Where Is New Zealand Extremism Going?

Written By: - Date published: 12:00 pm, April 28th, 2023 - 78 comments
Categories: class war, Deep stuff, International, Politics, uncategorized, us politics, war - Tags:

I’ve worked my way through two books recently, both on extremist sects, one about New Zealand groups and one about those in the United States of America. It’s startling.

The New Zealand book is by Byron C. Clark called Fear: New Zealand’s Hostile World Of Extremists. It starts from the Christchurch massacre and the supporting cast around that, and becomes the author’s own journey through a variety of hardline movements operative here including the anti-vaxxer Parliamentary protesters, the deep hard right of Catholicism in Wargus Christi, the growth of women as a major presence within the alt right here, and in different chapters names many of the groups and their leaders from Action Zealandia, Voices for Freedom, Counterspin, QAnon, Groundswell, Hindutva, and many more.

It’s not to be considered an academic tome or a work with high researched rigour. It’s the author’s own engagement with the personalities that make for the compelling reading. And yes, they do track him down to his work and his home.

But there is no doubt the author is signalling growth and diversity in extremism in New Zealand and that we have not heard the last of it.

When you read it side by side with the American work you can’t help but be struck by the early-stage growth parallels.

Jeff Sharlett’s The Undertow: Scenes From A Slow Civil War, gets straight to the dark twist in US evangelical fundamentalism that brings up Trump as saviour and all the citation of scripture required to prepare for a civil war.

In this militarised version of the far right that led to a more specific attempt for seizure of power at Congress rather than New Zealand’s own longer Parliamentary encampment, their forty-fifth president is a focused lens of conspirational fears and fantasies. But even when the current lot are jailed as many already are, a new generation of this kind of leadership will now arise.

Sharlet also remembers and celebrates the courage of those who sing a different song of community, and of activists who work towards an America dedicated to justice and freedom for all.

The second book is a document in the gradual rise of a kind of fascism in the USA, one which I’ve found hard to recognise because I didn’t see the usual cultural accoutrements of uniforms, unifying songs, and orchestrated masses in serried ranks. I have to change my mind about what fascism in its early phase can look like.

It’s of course a trap to see the New Zealand book as simply the nascent phase of what’s on the rise in the USA. Neither signal a fixed destiny to the other. Fate is what we are on earth to make and not what we wait for like a Calvinist assuming deistic determination. Those we can uncomfortably engage with and bring into established political orbit will be hard work but it is a necessary work.

These worlds may never reach Parliamentary representation and so will be little exposed to discourse, but they are also real. Many of them will be watched by appropriate arms of state. I would encourage anyone with half a political brain to read Fear: New Zealand’s World of Hostile Extremists and check out how unlikely it is that New Zealand will return to its pre-Christchurch and pre-COVID peaceability.

It is not yet clear we can win them back.

78 comments on “Where Is New Zealand Extremism Going? ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. roblogic 1
    28 April 2023 at 12:35 pm

    Of course, the extremists with the greatest potential for death and mayhem, are those who were democratically elected. Like Roger Douglas or Rob Muldoon.

    Fringe subcultures are interesting but their capacity for destruction is limited. Real problems arise when extremist ideas that appeal to the dark side of human nature infect wider society.

    The dehumanising of out-groups, victimhood narratives, cancellation and violence are discourses of deception.

    • bwaghorn 1.1
      28 April 2023 at 12:44 pm

      Can you point to the news story where those two gunned down 50 people?

      • roblogic 1.1.1
        28 April 2023 at 1:01 pm

        Just because state sanctioned violence is legal, doesn’t make it right. These guys declared war on the working class. Do you think our terrible performance in poverty indicators, stagnant wages, and suicide stats comes from nowhere?

        https://milfordasset.com/insights/how-muldoon-threw-away-nzs-wealth
        https://nzhistory.govt.nz/culture/1981-springbok-tour
        https://www.eastonbh.ac.nz/2012/04/rogernomics-and-the-left/

        The Rogernomes took no prisoners either – with numerous promising careers destroyed by their backroom manipulation. Lenin said the first thing after the revolution was to kill the intellectuals. The social democrats were put down vigorously because the neo-liberals were arguing there were no alternatives (except Muldoonism): those who could offer alternatives had to be eliminated from the public debate – even to the extent of approaching editors to say that certain persons should not be used – some journalists who acquiesced may be still so embarrassed that twenty years later they dont approach the black-listed.

        Extremists.

