Who will be National’s leader?

Written By: - Date published: 12:00 pm, April 22nd, 2020 - 65 comments
Categories: Judith Collins, mark mitchell, national, paula bennett, politicans, same old national, Simon Bridges - Tags:

Will Simon survive? Or will Paula and Mark team up against him? Or will Judith somehow manage to persuade the caucus that she is the only chance they have of retaining their seats?

Stay tuned …

65 comments on “Who will be National’s leader? ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Enough is Enough 1
    22 April 2020 at 12:31 pm

    Who gives a shit?

    • KJT 1.1
      22 April 2020 at 5:03 pm

      Agree. Whoever it is will be a "placeholder" as they lose this time, unless they can delay it enough to get the propaganda machine up and running.

      So. Irrelevant!

  2. observer 2
    22 April 2020 at 12:31 pm

    Simon defended himself this morning, across all media. Interesting quote from him (Stuff et al):

    "The blessing of being an Opposition leader is to have these sort of stories from time to time ".

    Yes. But are "these sort of stories" true? What do they tell us about the leader's prospects? Here's a fact-check on previous Opposition leaders, chronologically:

    Ardern – only had job for 5 minutes, so no time for the stories.

    Little – Yes. Stories. So … stood down.

    Cunliffe – Yes. Stories. So … lost election.

    Shearer – Yes. Stories. So … stood down.

    Goff – Yes. Stories. So .. lost election.

    Key – NO STORIES. None at all, as opposition leader. Won subsequent election.

    Brash – Yes. Stories. So … stood down.

    English – Yes. Stories. So … stood down.

    Shipley – Yes. Stories. So … stood down.

    (never mind how much these leaders jumped or were pushed, it's the same result)

    Therefore, the last leader of the opposition to survive the destabilising "stories" and go on to win an election was Helen Clark … over 20 years ago.

    Maybe try a better line of defence, Simon. That one doesn't work for you.

    • te reo putake 2.1
      22 April 2020 at 1:26 pm

      Timing is important in leadership changes. Andrew Little stood down on August 1st, 2107, giving the relatively unknown Jacinda Ardern 7 weeks to establish herself before the September election. Enough time to make a positive impression, not enough time for the right to effectively challenge her.

      This year we also have a September election. Given the practical difficulties the National caucus face in meeting in person to dump Simon, I can't see the knives coming out before mid May, at the earliest.

      However, if I remember my Tory history correctly, their leaders are usually terminated by faceless apparatchiks, not caucus. Simon will be told his time is up and then nominations will open. So that could happen as early as today.

      The big problem National face is that they have no Jacinda, no John Key. Whoever takes over is going to lose the election. Nobody with genuine ambition wants that poisoned chalice.

      So my pick is Judith Collins. She'll be satisfied with having Leader of the Opposition on her CV, even if it is only for a few months.

      Long term, the Nats face the same problem Labour did when Key was PM. How do you refresh caucus if you aren't bringing in new MP's at election time?

      • Sacha 2.1.1
        22 April 2020 at 1:31 pm

        Her party do not trust Collins, not even temporarily. Selecting her would cause an almighty fight behind the scenes, and for what gain?

        • Andre 2.1.1.1
          22 April 2020 at 1:39 pm

          A sneaky way to free themselves from her? Set her up to fail at this election so she can be dumped afterwards?

          • Sacha 2.1.1.1.1
            22 April 2020 at 1:51 pm

            Thought maybe publishing her 'tell-all' book this year was a sign she was going anyway.

      • Wayne 2.1.2
        22 April 2020 at 2:31 pm

        National has bought in a lot of MP's in the last few years. Very few are still there from when I was an MP. And there will be at least 10 new MPs this time round, mostly in safe National seats.

        As for how National changes the Leader, I can assure you it is the caucus, having been there for 5 different Leaders (3 PM's). No shadowy puppet masters.

        • adam 2.1.2.1
          22 April 2020 at 3:38 pm

          But wayne, conspiracy theories are the current vogue – why take away all their fun.

        • UncookedSelachimorpha 2.1.2.2
          22 April 2020 at 5:58 pm

          " National has bought in a lot of MP's in the last few years "

          Freudian slip there

          • OnceWasTim 2.1.2.2.1
            23 April 2020 at 6:40 am

            'snap'

            Exactly my thoughts when I read it. Mind you, even my heroine JA can't seem to get it either. That, and not realising 'something' ends in a 'g' not a 'k'. Other than that, she's perfik!!

