When ideology fails: a Dickensian Govt

Written By: - Date published: 10:05 am, December 6th, 2012 - 53 comments
Categories: child welfare, class war, community democracy, democracy under attack, labour, local government, national/act government, workers' rights - Tags: , ,

Daily life gets tougher for ordinary Kiwis, and the Key government has no answers but to keep on with their failed and bankrupt ideology.  Of course, it works for them in their comfortable life-style, but not for the majority of kiwis, young and old.  The workings of this failed ideology can be seen in two Bills that were before the House this week.  It’s an ideology that pretends to be about freedom and democracy, while the Key government becomes more autocratic and controlling.

Micky savage posted a very good report on the Key government’s Local Government Amendment Bill 2012.  It’s a poorly worded bill, rushed through on a NAct created crisis: one that falsely portrayed out-of-control local council spending.  The result is to give the NZ government more control of local councils by cutting back on the “four well beings”, which are essential to local democracy.

The offending provision was one that changed the purpose of local government.  Previously the purpose was to enable democratic local decision-making and action by, and on behalf of, communities and to promote the social, economic, environmental, and cultural well-being of communities, in the present and for the future.  The provision was based on the conclusions from the United Nations Rio Declaration on Environment and Development which essentially state that to have a meaningful effect on the environment and on quality of life local community action was required.  The best way to improve things was to act locally.  The concepts of social, economic, environmental and cultural became to be known as the four well beings.

So, the Key government that claims it’s all for freedom and democracy, cuts back on the freedom and democracy of local councils. The bankruptcy of this failed and sham ideology could clearly be seen last night in the House in Nat MP, Adam Bennett’s speech against a private members bill: Employment Relations (Protection of Young Workers) Amendment Bill , which failed after its First Reading.

In the introduction, Labour MP Rino Tirikatene (Te Tai Tonga) stated the purpose of the bill was to declare that people under 16 years, doing paid work outside the home (not including personal, domestic or household work), will be regarded as employees.

Tirikatene presented the following evidence:

  • Child leaflet delivery workers having pay rates cut without notice or negotiation.
  • The Catholic agency Caritas reported that surveys show children “experiencing potentially serious injuries, harassment and poor treatment at work“.
  • ACC figures show children 9 years or under have received compensation for work-related injuries.
  • An Otago University 2004 report shows that, on average, there was one work related child fatality each year from 1985-1998.
  • In a Dept of Labour survey in 2007 of over 3,000 students in Taranaki,, 20% reported experiencing a work injury or illness;  88% reported being asked to do something unsafe, that they did anyway; over half did not receive any health and safety information from their employers.

Tirikatene said that many employers that depend on child workers, employ children as self-employed contractors (such as leaflet delivery businesses), meaning they are not covered by any health and safety regulations. Furthermore, younger children are more likely to be working unsupervised (for instance as delivery workers) than older children who are more likely to be supervised in a work place (such as at fast food premises).  Many are well-looked after at work, but some aren’t.  Many parents feel they are powerless to change their children’s working conditions. Some of these children are working to contribute necessary money to their households.

Nat MP David Bennett’s response was so outrageous as to be like a parody of NAct values.  He argued that Labour wanted to take away people’s democratic rights and freedom of choice – the right of young people (under 16 years old) to choose to be self-employed contractors.

One of the last speakers for the bill was Labour MP Andrew Little.  He summarised the Dickensian Nat contributions to the debate as follows:

David Bennett as Silas Marner (Seth Pecksniff?): for the freedom of employers to exploit. (NB: Andrew, Marner’s a George Elliot character.  I suggest Pecksniff the hypocrite)

Chris Auchinvole as Scrooge: Talked about his government’s achievements, but didn’t talk about the its achievement of record levels of unemployment

Scott Simpson as Fagin: exploiting his young workers.

Jami-Lee Ross as Little Dorrit

These two bills expose the NAct government as having Dickensian values while claiming to be for freedom and democracy for all.  They are gradually taking away people’s democratic rights and becoming increasingly dictatorial.   The only freedom they really want, is freedom for rich and powerful to exploit the poor, and the powerless (including children).

53 comments on “When ideology fails: a Dickensian Govt ”

  1. Skinny 1

    I had an interesting conversation with an acquaintance last week who was on a select committee David Bennett was Chairing, apparently Bennett’s obstructive & combative style was pissing everyone off.  Talk is the Nats are unhappy with his poor performance and they are looking to replace him in Hamilton East. His low ranking/rating gives reason to believe this could be true. Not a bad move to shore up votes for the swing seat of West. Probably only happen if SM is replaced in West for Labour with a more viable contender. She not exactly in DS’s good books after being outed recently.

    • Saarbo 1.1

      “Probably only happen if SM is replaced in West for Labour with a more viable contender. She not exactly in DS’s good books after being outed recently.”

      Can you expand on this please, im a bit slow (kinda like Shearer)?

      From my standpoint, Sue is one of Labour’s stronger MP’s. 

      • karol 1.1.1

        Translation (if I may be so bold): Moroney – Team Cunliffe. Not going to get  Team Shearer support.  
         

        But actually, I think she’s one of the LP’s strong performers. 

        • Saarbo 1.1.1.1

          Thanks Karol, agreed!!!

