Who gives a hooton about climate change?
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- Date published:
11:47 am, June 10th, 2018 - 125 comments
Categories: climate change, economy, energy, Environment, global warming, greens, jacinda ardern, james shaw, labour, Media, megan woods, newspapers, sustainability, uncategorized -
Tags: fran o'sullivan, matthew hooton
Matthew Hooton and Fran O’Sullivan have recently published articles in the Herald criticising Labour’s decision to stop off shore oil exploration. Hooton thinks it was part of a nefarious plot designed to divert attention away from other issues and O’Sullivan thinks it was “disturbingly Orwellian”. Are such criticisms valid?
Hooton writes well. Each sentence is spun the maximum possible amount and after finishing reading a typical Hooton column your first impression is how could he possibly be wrong?
But then when you check the detail …
In his article he postulates that Labour’s announcement of a halt to the block offer process was a cunning plan to divert attention, not a far sighted decision taken to get the country to a position where it is carbon neutral. He says this:
It’s now clear Jacinda Ardern’s announcement in April to end new oil and gas exploration was made in the context of the constant political crises that came her way through March.
The ban was not Labour Party policy and was ruled out during the election campaign.
Is that right that it was not actually Labour Party policy? It seems to me that the policy was pretty clear.
The headline was that Labour would “[e]nsure a just transition to a sustainable low-carbon economy with decent and secure jobs and, as a key to achieving ambitious emissions reduction targets, will establish an independent Climate Commission and carbon budgeting.”
And it said this about future discoveries of oil and gas:
Although the planet is already over halfway to a 2°C increase, the Paris commitment can be achieved through a rapid but just transition to a low-carbon economy. Crucially, fossil fuels need to stay in the ground. Carbon neutrality needs to be achieved worldwide in the second half of this century, with no more greenhouse gases being emitted to the atmosphere than are removed from it.
And in terms of loss of jobs it said this:
Economic transitions can cause major economic and social disruption. They have too often been done poorly in New Zealand, with workers and communities bearing the brunt. It does not need to be that way. A transition can be made equitably to achieve positive outcomes for workers, enhance communities and create new areas of growth.
Labour will provide leadership for a just transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy – one that maximises the benefits of climate action while minimising shocks and hardships for workers and their communities.
So I have to disagree that this was not Labour Party policy. In fact I would suggest it was completely and utterly consistent with it.
And what about ruling out action during the campaign? I can’t find a sign of this anywhere. Perhaps someone could point out where.
Hooton also claims the decision went against official advice in these paragraphs:
Economically, ministers were told the industry was responsible for 8481 jobs nationally, 5941 of them in Taranaki. Discovering even a small new gas field would create 199 new jobs and add $160 million to regional GDP. A large one would boost jobs by 1163 and GDP by $1.4 billion.
On the environmental side, ministers were told the policy would most likely increase global greenhouse emissions, prevent domestic emissions from falling should more gas be found, and risk dirty coal replacing cleaner gas when existing reserves run out in seven years.
Precisely because this initial advice showed the proposal to be economically and environmentally vandalous is the most plausible explanation for why ministers decided to seek no more.
Hooton’s figure of 8481 jobs includes induced jobs. Any sort of generated economic activity will cause further jobs to be created. Sustainable energy projects included. Greenpeace has stated that the equivalent investment in green energy creates four times as many jobs as the same investment in the oil industry.
Yesterday Fran O’Sullivan added to the debate and made similar claims.
She said that the decision was “disturbingly Orwellian”. How could it be that Ardern was engaging in behaviour which was destructive to the welfare of a free and open society?
She also said this:
Official papers released by her hapless Energy Minister confirm what was already blindingly obvious to anyone who has observed closeup the process of Governmental decision-making — the ban was purely political.
A decision that was kicked upstairs and made by Ardern, NZ First Leader Winston Peters and Greens Leader James Shaw. And rushed through — without being contested through appropriate Cabinet consideration — so it could be announced on April 12 just before the Prime Minister headed to Europe.
What it also confirms — as I wrote in April — is Ardern put her debut as a global climate change warrior ahead of making credible plans to transition New Zealand away from a reliance on fossil fuels towards clean energy.
With the greatest of respect the decision was the end result of the block offer consultation conducted under the Crown Minerals Act 1991. It was not an off the cuff announcement of untested policy. The decision this year was to allow one onshore area to be surveyed for the presence of petrochemicals. This is not a radical decision. Over the past two years only two block offer survey areas have been taken up by the industry. And the decision was legally the Minister of Energy’s to make. There was cabinet consideration of the issue and the Minister’s decision was noted.
My reading of the briefing papers is that everyone, MBIE included, understood that no new block offers for offshore drilling would be made until the Climate Change Commission had reported back to Government. One briefing paper included this passage:
What about the claim by both Hooton and O’Sullivan that the decision is bad for the environment?
The argument about environmental effects is one that heretofore climate change skeptics raise regularly. Repeated ad nauseam the argument will mean that nothing will change because there will always be one corner of the world unwilling to stop doing something because somewhere else is slightly worse. I think we just have to get on with it and start doing what we can locally and trust the rest of the world will do their bit. And I have a lot of faith that China, the subject of the claim about dirty coal, is already adjusting to a coal free future.
An argument in support of strong action was neatly summarised by James Shaw in this letter dated February 20, 2018 to Megan Woods:
The simple fact is that all of the coal, oil and gas that has already been discovered cannot be burnt if globally we are to meet our Paris Agreement commitments to limit global warming to 1.5-2 degrees. We should not be looking for more.
The United Nations estimated last year that to meet climate targets, 80-90 percent of coal, 50 percent of gas and 35 per cent of oil cannot be burnt.
Realistically, currently known fossil fuel reserves may continue to be extracted and burnt for some time as the global transition to cleaner renewable energy sources takes place. But searching for more fossil fuels does not aid the transition, it delays it. Every exploration dollar could instead be spent on renewable energy. Every investment creates an asset from which its owners will expect a return.
I urge you to end the Block Offer process for allocating petroleum and minerals permits immediately. I understand that the most recent Block Offer was set in motion by the previous Government. I do not see any good reason why our new Government should begin another one.
Labour’s block offer announcement was not an attempted diversion from other issues nor part of an Orwellian conspiracy to wreck the Oil industry. It was totally consistent with party policy. It is what is required if we as a nation are going to become carbon neutral.
Hopefully the quality of the debate will improve. This is far too important an issue to get wrong.