      • swordfish 2.1.3
        22 April 2020 at 7:09 pm

        Timing is important in leadership changes. Andrew Little stood down on August 1st, 2107, giving the relatively unknown Jacinda Ardern 7 weeks to establish herself before the September election.

        Fortelling the future is always going to be fraught with difficulties. I'm not saying you're flat-out wrong here … but let's just say I'm a wee bit sceptical that Andrew Little will be elected Leader of the Labour Party again when he's 142 years old and will then, in an extraordinary case of deja vu, suddenly stand down in favour of Jacinda Ardern … and that she – despite her particular prominence as PM in the earlier part of the 21st Century – will revert to relative obscurity again before emerging once more as Leader in the late late autumn of her life at 127.

        But, then again, who knows ? you may be right. More surprising things have happened at sea.

        (OK … that was an extremely laboured little bon mot … but, it has to be said, a brilliant one at that … a real crowd-pleaser)

        • pat 2.1.3.1
          22 April 2020 at 7:11 pm

          lol…me thinks you may be a tad cautious

        • te reo putake 2.1.3.2
          23 April 2020 at 9:32 am

          Well spotted, swordfish. In explanation, I admit that in a moment of weakness, I gave my sub editor, Breen, the night off. I can assure that there will be no repeat of that error, even if he has to work double shifts for less pay.

          What I did was wrong, and there are no excuses. I have offered my resignation to the owner. However, that resignation has been declined as the Standard's priority is our collective fight against BRIDGES-2020.

          The Standard have released a media statement on the matter:

          We cannot afford massive disruption in the media sector as to our response. For that reason, and that reason alone, TRP will maintain his role.

          "But he does need to pay a price. He broke the rules.

          "While he maintains his sarcasm portfolio, I am stripping him of his role as Associate Fun Minister and demoting him to the bottom of our Cabinet rankings. And, indeed, our Cabernet rankings.

          The Standard, as well as New Zealand, expect better.

          ENDS

          [lprent: Ummm.. I suspect that I would never be so lenient… Where are pushups and hard physical labor ? 😈 ]

  3. Muttonbird 3
    22 April 2020 at 12:41 pm

    What a nasty bunch.

    Bennett outed the personal details of a beneficiary who criticised the government.

    Collins used Slater to harass and threaten the SFO and FMA.

    Mitchell was a mercenary for hire in a war begun on false pretences.

    If this is what the National Party is offering the people of New Zealand then the RW is truly corrupt indeed.

  4. Obtrectator 4
    22 April 2020 at 1:12 pm

    STOP GLOATING! The Nats are far from finished yet. If a week is a long time in politics, then 4-5 months is an eternity.

    • Peter 4.1
      22 April 2020 at 1:20 pm

      National might get in. Things do change and could change.

      What won't change is that Bennett, Collins and Mitchell will still be arseholes.

    • Wensleydale 4.2
      22 April 2020 at 1:21 pm

      No one's gloating. They're speculating… which is an entirely different kettle of fish. Gloating would be saying in an irritating sing-song falsetto, "Ha-ha, Simon's toast! What an utter muppet! Next time pick a leader who can cobble together a cogent argument without violently inserting both feet into his gob halfway through the second sentence!" And no one, absolutely NO ONE here at The Standard, would ever stoop so low.

    • Bg 4.3
      22 April 2020 at 3:24 pm

      I wonder if folk will be so confident in a Labour victory when unemployment is 15%?

      However with Bridges in opposition, they probably should be

      • alwyn 4.3.1
        22 April 2020 at 3:34 pm

        You think that it will only be 15%? I hope so, for the sake of the country but I think it will be a long way on the high side of that before September.

        Given the total ignorance of MPs like Deborah Russell, who was supposed to be one of the intelligent ones God knows what we will end up at.

        [I’ve lost count of the number of diversions by you but it must be close to the number of votes for National coming Election – Incognito]

        • Peter 4.3.1.1
          22 April 2020 at 6:33 pm

          Is it totally ignorant of Russell to say, "We are seeing a number of small businesses really struggling after only a few weeks in a pretty bad situation, which must speak to the strength of those small businesses going into this lockdown?"

          If Russell had said, "A business like Bauer NZ was really struggling after only a few days in a pretty bad situation, which must speak to the strength of that big business going into this lockdown," would she have been totally wrong?