        And now they are vilifying and criminalising the victims of their class war

  2. r0b 2
    28 April 2023 at 1:23 pm

    The book "Fear" referred to is by Byron C. Clark (not Chris Wilson).

  3. David J Harvey 3
    28 April 2023 at 1:29 pm

    Fear by Clark (not Wilson) is a Polemic. See my review – https://djhdcj.substack.com/p/fear-and-hatred-books-for-our-time

    • Shanreagh 3.1
      28 April 2023 at 6:51 pm

      I read it and saw it as a series of chapters about RW extermists, his definition So as a sort of dictionary/encycopaedia it is useful.

  4. Anker 4
    28 April 2023 at 1:42 pm

    I regard gender ideologists as extremists. They assert that if you are a biological man you can assert you are a women and should be regarded as such. “Trans women are women”. There is no debate on this and dissenters are called transphobic, bigots and often are smeared as being alt right. This not tolerating dissent includes cancelation. If they can’t cancel you, then they use extremist tactics such as intimidation and actual violence as we saw in Albert Park. btw Ad do you condemn the violence against women in Albert Park?

    did the book cover anything about trans rights activists extremists, both overseas and in NZ

    • Martin C 4.1
      28 April 2023 at 3:13 pm

      Anker, you are voicing a narrative of the right. Posey Parker is too recent to be in Fear.

      • Visubversa 4.1.1
        28 April 2023 at 5:01 pm

        The "Trannish Inquisition" permits no heresy or apostasy.

      • Anker 4.1.2
        28 April 2023 at 6:12 pm

        Martin C, I am afraid you are incorrect.

        The vast majority of gender critical feminists are from the left.

        The modus operandi of the trans rights activists up till Posie involved shutting down debate, smearing and cancelling. Posie Parker showed us what happens if women say no we won't be silenced. The extremists use violence to stop free speech. Whenever has the alt right championed free speech.

        To believe trans women are women is science denial

        • SPC 4.1.2.1
          28 April 2023 at 6:19 pm

          But are the majority of left wing feminists gender critical feminists?

          The majority of women on the right support gender critical feminists, not that this has had any impact on NACT policy.

          • Anker 4.1.2.1.1
            28 April 2023 at 6:42 pm

            The majority of gender critical feminists e.g. in SUFW are left wing and many of these women are members of the Rainbow community i.e. lesbian. If you go to their website and click on about us, you can read about the left wing activistism of the SPFW women.

            Where is your evidence that the majority of left wing feminists aren't gender critical SPC?

            • SPC 4.1.2.1.1.1
              28 April 2023 at 7:01 pm

              Where is your evidence that the majority of left wing feminists aren't gender critical SPC?

              Where is your evidence that they are?

              Polls show more of those supportive of gender identity rights are women, not men. And that does not come from right wing women. So if its not from left wing women, or centre-left, it comes from the majority that are neither, in the centre.

            • weka 4.1.2.1.1.2
              28 April 2023 at 7:42 pm

              The majority of gender critical feminists e.g. in SUFW are left wing and many of these women are members of the Rainbow community i.e. lesbian. If you go to their website and click on about us, you can read about the left wing activistism of the SPFW women.

              Here's the link https://www.speakupforwomen.nz/who-we-are

              I'm not sure I would call SUFW predominantly left wing. They strike me as old school liberals and centre lefties. Historically they've been centrist, willing to work with the right, not sure where they are at with that currently.

              Women's Liberation Aotearoa are overtly leftist,

              https://womensliberationaotearoa.org.nz/principles-of-womens-liberation-aotearoa/

              • Anker …
                28 April 2023 at 7:47 pm

                SUFW did a survey of their membership and they were prodominantly Labour and Green voters (if you call that left wing, I do).

                Many of these women now feel politically homeless.

                Remember too the group that invited Posie Parker to NZ were Mana Wahine Korero, a group of Maori gender critical women. Hard to argue that they are alt right. Hard too to argue that they would invite a so called alt right speaker. The idea is ridiculous.

                • weka …
                  28 April 2023 at 8:13 pm

                  Labour are a neoliberal centre left party, have been for over 30 years and played a bit part in shifting the Overton Window in NZ to the right. They've actively resisted attempts to shift leftward again. Remember the ABCs? Anyone But Cunliffe. That's the centrists holding the party to the centre to stop it moving leftwards.

                  Voting for them doesn't make one leftist, although there are leftist people in the party and leftist people who vote for them.

