What would Jehovah say?

Written By: - Date published: 3:39 pm, January 20th, 2009 - 39 comments
Categories: uncategorized - Tags:

Reports from Hawkes’ Bay confirm that the Exclusive Brethren broke its rule against voting to ensure a National/ACT victory last year.

The Exclusive Brethren regards the last of us ‘worldly’ types as sinful heathens destined for hell, so they try to avoid us by living in compounds, running their own schools, and not participating in activities such as voting. It seems, however, that not all heathens are created equal. They would rather have a government run by a bunch of right-wing heathens than left-wing ones. The Exclusive Brethren has put a lot of money into supporting right-wing election campaigns in various countries. Why do they love the Right so? Being ultra-conservative bigots they find a natural home there, of course, but there is also a financial interest – a National government will increase State subsidation for their schools, while Labour imposed a cost by requiring that kids be taught by registered teachers rather than religiously-correct amateurs. 

In 2005, the EB secretly worked with National to run a parallel campaign (which was the subject of Nicky Hager’s Hollow Men, caused Don Brash’s resignation, and gave rise to the Electoral Finance Act). Of course, even a million dollars of secret support was not enough to get National into power in 2005. So, this time the EB’s leader, the Elect Vessel, visited New Zealand before the election and, it seems, gave the order that church members break their own principles and vote National. EB members were seen voting in several Hawkes’ Bay locations (HB is an EB stronghold for some reason).

Nothing wrong with that, of course. I would encourage all people to vote (although, I might encourage the EB to first join us in the post-Enlightenment world). But it is interesting to see the lengths National’s extreme religious supporters were willing to go to get them into power. I wonder what they will get from Key’s government in repayment.

[lprent: added a missing ‘not’]

39 comments on “What would Jehovah say? ”

  1. Tigger 1

    National will run the same PR campaign with religions as the Bush government did in the US. Bush appeared pro-Jesus but in reality was anything but… National are doing the same thing – they’re not actually a religious lot but have and will PR themselves as pro-faith (Key saying he’s happy to see religious organisations like Ian Grant’s running family based programmes for example).

    Hey, now that Key is back has he made any comments about Israel?

  2. ropata 2

    No doubt the EB were tired of Labour’s antipathy and scapegoating. The electorate obviously were not swayed by your silly rhetoric this time around.

  3. Ray 3

    I doubt that the EB will even get as much as the unions got from Labour
    They cost them the 05 election

  4. @ work 4

    They also have a powerful spot light above thier school in Johnsonvile that points right down the road and makes it very dangerous driving past at night.

  5. coge 5

    Steve, do you know if any of the other churches backed Labour? Would you have a problem with that or just turn the other cheek? This anti EB stance seems rather evangelical, in your dismissal of their doctrine.

    [who said I have a problem with the EB backing National? It’s their right and my right to draw attention to it and any quid pro quo they get in return. I do dismiss their religious doctrine as bigoted nonsense as do you, unless you are EB, in which case I doubt commenting on blogs falls under the permitted uses of computers. Don’t see how my stance could be seen as evangelical, though. Perhaps a dictionary is is order? SP]

  6. the sprout 6

    sp
    I agree with your predictions on how National will present itself to the religious right, which is not of course all the religious groups.

    It does seem odd that the EB decided to vote considering their offical renunciation of wordly activities like voting. I mean, if the telephone is evil, voting must be off the scale. So they must have had a pretty poweful motivation to risk damnation for the sake of electing a man with Jewish ancestry.

    “[EB spent] a million dollars”

    I heard it was a LOT more than that in reality.

  7. ieuan 7

    Did just the EB men vote or were the woman also allowed to vote?

  8. coge 8

    So Steve. What exactly is your doctrine?

    I don’t know much about the EB’s, but I do know they are entitled to their beliefs. Thankfully we live in a free country.

  9. the sprout 9

    coge,
    being entitled to your beliefs isn’t the same as immunity from those beliefs being questioned.
    and faux-liberal as you may be, you might even admit that some beliefs are more questionable than others.

  10. coge 10

    The sprout, the same could be said about many religions. We are all equally entitled to our beliefs. Please don’t tell me you disagree with this. Legislating against thought would not be popular among your fellow Kiwis.