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- Labour's Rainbow ManifestoA re-elected Labour Party will continue to tackle discriminations still faced by members of the Rainbow community in areas ranging from surrogacy and adoption to blood donation. ...2 days ago
- Release: National’s plan means more cuts, more kids in povertyNational’s fiscal plan has failed to fill the massive fiscal hole in its dodgy tax scheme, it will mean more cuts to public services, more children being put into poverty and an end to action on climate change. ...3 days ago
- Release: Labour will continue to back Kiwis when the going gets toughLabour’s Social Development Plan will build on the social welfare safety net, rather than strip it back. ...3 days ago
- Policy Announcements: Law & Order and Justice, Courts & Corrections
New Zealand First Policy Announcement: Law and Order New Zealand First believes that keeping society safe should be the priority of law-and-order policies. Every New Zealander deserves to feel safe, secure, and have their person and property respected. That is why New Zealand First continues to fix the flaws in ...4 days ago - Labour's Dirt Campaign Exposed With Media HelpIn last night’s leaders debate Labour Leader Chris Hipkins referred to a quote without giving any explanation of its content, which was about the ‘disease of co-governance’ that is perpetuated by the Māori elite, and he said it was racist. Then, without even examining the content, National leader Christopher Luxon agreed with ...4 days ago
- Labour's Dirt Campaign Exposed With Media HelpIn last night’s leaders debate Labour Leader Chris Hipkins referred to a quote without giving any explanation of its content, which was about the ‘disease of co-governance’ that is perpetuated by the Māori elite, and he said it was racist. Then, without even examining the content, National leader Christopher Luxon agreed with ...4 days ago
- Chris Hipkins: Speech Progressing TogetherToday, Chris Hipkins delivered a speech about Labour’s relationship with and ongoing commitment to Māori. ...4 days ago
- Release: National out of ideas on law and order, copies Labour’s policies and costingsAfter years of criticising the Government on law and order, National have embarrassed themselves by conceding they have no new ideas and instead copied Labour’s Police policy announced three weeks ago, Labour Police spokesperson Ginny Andersen says. ...5 days ago
- Release: Labour releases balanced, costed and credible fiscal planLabour’s fiscal plan will continue its focus on carefully managing the books while protecting critical public services like health and education and investing to deliver high wage jobs and a low carbon economy. ...5 days ago
- Policy Announcement: Capped Time-Period For Job Seeker BeneficiariesNew Zealand First today is announcing a policy on adjusting the rules and restrictions around access to the Job Seeker Benefit. New Zealand First’s policy is to introduce a capped time-period for any person to access the Job Seeker Benefit during their lifetime. Any individual will have the ability to access the Job Seeker ...6 days ago
- Policy Announcement: Capped Time-Period For Job Seeker BeneficiariesNew Zealand First today is announcing a policy on adjusting the rules and restrictions around access to the Job Seeker Benefit. New Zealand First’s policy is to introduce a capped time-period for any person to access the Job Seeker Benefit during their lifetime. Any individual will have the ability to access the Job Seeker ...6 days ago
- Release: National’s traffic light system has child poverty reduction stallingNational’s cuts to funding for beneficiaries will once again leave children and their parents with less, Spokesperson for Social Development and Employment Carmel Sepuloni said. ...6 days ago
- Green Party will end child poverty
The Green Party will double the Best Start payment and make it available for every child under three years of age - and it will be paid for with a fair tax system. ...6 days ago - Release: Labour pledges billion-dollar medicines boostLabour will fund more medicines for more New Zealanders by investing over $1 billion of new funding into Pharmac if re-elected, Chris Hipkins announced today. ...6 days ago
- National's welfare policy is cruelThe National Party’s job seeker policy announced today is heartless. ...6 days ago
- Labour's PHARMAC Policy A PlaceboLabour has just announced a policy to increase Pharmac funding by $1billion over four years to fund additional medicines. With the current Pharmac budget of $1.2billion per year and needing a further $213million, by Minister Verrall’s own admission, just to keep up with current costs - then this is nothing ...6 days ago
- Labour's PHARMAC Policy A PlaceboLabour has just announced a policy to increase Pharmac funding by $1billion over four years to fund additional medicines. With the current Pharmac budget of $1.2billion per year and needing a further $213million, by Minister Verrall’s own admission, just to keep up with current costs - then this is nothing ...6 days ago
- Re: The Call For Corporate Manslaughter LegislationThis matter begins with the Pike River investigation being inadequate, inexplicably lengthy, and after millions of dollars, the evidence that should have been placed before the public still has not been. We have always believed that Pike River is a crime scene, and that a proper investigation would have come to that conclusion. Blue ...1 week ago
- Re: The Call For Corporate Manslaughter LegislationThis matter begins with the Pike River investigation being inadequate, inexplicably lengthy, and after millions of dollars, the evidence that should have been placed before the public still has not been. We have always believed that Pike River is a crime scene, and that a proper investigation would have come to that conclusion. Blue ...1 week ago
- Release: Labour releases New Zealand’s first climate manifestoNew Zealand faces a stark choice this election – vote for Labour to continue to confront the climate emergency with eyes wide open or bury your head in the sand alongside Christopher Luxon. ...1 week ago
- Green voice crucial for climate actionThe Green Party is today welcoming Labour’s climate manifesto, but is clear that much more will need to be done to tackle the climate crisis. ...1 week ago
- Speech: Chris Hipkins – Wellington Rally, 24 September...1 week ago
- People need a government that will build many more homesLabour’s plan to build more homes is a welcome step forward, but it lacks ambition. ...1 week ago
- Release: Supercharging public housingLabour is supercharging its plan to solve the public housing shortfall created by National, promising another 6,000 homes on top of what has already been committed says Labour Housing spokesperson Dr Megan Woods. ...1 week ago
- Release: New Super Visa for migrants’ parents and rights for Dawn Raid victimsLabour will back migrant working families by introducing a 10-year multiple-entry parents’ and grandparents’ Super Visa, and make good on the Dawn Raids apology by providing a one-off visa for overstayers who have been in the country ten years or more, Labour’s Immigration Spokesperson Andrew Little says. ...1 week ago
- Only the Greens will deliver a fair amnesty for overstayersThe Green Party is today welcoming Labour coming to the table to ensure an amnesty for overstayers, but only the Greens will ensure immigration settings actually reflect the reality of people who have been failed by our immigration system. ...1 week ago
- Climate future of communities on the line this electionGreen Party co leader James Shaw attended a South Dunedin Future street meeting today to discuss local responses to climate change. ...1 week ago
- Green Party calls for stronger action by Auckland Council to protect urban trees and native forestThe Green Party is calling on Auckland Council to do more to protect urban trees and housing developer Aedifice Property Group to restore and replant the native forest it cleared, and protect all the remaining trees on Ngahere Road in Pukekohe after a significant number of native trees were cut ...1 week ago
- Release: Ram Raids drop to two-year lowLatest Police data shows monthly ram raids have hit a two-year low, laying waste to Christopher Luxon’s false claim that there are two ram raids a day says Labour’s Police Spokesperson Ginny Andersen. ...1 week ago
- Every party needs to step up on school lunchesLabour has finally said it would continue free school lunches - and the Green Party is calling on every party to step up. ...1 week ago
- Release: School lunches on the line this electionFree and healthy school lunches will be here to stay if Labour is re-elected, guaranteeing food for our kids who need it most and significant cost saving for parents. ...1 week ago
- Release: Labour commits to a new hospital for the people of Hawke’s BayThe next Labour Government will build a new hospital in Hawke’s Bay, Labour leader Chris Hipkins and Labour health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall announced. ...2 weeks ago
- Govt changes fall short of what’s needed for migrant protectionThe Green Party will keep up the fight to support exploited migrant workers, including pushing to end single employer visas, after the government picked up Green recommendations to improve immigration settings. ...2 weeks ago
- Clean Power Payment the smartest way forward to reduce emissions and billsGreen Party co leader James Shaw visited a home in Auckland today that has been upgraded with a wide range of energy improvements, similar to those that would be supported through the Green Party’s Clean Power Payment. ...2 weeks ago