                  Likewise in the UK. KJK saying she used to vote for Labour doesn't make her left wing, it means she voted for a Blairite, third way, anti-leftist party. She's shifted her politics since then, and I agree she's not alt-right or far right. She's a somewhat socially liberal conservative populist. She's also got the potential to become far right. Which is why she's comfortable with Tucker Carlson, or not automatically rejecting Nazis.

                  Left =/= liberal. Left means things like worker's rights, collectivism, egalitarianism, wealth sharing, looking after people, social and economic equality, but also being politically committed to those things.

                  I don't know what MWK's politics are outside of GC. But Māori politics don't sit exactly with the left/right spectrum anyway, they exist within their own right.

                  • Darien Fenton …
                    29 April 2023 at 2:25 am

                    Weka : oh geez not the old "ABC" argument again. I was named as one and pilloried for it by people like you ; I had good reasons, which were proven in the disastrous 2014 election. Turns out the MPs I was supporting became PM and Finance Minister. You learn a lot about people you work with. Me, I go for authenticity and trust is also a big issue for me. I will admit DC makes a good management consultant.

                    • weka …
                      29 April 2023 at 8:34 am

                      I don't remember pillorying you Darien. I was mostly following the number of Labour members and those outside of Labour that were working for a more left position (I don't know your position or history on that).

                    • Darien Fenton …
                      29 April 2023 at 12:52 pm

                      Weka : you mean the Labour members on the Standard eh who saw DC as the second coming? One day I will tell the full story ; but I am of the Left, born Left, never sold out or compromised, stuck to my cause which is workers' rights. I was so Left DC dumped me.

                    • Corey …
                      29 April 2023 at 1:44 pm

                      Yes let's not talk about how the current prime minister and current minister of finance were part of a group of mp's hellbent on destabilizing the Labour party leadership because they'd openly rather be in opposition than be in government led by someone they didn't like

                      Constantly leaking to the media and breaking ranks, mps like Curran and Co posting diatribes to destabilize the leader of a party in an election year is a disgrace not just to the labour's movement and the party membership who elected Cunliffe but also every working class and poor person in nz.

                      Let's not talk about how the same group of mps was also leaking internal polling in 2017.

                      Let's not talk about the fact that they were so frightened of the party membership, that they had to wait til the cut off period in 2017 where chosing a new leader wouldn't cause a membership primary because none of their candidates including Grant/Jacinda could win a leadership primary.

                      Let's not talk about the fact that this group so frightened of the labour party membership that they pretty much changed the leadership voting rules unilaterally so caucuses favorite robots didn't have to convince the membership to vote for then.

                      And sure the ABCs got some great cabinet positions, but what have they achieved? Absolutely SFA and ruled out and denied doing anything substantial.

                      With the exception of Jacinda the ABCs were a bunch of no talent political robots who actively hated the party membership and engaged in destabilizing skull duggary during an election campaign.

                      Hipkins would never have won a party wide leadership vote without the rule changes.

                      Cunlife would have made a great minister in this government with its shallow talent pool.

                      And for those who say membership chose bad candidates and caucus picks better candidates….

                      Caucus elected Goff and Shearer membership elected Cunliffe and Little , 2 failures each, Ardern herself would have been elected by membership, Chippie wouldn't, we'll see how the election goes

                  • Anker …
                    30 April 2023 at 2:39 pm

                    Yes interesting quiz, but I wonder how valid the questions are.

                    Interestingly enough, I scored as mildly left and mildly libertarian.

          • weka 4.1.2.1.2
            28 April 2023 at 7:38 pm

            But are the majority of left wing feminists gender critical feminists?

            No way of knowing so long as No Debate exists. Consider the Green Party, which has suppressed discussion of GC positions. No Debate means that people are too afraid to say anything, or they have left the party.

            If you want to get a sense of how the general public feel about gender identity and the boundaries that GCFs keep banging on about, look at the Yougov polls in the UK, which show a broad tolerance for trans people, but that support drops when people understand that a trans woman wanting into women's spaces can be an intact male. Again, No Debate means that this hasn't been widely discussed.

            The majority of women on the right support gender critical feminists, not that this has had any impact on NACT policy.

            I seriously doubt the majority of women int he right support GCFs. Many support GC positions, but that's not the same thing.

            • SPC 4.1.2.1.2.1
              28 April 2023 at 9:49 pm

              Most want to be inclusive of others, as to citizenship for all, regardless of difference.