  11. Felix 11

    some beliefs are more questionable than others.

    Possibly, but I can’t see how the EB’s particular brand of mumbo jumbo bullshit is any more or less questionable than the beliefs of the catholics, baptists, mormons, muslims or any of the other freakish cults which we (as a society) pretend are reasonable.

  12. QoT 12

    I don’t think anyone’s saying the EB don’t have the right to vote, or openly fund political campaigns.

    What you can say is that people who claim to be Above Worldly Things and then break their own religious doctrine in order to get better tax breaks are hypocritical wankers.

  13. Peter Burns 13

    “Above Worldly Things”

    Is that why Miss Clark was never charged for her criminality?

  14. Ma 14

    they also bend their own rules in running their businesses (telephones, computers dealing with the ‘public etc). Money first.
    I grew up in Hastings and went to school with many of them at Hastings Girls’ High. My mother worked for some pre-children. She said the teenage ones always seemed to know the tune and words of the latest songs and the older ones would happily have conversations with her when the others weren’t around.

    On the otherside tho’ I have heard of a EB owned business that sold tractors up Dargaville way that was told by the company supplying a certain brand of tractor to them that they had to stop ripping out the stereos before on-selling to customers otherwise they would lose the right to sell their tractors.

  15. Scribe 15

    Reports from Hawkes'[sic] Bay confirm that the Exclusive Brethren broke its rule against voting to ensure a National/ACT victory last year.

    Which reports are those, Steve? Can you link to them or direct us where to find them?

    Being ultra-conservative bigots they find a natural home there, of course

    You’re all class, Steve. Don’t worry, Labour might get back in power by about 2017.

    So, this time the EB’s leader, the Elect Vessel, visited New Zealand before the election and, it seems, gave the order that church members break their own principles and vote National. EB members were seen voting in several Hawkes'[sic] Bay locations (HB is an EB stronghold for some reason).

    Seen by whom?

    I wonder what they will get from Key’s government in repayment.

    Probably not as much as they’d like. As some have said, National’s MPs are not exactly religious conservatives. I’m sure the EB — and others — would like to see the civil union and prostitution reform legislation repealed, for example. That won’t happen.

  16. Max Call 16

    Most of them as individuals are nice enough but as a group are scary

  17. higherstandard 17

    “Most of them as individuals are nice enough but as a group are scary”

    Sounds like parliament !

  18. Rex Widerstrom 18

    Being ultra-conservative bigots they find a natural home there, of course,

    Oh, I thought for a minute you were referring to Hawkes Bay, and was about to point out their Messiah’s Second Coming had occured in Wanganui 😀

    And tsk, Steve, surely you’re familiar with the dangers of saying ‘Jehovah’.

  19. scribe. if i tell you my sources every time you ask i won’t have sources any more

  20. Pascal's bookie 20

    Rex;
    They think Michael Laws is the Messiah? That really is nuts.

  21. Phil 21

    They also have a powerful spot light above thier school in Johnsonvile that points right down the road and makes it very dangerous driving past at night

    Which one’s that?
    Can’t say I’ve ever had a problem like that driving in J’ville…

  22. Felix 22

    Maybe it’s not a spotlight…

  23. dave 23

    Scribe. if i tell you my sources every time you ask i won’t have sources any more
    Steve, reports are not sources. They are reports.Which is what scribe asked. If there are no reports you should not have said “Reports from Hawkes’ Bay”. Sources don’t ” report”.

  24. Pascal's bookie 24

    “Sources don’t ‘ report’.”

    googling “a source reported” tells me otherwise.

  25. the sprout 25

    “Maybe it’s not a spotlight ”

    yeah that’ll be the Burning Eye Of God searing into your soul. often feels a bit like sun strike.

  26. Piggy Muldoon 26

    coge January 20, 2009 at 5:08 pm

    “So Steve. What exactly is your doctrine?

    I don’t know much about the EB’s, but I do know they are entitled to their beliefs. Thankfully we live in a free country.”

    Yes its a real free country coge .Thats why the EB try to sue ex members who speak out .

    http://peebs.net/Community/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=2638

    http://peebs.net/Community/viewforum.php?f=33

    The EB is a real intelligent cause to put forward for thoughts of freedoms .EBism and freedoms really go together dont they.Like sweet peas of the same pod .