- Foreign Minister's Action – A Contempt For “Caretaker Government” ConventionThe Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta’s presence in New York today at the United Nations General Assembly is a contempt of New Zealand’s “caretaker government” convention. Despite the long-standing caretaker convention, Minister Mahuta is today at the UN to sign a highly contentious “Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement”, delivering a ...2 weeks ago
- Back To Black ResponsiblyThe Pre-Election Fiscal Update Changes Everything Within an hour of this speech there is going to be a debate between the political parties that the media, under MMP, still think are the only parties that matter in this campaign. Both of those parties are riddled with inexperience, as evidenced by ...2 weeks ago
- Stop the cuts before they start – Labour launches new TV adNational and ACT's tax plans don't add up, and that means deep cuts to the public services New Zealanders rely on, says Labour Campaign Chair Megan Woods. ...2 weeks ago
- New Zealand resumes peacekeeping force leadership
New Zealand will again contribute to the leadership of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) in the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt, with a senior New Zealand Defence Force officer returning as Interim Force Commander. Defence Minister Andrew Little and Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta have announced the deployment of New Zealand ...1 hour ago - New national direction provides clarity for development and the environmentThe Government has taken an important step in implementing the new resource management system, by issuing a draft National Planning Framework (NPF) document under the new legislation, Environment Minister David Parker said today. “The NPF consolidates existing national direction, bringing together around 20 existing instruments including policy statements, standards, and ...4 hours ago
- Government shows further commitment to pay equity for healthcare workersThe Government welcomes the proposed pay equity settlement that will see significant pay increases for around 18,000 Te Whatu Ora Allied, Scientific, and Technical employees, if accepted said Health Minister Ayesha Verrall. The proposal reached between Te Whatu Ora, the New Zealand Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi ...5 hours ago
- 100 new public EV chargers to be added to national networkThe public EV charging network has received a significant boost with government co-funding announced today for over 100 EV chargers – with over 200 charging ports altogether – across New Zealand, and many planned to be up and running on key holiday routes by Christmas this year. Minister of Energy ...1 day ago
- Safeguarding Tuvalu language and identityTuvalu is in the spotlight this week as communities across New Zealand celebrate Vaiaso o te Gagana Tuvalu – Tuvalu Language Week. “The Government has a proven record of supporting Pacific communities and ensuring more of our languages are spoken, heard and celebrated,” Pacific Peoples Minister Barbara Edmonds said. “Many ...1 day ago
- New community-level energy projects to support more than 800 Māori householdsSeven more innovative community-scale energy projects will receive government funding through the Māori and Public Housing Renewable Energy Fund to bring more affordable, locally generated clean energy to more than 800 Māori households, Energy and Resources Minister Dr Megan Woods says. “We’ve already funded 42 small-scale clean energy projects that ...4 days ago
- Huge boost to Te Tai Tokerau flood resilienceThe Government has approved new funding that will boost resilience and greatly reduce the risk of major flood damage across Te Tai Tokerau. Significant weather events this year caused severe flooding and damage across the region. The $8.9m will be used to provide some of the smaller communities and maraes ...4 days ago
- Napier’s largest public housing development comes with solarThe largest public housing development in Napier for many years has been recently completed and has the added benefit of innovative solar technology, thanks to Government programmes, says Housing Minister Dr Megan Woods. The 24 warm, dry homes are in Seddon Crescent, Marewa and Megan Woods says the whanau living ...5 days ago
- Te Whānau a Apanui and the Crown initial Deed of Settlement I Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me...Māori: Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna te Whakaaetanga Whakataunga Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna i tētahi Whakaaetanga Whakataunga hei whakamihi i ō rātou tāhuhu kerēme Tiriti o Waitangi. E tekau mā rua ngā hapū o roto mai o Te Whānau ...6 days ago
- Plan for 3,000 more public homes by 2025 – regions set to benefitRegions around the country will get significant boosts of public housing in the next two years, as outlined in the latest public housing plan update, released by the Housing Minister, Dr Megan Woods. “We’re delivering the most public homes each year since the Nash government of the 1950s with one ...1 week ago
- Immigration settings updatesJudicial warrant process for out-of-hours compliance visits 2023/24 Recognised Seasonal Employer cap increased by 500 Additional roles for Construction and Infrastructure Sector Agreement More roles added to Green List Three-month extension for onshore Recovery Visa holders The Government has confirmed a number of updates to immigration settings as part of ...1 week ago
- Poroporoaki: Tā Patrick (Patu) Wahanga HohepaTangi ngunguru ana ngā tai ki te wahapū o Hokianga Whakapau Karakia. Tārehu ana ngā pae maunga ki Te Puna o te Ao Marama. Korihi tangi ana ngā manu, kua hinga he kauri nui ki te Wao Nui o Tāne. He Toa. He Pou. He Ahorangi. E papaki tū ana ...1 week ago
- Renewable energy fund to support community resilience40 solar energy systems on community buildings in regions affected by Cyclone Gabrielle and other severe weather events Virtual capability-building hub to support community organisations get projects off the ground Boost for community-level renewable energy projects across the country At least 40 community buildings used to support the emergency response ...1 week ago
- COVID-19 funding returned to GovernmentThe lifting of COVID-19 isolation and mask mandates in August has resulted in a return of almost $50m in savings and recovered contingencies, Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. Following the revocation of mandates and isolation, specialised COVID-19 telehealth and alternative isolation accommodation are among the operational elements ...1 week ago
- Appointment of District Court JudgeSusie Houghton of Auckland has been appointed as a new District Court Judge, to serve on the Family Court, Attorney-General David Parker said today. Judge Houghton has acted as a lawyer for child for more than 20 years. She has acted on matters relating to the Hague Convention, an international ...1 week ago
- Government invests further in Central Hawke’s Bay resilienceThe Government has today confirmed $2.5 million to fund a replace and upgrade a stopbank to protect the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant. “As a result of Cyclone Gabrielle, the original stopbank protecting the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant was destroyed. The plant was operational within 6 weeks of the ...2 weeks ago
- Govt boost for Hawke’s Bay cyclone waste clean-upAnother $2.1 million to boost capacity to deal with waste left in Cyclone Gabrielle’s wake. Funds for Hastings District Council, Phoenix Contracting and Hog Fuel NZ to increase local waste-processing infrastructure. The Government is beefing up Hawke’s Bay’s Cyclone Gabrielle clean-up capacity with more support dealing with the massive amount ...2 weeks ago
- Taupō Supercars revs up with Government supportThe future of Supercars events in New Zealand has been secured with new Government support. The Government is getting engines started through the Major Events Fund, a special fund to support high profile events in New Zealand that provide long-term economic, social and cultural benefits. “The Repco Supercars Championship is ...2 weeks ago
- There is no recession in NZ, economy grows nearly 1 percent in June quarterThe economy has turned a corner with confirmation today New Zealand never was in recession and stronger than expected growth in the June quarter, Finance Minister Grant Robertson said. “The New Zealand economy is doing better than expected,” Grant Robertson said. “It’s continuing to grow, with the latest figures showing ...2 weeks ago
- Highest legal protection for New Zealand’s largest freshwater springsThe Government has accepted the Environment Court’s recommendation to give special legal protection to New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs, Te Waikoropupū Springs (also known as Pupū Springs), Environment Minister David Parker announced today. “Te Waikoropupū Springs, near Takaka in Golden Bay, have the second clearest water in New Zealand after ...2 weeks ago
- More support for victims of migrant exploitationTemporary package of funding for accommodation and essential living support for victims of migrant exploitation Exploited migrant workers able to apply for a further Migrant Exploitation Protection Visa (MEPV), giving people more time to find a job Free job search assistance to get people back into work Use of 90-day ...2 weeks ago
- Strong export boost as NZ economy turns cornerAn export boost is supporting New Zealand’s economy to grow, adding to signs that the economy has turned a corner and is on a stronger footing as we rebuild from Cyclone Gabrielle and lock in the benefits of multiple new trade deals, Finance Minister Grant Robertson says. “The economy is ...2 weeks ago
