacking him is a long, drawn out process and that it might be better to just wait until the next election because Gilmore’s number 59 with no portfolio responsibilities so it’ll be easier and cheaper for everyone. That’s the strategy I see coming from Key. The headline reads: “Key turns on Gilmore”, but that’s not quite right. Key wants the public to think this, but wants Gilmore to stay. What a slime:

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/8644577/Key-hints-at-Gilmore-to-quit

    If I were Gilmore I wouldn’t be bullied like this. Key’s treating Gilmore with absolute disdain, not by saying he wants to sack him, but by saying this but in reality wanting him to stay on to prop his shonky government up. In these circumstances if I were Gilmore I’d quit the National party and fuck Key over as an independent.

    • One Anonymous Knucklehead 11.1
      8 May 2013 at 3:14 pm

      Think of all the connections you could make in that time, if you were Aaron Gilmore 🙂

      • Mary 11.1.1
        8 May 2013 at 3:36 pm

        Well, Brendan Horan might be one, but that’s not the point. The point is that Aaron Gilmore is an MP with lots to offer and no matter what John Key and others say Aaron is going to stand up to his principles and do the job he was elected…I mean…put in the job to do. It just so happens, and it’s a pity, that he’ll just have to fuck Key and his mates over in the process.

      • tricledrown 11.1.2
        8 May 2013 at 11:43 pm

        Aaron Gilmore new job talk back host with Michael Laws!

    • karol 11.2
      8 May 2013 at 3:34 pm

      It keeps Gilmore in the headlines, instead of the appalling up-coming Spy Law amendments.

      • mickysavage 11.2.1
        8 May 2013 at 3:44 pm

        It also obliterates coverage of Shearer’s speech.

        Funny thing but Goff got a bounce in the polls when he dumped Carter, Shearer got one when he dumped Cunliffe and maybe Key is planning on the same thing. It appears that some kiwis like it when their leaders beat up on elected representatives.

        • karol 11.2.1.1
          8 May 2013 at 3:57 pm

          It also gives cover to the 105 jobs lost at Solid energy, and the possible low prices of MRP shares.

          Cunliffe was on fire aout Labour’s power policy in the General Debate today.

        • One Anonymous Knucklehead 11.2.1.2
          8 May 2013 at 5:01 pm

          Nope. Key has utterly wimped out. “I don’t think we will move to expel him from the caucus…”

          All the damage, none of the benefits 🙂

  12. Ant 12
    8 May 2013 at 3:25 pm

    LOL that lawyer dude must count as one of the worst mates ever.

    This dude obviously wanted to cause some ruckus haha.

    • One Anonymous Knucklehead 12.1
      8 May 2013 at 3:35 pm

      Yeah, I can see why he contacted the hotel, but who told the media?

    • Clockie 12.2
      8 May 2013 at 3:40 pm

      Ant. He told the truth. You wouldn’t understand.

      • Ant 12.2.1
        8 May 2013 at 3:52 pm

        Please, as if a barman would take a pissed twit saying “John Key will fire you!” seriously.

        The two bros obviously have some beef, we get to see it happening in public.

        • Populuxe1 12.2.1.1
          8 May 2013 at 4:22 pm

          Presumably said beef was being wrongfully dragged in to Happy’s Fubar and the possible implications that would have on his legal career. That sort of thing tends to piss lawyers off.

        • freedom 12.2.1.2
          8 May 2013 at 4:27 pm

          “Please, as if a barman would take a pissed twit saying “John Key will fire you!” seriously.”

          hmmm
          imagine you are a barman at a Heritage Hotel, a preferred supplier of the Nats piss ups, where National have just held a conference. An MP of that party is berating you and you think you would not be worried for your job ?