          • Muttonbird 4.3.1.1.1
            22 April 2020 at 6:43 pm

            MS probably knows Russell quite well. I hope this is just a case of first term nerves and knowing when and when not to push a particular case.

            The butchers committee zoom calls are the perfect ground for people (particularly new politicians) to over or under do it.

            Everyone knows small businesses don't go around with significant amounts of capital sloshing around to protect against one in one hundred year events. When you have capital you reinvest in equipment etc – you get rid of it for the benefit of the business in the hope to grow.

            But at the same time the government has released $10billion in wage subsidies to keep them afloat.

          • xanthe 4.3.1.1.2
            22 April 2020 at 6:50 pm

            Dont know Deborah Russell but it is possible that she was taken out of context. her comment could possibly be pointing out how fraught our economy is at the best of times. dont know but do not trust the media spin machine at all particularly as they are behaving so badly now!

        • Incognito 4.3.1.2
          22 April 2020 at 9:21 pm

          See my Moderation note @ 3:34 PM.

  5. SDCLFC 5
    22 April 2020 at 1:55 pm

    Reminds me a lot of the early days under the Key Government
    To a small degree he's not wrong – the Govt could have done better in some areas, especially considering the performance of Mnisters Clark and Hipkins, but it just doesn't matter – nobody shives a git
    Labour was like that in opposition too – they were trying to get across their position of why the govt needed to do better but nobody cared.
    Except Bridges made a special hash of it and then doubled-down on his incompetence this morning when he was eaten alive by Susie.

    Would love PB to get the leadership. She'll think she can go after "sweetie" but won't get a chance because Winston will be after her blood

  6. John G 6
    22 April 2020 at 2:33 pm

    For those of us who are old enough to remember Dawn Raids Mark Mitchell is the grandson of Frank Gill. (commonly known as Rank Pill in those days !)

    National don't spend much time advertising that part of his history

    • Obtrectator 6.1
      22 April 2020 at 5:11 pm

      "Frank Gill. (commonly known as Rank Pill in those days !)"

      We used to call him The Flying Commode.

    • swordfish 6.2
      22 April 2020 at 7:27 pm

      During the Muldoon years:

      Frank Gill = leading figure in the morally-conservative wing of the National Party.

      George Gair = his main antagonist from the morally-liberal wing.

      Neighbouring MPs: Gill = East Coast Bays / Gair = North Shore

      • Anne 6.2.1
        22 April 2020 at 7:51 pm

        Frank Gill DOM.

        For the uninitiated – Dirty Old Man. I base my thesis on the fact he leered me up once many years ago. I wasn't impressed.

  7. Ovid 7
    22 April 2020 at 2:35 pm

    There's a news special at 3pm. I'm guessing Bridges has been rolled.

  8. georgecom 8
    22 April 2020 at 4:23 pm

    stuff reported "National leader Simon Bridges has poured cold water on a claim there is a coup brewing among National Party MPs. The AM Show aired rumours that deputy leader Paula Bennett and MP Mark Mitchell were considering an attempt at toppling Bridges."

    shite, I hope not. Bridges is doing such a wonderful job at the moment, keep him on as long as possible

    • Chris 8.1
      22 April 2020 at 4:36 pm

      Yes, keeping him there as long as possible also keeps Collins dry for a later date. We don't want them wasting all their unelectables too soon. Sure, there's a few of them, but better to be safe than sorry.

  9. Chris T 9
    22 April 2020 at 4:27 pm

    Bridges days are numbered article number 3067.

    "If you want to check the first please Google search articles from 3 years ago"

    • observer 9.1
      22 April 2020 at 4:45 pm

      But those "days are numbered" stories are based on a reasonable premise: that the National party are serious about winning the election.

      Obviously that doesn't apply, if they aren't.

      • Chris T 9.1.1
        22 April 2020 at 4:52 pm

        I think at the moment unless Ardern is caught killing half the countries children simultaneously, while selling drugs to the other halve's kids, the chances of Labour not winning are very very slim.

  10. New view 10
    22 April 2020 at 4:55 pm

    It doesn’t matter who wins the election because 15 -20% of the population are going to hate the Government’s guts by Xmas. Those without jobs are quite likely be lefties who are JA fans. Going on the unemployment benefit and not keeping up mortgage payments will eventually turn many against the Government of the day. If I was National I wouldn’t want to win this next election. Let The labour coalition win and sit back and wait for the shit to hit the fan. And it will.