- Funding approved for flood resilience work in Te KarakaThe Government has approved $15 million to raise about 200 homes at risk of future flooding. More than half of this is expected to be spent in the Tairāwhiti settlement of Te Karaka, lifting about 100 homes there. “Te Karaka was badly hit during Cyclone Gabrielle when the Waipāoa River ...2 weeks ago
- Further business support for cyclone-affected regionsThe Government is helping businesses recover from Cyclone Gabrielle and attract more people back into their regions. “Cyclone Gabrielle has caused considerable damage across North Island regions with impacts continuing to be felt by businesses and communities,” Economic Development Minister Barbara Edmonds said. “Building on our earlier business support, this ...2 weeks ago
- New maintenance facility at Burnham Military Camp underwayDefence Minister Andrew Little has turned the first sod to start construction of a new Maintenance Support Facility (MSF) at Burnham Military Camp today. “This new state-of-art facility replaces Second World War-era buildings and will enable our Defence Force to better maintain and repair equipment,” Andrew Little said. “This Government ...2 weeks ago
- Foreign Minister to attend United Nations General AssemblyForeign Minister Nanaia Mahuta will represent New Zealand at the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York this week, before visiting Washington DC for further Pacific focussed meetings. Nanaia Mahuta will be in New York from Wednesday 20 September, and will participate in UNGA leaders ...2 weeks ago
- Midwives’ pay equity offer reachedAround 1,700 Te Whatu Ora employed midwives and maternity care assistants will soon vote on a proposed pay equity settlement agreed by Te Whatu Ora, the Midwifery Employee Representation and Advisory Service (MERAS) and New Zealand Nurses Association (NZNO), Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. “Addressing historical pay ...2 weeks ago
- New Zealand provides support to MoroccoAotearoa New Zealand will provide humanitarian support to those affected by last week’s earthquake in Morocco, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced today. “We are making a contribution of $1 million to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to help meet humanitarian needs,” Nanaia Mahuta said. ...3 weeks ago
- Government invests in West Coast’s roading resilienceThe Government is investing over $22 million across 18 projects to improve the resilience of roads in the West Coast that have been affected by recent extreme weather, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins confirmed today. A dedicated Transport Resilience Fund has been established for early preventative works to protect the state ...3 weeks ago
- Government invests in Greymouth’s futureThe Government has today confirmed a $2 million grant towards the regeneration of Greymouth’s CBD with construction of a new two-level commercial and public facility. “It will include a visitor facility centred around a new library. Additionally, it will include retail outlets on the ground floor, and both outdoor and ...3 weeks ago
- Nanaia Mahuta to attend PIF Foreign Ministers’ MeetingForeign Minister Nanaia Mahuta will attend the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, in Suva, Fiji alongside New Zealand’s regional counterparts. “Aotearoa New Zealand is deeply committed to working with our pacific whanau to strengthen our cooperation, and share ways to combat the challenges facing the Blue Pacific Continent,” ...3 weeks ago
- Accusations fly as attempts to reschedule Hipkins and Luxon leaders' election debate fall short
The organisers of a high-profile leaders' election debate say they worked to the last minute to find another date and it's "extremely disappointing" it has proved to be in vain. ...59 mins ago - Campaign chairs get claws out over debate
Labour and National’s campaign chairs have come out swinging following the cancellation of an election debate between party leaders that was due to go ahead tomorrow Labour says National is chickening out after the party confirmed Christopher Luxon had no free evenings between now and the election to participate in The ...1 hour ago - New Zealanders Still Waiting On NZ First To Demonstrate Economic Credibility
The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is calling on New Zealand First to release costings for each of their policies citing fears that they could cost more than Labour’s election spending spree. When questioned by Jack Tame on TVNZ’s Q + A yesterday ...1 hour ago - Leading Advocacy Group And Clare Foundation Commit To “Keeping Dental On The Agenda” In ...A leading advocacy group and philanthropic foundation have put pen to paper on a significant funding agreement for ongoing work towards universal dental in Aotearoa New Zealand. Clare Foundation is today announcing a major three-year funding agreement ...2 hours ago
- Why does the Court Theatre drama matter?
Over the weekend The Press reported multiple stories about toxic culture, resignations and cashflow issues at Christchurch’s Court Theatre. Sam Brooks explains what this means for the theatre itself and theatre in NZ on the whole. What is the Court Theatre? The Court Theatre is the country’s largest theatre company ...2 hours ago - Auckland Council secures land to expand Botanic GardensA palate cleanser to top off a busy day in politics. Auckland Council announced that it has purchased 1.6 hectares of land for $12.37m on Hill Road to extend the Auckland Gardens. In a statement, mayor Wayne Brown said that a large land acquisition is a difficult time to make ...3 hours ago
- The minister responsible for Jack Tame3 hours ago
- Third leaders’ debate canned after no alternative date agreed toThe next planned showdown between Chris Hipkins and Christopher Luxon in Christchurch appears to have been scrapped after no alternative date could be agreed to by the major parties. Labour said that while Hipkins’ Covid diagnosis meant he could not participate in The Press debate tomorrow as planned, alternative dates ...3 hours ago
- Labour commits to do 'more' on supermarket duopolyDetails on the plan remain vague, with the party suggesting a new supermarket chain "could" be given loans or the government could help secure land for them. ...3 hours ago
- National, ACT condemn violence and threats: 'Unacceptable' and 'disgraceful'National says its candidates and volunteers have faced threats from gang members, while ACT says such concerns should be dealt with quietly by police rather than in public. ...4 hours ago
- Greenpeace “baffled” As Green Party Leaves Biggest Polluter Out Of Policy PrioritiesGreenpeace is issuing a "please explain" to the Green Party after action on agricultural emissions was left off its list of policy priorities, released yesterday. "The dairy industry is New Zealand’s biggest polluter, responsible for driving ...4 hours ago
- Should I be getting my vitamin D levels checked?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elina Hypponen, Professor of Nutritional and Genetic Epidemiology, University of South Australia Pexels/Kevin Malik Australia has seen a surge in vitamin D testing of children, with similar trends reported for adults around the world. GPs are now being urged not ...4 hours ago - ‘The boss of Country’, not wild dogs to kill: living with dingoes can unite communitiesSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Euan Ritchie, Professor in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, School of Life & Environmental Sciences, Deakin University Aside from humans, dingoes are Australia’s largest land-based predator. They are arguably our most maligned, misunderstood, and mismanaged native species. But evidence suggests this iconic ...4 hours ago
- Rude? Trade Me’s extremely NSFW ‘horny kiwifruit’ will show you rudeIs this the most indecent produce ever to make it to novelty auction in NZ? They’re firm, fuzzy and ready to go. In their profile photo, the two excited kiwifruit are perfectly poised on what appears to be a white leather couch, showing off their best angles in a way ...4 hours ago
- Grant Robertson’s Apparent Hole Doesn’t Exist – At Least As It Relates To Three Waters Alt...Grant Robertson’s claim that there is a ‘hole’ in the funding as of a result of scraping Three Waters is nonsense on stilts. Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director, Jordan Williams, says: “Grant Robertson is trying to frame opponents of Three Waters ...4 hours ago
- Our Intentions: Examining The Effectiveness Of Government Arrangements To Address Child PovertyWe have published some information about a performance audit we are carrying out to examine the effectiveness of government arrangements to address child poverty. Reducing child poverty is a priority for the government. Achieving the legislative ...4 hours ago
- New to streaming: What to watch on Netflix NZ, Neon and more this weekWhat are you going to be watching this week? We round up everything coming to streaming services this week, including Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Apple TV+, ThreeNow, Neon and TVNZ+. The biggies Our Flag Means Death (season two on Neon from October 6) From Stewart Sowman-Lund’s story on why ...4 hours ago
- Chris Hipkins ‘quite unwell’ with Covid-19It’s Monday, October 2nd and welcome to The Spinoff’s election live updates. There are just 12 days to go! I’m Stewart Sowman-Lund, on deck from Auckland. Get in touch with me on [email protected] Find more about the political parties at Policy.nz The agenda With Chris Hipkins out with ...4 hours ago
- Only 12 Days To Go: Make Your Voice Heard In The 2023 General Election!There are only 12 days until the 2023 New Zealand General Election – but you can start voting today! “Change never happens at the pace we think it should. It happens over years of people joining together, strategizing, sharing, and pulling all the ...4 hours ago