        • Crimson Nile 1.1.1.2

          But actually, I think she’s one of the LP’s strong performers.

          Unfortunately, this does not seem to count for as much as it should in the Labour caucus nowadays.

      • Skinny 1.1.2

        o disrespect & talking objectively in this paragraph.  I have heard her public speak countless times & she honestly struggles to hold an audiences attention longer than a minute.

        Personally I find her quite sly & often uptight & unnecessarily uptight & vicious. what I really don’t like is her dog whistling. If you don’t rate Shearer as leader be upfront instead of sneaking around undermining him behind his back. They told me her  
        2iC  was as mad as a snake…there not FW there. I’ve questioned DC on topics of interest to me & think he is a sulky little twerp. 

        • prism 1.1.2.1

          Skinny
          Who are you talking about? It’s hard to understand what you’re on about.

          • karol 1.1.2.1.1

            I’ve no idea what 21C means, but the rest is smearing Moroney and Cunliffe.  I’ve seen Moroney speaking publicly, and found her to be an informed and engaging speaker.  So I take Skinny’s judgments with a grain of salt.

            • Crimson Nile 1.1.2.1.1.1

              I believe that 2IC refers to someone who is “second in charge”

            • Skinny 1.1.2.1.1.2

              Abbreviation >2iC< second in charge.

                Karol your entitled to your opinion as am I. It's not a smear on either of them, it's just my observation backed up by other politically savy people I mix with. BTW pound for pound I prefer DC over DS, however DC has some PR issues. 

              Sorry about the cryptic post iPhone issues.

              • karol

                Fair enough, Skinny. I don’t think any of them are faultless, but, from where I’m sitting, both Cunliffe and Moroney look like strong performers, and I prefer their political direction.

                Sneaking behind backs does seem a bit like something Team Shearer does, and they also don’t seem to make it  easy to be openly opposed to them.

                But my main focus is on policies and general party direction rather  than on any alleged personal differences.  Don’t know any of the party people.  But I would like to see a clean break from the current “neoliberal” consensus, that is so clearly failing under the Key government. 

                BTW, Skinny, when you claim unverifiable rumours and hearsay, it does look like a smear attempt.

                • Skinny

                  Shearer is acutely aware that if he carries on bumbling as leader of the Labour party ‘he will be rolled by the membership in Feb. It’s quite simple & fair. The Leader & those on the front bench need to carry the brunt of the heavy lifting.

                   Also has beens & non performers ( and there are a few of them) will be expected to move aside for new blood, they will be afforded the opportunity to save face by choosing to go gracefully, or face the humiliation of being dumped on. They know who they are. So there is an expectation they will do the right thing for the Party.     

                  • karol

                    Skinny, you’ve got right off the topic for this thread – the failed ideology of Key’s government as shown by two Bills that went through the House this week.

                    You’d be best to continue your reports from Team Shearer on open mike. 

  2. PlanetOrphan 2

    The current Gnat Government are the most delusional group of plonkers this country has ever had in power.

    Great article Karol.

  3. Dr Terry 3

    Somehow I doubt that members of this NaCT government have heard of Dickens, or of Dickensian times (let alone having read him)!
    The worst of it is that individually they present as such “nice and decent people”, it is so much the truth that thoroughly nice and decent people permit the most atrocious things happen without compassion.

    • prism 3.1

      Nice and decent people – can have little locked doors in their minds which are guarded from reflective and compassionate thoughts about society by a fierce entity that shouts “You shall not pass”. They can be charming when their world view is not questioned but either very argumentative, patronisingly amused, or furious when it is.

    • Sunny 3.2

      If they haven’t heard of Dickens perhaps they could ponder “It is as hard for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven as it is for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle” or “Whatever you do for these, the least of my brothers, you do for me”.

      There is a strong Catholic cabal at the ‘heart’ of this National Government and within their party machinery (English, Brownlie, Carter, Dunne) Perhaps they think they’re praying on their knees to a different Jesus? Any chance of a NZ Bishop Desmond Tutu (yes I know he is Anglican the challenge is open to them too) to stand up to the bullies in Government and set them straight on that one….? In public. Loudly. Until they listen…. or are too embarrassed to be seen in a Catholic Church again.

      • karol 3.2.1

        Really I see it more as a continuation of  Victorian attitudes to the poor and powerless, rather than anything specifically to do with government MPs religious affiliation.  Of course, there are cultural references to Christianity that may be an appropriate analogy.  Some Christian values are quite appropriate for left wing policies.

        I doubt there’s anything like a Catholic “cabal” in our current government. 

    • JonL 3.3

      “The worst of it is that individually they present as such “nice and decent people”, it is so much the truth that thoroughly nice and decent people permit the most atrocious things happen without compassion.”
      Through bitter experience (as has my wife), we’ve found many “nice and decent” appearing people to be total sociopaths, when push comes to scratch! A sociopath, usually, is an actor who is adept at putting on a veneer of exactly what people want to see! Below the surface they are totally devoid of emotions and empathy, but, by god can they put on a good show. They usually self destruct, in the end, but can cause untold damage to those they have influence over…….and they are so “nice and decent” that most people have a great deal of difficulty in accepting them for what they really are – even after their true colours have been revealed.
      If you want an eye-opening read, try “The Sociopath Next Door – the ruthless vs the rest of us” by Martha Stout.
      Interestingly, whilst just over 2% of the population is sociopathic in the West, it’s only around .67% in Asian countries…….