    • observer 10.1
      22 April 2020 at 5:05 pm

      "If I was National I wouldn’t want to win this next election. Let The labour coalition win and sit back and wait for the shit to hit the fan."

      In a democracy, our vote is precious. It is the one day, every 3 years, when the people are in charge.

      So if National MPs and candidates do not want our votes, and do not want the responsibility that comes with representing us they should disband the party.

      Otherwise it is fraud.

      • New view 10.1.1
        22 April 2020 at 5:48 pm

        I was commenting as an Observer, Observer. National will want to win of course but will see the chilly dark water ahead. If they don’t happen to win they could be forgiven for not being too upset. There could well be another election before the three years are up. And they will be in the running again regardless of who’s on the poster. It’s the Government that makes the every day decisions, not the leader.

        • Molly 10.1.1.1
          22 April 2020 at 5:55 pm

          " National will want to win of course but will see the chilly dark water ahead. "

          Yes. National strike me as a group of people who avoid challenges and services, and would hate the thought of leadership in a time of crisis – as it might be difficult. Their much vaunted business acumen apparently worth nothing in an economic crisis, and only of use when it is based on exploitation, speculation and immigration.

          • New view 10.1.1.1.1
            22 April 2020 at 6:09 pm

            Yes it was that group of people that tried to deal with the GFC of the time and two earthquakes. They may not govern to your standards but don’t accuse them of not taking up the challenge or showing leadership. They lead this country for nearly a decade. Now why did they get to do that ?

            • Molly 10.1.1.1.1.1
              22 April 2020 at 8:05 pm

              Oh, new view. They tried to deal … and did stretch themselves to ensure that all NZers were looked after, and failed quite often and quite badly They did manage to build a football stadium, lickety split though…

              It was your own comment that pointed out that National would have some appreciation to not to be given the opportunity to serve NZ during a time of crisis, because … well, it would be hard.

              I just agreed with you.

            • Gabby 10.1.1.1.1.2
              22 April 2020 at 9:07 pm

              Some of them did alright out of it didn't they.

        • Peter 10.1.1.2
          22 April 2020 at 6:28 pm

          It’s the Government that makes the every day decisions, not the leader all right but every single thing the present government does according to some is down to the dictatorial commie Ardern.

          • Sacha 10.1.1.2.1
            22 April 2020 at 6:58 pm

            And why would we give their beliefs about anything the time of day?

          • New view 10.1.1.2.2
            22 April 2020 at 6:59 pm

            I believe JA has done an exceptional job but her Government is struggling to cross the T’s and dot the I’s. not their fault as no Government could deal with this situation any better, but people that will be hurting in a few months just won’t vote if they don’t like National and that might work against the incumbent Coalition.

        • observer 10.1.1.3
          22 April 2020 at 7:00 pm

          "And they will be in the running again regardless of who’s on the poster. It’s the Government that makes the every day decisions, not the leader."

          It's amazing how quickly you want us all to forget the time when there was ONLY a leader. Sorry, but it was unforgettable (and believe me I've tried).

          Here is National's video from the 2008 campaign. Not a single National MP appears, or speaks, or even exists (except at the very end, to applaud Great Leader). Ardern has done nothing – and I mean nothing – like this.

          It's only fair to issue a Serious Health Warning. Do not watch this without a sick bucket handy. It really is that bad.

          John Key 2008: The Hero

          • New view 10.1.1.3.1
            22 April 2020 at 7:25 pm

            Apart from the sick bucket that is needed, the promises made by National that they didn’t keep aren’t that different to the housing and mental health fuck ups and backing away from a CGT that we see from this Government. The only difference is JA can do no wrong and JK was a pony tail pulling AH. Really the results don’t seem that different to me.

  11. Ken 11
    22 April 2020 at 7:03 pm

    Sirocco the Kakapo has charisma, and doesn't shoot both his feet off every time he opens his mouth.

    Seems like he'd be more of a Green than a Nat, though.

    • Andre 11.1
      22 April 2020 at 7:07 pm

      Reckon the electorate will be ok with his habit of humping people's heads? That's going a bit further than fondling ponytails.