- Christopher Luxon ‘taking advantage of Chris Hipkins’ sickness’ – LabourThe Labour Party’s accused National leader Christopher Luxon of “taking advantage of Chris Hipkins’s sickness”. In a statement, Labour’s campaign chair Megan Woods said that Luxon was trying to “slip out” of an agreed debate in Christchurch that had been scheduled for tomorrow night. With Hipkins out of action with ...4 hours ago
- Organisms without brains can learn, too – so what does it mean to be a thinking creature?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Thomas White, Senior lecturer, University of Sydney Shutterstock The brain is an evolutionary marvel. By shifting the control of sensing and behaviour to this central organ, animals (including us) are able to flexibly respond and flourish in unpredictable environments. One ...5 hours ago
- Papuan ‘women’s forest party’ boosts culture in mangrove havenJubi News in Jayapura The Indonesia Art Movement has collaborated with the Monj Hen Wani Community and environmental advocates in Papua to organise the “Arumbay Tonotwiyat” — the Women’s Forest People’s Party. The event took place beneath the lush canopy of Enggros village’s mangrove forest Abepura District, Jayapura City last ...5 hours ago
- New Zealand First Policy AnnouncementSeniors and Superannuation: · NZ First will keep the age of National Superannuation entitlement at 65 years and the current 66% of net average wage maintained, and not lowered by shifting the link to inflation. · NZ First will fund rates relief for ...5 hours ago
- NZ Initiative Urges Stronger Focus On Grocery Competition And EntryWellington ( Monday, 2 October 2023 ) - The New Zealand Initiative welcomed today’s announcement that a re-elected Labour government would ease the path for new grocers to enter the New Zealand market. But it also warned against subsidising entry. The ...5 hours ago
- Luxon doesn’t agree that Jack Tame is a ‘dirt merchant’Yesterday’s fiery Q&A interview with Winston Peters saw the New Zealand First leader give host Jack Tame a range of unusual nicknames, including that he was a “dirt merchant” and “corrupt”. But National’s Christopher Luxon, who may be forced to work with Peters after October 14, wouldn’t go into detail ...6 hours ago
- Why do I suddenly owe tax this year? It could be because the Low and Middle Income Tax offset is go...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ann Kayis-Kumar, Associate Professor, UNSW Sydney ATO Why do I suddenly owe tax this year? This is one of the most Googled questions in Australia right now. And rightly so. Ever since Australia’s transition to self-assessment for ...6 hours ago
- Leaked University Of Auckland Survey Confirms Again, Academic Freedom Is Under Fire2 October, 2023 An internal University of Auckland survey has once again confirmed concerns that the Free Speech Union has raised for several years: academic freedom is under fire in New Zealand. This is a serious issue, but our leaders have their ...6 hours ago
- ‘Quite unwell’ Hipkins announces virtual town hall meetingsAfter testing positive yesterday for Covid-19, Chris Hipkins “is still feeling quite unwell”, according to a spokesperson. “He’s undertaking limited duties today, but aiming to pick up more things remotely from tomorrow, such as his morning media round.” Hipkins, who has come down with the virus for the second time, will ...6 hours ago
- The Silver Scroll nominees on… the Silver Scroll nomineesOn Wednesday, the winner of the 2023 APRA Silver Scroll Award will be announced. Here, the five shortlisted nominees – Marlon Williams, Tiny Ruins, The Beths, UMO and Tom Scott – spread the love for each other’s songs. Liz Stokes of The Beths on ‘Friday Night @ The Liquor ...6 hours ago
- Labour's Grocery Store Subsidies Will Not Reduce New Zealand’s Food PricesResponding to the Labour Party’s announcement that they intend to subsidise grocery stores to try and enable competition in New Zealand’s grocery sector, Taxpayers’ Union Policy Adviser, James Ross, said: “There is a lack of competition in New ...6 hours ago
- Cops, climate change, healthcare – range of political views at Epsom rest homeEarly voting officially opens on Monday, and while you must be 18 years or older to vote in Aotearoa, you can never be too old. ...7 hours ago
- Community Anger Over Rubbish Incinerator Ramps Up Call For MoratoriumThe Zero Waste Network is ramping up calls for the next government to institute an immediate moratorium on incineration of mixed solid waste following a packed out community meeting in Te Awamutu where an incinerator is being proposed. “There ...7 hours ago
- Emperor penguins face a bleak future – but some colonies will do better than others in diverse sea...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sara Labrousse, Chercheuse en écologie polaire, Sorbonne Université Sara Labrousse/French Polar Institute, CC BY-SA The long-term future looks bleak for Emperor penguins, but our new research shows some birds may be able to survive in certain conditions, depending on where ...7 hours ago
- Emperor penguins face a bleak future – but some colonies will do better than others in diverse sea...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sara Labrousse, Chercheuse en écologie polaire, Sorbonne Université Sara Labrousse/French Polar Institute, CC BY-SA The long-term future looks bleak for Emperor penguins, but our new research shows some birds may be able to survive in certain conditions, depending on where ...7 hours ago
- Critics call out ‘disappearance’ of Pacific media archive“The PMC Project” . . . a 2016 short documentary about the centre by then student journalist and Pacific Media Watch editor Alistar Kata. Pacific Media Watch An award-winning website with an archive of thousands of Pacific news reports, videos, images and research abstracts regarded as a pioneering initiative for ...7 hours ago
- Critics call out ‘disappearance’ of Pacific media archive“The PMC Project” . . . a 2016 short documentary about the centre by then student journalist and Pacific Media Watch editor Alistar Kata. Pacific Media Watch An award-winning website with an archive of thousands of Pacific news reports, videos, images and research abstracts regarded as a pioneering initiative for ...7 hours ago
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It won’t improve if the Herald has anything to do with the commentary. Just read the utter tosh from HDPA today with headliner – “Greens should be nervous of Winston Peters taking charge” and “It might be quite nice to have an adult in charge for six weeks.”
The attack on the Labour led coalition govt will be relentless and won’t stop until National drops significantly in the polls and Jacinda Ardern is voted back in with a healthy majority in 2020. National and its sycophantic media commentators are on a mission, not to hold the govt to account but to stir up as much anti govt sentiment through its dirty politics and character smearing commentary.
The objective is to as much to intimidate the government by the vehemence of criticism, angry response to any challenge to privilege has always been used to pacify, whether in the home or in parliamentary government.
Time then for the government to stop being so defensive and take the attack to such free market disciples.
IMO National Act are at their most dangerous now, as they are a wounded and humiliated beast.
Their rancour towards Winston poisons all commentary, plus their mistaken view of Jacinda Ardern as a “girl” in the most demeaning way is a reflection of their “club” mentality.!!
Hooten and O’Sullivan are putting up the meme, Duplicity etc will jump on board. But more and more people see them as sour.. sans Soper.
This Coalition Government needs to keep the reforms coming. So many areas to fix.. they are doing great after just a bare 9 months.
Why should National be humiliated at the moment, for getting the most votes by a country mile in the last election perhaps?
What riles me most is that Hooten’s opinion can go un-debated because “comments ” are no longer possible in The Herald . I guess because the public’s true opinion tends to shine through a string of comments and the shit gets sorted!
I completely agree!
It is clear that some parties have an interest in avoiding or shutting down debate of any kind. They are the same who try to corrupt the political process and discourage people from voting let alone participating in our democracy. The result is that it becomes their ‘democracy’ and not ours, which is their goal, of course.
Don’t read Granny Herald. It’ll only give you stress-induced ulcers and a thumping migraine. Martyn Bradbury calls it a “troll farm”, and to be honest, I don’t disagree with him in this regard.
The question we should be all asking is:
Is the oil industry delivering kickbacks to
the Soper(s) and Hosking(s)columnists in order to get anti-government oil & gas sector opinion pieces published ad nauseam?We know that The Business Round table was fairly openly paying journalists and writers for favourable articles and even ‘topping up’ the Dominions payments for published articles in the late 80 and 90s.
Yes I know its ‘Investigate’ but what they say is based BRT leaked files. Ive left out some names but those check with the original source
A source with access to the Roundtable’s confidential files dumped a number of them in the hands of this magazine that show:
“Not only do the papers obtained by Investigate show XXXXXXXX failed to reveal a conflict of interest regarding her authorship of the book [Redacted], but that she looked forward to continuing her close relationship with the Business Roundtable while supplying “business/economy articles” to North & South and other news media as well.