          Ant, you obviously know shit about how hospo works in NZ

          • Ant 12.2.1.2.1
            8 May 2013 at 6:53 pm

            LOL I know how hospo works and I’d be pretty sure John Key or his office don’t bother ringing up to get people fired from their jobs when you refuse to serve an intoxicated party. Anyone with a modicum of common sense would think it was a laughable threat.

            I mean John Key is a c*nt, but I think he prefers to destroy 1000’s of peoples jobs in one fell swoop not one at a time.

            • freedom 12.2.1.2.1.1
              8 May 2013 at 7:03 pm

              it’s hard for PM to lean on a barman but dropdead simple to lean on Heritage a bit

            • Colonial Viper 12.2.1.2.1.2
              8 May 2013 at 7:09 pm

              Nah, you’re a dickhead and you know shit.

              Plenty of hospos have had final written warnings or been fired due to customer complaints.

              But yes there are plenty of rich dickheads out there who think that mistreating service workers and threatening peoples jobs is ‘laughable”.

      • One Anonymous Knucklehead 12.2.2
        8 May 2013 at 3:56 pm

        Who contacted the media? If it was Riches he did considerably more than tell the truth. Gilmore is the architect of his own misfortune but, if I can expand the metaphor, he employed a pretty good builder.

        • Colonial Viper 12.2.2.1
          8 May 2013 at 4:18 pm

          There be poets amongst the Standardistas!

          • Arfamo 12.2.2.1.1
            8 May 2013 at 5:01 pm

            If you think that our poets are good
            They cannot match those in the ‘hood
            Where Aaron spouted dickhead’s verse
            And things just went from bad to worse
            If he thought John Key was his muse
            Too bad, now he’s beneath Key’s shoes

  13. QoT 13
    8 May 2013 at 4:58 pm

    My father has always been economically independent and insisted upon being independent of state funding. Having said that, we had always been Labour supporters and under the Labour party we got our first state house, but my parents worked very hard to buy it

    Oh good, a true bootstraps-myth hypocrite, then.

    • McFlock 13.1
      8 May 2013 at 5:11 pm

      Taking the “cognitive” out of “cognitive dissonance”.

    • karol 13.2
      8 May 2013 at 5:25 pm

      Yep Depressing. No doubt Key would love having her in his caucus to support his own bootstraps myth – and as a tokenistic rep of the kind of women his government tends to marginalise.

  14. Anne 14
    8 May 2013 at 7:53 pm

    Campbell Live had a poll should Aaron Gilmore resign?

    91% said yes.

    I can just picture them sitting on their couches lounge suites… ” ya know, that was a terrible thing to do embarrassing the prime minister like that and he believed him. That’s really bad. Let’s text our votes…”

    Umm, what about the waiter?… “waiter. what waiter? Oh, I dunno about him. It’s John Key we feel sorry for…”

  15. jaymam 15
    8 May 2013 at 8:37 pm

    I shall be looking forward to putting up election billboards with a picture of almost anyone, with the text “Do you know who I am?”

    • mac1 15.1
      8 May 2013 at 11:38 pm

      I think there should be a post asking for ‘born-to-rule prat’ stories. There seems to be a few in behind people’s comments on the Gilmore saga, and/or stories about the abuse of workers by members of the public.

      Jaymam’s comment immediately brings one to mind, for me.

  16. vto 16
    8 May 2013 at 8:51 pm

    Hauiti sounds like another dopey confused tory who doesn’t even realise that the things they think are great are pretty much all of a typical collectivist social base. The classic example is Fonterra. And now here we have Hauiti extolling the virtues of the left. Yet she is a fully fledged right wing nutbar.

    They are like another species.

    Somebody should patent their dna and forwrad sell it to museums.

  18. Tanz 18
    9 May 2013 at 4:58 pm

    see, how the list system is a rort? Unchosen by the voters and can’t be rid of by the voters either. Key must be spitting chips. The guy is going to ride it out till next year, maybe. All that money…

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    PunditBy Brian Easton
    19 hours ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: The unravelling of the offsets

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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