  4. Lefty 4

    Dickensian values are totally compatable with the Nats version of freedom and democracy for all.

    They are working very hard and very successfully, at rebuilding society to fit their vision of a perfect society.

  5. tracey 5

    I note NACT don’t believe in economic equality… economic freedom for all.

  6. prism 6

    Here is a wee word picture from Alexander McCall Smith’s The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection. Grace Makutsi has risen in the world from a poor country home with good encouraging parents to a graduate of a technical institute, a detective, an entrepreneur teaching typing, and a married woman in one of the top business families of Gaborone. And McCall Smith writes that the teaching she received from a dedicated man was the catalyst.

    Grace had –
    ‘through hard work and the inspiration provided by a particular teacher, a slight man with spectacles who rode to school each day on an ancient black bicycle and who believed with all his heart in the power of education.. got herself to Gaborone and become a trained secretary.’

    If the government put more help into assisting parents to do their job well and provide a moral framework for their children, and if the government also treated teachers like the dedicated clever people they are, and if the government stopped acting out the ways of the child who wants immediate gratification and put effort into assisting viable NZ businesses providing long term jobs, then our problems would diminish to the tip of a tail. And that kiddies is the end of this (fairy) tale, as there seems no hope of getting such intelligent action from either NACTs or Old Labor.

    • Ennui in Requiem 6.1

      Prism, coming to Purgatory is a real education politically: When souls arrive their political colours are removed…uncloaked you see their real hearts. Regardless of how good they have been in life all materialist socialists and market fundamentalists come here (and not to Heaven). This is because at heart they don’t believe in God, and thereby (because God is really made in the image of man) allow their beliefs to override their humanity.

      A large chunk of these are avowed libertarians. Their sin is Greed, expressed in the sad belief that humans make rational decisions based upon self interest…they demand “individual rights” but eschew charity and its corollary, humanity and responsibility. The leftish libertarians always demand charity, but somebody else always “pay”, the rightist libertarians hate charity and just think everybody but them should pay. Both want to float around doing whatever they like regardless because the consequences are somebody elses problem.

      As Aquinas said “Greed is a sin against God, just as all mortal sins, in as much as man condemns things eternal for the sake of temporal things.”

      PS As an atheist I was a shoe in for Purgatory.

      • prism 6.1.1

        EinR
        Yes, lots of analysis and probably right. But too much analysis is like wading in mud with gumboots on. You get nowhere and lose your footwear. What ideas have you that can be applied locally or nation wide to turn around our society? Waiting for people’s compassion to warm up to body temperature is useless as a hopeful attitude.

        In India they have the untouchables, the street dwellers, the beggars, the maimed. If a condition of society that is goes on too long, it becomes chronic, a wallpaper that one of the better class becomes adjusted to, and the lower class also only knows its low horizons.

        • Ennui in Requiem 6.1.1.1

          Down here we are the observation and punishment department…our feet are so burnt they wish for wet mud. We are moved on when we learn to balance the Virtues with the Sins, and thereby become “whole”. Its not such a big ask on Earth, to mean well and try and do the what is best for all parties. So few practice this.

  7. Ennui in Requiem 7

    Before I deceased I knew Chris Auchinvole tolerably well. He certainly is not Scrooge, a lively humoured and generous individual in my experience.

  8. Thanks Karol.

    Hope you have weathered this westie storm? 

    • karol 8.1

      Thanks for your report. The undermining of local democracy by the Bill amendments is part of a worrying trend.

      I’m fine thanks – just some scary thunder. Hope all is OK out your way. It seems to be Hobsonville that’s suffering most.

  9. The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 9

    Shit!

    Democracy Under Attack!

  10. xtasy 10

    Karol, this is a worthy post, but I take issue with your description of “ordinary” NZers.

    There is no such thing anymore as “ordinary” Kiwis. That is a thing of the past for sure. NZers are now a highly divided populace, and I see it every bloody day. I see some doing quite well, and they have NO time for the less fortunate.

    NZ is now not the society anymore I once believed in, it is not egalitarian, fair, equal and committed to social justice. Too many have given up the idea of this, just to save their own skins. They will never admit it, they will never say it, they will never change, but they are a large section of what is still perceived as the “middle class”, most of whom still manage, some of whom got more take home pay after National’s tax cuts, and they have NO SHIT TIME for you and me, they HAVE NO SHIT TIME FOR BENEFICIARIES!

    They think all they are “working”, paying taxes, doing this and the other, and the media has encouraged them to think, those supposed “bludgers” are only to blame for themselves.

    Labour is the a party of the TRAITOR, Labour Traitor, that is what I call them now, as they willingly pander to that section of society to get votes. Bob Jones is probably more “radical” and even “open minded” on issues than the present damned Labour Party is, that is what I observe, having read some of his hitting and stirring comments on the NZ Herald. Of course I usually do not agree with him.

    I do not like the man, I do not like most of Labour, I feel cheated and betrayed by Labour, I will NEVER vote Labour again, that is my New Year’s resolution now. I will vote for any alternative electorate candidate, but National, ACT and Labour.