XXXXXXX decided to hide from the public the fact that she was secretly drawing a salary from the Business Roundtable because she worried that readers would doubt her journalistic credibility if they knew.”
http://www.investigatemagazine.co.nz/Investigate/14193/deborah-coddington-pinged/?doing_wp_cron=1528599155.9394140243530273437500
Business groups would likely still be having well known voices on retainer/piece work !
I think it’s fairly safe to assume that main leading ‘journalists ‘ and opinion writers are either compromised or paid…..or both.
I think its fairly safe that you have zero evidence to back up this slur…
When has Matthew Hooton or Fran O’Sullvan been right about anything?
Well Hooton did go as far as calling out Joyce and Key over the Sky City as ‘close to corruption’
https://www.nbr.co.nz/opinion/skycity-debacle-offers-morbid-fascination
His final paragraph from 2015 still gives me a scare in light of recent events
The blundering Mr Joyce has already conceded all of SkyCity’s negotiating points, agreeing there has been and will be considerable construction-cost inflation, suggesting ratepayers and taxpayers might have to cough up ..
I expect this time next year either Sky City or Fletchers will dump most of the overuns in the taxpayers lap….. you know because ‘we’ agreed to it.
These columns are one series of many where they seem to get together over lunch and decide what to push next. Add in their good friend Don Brash and formerly Stuart Nash, Shane Jones and a couple of others and they had some sort of “power” lunch club meetings every so often.
Hooton and Wilde both in the back pocket of big business and big oil.
They are guilty of betraying the interests of all future citizens of this Earth.
We need to have laws to deal with such gangsters and traitors.
Yes of course, let’s shut down any dissenting opinion. That will lead to a better country. Right?
Big business and the rich get more than their fair share of the opinion we have foisted on us through the corporate media.
Time for some other voices to be heard.
Completely missing the irony that hear you are, your voice published.
Yet no one listens to what you have to say
You seem to…..
hehehee…
Laughing at you is not the same as listening.
Ed not satisfied with controlling the media
They have trolls and minions come on left wing sites bullying BSing cynically trying to demoralize any open conversation.
Someone described their actions on this site as ‘ trivial sneering ‘ which I thought was very apposite.
The fact that the right wing troll army that swarms this site takes particular aim at me encourages me as It tells me that the information I post contains inconvenient truths for the narrative they peddle.
I see I am now a Stalinist.
Next I’ll be asked to go and live in Venezuela or Zimbabwe.
These trolls really lack any intellect or originality.
In fact, I described Judith Collins’ public statements as trivial sneering.
Trolls love an easy target and can smell weakness a mile away 😉
I thought the term was excellent.
Thank you for your exquisite use of language.
Gee dont forget when you wanted Heart Kids and the Alzheimer’s society closed down.
Yes…the best way to win a debate is not to contest ideas you disagree with but to shut them down? Cute. Very Stalinist.
When an original idea comes up for the first few times, it is good to debate. But when RWNJ trolls deliver the same old cacklemush up for the nth time, they get their just deserts.
What idea are you referring to? The post I was responding to called for the shut down of one particular group on ALL subjects.
Baba – you RWNJs constantly harp on about freedom of speech on occasions like the above.
But I remember Germaine Greer being arrested for uttering ‘bloody’, and Tim Shadbolt being arrested for uttering ‘bullshit’ At that time our right wingers like you were endorsing a lost and very bloody war in Viet Nam. I now know who committed the greater crimes as regards that era.
Sorry, but there have to be certain limits on Freedom of Speech. But you are deliberately exaggerating what Ed said: in fact you are quoting yourself from your reply in the pretence of defending it. (4.1.1) Ed never agreed to what you said there.
Dream on, Baba
Good grief you’re blaming me for things that happened when I was a child! Mind you, Germaine Greer is making good now.
No, you are trivialising and avoiding the main point: my paragraph beginning “Sorry, ..”
Are you one of the generation with no attention span?
Big money uses Police/Law to control dissenting workers…. often…. so we want that choice when greed damages the nation’s fabric.
That’s how the left operate – their way or the highway
Ardern refused to rule it out ?
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1709/S00203/jacinda-ardern-refuses-to-stop-deep-sea-oil-drilling.htm
Press Release: Greenpeace New Zealand
Tuesday, September 12: Greenpeace has slammed Labour leader Jacinda Ardern for refusing to rule out new deep sea oil drilling, despite comparing climate change to our nuclear-free moment a few weeks ago.
Ardern made the comments to Radio NZ host Guyon Espiner this morning, after questions about whether she would commit to the Green’s policy of no new oil and gas drilling.
Thanks.
Maybe this is what Hooton is referring to although refusing to rule out drilling but then banning drilling is hardly a broken promise.
It’s not a broken promise, but it is proof that the decision to ban was NOT Labour policy pre election. Given the lack of consultation with industry, the absence of analysis, the fact that advice from government departments was ignored, and that there was zero cabinet input into the decision, it is no wonder Ardern ran off the day after the announcement was made.
What would you do to tackle issues of climate change?
The oil and gas exploration decision was not about climate change, it was about political expediency, deflecting from a disastrous period for the government politically, and virtue signally to smooth the way for the PM’s trip to Europe. The lack of consultation with the industry, the ‘spray and walkaway’ approach the PM took to the entire matter, was a disgrace.
Interesting point of view.
Anyway, pretend you are in power.
What would you do to tackle climate change?
If I was in power in NZ, not much, until the larger emitters played ball. Human induced climate change is only part of the total picture, and NZ’s emissions are a miniscule content. My priority would be the health and welfare of NZ’ers, not building my personal reputation with power brokers of the UN (which is Arderns).
I also don’t buy a lot of the hysteria. The doomsday merchants of climate change are beginning to sound like death cult, and have actually brought science into disrepute. I’m not prepared to through our national wellbeing under the bus for the sake of the latest hysteria.
I’m glad you outed yourself as a climate change denier.
Saves me wasting my time debating this and other issues any further with you.
So you are of the view that humans cause 100% of climate change? I’d really like to see you’re evidence for that!
Especially for you.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1UEhUFLuD7A&t=9s
I asked you for evidence that mankind causes 100% of climate change. The clip was interesting as far as CO2 was concerned, but didn’t address my question to you. Do you have evidence that mankind is solely responsible for climate change?
More learning for you, baba.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dkR3TI6xyzU&t=18s
Are you a liar or a fool?
https://www.nbr.co.nz/opinion/liars-and-fools-climate-change-deniers
Where in either of those clips does Bill Nye claim humans have induced 100% of climate change?
Here, I’ll help you. From NASA:
“The panel also concluded there’s a better than 95 percent probability that human-produced greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide have caused much of the observed increase in Earth’s temperatures over the past 50 years.”
https://climate.nasa.gov/causes/
This is the IPCC, who themselves only claim a 95% chance that ‘much of’…surely you get the picture.
Are you a liar or a fool?
https://www.nbr.co.nz/opinion/liars-and-fools-climate-change-deniers
Clearly you are content on getting your advice from a fund manager, not a climate scientist.
Perhaps that is why you believe humans cause 100% of the climate change we are experiencing, when Nasa say otherwise. Oh and just about every other scientists I have ever read on the subject.
http://www.climatechangechallenge.org/Resource%20Centre/Climate-Change/3-what_causes_climate_change.htm#1.
I sense a fool.
And sadly a relentless one.
I sense someone who doesn’t understand the science.
You are relentless baba.
Do they pay you well?
By the way, you do sound like you vote ACT.
Like you, they deny climate change.
Like you, they do the bidding of big business.
Get paid for exposing fools like you? Nah, I just do it to keep people honest.
How are you going finding evidence to support your view that mankind is causing 100% of the climate change? I’m sure NASA will be interested.