              It's more nuanced when it comes to practicality – safe spaces, fair competition etc. Especially if there is self ID.

              I seriously doubt the majority of women int he right support GCFs. Many support GC positions, but that's not the same thing.

              Sure, the word feminist is one they run from. This may explain K-JK's care not to pose her campaign as a feminist one.

      • Shanreagh 4.1.3
        28 April 2023 at 6:35 pm

        PP is actually a left winger not from the right. She belonged to the UK Labour party.

        it is mistake i think to consider the latest concerns with women’s issues as being from the left or right. Many women are waiting to see party/ies meet their concerns before deciding who to vote for.

        • Anker 4.1.3.1
          28 April 2023 at 6:42 pm

          100% Shanreagh

        • SPC 4.1.3.2
          28 April 2023 at 7:18 pm

          It's led by someone of the left (but who never identified as a feminist) who sees others on the left as the main opposition to her campaign, so seeks support from the right.

          • Anker 4.1.3.2.1
            28 April 2023 at 7:48 pm

            SPC, Parker will talk to anyone willing to listen about womens rights.

          • weka 4.1.3.2.2
            28 April 2023 at 8:14 pm

            where did you get that KJK never was feminist from?

            • SPC 4.1.3.2.2.1
              28 April 2023 at 9:40 pm

              She saw feminists supporting things she did not support, thus did not see herself as a feminist (they were prostitution and pornography). I'll link to that if I find it again.

              Here, as to her current attitude.

              Video 3min 30s "not a radical feminist".

              Video 6 min 50s "feminism not the answer".

              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=io95ZE5nNzw

              • weka …
                28 April 2023 at 10:05 pm

                I know her current position, I'm asking why you think "but who never identified as a feminist". Past tense and ever.

        • weka 4.1.3.3
          28 April 2023 at 8:16 pm

          PP is actually a left winger not from the right. She belonged to the UK Labour party.

          UK Labour aren't leftist, they're centre left and those in power in UK Labour have actively resisted the party being moved leftward. KJK isn't left wing she's a centrist populist.

          it is mistake i think to consider the latest concerns with women’s issues as being from the left or right. Many women are waiting to see party/ies meet their concerns before deciding who to vote for.

          I agree with this. But that doesn't mean that left, centre, right, far right aren't meaningful.

          • weka 4.1.3.3.1
            28 April 2023 at 8:22 pm

            there are flaws in this model, but it's still useful to understand relative political positions. If you haven't before, do the quiz to see where you sit.

            This is the 2017 version

            2020 version here https://www.politicalcompass.org/nz2020

            Quiz here https://www.politicalcompass.org/test

            • weka 4.1.3.3.1.1
              28 April 2023 at 8:35 pm

              I just redid the compass. My results plus NZ 2020

              https://twitter.com/wekatweets/status/1651866876216229888

            • Belladonna 4.1.3.3.1.2
              28 April 2023 at 8:56 pm

              I'm a bit surprised to see ACT so far 'up' on the Authoritarian scale.
              I thought their core premise was Libertarianism (small government, individual choice, etc.)

              • Tricledrown …
                28 April 2023 at 9:11 pm

                ACT has been dog whistling the fascist racist vote for some time .

                • Belladonna …
                  28 April 2023 at 11:04 pm

                  Your definition of 'fascist' appears to depart rather markedly from the generally accepted one.

                  Perhaps you should share exactly what you mean, when you use the term.

                  ACT generally advocates for less involvement of government in regulating citizen's lives.

              • weka …
                28 April 2023 at 10:03 pm

                ACT are libertarian for Consumers and Taxpayers, aka wealthy people.

                • Belladonna …
                  28 April 2023 at 11:01 pm

                  So the authoritarian/libertarian scale in this graph means something other than the usual definition of those terms.

                  Because, little as though the left may like ACT – their ethos is a libertarian party.

                  • weka …
                    28 April 2023 at 11:21 pm

                    I was looking at the 2020 graph, where they're in the libertarian quarter. Afaik the positions in the graph are based on policy, so there must have been something in 2017 that made them more authoritarian.

                    I wrote this a few weeks ago,

                    ACT want to remove current benefit entitlements for most unemployed and solo mums and replace them with electronically monitored and controlled income. This is anti-libertarian, ACT's libertarianism if for well off people. It cements in beneficiaries as second class citizens. You can look at how this kind of scheme has played out in Australia to see the daily problems it causes.

                    https://www.act.org.nz/welfare

                  • Anker …
                    29 April 2023 at 1:33 pm

                    Agree Belladonna

            • Anker 4.1.3.3.1.3
              30 April 2023 at 2:40 pm

              Top look as far to the right as Act. Interesting.