    What I find totally SHOCKING is the passiveness, ignorance, resignation and hopelessness of the very people affected by the new welfare reforms. It is like a fucking “non event” to the media, I see and hear no protests of significance, I see a willing IDIOT populace fall for a DICTATORSHIP, same as they did in Germany under Hitler in 1933.

    NZ is a FAILED SOCIETY, it is not worth for any sensible prospective migrant (apart from perhaps worse 3rd world dictatorships) to come to.

    This is so disgusting what goes on here, and NZers have a bloody large responsibility for being so passive, indifferent and selfish. It is NOT a people I respect anymore!

    • karol 10.1

      xtasy, “ordinary” Kiwis, is not a favourite term of mine. I just can’t think of a better one. If anyone can provide a single work for the Kiwis who are not particularly powerful, and go about their daily business usually unnoticed by the MSM and politicians, then I’ll use it.

    • Adele 10.2

      Xtasy

      What I find totally SHOCKING is the passiveness, ignorance, resignation and hopelessness of the very people affected by the new welfare reforms. It is like a fucking “non event” to the media, I see and hear no protests of significance, I see a willing IDIOT populace fall for a DICTATORSHIP, same as they did in Germany under Hitler in 1933.

      NZ is a FAILED SOCIETY, it is not worth for any sensible prospective migrant (apart from perhaps worse 3rd world dictatorships) to come to.

      Your constant bleating is loathsome. Our society is far from failed and the people you denigrate as suffering from passiveness, ignorance, resignation and hopelessness are my people and they are far from that. We have problems but they are minor relative to what is occurring in the rest of the world. Its your attitude that sucks not this country or its peoples.

      That you cannot see the relative worth of your current surroundings speaks to the demons in your head moreso than the demons scurrying about on the ground. If you don’t like living here get yourself deported.

      • xtasy 10.2.1

        Dear ADELE – it is not loathsome, if you and others only had a simple glace of what I have been through. It cannot be a coincidence either, because my contacts prove there are many others affected..

        You are part of the problem trying to protect certain political players that are involved from being legally challenged. I did just that, and WINZ and MSD shat themselves, swiftly coming to the party, but they also (like usual) denied all wrongdoing. You are IGNORANT, I am sorry, but that is what you are.

        You may trust your mates in government, possibly be part of them or having been part of them before. That even mor re enforces my resolultion, that NZ political establishment is CORRUPT and ROTTEN to the core. And I hate to say, I fear you are part of it!

      • xtasy 10.2.2

        Your previous posts prove you are all for the sellable Maori rights agenda, a kind of “accomodation” of your affairs, but nothing else. Yo Do NOT care about the people living in NZ in general, and that is where you and some of your associates fall down.

        I am all for Tangata Whenua and the likes, but is is your narrow minded, selective mentality, which has NO place on the LEFT!

      • xtasy 10.2.3

        Adele: Where is your and your people’s action then? I see little or none of it. So are you not living in lala land?

        • Adele 10.2.3.1

          Xtasy

          You are obviously losing your battles with both inner and outer demons. Blame the system, blame the people, blame the country, blame the passive, ignorant, resigned, and hopeless, blame Māori, blame God, blame me. Better yet, blame yourself for not taking better care of that head of yours. You lose all credibility when you act so deranged.

          • xtasy 10.2.3.1.1

            Yes Adele, I lost it.

            But while you may think your country and people are so great, then you do not know what I know. I have learned of mental health patients being neglected by mental health staff, even left in the care of ABUSERS!

            It was followed up by me, but since all evidence is ignored by senior staff of a leading health board, them covering up wrong decisions their staff made, and now even the Ombudsman dismissing a complaint, I have NO TRUST in any NZ authorities anymore, not at all!

            You only claim and state what you do, because you are not informed, as the media here is shit, and as too few bother to speak up and out. So the DICTATORSHIP here is working, and that is what it is, and that is what they want.

            Some of your mates may think they win battles through certain court settlements are simply being hood-winked yet again, by anglo saxon manipulators, a rotten Crown and the likes.

            I am sorry, but I did not mean to offend, but sometimes wanting to raise the truth causes ripples and me to shoot a bit further than I perhaps should. It does not discredit what I have been on about though. Read between the lines, perhaps.

            Anyway, good on your taking a stand and kia kaha.

  11. Huginn 11

    Thanks for this post, Karol. It really set me thinking about what must be going on with many of these children at the moment.

    Is there any information about how many of them are working to help feed their families right now? Some of them may even be bringing in the income that a family gets. This is another face of child poverty.

    They need support.

  12. Huginn 12

    I seem to remember that the NZ Herald touched on the contribution of child labourers to their household incomes in a series of articles that they did on poverty, the last time Bill English was Minister of Finance. It was sobering.

    These intellectually bankrupt imbeciles haven’t learnt a thing.

  13. Darien Fenton 13

    The National party speeches on this bill, whic I originated a couple if years ago after a lot of evidence around contractors and child workers. I was pleased Rino took it over and it was drawn fom the ballot, but embarrassed and angry at the National Party response. To make it worse, CARITAS who did a lot of work on child leaflet deliverers and who have promoted the bill were in the gallery. I found it almost impossible to make any useful contribution in my speech, even though I gave researched and written about this for years. The noise during my speech was overwhelming. It was disgusting and demonstrates the Nats attitude to women. Don’t see them doing that to the blokes.