  12. observer 12
    22 April 2020 at 7:17 pm

    And right on cue, here's the not very subtle undermining of Bridges by the Luxon/Key tag team:

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/121200135/john-key-describes-what-chris-luxon-would-be-like-as-prime-minister

    • mac1 12.1
      22 April 2020 at 7:27 pm

      Mrs Mac1 said that the purpose of an economy is to serve the people, not the other way around, and who am I to disagree?
      Here's what Key said in the article referenced by observer above.
      “If Chris was the prime minister, I think what you would see is a very strong emphasis on the economy," Key said, referencing Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who he believed was focused on things other than the economy.
      "To me the number one thing the Government of the day does is to provide hardworking New Zealanders, whatever ethnicity they come from, to get ahead and progress in their lives and do well," Key said.

      The US Catholic Bishops amongst others agree with Mrs Mac1.
      https://www.uscatholic.org/blog/2011/12/economy-must-serve-people-not-other-way-around

      • pat 12.1.1
        22 April 2020 at 7:32 pm

        Key was a currency trader…given recent history why on earth would anyone listen to what he had to say?

      • Gabby 12.1.2
        22 April 2020 at 9:11 pm

        So Luxie would make sure hardworking NZers had plenty of competition from hardworking new NZers to sharpen them up, and hardworking non NZers to snap up any stuff they can't afford any more in their race to the bottom.

  13. Fireblade 13
    22 April 2020 at 8:55 pm

    National could replace Simon with another seat-warmer, but what happens if the medicine is worse than the cure?

  14. The Filidh 14
    22 April 2020 at 9:30 pm

    Make way for Luxton because business has all the answers.

  15. observer 15
    22 April 2020 at 9:47 pm

    Genuine question, because I've drawn a memory blank so far:

    Did Helen Clark (post-2008) ever publicly undermine a Labour leader in opposition the way Key has done to Bridges today?

    We know Helen has always been happy to pontificate on many topics, but I can't recall her ever going to the media to promote her pick for future PM at the exact time as the rumours were swirling about the current leader getting rolled. In election year too.

    Poor Simon.

    • I Feel Love 15.1
      23 April 2020 at 6:41 am

      No, and imagine the furore from the right if she did, "she should shut up" etc.

    • tc 15.2
      23 April 2020 at 2:09 pm

      Key's also telling the back stabbers to calm the F down help is on the way…superluxon.

      Having your own media outlets is so handy for nationals messaging and the govt cash to prop it up is greatly appreciated.

      • Rob 15.2.1
        23 April 2020 at 7:43 pm

        Yes Luxon was he the guy who took the service out of Air NZ

        just as well they have a new Chief Exc to revive it in these times of crisis

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • Bernard’s Saturday Soliloquy for the week to July 27

    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 27 were:1. The Minister for Ford Rangers strikes againTransport Minister Simeon Brown was again the busiest of the Cabinet ministers this week, announcing an ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    36 mins ago
  • Ticket To Anywhere

    You got a fast carAnd I want a ticket to anywhereMaybe we make a dealMaybe together we can get somewhereAny place is betterYesterday’s newsletter, Trust In Me, on the report of abuse in state care, and by religious organisations, between 1950 and 2019, coupled with the hypocrisy of Christopher Luxon ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 hour ago
  • Stories of varying weight

    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on anything you may have missed. Share Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 hours ago
  • Balancing External Security and the Economy

    New Zealand is again having to reconcile conflicting pressures from its military and its trade interests. Should we join Pillar Two of AUKUS and risk compromising our markets in China? For a century after New Zealand was founded in 1840, its external security arrangements and external economics arrangements were aligned. ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    19 hours ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: The unravelling of the offsets

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Acting Prime Minister David Seymour has been in contact throughout the evening with senior officials who have coordinated a whole of government response to the global IT outage and can provide an update. The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has designated the National Emergency Management Agency as the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New Zealand, Japan renew Pacific partnership

    New Zealand and Japan will continue to step up their shared engagement with the Pacific, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “New Zealand and Japan have a strong, shared interest in a free, open and stable Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says.    “We are pleased to be finding more ways ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New infrastructure energises BOP forestry towns

    New developments in the heart of North Island forestry country will reinvigorate their communities and boost economic development, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones visited Kaingaroa and Kawerau in Bay of Plenty today to open a landmark community centre in the former and a new connecting road in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • 'Pacific Futures'

    President Adeang, fellow Ministers, honourable Diet Member Horii, Ambassadors, distinguished guests.    Minasama, konnichiwa, and good afternoon, everyone.    Distinguished guests, it’s a pleasure to be here with you today to talk about New Zealand’s foreign policy reset, the reasons for it, the values that underpin it, and how it ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-07-27T01:03:22+00:00