              • weka …
                1 May 2023 at 8:57 am

                probably a hangover from Gareth Morgan's days. They've made changes since 2020, my guess is they will be more centrist in the 2023 map, but they position themselves as working with either National or Labour so I wouldn't call them left wing. In some ways they are orthogonal to the L/R axis (the Greens are too, but for different reasons).

    • LawfulN 4.2
      28 April 2023 at 3:59 pm

      There's a big difference between authoritarianism as a means (like cancel culture) and authoritarianism as an end (like full on state-enforced racial and sexual hierarchies). The gender ideologists are more the former than the latter.

      Much 'wokeism' is really just people like them, who may have a good cause—at least in some respects—but who are terrible human beings who lack the basic civic virtues required of reasonable citizens. One of our current problems is that a large percentage of people in the media and other positions of privilege are like this now.

      • Anker 4.2.1
        28 April 2023 at 6:18 pm

        The authoritarianism on both the extreme of right and left are regugnant to me. The trans rights activistists extremists are authoritarian.

        Why do you think people get in to trouble in the public service if they don't use pro nouns (a mild example but part of the whole deal).

        I heard an interview with Professor Grant Scofield who said free speech at the university is severely compromised and he doesn't mention transgenderism because he would be called before the Vice Chancellor.

        If you are going to decree extremism then it needs to be all extremism especially if it is authoritarian.

        • Visubversa 4.2.1.1
          28 April 2023 at 8:05 pm

          This is extremism. The removal of the ability to even explore a contrary narrative.

          https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/04/15/university-blocks-academic-gender-wars-research/

          "Her final work has not been published, as it was derailed by complaints about an article for Times Higher Education in which she warned that “a culture of discrimination, silencing and fear has taken hold”.

          Following this, she says, her line managers told her that the study had “become an institutionally sensitive issue” and that “City considers my data to be dangerous” and is “frightened of making it public”.

          A research participant who “did not like the findings” and academics sympathetic to trans issues were among those who complained. One, Dr Sahra Taylor, a City lecturer, claimed it was an “attack piece on trans people [and] our existences” that has “clearly caused harm to many interviewed”.

    • RoseyK 4.3
      28 April 2023 at 4:16 pm

      The Press ran an article by Clark (and someone else? I can't remmber who) a few weeks ago suggesting that those who believe in biology and the reality that sex is more important than gender identity in certain settings (anywhere women are undressed – eg communal changing areas, prisons and in women's sports) are the true extremists. Thus I take anything by Clark with a huge dose of salt.

      • Shanreagh 4.3.1
        28 April 2023 at 6:44 pm

        I have had more than a few discussions with Byron Clark on Womens issues, if that is the Clark you are meaning.

        He has little knowledge of womens issues generally and seems out of his depth when discussing what happened at Albert Park as he has bought the media narrative of her being anti trans when she is pro women. An important distinction.

        • Anker 4.3.1.1
          1 May 2023 at 11:43 am
          • So in other words Shanreagh, Clark’s take lacks any real understanding of the issues, he’s pushing a narrative.
          • I think it is impossible to push a narrative that GC is extremism. 10 years ago our views were mainstream and for most people nowadays are views are mainstream
        • weka 4.3.1.2
          1 May 2023 at 2:55 pm

          that's my impression of him too (from following on twitter), doesn't really understand feminism or women's perspectives.

    • roblogic 4.4
      28 April 2023 at 4:55 pm

      That debate is radioactive and in the USA has been a factor in at least 2 mass shooting incidents. There are two groups that cannot stand each other; each viewing the other side as evil incarnate.

      NZ doesn't have the same level of gun-toting religious fundamentalists. But the local trans rights movement is as toxic and paranoid as the parliament protests. Albert Park was just the tip of the iceberg. I think a more extreme campaign against women, child safety, religious freedom, etc is on the cards.

  5. Ed1 5
    28 April 2023 at 1:57 pm

    This podcast was recommended on RNZ a week or so ago – worth listening to. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-presents-ultra

    There have been various Nazi parties in the USA over the years . . .

  6. Martin C 6
    28 April 2023 at 3:09 pm

    Years ago I bought The Politics of Nostalgia. by Bruce Jesson and Paul Spoonley. An excellent book published in the early 90s. Histories of Hate updates it and Fear puts a recognizable face to it.