    • karol 13.1

      Darien, my view on watching the debate live, was that the National MPs showed themselves and their shallow ideology up.  They showed no concern for the potential for employers to exploit child labour, as unfortunately does seem to happen.

      Can you help huginn (who commented above), out with references to any sources of evidence of the proportion of child workers who need to work to contribute income to their families.  I can only suggest the sources mentioned by Rino in his speech: Caritas, Dept of Labour and Uni of Otago surveys, ACC stats.

      NAct MPs do look like a macho-dominated bunch on parliament TV.  I have posted before about my concerns with the anti-woman practices of our current government.  I fear it is infecting the MSM reporting of politics, and foregrounding of male opposition MPs over that of women MPs. 

  14. Darien Fenton 14

    Sorry IPad fail.

    • lprent 14.1

      I know that feeling well – especially in the early morning moderation sweep when the screen seems to develop a blurriness to go with its spelling “help”

  15. Darien Fenton 15

    @karol will see what I can find.

    • higherstandard 15.1

      Can you kick Trev in the nuts when you next see him ?

      [karol: Sending it to moderation for a second opinion.]
      [It’s childish and boorish, but it’s probably under the threshold of “offensive enough to delete”. r0b]

      • karol 15.1.1

        hs, that doesn’t have anything to do with the topic of this post.  Off topic comments will get shifted to open mike.

        • higherstandard 15.1.1.1

          Just taking advantage of a rare occasion to communicate directly with a politician and encourage them to do something useful with their time.

  16. Darien Fenton 16

    @karol : NZJER issue 36 has the piece I wrote, along with a whole lot of other pieces about contracting generally. Sorry I can’t find a link.