    Some folks even freely end up in suicide too http://peebs.net/In_Memoriam/ .

    Yes we really need these types of freedoms .We need more cults like this in this country splitting families and controlling kids with antidepressants etc http://peebs.net/Community/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=2065 .

    Great stuff ! .

    Steve what the # ?# are you really blogging against mate ??.Come on mate freedoms we want ! actually how about some religious anarchy .

  27. Grumpy 27

    Better a few EB nutters voting for National than the radical Jihadists voting for Labour.

    All parties have their nutter fringe. If enough EBs voted for National, they might even set up their own division – a bit like Labour’s “Rainbow” group.

  28. gingercrush 28

    But the radical Jihadists wouldn’t vote for Labour.

  29. Felix 29

    …radical Jihadists voting for Labour.

    Yeah, bloody liberals.

  30. Tigger 30

    Hey, that’s my extended family you’re talking about!

    Yes, radical jihadists are likely to be socially conservative ergo most likely to vote National… So THAT’S how Key got into Parliament, it was the militant Arab vote!

  31. Chris G 31

    Jeepers, coges gettin all high and mighty about the freedom in this country, defending the freedom of nutters. refer: EB

    Hopefully you’ll welcome the next Hamas immigrants with open arms Mr Freedom. Maybe even spare a room?

    *Hat tip*

    And yeah I hardly think radical jihadists who also ensure that women are covered up, stoned/raped for out of marriage relationships etc would vote Labour. Nice one Grumpy.

  32. @ work 32

    Phil
    January 20, 2009 at 10:10 pm
    They also have a powerful spot light above thier school in Johnsonvile that points right down the road and makes it very dangerous driving past at night

    Which one’s that?
    Can’t say I’ve ever had a problem like that driving in J’ville

    Driving along Fraser Ave away from Jville, fairly darn bright, at the top of the pole beside the front gate with the 3 security cameras hanging off it.

  33. coge 33

    This attitude to other peoples beliefs is really where the left need to reinvent themselves quicksmart.
    People are entitled to their beliefs, just as others are entitled to disagree with them. So everyone beating up on one religious group or another, what is the alternative? Thought legislation? Re-education camps? Not the Kiwi way.

    And it’s not a spotlight on Fraser ave, it’s the mother ship come to pick up the faithful.

  34. Chris G 34

    Like I said coge. I trust you’ll welcome the next Hamas immigrants with open arms of this freedom you preach.

    Or let a bunch of anarchists move in next door to you. They of course, believe in anarchism.

  35. lprent 35

    coge: I think that the point of the post was that some (all?) Exclusive Brethren got heavily involved in dirty politics in 2005.

    Those dodgy addresses on anonymous leaflets were electorally very dirty. There have also been persistent assertions on the left that they were heavily involved in push-polling in provincial seats (that I tend to believe – too many places and too many people).

    They did this despite a stance that said that they would not vote.

    This time it appears that they have just done what most of us do, not done dirty political tactics, and just voted. That is good.

    Now we just need to get the young to vote with ballots rather than their feet and maybe our voting percentage of the population will go up.

    The left tend to ‘believe’ that people should follow the intent of electoral law. Now about those massive anonymous donations that NACT was doing prior to 2007. I find them deeply disturbing because of the whiff of corruption. Perhaps that explains why they pushed the legislation through under urgency in December – payoffs?

  36. grumpy 36

    Yeah Gingercrush, Tigger etc, I can’t figure it out either. All those Labour types on the pro Hamas marches and they stone women, gays etc. etc.

    As you say, there is not a lot in common – or is there? Seems the “left” have suddenly become very “right”. The sight of Minto in full support of Hamas is certainly confusing.

    Perhaps the real liberals now are the Nats (not the EBs of course).

  37. Grumpy

    The left were on the anti killing of innocent women and children marches. Support for Hamas or their world view had nothing at all to do with it.

    I have tried to reconcile the pro and anti Israeli/Palestinian positions and I think I have come up with some formulas that explain the basic thinking processes of the right and left.

    The right think that the reasoning goes like this:
    Right: Israel = United States = good
    Palestine = Soviet Union = bad

    Therefore anything goes and what International Treaty?