[You really are trolling. You have invented a false claim that we are asserting humans have caused 100% of climate change when that is not the case. No one I can see is arguing that is the case, rather than human activity is a significant cause. Consider yourself warned. Improve the quality of your arguments – MS]
Ed – in his case it’s not either or.
You are right.
I forgot the both option.
Baba is relentless.
Is Babyaga a new troll who has appeared out of the woodwork, haven’t heard of him before ?
Nice work skewering BY, Ed. Thanks for caring 🙂
Human induced climate change is only part of the total picture.
Yes: the part that we are in a position to do something about. We can’t do much about volcanoes or the sun, and there’s no evidence that they’ve contributed any major part of the warming seen so far anyway.
There is no way to explain the global temperature trend if you ignore the impact of anthropogenic greenhouse gases.
As for “doomsayers” who’ve “brought science into disrepute”, I note that is also a denier talking point created by a third party.
Polly wanna cracker?
This (babayaga 5.1.1.1.110 June 2018 at 3:32 pm) however, is cacklemush (to use a word seen almost uniquely here on TS in response to the pabulum that issues forth from posters such as Baba Yaga).
* don’t know how this comment settled here. Abandoning commenting for the evening.
babayaga
Want to read Labour policy which I have set out in the post and tell me how the ban is inconsistent with labour policy?
And want to read the rest of the post, for instance the link to the Cabinet minute about the decision? And how much analysis do you need concerning climate change?
“Want to read Labour policy which I have set out in the post and tell me how the ban is inconsistent with labour policy?”
I didn’t claim it was. But what Ardern’s comments show was that it wasn’t Labour policy. Any number of things could be ‘consistent with’ Labour policy, but in the context of threatening an entire industry these are just weasel words.
“…for instance the link to the Cabinet minute about the decision?”
You seem to confuse Cabinet being informed with Cabinet being involved in a decision.
Do you seriously think that a decision to shut down an entire industry, one that ran counter to prevailing advice, including advice that the decision could actually increase greenhouse emissions, should not have undergone a far more robust process?
Micky, commentators such as babayaga are entitled to their viewpoint, however those viewpoints appear always an opposing one and laced with inaccuracies. “zero cabinet input into the decision….” is a classic example and shows no desire for facts. The fact that the PM stood in a hall in Wellington in September 2017 and spoke about fossil fuels and climate change does not interest trolls, truth is not part of their game. Hooton is the puppet master of these types.
Kat
1. Ardern is on record as ruling out an end to drilling in September 2017.
[No she did not. Back this up or you will attract attention for troll like behaviour – MS]
2. Cabinet did have zero input into the decision. The decision was made despite dissenting advice, including advice that in the context of climate change it could make matters worse.
3. Ardern speaks a lot, but actually says very little. Her degree is in communications, and her words are vacuous. She’ll make a great UN employee.
https://thestandard.org.nz/who-gives-a-hooton-about-climate-change/#comment-1492286
If she refused to rule out more drilling, she was ruling out an end to drilling. Unless you’re happy to live with her weasel words.
Says the climate change denier……….
…says someone who thinks 100% of climate change is man made.
That “100% of climate change is man made” claim is
SUCH A CROCK (apologies for shouting).
So refusing to rule out doing something is ruling out not doing something. Do you realise how bizarre your proposition is?
You’re spinning yourself in circles trying to defend Ardern.
It really is quite simple. If the plan to not issue any further permits had been Labour policy at the election, Ardern would not have refused to rule out more drilling. You’re trying to suggest that something that is not inconsistent with Labour policy is, by definition, Labour policy. That is complete nonsense. As is your suggestion that a minute showing cabinet were notified of a decision was evidence they discussed or even debated it.
Micky, time for some facts and clarity. That article in Scoop that babayaga refers to is merely opinion from a Greenpeace representative. If you listen to the tape of Espiners interview with Jacinda Ardern on September 12 2017 (https://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/201858163/election-2017-leaders-interview-jacinda-ardern) it is clear that her comment on deep sea oil drilling were about the process of transitioning and something she would pursue when in office. The PM had also spoken on moving away from fossil fuels and climate change in Auckland. You can see how the spin masters such as Hooton encourage trolling by taking words out of context and portray them to mean something else.
Hi Kat
The article I referred was originally referenced by another poster here at https://thestandard.org.nz/who-gives-a-hooton-about-climate-change/#comment-1492286.
The question that needs to be asked is what Ardern meant by a ‘just transition’. Transition from what? From gas? And does she think ‘just’ is a decision made y a small cabal, politically motivated and timed, and that runs counter to official advice?
Baba You dont understand how politics works.Let me enlighten you
A lot of issues are either or until you are in a position to be the one making a decision. So best to wait until that moment comes
Until then, if asked ‘nod your head rather than agree’
If pressed says its ‘under discussion’ and then if a particular action is requested ‘ refuse to rule it out.
Its pointless trying to work backwards to a particular phrasing for some ‘aha moment’
Hooten is lying when he says Labout campaigned on offshore oil drilling and you are doing the same to try to deconstruct policy.
Its all clear , the senior people got together and merged a compromise deal for 3 separate parties. Its MMP in action.
“A lot of issues are either or until you are in a position to be the one making a decision. ”
This is Jacinda’s nuclear issue. So no, I don’t swallow that bs.
“Its all clear , the senior people got together and merged a compromise deal for 3 separate parties. Its MMP in action.”
No, it’s a n abuse of power. If they can initiate 130+ talk fests about every other thing that is supposedly threatening life as we know it, why not allow some time to have the sunlight applied to this policy. The answer is obvious. Political expediency.
This decision and its method have obviously caused you much angst baba….thats a shame.
Angst? Not sure. All governments make decisions I/we will disagree with. But the arrogance in this case, the lack of consultation, the signals this type of poor governance sends is damaging, not just to labour, but to NZ. The gutlessness of Ardern in not fronting the people of Taranaki earlier is the icing on the cake.
Relentless……….
Evidence for your claim Ed? Humans are causing 100% of the climate change?
There it is again “…Humans are causing 100% of the climate change?
…”
CROCK. OF.
Baba, you’re not very … convincing…
Baby why don’t you put your pyjamas on and jump back into your cot you are an uneducated c**k ?
There it is again “…Humans are causing 100% of the climate change?
…”
Robert, that wasn’t my claim, it was Eds.
“Robert, that wasn’t my claim, it was Eds.”
You’re right, Baba Yaga, my apology; please accept it.
@Robert Guyton: Ed didn’t specifically state it: he may simply have been ignoring BY’s accusation, a smart move, considering BY’s habit of twisting words.
Thanks OAB. I’m misfiring just now, so will put head to pillow for the night.
I never said that.
Read the transcript carefully.
” that wasn’t my claim, it was Eds”
That’s dishonesty from you then, Baba Yaga.
How… disappointing.
“I never said that.”
Yes, you did. You claimed I was a climate change denier for suggesting that mankind was not responsible for the full extent of climate change.
Logical fallacy.
Refusing to rule something out at a given time does not mean it is going to happen to any specific degree, there is room for eliminating that option in the future. It just means it is still under active consideration for the time being. You are grasping at straws.
Ruling it out a matter of days before an election, when apparently you had every intention of carrying the decision out after the election (according to some here) is dishonest then?
No, it is brilliantly skilful political management, as certain Herald writers used to say of John Key every time he pulled far more weasely moves than this was.
“it is brilliantly skilful political management,”
So it was deliberate? Even more dishonest then. And that’s before we even consider the incompetence of a policy that will result in “less jobs, less tax, less royalties, less energy security, higher energy costs and an increase in global greenhouse gas emissions” (my thanks to David Farrar).
Are you slow or what?
My implication was that JK was far more crafty and mendacious in weasel-moves, and the MSM praised him for it.
As soon as you can find a case where (with foul intent) some bad motive for a Labour Govt action can be found, you and the MSM all leap in and condemn what you would have twisted into praiseworthy for John Key.