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    How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log on iPhone Without a Computer: A StepbyStep Guide Losing your iPhone call history can be frustrating, especially when you need to find a specific number or recall an important conversation. But before you panic, know that there are ways to retrieve deleted call logs on your iPhone, even without a computer. This guide will explore various methods, ranging from simple checks to utilizing iCloud backups and thirdparty applications. So, lets dive in and recover those lost calls! 1. Check Recently Deleted Folder: Apple understands that accidental deletions happen. Thats why they introduced the Recently Deleted folder for various apps, including the Phone app. This folder acts as a safety net, storing deleted call logs for up to 30 days before permanently erasing them. Heres how to check it: Open the Phone app on your iPhone. Tap on the Recents tab at the bottom. Scroll to the top and tap on Edit. Select Show Recently Deleted. Browse the list to find the call logs you want to recover. Tap on the desired call log and choose Recover to restore it to your call history. 2. Restore from iCloud Backup: If you regularly back up your iPhone to iCloud, you might be able to retrieve your deleted call log from a previous backup. However, keep in mind that this process will restore your entire phone to the state it was in at the time of the backup, potentially erasing any data added since then. Heres how to restore from an iCloud backup: Go to Settings > General > Reset. Choose Erase All Content and Settings. Follow the onscreen instructions. Your iPhone will restart and show the initial setup screen. Choose Restore from iCloud Backup during the setup process. Select the relevant backup that contains your deleted call log. Wait for the restoration process to complete. 3. Explore ThirdParty Apps (with Caution): ...
    10 hours ago
  • How to Factory Reset iPhone without Computer: A Comprehensive Guide to Restoring your Device
    Life throws curveballs, and sometimes, those curveballs necessitate wiping your iPhone clean and starting anew. Whether you’re facing persistent software glitches, preparing to sell your device, or simply wanting a fresh start, knowing how to factory reset iPhone without a computer is a valuable skill. While using a computer with ...
    17 hours ago
  • How to Call Someone on a Computer: A Guide to Voice and Video Communication in the Digital Age
    Gone are the days when communication was limited to landline phones and physical proximity. Today, computers have become powerful tools for connecting with people across the globe through voice and video calls. But with a plethora of applications and methods available, how to call someone on a computer might seem ...
    18 hours ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #16 2024
    Open access notables Glacial isostatic adjustment reduces past and future Arctic subsea permafrost, Creel et al., Nature Communications: Sea-level rise submerges terrestrial permafrost in the Arctic, turning it into subsea permafrost. Subsea permafrost underlies ~ 1.8 million km2 of Arctic continental shelf, with thicknesses in places exceeding 700 m. Sea-level variations over glacial-interglacial cycles control ...
    18 hours ago
  • Where on a Computer is the Operating System Generally Stored? Delving into the Digital Home of your ...
    The operating system (OS) is the heart and soul of a computer, orchestrating every action and interaction between hardware and software. But have you ever wondered where on a computer is the operating system generally stored? The answer lies in the intricate dance between hardware and software components, particularly within ...
    18 hours ago
  • How Many Watts Does a Laptop Use? Understanding Power Consumption and Efficiency
    Laptops have become essential tools for work, entertainment, and communication, offering portability and functionality. However, with rising energy costs and growing environmental concerns, understanding a laptop’s power consumption is more important than ever. So, how many watts does a laptop use? The answer, unfortunately, isn’t straightforward. It depends on several ...
    18 hours ago
  • How to Screen Record on a Dell Laptop A Guide to Capturing Your Screen with Ease
    Screen recording has become an essential tool for various purposes, such as creating tutorials, capturing gameplay footage, recording online meetings, or sharing information with others. Fortunately, Dell laptops offer several built-in and external options for screen recording, catering to different needs and preferences. This guide will explore various methods on ...
    19 hours ago
  • How Much Does it Cost to Fix a Laptop Screen? Navigating Repair Options and Costs
    A cracked or damaged laptop screen can be a frustrating experience, impacting productivity and enjoyment. Fortunately, laptop screen repair is a common service offered by various repair shops and technicians. However, the cost of fixing a laptop screen can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article delves into the ...
    19 hours ago
  • How Long Do Gaming Laptops Last? Demystifying Lifespan and Maximizing Longevity
    Gaming laptops represent a significant investment for passionate gamers, offering portability and powerful performance for immersive gaming experiences. However, a common concern among potential buyers is their lifespan. Unlike desktop PCs, which allow for easier component upgrades, gaming laptops have inherent limitations due to their compact and integrated design. This ...
    19 hours ago
  • Climate Change: Turning the tide
    The annual inventory report of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions has been released, showing that gross emissions have dropped for the third year in a row, to 78.4 million tons: All-told gross emissions have decreased by over 6 million tons since the Zero Carbon Act was passed in 2019. ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    20 hours ago
  • How to Unlock Your Computer A Comprehensive Guide to Regaining Access
    Experiencing a locked computer can be frustrating, especially when you need access to your files and applications urgently. The methods to unlock your computer will vary depending on the specific situation and the type of lock you encounter. This guide will explore various scenarios and provide step-by-step instructions on how ...
    21 hours ago
  • Faxing from Your Computer A Modern Guide to Sending Documents Digitally
    While the world has largely transitioned to digital communication, faxing still holds relevance in certain industries and situations. Fortunately, gone are the days of bulky fax machines and dedicated phone lines. Today, you can easily send and receive faxes directly from your computer, offering a convenient and efficient way to ...
    21 hours ago
  • Protecting Your Home Computer A Guide to Cyber Awareness
    In our increasingly digital world, home computers have become essential tools for work, communication, entertainment, and more. However, this increased reliance on technology also exposes us to various cyber threats. Understanding these threats and taking proactive steps to protect your home computer is crucial for safeguarding your personal information, finances, ...
    21 hours ago
  • Server-Based Computing Powering the Modern Digital Landscape
    In the ever-evolving world of technology, server-based computing has emerged as a cornerstone of modern digital infrastructure. This article delves into the concept of server-based computing, exploring its various forms, benefits, challenges, and its impact on the way we work and interact with technology. Understanding Server-Based Computing: At its core, ...
    21 hours ago
  • Vroom vroom go the big red trucks
    The absolute brass neck of this guy.We want more medical doctors, not more spin doctors, Luxon was saying a couple of weeks ago, and now we’re told the guy has seven salaried adults on TikTok duty. Sorry, doing social media. The absolute brass neck of it. The irony that the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    21 hours ago
  • Jones finds $410,000 to help the government muscle in on a spat project
    Buzz from the Beehive Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones relishes spatting and eagerly takes issue with environmentalists who criticise his enthusiasm for resource development. He relishes helping the fishing industry too. And so today, while the media are making much of the latest culling in the public service to ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    22 hours ago
  • Again, hate crimes are not necessarily terrorism.
    Having written, taught and worked for the US government on issues involving unconventional warfare and terrorism for 30-odd years, two things irritate me the most when the subject is discussed in public. The first is the Johnny-come-lately academics-turned-media commentators who … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    1 day ago
  • Despair – construction consenting edition
    Eric Crampton writes – Kainga Ora is the government’s house building agency. It’s been building a lot of social housing. Kainga Ora has its own (but independent) consenting authority, Consentium. It’s a neat idea. Rather than have to deal with building consents across each different territorial authority, Kainga Ora ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • Coalition promises – will the Govt keep the commitment to keep Kiwis equal before the law?
    Muriel Newman writes – The Coalition Government says it is moving with speed to deliver campaign promises and reverse the damage done by Labour. One of their key commitments is to “defend the principle that New Zealanders are equal before the law.” To achieve this, they have pledged they “will not advance ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • An impermanent public service is a guarantee of very little else but failure
    Chris Trotter writes –  The absence of anything resembling a fightback from the public servants currently losing their jobs is interesting. State-sector workers’ collective fatalism in the face of Coalition cutbacks indicates a surprisingly broad acceptance of impermanence in the workplace. Fifty years ago, lay-offs in the thousands ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • What happens after the war – Mariupol
    Mariupol, on the Azov Sea coast, was one of the first cities to suffer almost complete destruction after the start of the Ukraine War started in late February 2022. We remember the scenes of absolute destruction of the houses and city structures. The deaths of innocent civilians – many of ...
    1 day ago
  • Babies and benefits – no good news