    The left reasoning is a great deal more sophisticated and variations include the following:
    Feelings for Palestine = original inhabitants 89% of their land without cause dignity through continuous ill treatment = significant sympathy

    Feelings for Israel = considerable amount of sympathy for treatment of jews during WW2 opposition for continued land annexation opposition for sealing off borders opposition for subjecting civilian population to continuous terror = little sympathy left

    And also, Israeli deaths/Israeli population <<<>>> Hamas pop gun missile attacks.

    It is no wonder that discussion has been fruitless and views irreconcilable.

  38. Felix 38

    Guess what grumpy?

    I don’t want people to be stoned for being gay or a whore or whatever.

    I also don’t want them run over by tanks.

    Read that over and over slowly. When you hear the angels singing hallelujah, you’re nearing humanity.

  39. Piggy Muldoon 39

    coge
    January 21, 2009 at 2:47 pm

    “This attitude to other peoples beliefs is really where the left need to reinvent themselves quicksmart.
    People are entitled to their beliefs, just as others are entitled to disagree with them. So everyone beating up on one religious group or another, what is the alternative? Thought legislation? Re-education camps? Not the Kiwi way.”

    Hear hear !! coge ….I have a belief in daylight robbery and shonky business deals purchasing white elephants ,i agree im entitled to me beliefs and people can disagree with me all they like but it wont help them while im getting away with it.
    Im thinking of extending my belief to include bank robberies and slavery of children ,its just not the kiwi way to have thought legislation or re-education camps on any of these matters really is it .

    We kiwis could learn a lot from these EB couldnt we coge with regards to matters of freedoms .

    I mean the EB have freedoms to claim tax rebates for public meeting rooms ,which they even have the freedoms in place for banning certain types of public people they dislike from entering.Great freedom that coge a real beauty pearlar in fact ! the general public freely is involved in helping fund what they dont even have the right of using ,being that the EB are such a selective exclusive bunch of chosen gods people.Separating from all evil worldly folk ,that is unless its is about receiving tax rebates that these nasty worldly folk are quite happy to help with.Real we win but they lose freedom that should never be questioned im glad you agree ,because as you say it just would not be the kiwi way would it.

    The EB are full of freedoms im sure you agree coge. Their women are FREE to choose how many children they wish to have, just as long as they dont partake in the use of any contraceptives and must always do what they are told by the men folk .Their women are FREE to dress and look however they wish ,as long as they always wear scarfs dont cut their hair including shaving legs etc.
    EB members are free as little wee birdies freedom abounds everywhere they are FREE to do what ever they wish ,just as long as they .
    1, they do not have anything to do with any family members withdrawn from by the church.
    2,they have FREEDOMS to have as many friends as they wish,just as long as they do not make friends outside the cult …opps !! church.
    3,they may choose when they wish to go to church,just as long as it is 7days a week including all day sunday.
    4,They have total FREEDOMS with housing as long as the house does not have a common wall with a worldly neighbor and the sewers pipes must not be contaminated by joining to worldly neighbors before it reaches the roadside.
    5,Members have FREEDOMS to go where ever they wish in this world as long as they dont go to any public dances , picture theaters ,hotels ,motels ,arts gallerys,etc etc etc etc etc !!.
    6,FREEDOMS to anything ,as long as it does not include radios ,record players ,computers not purchased through Bruce Hales the eb boss ,family holidays ,celebrating family weddings or birthdays to specially ,men must not wear shorts ,pets are frowned upon ,recreational fishing is a sport and so should be avoided,and + the many many other things which are all total full of FREEDOMS of course!, as long as they are not frowned upon or totally banned .

    Yes when thinking of the EB and discussing matters of freedoms etc ,i agree coge these eb folk are the prize examples of FREEDOMS and because they have such total respect for matters of freedoms we should totally respect their freedom as well.

    Some things are just spiritual arent they under no circumstances! should we ever question the beliefs of people ,i mean if a persons belief happens to be child molestation or rape for god ,who are we to be questioning .

    Its just not the kiwi way now is it ! coge.