    To understand the decay of modern NZ read, But Their Purpose is Mad by Bruce Jesson and The Fire Economy by Jane Kelsey will tell you how we got here.

    • Ad 6.1
      28 April 2023 at 3:24 pm

      No doubt Spoonley is the leading researcher on this.

      But just don't agree that the origin of all our extremism is in economic restructuring.

  7. SPC 7
    28 April 2023 at 4:41 pm

    It is not yet clear we can win them back.

    They're now connected into the American alt-right propaganda network and some will be receiving funding – one that demonises anyone on the left globally (thus Charlie Kirk's obssession with Ardern).

    What they will not have is the American adventism – a cult that believes that a right wing friendly God will eliminate from public life all liberal and left wing human beings via bowls of judgment (we are not in Kansas now – the Chiefs are based in a city of the state of Missouri). Thus the absurdity of Trump prophecy and right wing agency of God on earth.

  8. roblogic 8
    28 April 2023 at 5:08 pm

    Maybe we should be less concerned about our own citizens and more concerned about who is embedded in our security infrastructure. WTF is the GSCB up to?

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/488824/revealed-senior-ex-us-military-officers-land-nz-government-jobs

    • SPC 8.1
      28 April 2023 at 5:19 pm

      The one at GCSB is an assurance manager.

      Overseas applicants for military jobs here must be a currently serving member of the UK, Australian, US or Canadian armed forces, or been a citizen of any of those countries for at least a decade.

    • Ad 8.2
      28 April 2023 at 9:48 pm

      Hiring competent and security-cleared experts who enable better interoperability with our partners.

  9. adam 9
    28 April 2023 at 5:21 pm

    Paul Jay has done some great interviews on this topic.

    That said, the reality is the wave of extremism will only get worse as we get closer and closer to extinction.

    • roblogic 9.1
      28 April 2023 at 9:23 pm

      Only if we spend too much time bullshitting on social media. We tend to forget our differences in times of crisis and muck in together. Maybe earthquakes and floods are trying to teach us something.

  10. roblogic 10
    28 April 2023 at 5:41 pm

    Here's a beautiful tribute to the better angels of our nature. We can choose cooperation and sharing, instead of fighting and selfishness

    The real Lord of the Flies: what happened when six boys were shipwrecked for 15 months

    https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/may/09/the-real-lord-of-the-flies-what-happened-when-six-boys-were-shipwrecked-for-15-months

    I also found the post apocalyptic TV series "Station Eleven" really uplifting. Instead of violent criminal gangs and hordes of zombies, it shows communities of humans working together to survive. Because they aren't forced to live in the sociopathic system of capitalist exploitation that we marinate in

    https://youtu.be/1rvYYD9mlac

  11. tWiggle 11
    28 April 2023 at 7:43 pm

    Big Hairy News interview with Byron Clarke

    Longform discussion about Byron's interest in rightwing extremism, mis and disinformation around the NZ anti-vax movement, and other recent conspiracy-theory movements in NZ.

    If you don't know much about the topic, it's a good intro.

  12. RedLogix 12
    29 April 2023 at 4:39 pm

    This is as good a place as any to drop this 53min clip. It explores ideas around how family structure feeds into political ideology and history across various cultures. There is plenty to react to – both positively and negatively – but it does add a layer of nuance to the political debate we rarely discuss:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RFFwhbVqeU

    And in an era of rapid changes to family structure everywhere, it poses the question of what will be the consequences politically? Which in turn feeds into the OP.

  13. Martin C 13
    30 April 2023 at 1:40 pm

    Last one to leave please turn out the lights.

  14. Anker 14
    1 May 2023 at 10:53 am

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/restore-passenger-rail-protesters-block-traffic-near-parliament-in-wellington/IVAWU5EHAFFNXIEZ4BSAI2OAAA/

    would people consider these protesters extremists? Especially in view of the Govts recent commitment to buying more trains for Wairapapa and Manawatu

    the climate protesters are facing a backlash in he UK and it looks likely that this will happen here with one women shouting at them I am just trying to get to work to fed my kids

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • The Bank of our Tamariki and Mokopuna.
    Monday left me brokenTuesday, I was through with hopingWednesday, my empty arms were openThursday, waiting for love, waiting for loveThe end of another week that left many of us asking WTF? What on earth has NZ gotten itself into and how on earth could people have voluntarily signed up for ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    47 mins ago