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – Ten years ago, I wrote the following in a Listener column: Every year around one in five new-born babies will be reliant on their caregivers benefit by Christmas. This pattern has persisted from at least 1993. For Maori the number jumps to over one in three.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • Should the RBNZ be looking through climate inflation?
    Climate change is expected to generate more and more extreme events, delivering a sort of structural shock to inflation that central banks will have to react to as if they were short-term cyclical issues. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours, as of 9:16 am on Thursday, April 18 are:Housing: Tauranga residents living in boats, vans RNZ Checkpoint Louise TernouthHousing: Waikato councillor says wastewater plant issues could hold up Sleepyhead building a massive company town Waikato Times Stephen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the public sector carnage, and misogyny as terrorism
    It’s a simple deal. We pay taxes in order to finance the social services we want and need. The carnage now occurring across the public sector though, is breaking that contract. Over 3,000 jobs have been lost so far. Many are in crucial areas like Education where the impact of ...
    1 day ago
  • Meeting the Master Baiters
    Hi,A friend had their 40th over the weekend and decided to theme it after Curb Your Enthusiasm fashion icon Susie Greene. Captured in my tiny kitchen before I left the house, I ending up evoking a mix of old lesbian and Hillary Clinton — both unintentional.Me vs Hillary ClintonIf you’re ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    1 day ago
  • How extreme was the Earth's temperature in 2023
    This is a re-post from Andrew Dessler at the Climate Brink blog In 2023, the Earth reached temperature levels unprecedented in modern times. Given that, it’s reasonable to ask: What’s going on? There’s been lots of discussions by scientists about whether this is just the normal progression of global warming or if something ...
    1 day ago
  • Backbone, revisited
    The schools are on holiday and the sun is shining in the seaside village and all day long I have been seeing bunches of bikes; Mums, Dads, teens and toddlers chattering, laughing, happy, having a bloody great time together. Cheers, AT, for the bits of lane you’ve added lately around the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Ministers are not above the law
    Today in our National-led authoritarian nightmare: Shane Jones thinks Ministers should be above the law: New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of over-stepping its mandate by subpoenaing a minister for its urgent hearing on the Oranga Tamariki claim. The tribunal is looking into the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago
  • What’s the outfit you can hear going down the gurgler? Probably it’s David Parker’s Oceans Sec...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point  of Order first heard of the Oceans Secretariat in June 2021, when David Parker (remember him?) announced a multi-agency approach to protecting New Zealand’s marine ecosystems and fisheries. Parker (holding the Environment, and Oceans and Fisheries portfolios) broke the news at the annual Forest & ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago
  • Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Bryce Edwards writes  – Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Matt Doocey doubles down on trans “healthcare”
    Citizen Science writes –  Last week saw two significant developments in the debate over the treatment of trans-identifying children and young people – the release in Britain of the final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review into gender healthcare, and here in New Zealand, the news that the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • A TikTok Prime Minister.
    One night while sleeping in my bed I had a beautiful dreamThat all the people of the world got together on the same wavelengthAnd began helping one anotherNow in this dream, universal love was the theme of the dayPeace and understanding and it happened this wayAfter such an eventful day ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Texas Lessons
    This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    2 days ago
  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links at 6:06 am
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours as of 6:06 am on Wednesday, April 17 are:Must read: Secrecy shrouds which projects might be fast-tracked RNZ Farah HancockScoop: Revealed: Luxon has seven staffers working on social media content - partly paid for by taxpayer Newshub ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Fighting poverty on the holiday highway
    Turning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago
  • Bernard's six-stack of substacks at 6:26 pm
    Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • At a glance – Is the science settled?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    3 days ago
  • Apposite Quotations.
    How Long Is Long Enough? Gaza under Israeli bombardment, July 2014. This posting is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...
    3 days ago
  • What’s a life worth now?
    You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Howling at the Moon
    Karl du Fresne writes –  There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Newshub is Dead.
    I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Seymour is chuffed about cutting early-learning red tape – but we hear, too, that Jones has loose...
    Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago
  • Was Hawkesby entirely wrong?
    David Farrar  writes –  The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • PRC shadow looms as the Solomons head for election
    PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time. A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Climate Change: Criminal ecocide
    We are in the middle of a climate crisis. Last year was (again) the hottest year on record. NOAA has just announced another global coral bleaching event. Floods are threatening UK food security. So naturally, Shane Jones wants to make it easier to mine coal: Resources Minister Shane Jones ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • Is saving one minute of a politician's time worth nearly $1 billion?
    Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Long Tunnel or Long Con?
    Yesterday it was revealed that Transport Minister had asked Waka Kotahi to look at the options for a long tunnel through Wellington. State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the ...
    3 days ago
  • Smoke And Mirrors.
    You're a fraud, and you know itBut it's too good to throw it all awayAnyone would do the sameYou've got 'em goingAnd you're careful not to show itSometimes you even fool yourself a bitIt's like magicBut it's always been a smoke and mirrors gameAnyone would do the sameForty six billion ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • What is Mexico doing about climate change?
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections The June general election in Mexico could mark a turning point in ensuring that the country’s climate policies better reflect the desire of its citizens to address the climate crisis, with both leading presidential candidates expressing support for renewable energy. Mexico is the ...
    3 days ago
  • State of humanity, 2024
    2024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?When I say 2024 I really mean the state of humanity in 2024.Saturday night, we watched Civil War because that is one terrifying cliff we've ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • Govt’s Wellington tunnel vision aims to ease the way to the airport (but zealous promoters of cycl...
    Buzz from the Beehive A pet project and governmental tunnel vision jump out from the latest batch of ministerial announcements. The government is keen to assure us of its concern for the wellbeing of our pets. It will be introducing pet bonds in a change to the Residential Tenancies Act ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • The case for cultural connectedness
    A recent report generated from a Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) survey of 1,224 rangatahi Māori aged 11-12 found: Cultural connectedness was associated with fewer depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms and better quality of life. That sounds cut and dry. But further into the report the following appears: Cultural connectedness is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Useful context on public sector job cuts
    David Farrar writes –    The Herald reports: From the gory details of job-cuts news, you’d think the public service was being eviscerated.   While the media’s view of the cuts is incomplete, it’s also true that departments have been leaking the particulars faster than a Wellington ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On When Racism Comes Disguised As Anti-racism
    Remember the good old days, back when New Zealand had a PM who could think and speak calmly and intelligently in whole sentences without blustering? Even while Iran’s drones and missiles were still being launched, Helen Clark was live on TVNZ expertly summing up the latest crisis in the Middle ...
    4 days ago
  • Govt ignored economic analysis of smokefree reversal
    Costello did not pass on analysis of the benefits of the smokefree reforms to Cabinet, emphasising instead the extra tax revenues of repealing them. Photo: Hagen Hopkins, Getty Images TL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me at 7:26 am today are:The Lead: Casey Costello never passed on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • True Blue.
    True loveYou're the one I'm dreaming ofYour heart fits me like a gloveAnd I'm gonna be true blueBaby, I love youI’ve written about the job cuts in our news media last week. The impact on individuals, and the loss to Aotearoa of voices covering our news from different angles.That by ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Who is running New Zealand’s foreign policy?
    While commentators, including former Prime Minister Helen Clark, are noting a subtle shift in New Zealand’s foreign policy, which now places more emphasis on the United States, many have missed a key element of the shift. What National said before the election is not what the government is doing now. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #15
    A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 7, 2024 thru Sat, April 13, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week is about adults in the room setting terms and conditions of ...
    5 days ago
  • Feline Friends and Fragile Fauna The Complexities of Cats in New Zealand’s Conservation Efforts