The irony seems to have been way above your head.
except for the fact they havnt banned drilling….a minor detail.
Nor has the industry shut down as this story from 2 weeks says
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/104262633/exploration-company-proposes-six-year-drilling-programme-in-taranaki-basin
Of course it hasn’t shut down. Yet. But that is the inevitable consequence of the decision.
Have you considered that may be the goal?
Of course it is. A goal that was not put to the people of NZ. A goal that was not discussed by cabinet. A goal that benefits the PM as he sets herself up for her plum UN posting. Just like our last labour PM.
Good innit
UN positions are a great gravy train. I’d say ‘go for it’ if the UN wasn’t so corrupt. Mind you, it does give NZ some good PR.
Babygaga repeating Nationals spin without any original editing .
Pathetic.
No facts or figures just reheating and repeating lies and propaganda.
Yep he could at least read the post before he comments and then he could engage and explain why he thinks it is wrong.
You should perhaps have waited for my response to your post (https://thestandard.org.nz/who-gives-a-hooton-about-climate-change/#comment-1492325).
And you should read my warning about engaging in troll like behaviour.
Ya reckon ms
Optimist.
Babayaga is an overt climate change denier.
We are wasting our time.
Its not just time wasting its diversionary, which is the aim of spin masters like Hooton to breed lap dogs that create constant diversions away from focusing on the real issues. Or as OAB commented earlier about trolls and trivial sneering.
I think you need to add this to your comments, just to ram home that point
https://giphy.com/gifs/sandra-bullock-XhQKOvAUJOeoU
The ultimate impact is likely to be to reduce the duration of the Methanex plants operation (exploiting the expiring Maui field).
Which sort of prepares us for the end of Comalco (hydro surplus in the South Island) – as part of zero carbon – using that power for electric battery cars (South Island at least) and more secure (even in dry years) power across the Cook Strait.
These are “old era” export industries.
Hooton and Wilde are both tools. Figuratively and literally. Previously, they were consistent and uncritical Nat govt media props and now It’s their job to try to destabilise the coalition government, so it would be shocking if they had any other perspective.
The party line on any government intervention is Nanny State Bad and on any environmental protection is ‘the economy tho’. Later, rinse repeat for their voters to swallow down and regurgitate on social media.
And the PM after less than ten months in office gets hounded about “when are we going to see results” and “why haven’t you done this when you said lets do this” and then gets pilloried for making decisions and taking action such as banning any further oil exploration. Makes you wonder what Hooton the spin master will dream up about the govt taking prompt and decisive action on the M Bovis situation.
Both paid MSM trolls or corporate prostitutes.
It is for this reason that Labour should have put their one of most efficient and competent ministers to tackle the media head on.
Instead they put Curran on the job.
Were I in charge, the corporate media would be in full retreat by now.
The airwaves would be back under control of the citizens of this nation.
Curran’s way out of her depth in broadcasting and even worse with technology.
You don’t have to beat up the corporate media it needs to be left alone and compared to independent intelligence offerings. Let in burn baby.
Revamp RNZ and TVNZ by purging the Nact acolytes and installing proper journalism and kick start the almost dead NZ content driven TV production industry.
We were very good at making tv for overseas markets in the 90’s and is ripe for a kickstart now almost every production companys been flogged offshore.
Production across the range (kids, drama, comedy etc) combined with strong news current affairs isn’t that hard, we have the skill sets it takes guts and vision though.
MSM is still controlled by the Tories and the corporates.
… and lacking in common sense ?
“efficient and competent ministers” LOL
Mickey would you like some assistance turning this into a snappy riposte to Hooten and O’Sullivan for the NZHerald?
o’sullivan has always been venal.
that is her whole raison d’etre.
people like her do not have the ability to create wealth themselves so they do the next best thing which is become a fawning flunkey to the real rich.
Shades of this is back again eh? ; dirty poliitics part two?????
At least then pre=2014 election Hooten exposed steven Joyce as a crook.
http://www.thepaepae.com/wp-uploads/2014/08/Boag-Hooton-Williams-RadioLIVE-Sunday-morning-31Aug14.mp3 24057464 audio/mpeg
« Sean Plunket comes around on the Watergate comparison (‘Dirty Politics’)The escape of exnzpat, Part 24 »
Matthew Hooton’s assertions re the Prime Minister’s Office
Posted in 31 August 2014Peter Aranyi9 Comments »
hooton‘Explosive’ is one of those words that gets kicked around in politics and political reporting to the point where it’s almost lost its meaning.
But it’s not an exaggeration to describe right wing spin doctor and self-declared National Party loyalist Matthew Hooton‘s performance on RadioLIVE this morning as incendiary. He effectively called Prime Minister John Key ‘dishonest’, said the PM’s office and chief of staff Wayne Eagleson is implicated in the Dirty Tricks scandal (viz. the SIS-Goff-OIA affair) and more, described Jason Ede’s black-ops brigade as ‘acting under orders’.
And in a fiery exchange, he described former National Party President (and present-day apologist) Michelle Boag as ‘a hack’ with ‘no political views’ who is ‘all about is defending a government that has behaved in ways that [are] literally indefensible and you know it’ …
Listen for yourself.
UPDATE: The ‘fiery exchange’ has now been highlighted as a RadioLIVE editor’s audio pick here.
—
Available on demand at RadioLIVE.co.nz dial up Sunday 10am.*
Click to listen at Radio LIVE
Click to listen at Radio LIVE (archived below)
* I’ve archived it here too (audio player below) because RadioLIVE only keeps 7 days audio available and I’ve noticed sometimes Mediaworks launders its talkback station’s audio feed when things get … contentious.
Mark Sainsbury hosts ‘Sunday morning’ at RadioLIVE with guests Michelle Boag, Mike Williams, Matthew Hooton & Duncan Garner 31 Aug 2014
MP3 file
– P
enclosure:
http://www.thepaepae.com/wp-uploads/2014/08/Boag-Hooton-Williams-RadioLIVE-Sunday-morning-31Aug14.mp3 24057464 audio/mpeg
Hooton , O’Sullivan, Bridges and Collins… the imagery…
The Featherbrain Championship – YouTube
Video for front row featherbrain non title fight▶ 4:20
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJ_46Woadeg
Why do you waste time MS with Trolls ?
Persons such as babayaga are just on this blog to try and pose as knowledgeable. When the exact opposite is true.
If you want to know what a fluff she is – read this : “Baba Yaga is a supernatural being (or one of a trio of sisters of the same name) who appears as a deformed and/or ferocious-looking woman. Baba Yaga flies around in a mortar, wields a pestle, and dwells deep in the forest in a hut usually described as standing on chicken legs.”
Devoid of IQ
A slavonic nobody.
In the few short months that Jacinda has been Prime Minister I have not seen any one best her, or come near her in debate. She has a fine command of her Objectives. Neither is she dishonest or a time waster.
Also, I will thank this Slavonic nobody to treat the PM with respect.
Observer Tokoroa; don’t underestimate Baba Yaga; the original at least, nor her significance to some of the readers here. Baba Yaga is a powerful figure in mythology and not despised, but respected, by many people who believe in the power and strengths of mythology, Slavic or otherwise. Why one of our political detractors here has chosen the handle, I don’t know. It irks me that he/she (ought to be she, by rights but reads like a he) is using the name; it’s similar to using Kali, for example, but there’s little to be done about that.
Theres only one Baba Yaga
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soAofAWEpGU
To; Robert Guyton
I do not wish people who place their belief in childlike Myths any anxiety. Far from it.
But Baba Yaga is set of three females that waste a hell of lot of time. let them get back to their pestle and chicken legs.
Because of the Greed of the Capitalist Cult, many New Zealanders are in severe difficulties. Myths are not going to solve that. Not even Slav Theatre will solve the real problems Robert.