  • The worth of it all
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.State of humanity, 20242024, 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?Full story Share ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 hours ago

  • What is the Hardest Sport in the World?
    Determining the hardest sport in the world is a subjective matter, as the difficulty level can vary depending on individual abilities, physical attributes, and experience. However, based on various factors including physical demands, technical skills, mental fortitude, and overall accomplishment, here is an exploration of some of the most challenging ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    6 hours ago

  • What is the Most Expensive Sport?
    The allure of sport transcends age, culture, and geographical boundaries. It captivates hearts, ignites passions, and provides unparalleled entertainment. Behind the spectacle, however, lies a fascinating world of financial investment and expenditure. Among the vast array of competitive pursuits, one question looms large: which sport carries the hefty title of ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    6 hours ago

  • Pickleball On the Cusp of Olympic Glory
    Introduction Pickleball, a rapidly growing paddle sport, has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions around the world. Its blend of tennis, badminton, and table tennis elements has made it a favorite among players of all ages and skill levels. As the sport’s popularity continues to surge, the question on ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    6 hours ago

  • The Origin and Evolution of Soccer Unveiling the Genius Behind the World’s Most Popular Sport
    Abstract: Soccer, the global phenomenon captivating millions worldwide, has a rich history that spans centuries. Its origins trace back to ancient civilizations, but the modern version we know and love emerged through a complex interplay of cultural influences and innovations. This article delves into the fascinating journey of soccer’s evolution, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    6 hours ago

  • How Much to Tint Car Windows A Comprehensive Guide
    Tinting car windows offers numerous benefits, including enhanced privacy, reduced glare, UV protection, and a more stylish look for your vehicle. However, the cost of window tinting can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article provides a comprehensive guide to help you understand how much you can expect to ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    6 hours ago

  • Why Does My Car Smell Like Gas? A Comprehensive Guide to Diagnosing and Fixing the Issue
    The pungent smell of gasoline in your car can be an alarming and potentially dangerous problem. Not only is the odor unpleasant, but it can also indicate a serious issue with your vehicle’s fuel system. In this article, we will explore the various reasons why your car may smell like ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    6 hours ago

  • How to Remove Tree Sap from Car A Comprehensive Guide
    Tree sap can be a sticky, unsightly mess on your car’s exterior. It can be difficult to remove, but with the right techniques and products, you can restore your car to its former glory. Understanding Tree Sap Tree sap is a thick, viscous liquid produced by trees to seal wounds ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    6 hours ago

  • How Much Paint Do You Need to Paint a Car?
    The amount of paint needed to paint a car depends on a number of factors, including the size of the car, the number of coats you plan to apply, and the type of paint you are using. In general, you will need between 1 and 2 gallons of paint for ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    6 hours ago

  • Can You Jump a Car in the Rain? Safety Precautions and Essential Steps
    Jump-starting a car is a common task that can be performed even in adverse weather conditions like rain. However, safety precautions and proper techniques are crucial to avoid potential hazards. This comprehensive guide will provide detailed instructions on how to safely jump a car in the rain, ensuring both your ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    6 hours ago

  • Can taxpayers be confident PIJF cash was spent wisely?
    Graham Adams writes about the $55m media fund — When Patrick Gower was asked by Mike Hosking last week what he would say to the many Newstalk ZB callers who allege the Labour government bribed media with $55 million of taxpayers’ money via the Public Interest Journalism Fund — and ...
    Point of OrderBy gadams1000
    13 hours ago

  • EGU2024 – An intense week of joining sessions virtually
    Note: this blog post has been put together over the course of the week I followed the happenings at the conference virtually. Should recordings of the Great Debates and possibly Union Symposia mentioned below, be released sometime after the conference ends, I'll include links to the ones I participated in. ...
    Skeptical Science
    14 hours ago

  • Submission on “Fast Track Approvals Bill”
    The following was my submission made on the “Fast Track Approvals Bill”. This potential law will give three Ministers unchecked powers, un-paralled since the days of Robert Muldoon’s “Think Big” projects.The submission is written a bit tongue-in-cheek. But it’s irreverent because the FTAB is in itself not worthy of respect. ...
    Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy
    15 hours ago

  • The Case for a Universal Family Benefit
    One Could Reduce Child Poverty At No Fiscal CostFollowing the Richardson/Shipley 1990 ‘redesign of the welfare state’ – which eliminated the universal Family Benefit and doubled the rate of child poverty – various income supplements for families have been added, the best known being ‘Working for Families’, introduced in 2005. ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    17 hours ago