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

    5 days ago
  • Or is that just they want us to think?
    Nice guy, that Peter Williams. Amiable, a calm air of no-nonsense capability, a winning smile. Everything you look for in a TV presenter and newsreader.I used to see him sometimes when I went to TVNZ to be a talking head or a panellist and we would yarn. Nice guy, that ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago
  • Fact Brief – Did global warming stop in 1998?
    Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Did global warming stop in ...
    6 days ago
  • Arguing over a moot point.
    I have been following recent debates in the corporate and social media about whether it is a good idea for NZ to join what is known as “AUKUS Pillar Two.” AUKUS is the Australian-UK-US nuclear submarine building agreement in which … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    6 days ago
  • No Longer Trusted: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    Turning Point: What has turned me away from the mainstream news media is the very strong message that its been sending out for the last few years.” “And what message might that be?” “That the people who own it, the people who run it, and the people who provide its content, really don’t ...
    6 days ago
  • Mortgage rates at 10% anyone?
    No – nothing about that in PM Luxon’s nine-point plan to improve the lives of New Zealanders. But beyond our shores Jamie Dimon, the long-serving head of global bank J.P. Morgan Chase, reckons that the chances of a goldilocks soft landing for the economy are “a lot lower” than the ...
    Point of OrderBy xtrdnry
    6 days ago

  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 hour ago
  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
    A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 hour ago
  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 hour ago
  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 hours ago
  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago
  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago
  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago
  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    24 hours ago
  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
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    2 days ago
  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector.    "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
    Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
    Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.  During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner.  The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
    Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.  “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
    The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
    State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel.    “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says.    "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
    Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board.   “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti.  “I have asked her to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Roads of National Significance planning underway
    The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Navigating an unstable global environment
    New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States.    “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
    New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Joint US and NZ declaration
    April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • NZ and US to undertake further practical Pacific cooperation
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced further New Zealand cooperation with the United States in the Pacific Islands region through $16.4 million in funding for initiatives in digital connectivity and oceans and fisheries research.   “New Zealand can achieve more in the Pacific if we work together more urgently and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government redress for Te Korowai o Wainuiārua
    The Government is continuing the bipartisan effort to restore its relationship with iwi as the Te Korowai o Wainuiārua Claims Settlement Bill passed its first reading in Parliament today, says Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith. “Historical grievances of Te Korowai o Wainuiārua relate to 19th century warfare, land purchased or taken ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Focus on outstanding minerals permit applications
    New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals is working to resolve almost 150 outstanding minerals permit applications by the end of the financial year, enabling valuable mining activity and signalling to the sector that New Zealand is open for business, Resources Minister Shane Jones says.  “While there are no set timeframes for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Applications open for NZ-Ireland Research Call
    The New Zealand and Irish governments have today announced that applications for the 2024 New Zealand-Ireland Joint Research Call on Agriculture and Climate Change are now open. This is the third research call in the three-year Joint Research Initiative pilot launched in 2022 by the Ministry for Primary Industries and Ireland’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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