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    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 ...
    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 ...
    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 ...
    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 ...
    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 ...
    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
  • The Hoon around the week to July 19

    TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent talking about the National-ACT-NZ First Government’s release of its first Emissions Reduction Plan;University of Otago Foreign Relations Professor and special guest Dr Karin von ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #29 2024

    Open access notables Improving global temperature datasets to better account for non-uniform warming, Calvert, Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society: To better account for spatial non-uniform trends in warming, a new GITD [global instrumental temperature dataset] was created that used maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) to combine the land surface ...
    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
    17 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
    19 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
    20 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
    22 hours 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
    24 hours 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

    The Coalition Government has confirmed the indicative regional breakdown of North Island Weather Event (NIWE) funding for state highway recovery projects funded through Budget 2024, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Regions in the North Island suffered extensive and devastating damage from Cyclone Gabrielle and the 2023 Auckland Anniversary Floods, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Indonesian Foreign Minister to visit

    Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, will visit New Zealand next week, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.   “Indonesia is important to New Zealand’s security and economic interests and is our closest South East Asian neighbour,” says Mr Peters, who is currently in Laos to engage with South East Asian partners. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Strengthening partnership with Ngāti Maniapoto

    He aha te kai a te rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the aspirations of Ngāti Maniapoto, Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka says. “My thanks to Te Nehenehenui Trust – Ngāti Maniapoto for bringing their important kōrero to a ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Transport Minister thanks outgoing CAA Chair

    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has thanked outgoing Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority, Janice Fredric, for her service to the board.“I have received Ms Fredric’s resignation from the role of Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority,” Mr Brown says.“On behalf of the Government, I want to thank Ms Fredric for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Test for Customary Marine Title being restored

    The Government is proposing legislation to overturn a Court of Appeal decision and amend the Marine and Coastal Area Act in order to restore Parliament’s test for Customary Marine Title, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says.  “Section 58 required an applicant group to prove they have exclusively used and occupied ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Opposition united in bad faith over ECE sector review

    Regulation Minister David Seymour says that opposition parties have united in bad faith, opposing what they claim are ‘dangerous changes’ to the Early Childhood Education sector, despite no changes even being proposed yet.  “Issues with affordability and availability of early childhood education, and the complexity of its regulation, has led ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Kiwis having their say on first regulatory review

    After receiving more than 740 submissions in the first 20 days, Regulation Minister David Seymour is asking the Ministry for Regulation to extend engagement on the early childhood education regulation review by an extra two weeks.  “The level of interest has been very high, and from the conversations I’ve been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government upgrading Lower North Island commuter rail

    The Coalition Government is investing $802.9 million into the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines as part of a funding agreement with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), KiwiRail, and the Greater Wellington and Horizons Regional Councils to deliver more reliable services for commuters in the lower North Island, Transport Minister Simeon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government moves to ensure flood protection for Wairoa

    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced his intention to appoint a Crown Manager to both Hawke’s Bay Regional and Wairoa District Councils to speed up the delivery of flood protection work in Wairoa."Recent severe weather events in Wairoa this year, combined with damage from Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 have ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM speech to Parliament – Royal Commission of Inquiry’s Report into Abuse in Care

    Mr Speaker, this is a day that many New Zealanders who were abused in State care never thought would come. It’s the day that this Parliament accepts, with deep sorrow and regret, the Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.  At the heart of this report are the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges torture at Lake Alice

    For the first time, the Government is formally acknowledging some children and young people at Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital experienced torture. The final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care “Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light,” was tabled in Parliament ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges courageous abuse survivors

    The Government has acknowledged the nearly 2,400 courageous survivors who shared their experiences during the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care. The final report from the largest and most complex public inquiry ever held in New Zealand, the Royal Commission Inquiry “Whanaketia – through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Half a million people use tax calculator

    With a week to go before hard-working New Zealanders see personal income tax relief for the first time in fourteen years, 513,000 people have used the Budget tax calculator to see how much they will benefit, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “Tax relief is long overdue. From next Wednesday, personal income ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Paid Parental Leave improvements pass first reading

    Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says a bill that has passed its first reading will improve parental leave settings and give non-biological parents more flexibility as primary carer for their child. The Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill (No3), passed its first reading this morning. “It includes a change ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Rebuilding the economy through better regulation