  • A who’s who of New Zealand’s dodgiest companies
    Submissions on National's corrupt Muldoonist fast-track law are due today (have you submitted?), and just hours before they close, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop has been forced to release the list of companies he invited to apply. I've spent the last hour going through it in an epic thread of bleats, ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    18 hours ago

  • On Lee’s watch, Economic Development seems to be stuck on scoring points from promoting sporting e...
    Buzz from the Beehive A few days ago, Point of Order suggested the media must be musing “on why Melissa is mute”. Our article reported that people working in the beleaguered media industry have cause to yearn for a minister as busy as Melissa Lee’s ministerial colleagues and we drew ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    19 hours ago

  • New Zealand has never been closed for business
    1. What was The Curse of Jim Bolger?a. Winston Peters b. Soon after shaking his hand, world leaders would mysteriously lose office or shuffle off this mortal coilc. Could never shake off the Mother of All Budgetsd. Dandruff2. True or false? The Chairman of a Kiwi export business has asked the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    20 hours ago

  • Stop the panic – we’ve been here before
    Jack Vowles writes – New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    23 hours ago

  • Melissa Lee and the media: ending the quest
    Chris Trotter writes –  MELISSA LEE should be deprived of her ministerial warrant. Her handling – or non-handling – of the crisis engulfing the New Zealand news media has been woeful. The fate of New Zealand’s two linear television networks, a question which the Minister of Broadcasting, Communications ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago

  • The Hoon around the week to April 19
    TL;DR: The podcast above features co-hosts and , along with regular guests Robert Patman on Gaza and AUKUS II, and on climate change.The six things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago

  • The ‘Humpty Dumpty’ end result of dismantling our environmental protections
    Policymakers rarely wish to make plain or visible their desire to dismantle environmental policy, least of all to the young. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s the top five news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above between Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago

  • Nicola's Salad Days.
    I like to keep an eye on what’s happening in places like the UK, the US, and over the ditch with our good mates the Aussies. Let’s call them AUKUS, for want of a better collective term. More on that in a bit.It used to be, not long ago, that ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago

  • Study sees climate change baking in 19% lower global income by 2050
    TL;DR: The global economy will be one fifth smaller than it would have otherwise been in 2050 as a result of climate damage, according to a new study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and published in the journal Nature. (See more detail and analysis below, and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago

  • Weekly Roundup 19-April-2024
    It’s Friday again. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week on Greater Auckland On Tuesday Matt covered at the government looking into a long tunnel for Wellington. On Wednesday we ran a post from Oscar Simms on some lessons from Texas. AT’s ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    1 day ago

  • Jack Vowles: Stop the panic – we’ve been here before
    New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’.  The data is from February this ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    1 day ago

  • Clearing up confusion (or trying to)
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters is understood to be planning a major speech within the next fortnight to clear up the confusion over whether or not New Zealand might join the AUKUS submarine project. So far, there have been conflicting signals from the Government. RNZ reported the Prime Minister yesterday in ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 day ago

  • How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log iPhone Without Computer
    How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log on iPhone Without a Computer: A Step–by–Step 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 third–party applications. So, let‘s dive in and recover those lost calls! 1. Check Recently Deleted Folder: Apple understands that accidental deletions happen. That‘s 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. Here‘s 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. Here‘s how to restore from an iCloud backup: Go to Settings > General > Reset. Choose “Erase All Content and Settings“. Follow the on–screen 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 Third–Party Apps (with Caution): ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day 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 ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days 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 ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days 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 ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days 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 ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days 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 ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days 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 ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days 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 ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • How extreme was the Earth's temperature in 2023
    This is a re-post from Andrew Dessler at the Climate Brink blog In 2023, the Earth reached temperature levels unprecedented in modern times. Given that, it’s reasonable to ask: What’s going on? There’s been lots of discussions by scientists about whether this is just the normal progression of global warming or if something ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    4 days ago

  • At a glance – Is the science settled?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • Apposite Quotations.
    How Long Is Long Enough? Gaza under Israeli bombardment, July 2014. This posting is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...
    Bowalley Road
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 days ago

  • PM’s South East Asia mission does the business
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 hours ago

  • $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
    New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago

  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
    The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago

  • Judicial appointments announced
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours 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
    22 hours 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
    22 hours 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
    23 hours 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
    1 day 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    3 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
    3 days ago

  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-04-19T22:56:18+00:00