    Two Bills designed to improve regulation and make it easier to do business have passed their first reading in Parliament, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. The Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Bill and Regulatory Systems (Immigration and Workforce) Amendment Bill make key changes to legislation administered by the Ministry ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • ‘Open banking’ and ‘open electricity’ on the way

    New legislation paves the way for greater competition in sectors such as banking and electricity, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Competitive markets boost productivity, create employment opportunities and lift living standards. To support competition, we need good quality regulation but, unfortunately, a recent OECD report ranked New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Charity lotteries to be permitted to operate online

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says lotteries for charitable purposes, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, and local hospices, will soon be allowed to operate online permanently. “Under current laws, these fundraising lotteries are only allowed to operate online until October 2024, after which ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Accelerating Northland Expressway

    The Coalition Government is accelerating work on the new four-lane expressway between Auckland and Whangārei as part of its Roads of National Significance programme, with an accelerated delivery model to deliver this project faster and more efficiently, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “For too long, the lack of resilient transport connections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Sir Don to travel to Viet Nam as special envoy

    Sir Don McKinnon will travel to Viet Nam this week as a Special Envoy of the Government, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.    “It is important that the Government give due recognition to the significant contributions that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made to New Zealand-Viet Nam relations,” Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Grant Illingworth KC appointed as transitional Commissioner to Royal Commission

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says newly appointed Commissioner, Grant Illingworth KC, will help deliver the report for the first phase of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons, due on 28 November 2024.  “I am pleased to announce that Mr Illingworth will commence his appointment as ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ to advance relationships with ASEAN partners

    Foreign Minister Winston Peters travels to Laos this week to participate in a series of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-led Ministerial meetings in Vientiane.    “ASEAN plays an important role in supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Mr Peters says.   “This will be our third visit to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Backing mental health services on the West Coast

    Construction of a new mental health facility at Te Nikau Grey Hospital in Greymouth is today one step closer, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “This $27 million facility shows this Government is delivering on its promise to boost mental health care and improve front line services,” Mr Doocey says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ support for sustainable Pacific fisheries

    New Zealand is committing nearly $50 million to a package supporting sustainable Pacific fisheries development over the next four years, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones announced today. “This support consisting of a range of initiatives demonstrates New Zealand’s commitment to assisting our Pacific partners ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Students’ needs at centre of new charter school adjustments

    Associate Education Minister David Seymour says proposed changes to the Education and Training Amendment Bill will ensure charter schools have more flexibility to negotiate employment agreements and are equipped with the right teaching resources. “Cabinet has agreed to progress an amendment which means unions will not be able to initiate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Commissioner replaces Health NZ Board

    In response to serious concerns around oversight, overspend and a significant deterioration in financial outlook, the Board of Health New Zealand will be replaced with a Commissioner, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti announced today.  “The previous government’s botched health reforms have created significant financial challenges at Health NZ that, without ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister to speak at Australian Space Forum

    Minister for Space and Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins will travel to Adelaide tomorrow for space and science engagements, including speaking at the Australian Space Forum.  While there she will also have meetings and visits with a focus on space, biotechnology and innovation.  “New Zealand has a thriving space ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Climate Change Minister to attend climate action meeting in China

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts will travel to China on Saturday to attend the Ministerial on Climate Action meeting held in Wuhan.  “Attending the Ministerial on Climate Action is an opportunity to advocate for New Zealand climate priorities and engage with our key partners on climate action,” Mr Watts says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Oceans and Fisheries Minister to Solomons

    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is travelling to the Solomon Islands tomorrow for meetings with his counterparts from around the Pacific supporting collective management of the region’s fisheries. The 23rd Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Committee and the 5th Regional Fisheries Ministers’ Meeting in Honiara from 23 to 26 July ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Government launches Military Style Academy Pilot

    The Government today launched the Military Style Academy Pilot at Te Au rere a te Tonga Youth Justice residence in Palmerston North, an important part of the Government’s plan to crackdown on youth crime and getting youth offenders back on track, Minister for Children, Karen Chhour said today. “On the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Nine priority bridge replacements to get underway

    The Government has welcomed news the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has begun work to replace nine priority bridges across the country to ensure our state highway network remains resilient, reliable, and efficient for road users, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“Increasing productivity and economic growth is a key priority for the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Update on global IT outage

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