Why stick more fingers in the donations dyke?

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 9:50 pm, August 1st, 2022 - 13 comments
Categories: campaigning, election funding, electoral systems, labour, MMP, national, nz first, parliamentary spending - Tags:

The latest attempt to construct a sensible political donations regime will likely again prove to be full of holes. Going back to basics would be much better. The good news is that the basics were comprehensively assessed 36 years ago by the 1986 Royal Commission on Electoral Reform. It recommended state funding.

The Royal Commission was established by Sir Geoffrey Palmer, a long-term advocate of constitutional reform.’ Their report addressed problems exposed in the perils of single-chamber winner-take-all minority governments that brought us the full-blown neo-liberal agenda in 1984, still a millstone around the nation’s neck.

The Royal Commission recommended a shift to a proportional electoral system. It looked at all the alternatives and finally came down for the mixed-member system we now know as MMP. The comprehensive nature of the Commission’s deliberations proved influential when the issue of electoral reform was put first to a referendum on the type of system, and subsequently which type of proportional system.

The 1986 Royal Commission also addressed the issue of electoral finance in Chapter 8 of its report. Again the deliberations were thorough and the decision finally reached completely independent. After looking at all the issues, the Royal Commission recommended a system of a low donations threshold and complementary state funding to ensure equity and transparency.

This recommendation was not carried through by the National Government charged with introducing the necessary changes to the Electoral Act in 1993, although the then Prime Minister, Jim Bolger, has now come out publicly on several occasions as an advocate for state funding. He was always shrewd, and it can fairly be said in his case that wisdom comes with hindsight.

State funding of political parties had always been the Labour constituency Party’ policy. We came close to it after the 2002 election. I still have a copy of the opinion poll presented by a senior MP to the Party’s New Zealand Council in support of a decision not to proceed with it. The numbers in my opinion were eminently changeable given that the question was put cold.

That decision changed over the course of the fifth Labour government and the question was revisited, but ruled out of order by a veto from Winston Peters, when NZ First formed part of the government after the 2005 election. The recent High Court black-letter law decision both indicates why his support may have been lacking then and why a better system is needed now.

An argument frequently advanced publicly and privately by MPs against state funding of political parties s that “the taxpayer would never stand for it.” This is deeply ironic verging on the specious, because since 1988 the taxpayer has put considerable funds into the hands of Parliamentary political parties.

The boundary between what is now considered legitimate parliamentary state funding and illegitimate election funding was a nightmare to administer when I was a party Secretary between 2001 and 2009. Its entrails are now also being addressed in another court case which shows at the very least that the delineations are by no means yet clear.

The fundamental problem is my opinion is that the 1993 amendments to the 1956 Electoral Act just poured the old wine of constituency donation rules into the new bottles of MMP. Government is now not decided by an aggregate of electoral allegiances, but by the whole-country total of a vote for a particular party.

One of the principal arguments of the 1986 Royal Commission was that a properly functioning party-vote electoral system needed properly resourced political parties. The party role is not simply to contest elections but also to develop successful policy. This is resource-intensive and should not be funded by raffles or internet appeals, and certainly not by vested interests with deep pockets.

The Commission report states at Paragraph 8.122:

..Our parties should be able to operate not just as electoral machines, but also as vehicles through which ideas may be discussed and sound policies developed. If and when elected to government, political parties are expected to implement the policies and programmes developed while in Opposition. …the tasks of government have become increasingly complex in recent years. If the parties policies are inappropriate or poorly researched, either the quality of government will suffer or the people may be denied the implementation of policies for which they voted.

This is the antidote for crisis politics. Whether it is housing or cost of living, better-resourced parties should be able to produce practical policy solutions while in Opposition. That benefits everybody, including the government of the day, and especially and crucially the citizen voters.

As the ODT editorial writers point out today, catch-up politics trying to plug loopholes is absolutely the wrong way to address this contentious issue. It cannot be left to political parties and is all the more unwise when the thoroughly independent and comprehensive work has already been done, by no less than their suggested Royal Commission.

The temptation to be self-serving in all areas of electoral law reform is always likely to overwhelm parties already in power, which begs the question of why some way has not been found of keeping them at arm’s length.

Such a move, however, would require enough maturity for the parties to agree to something like a royal commission and then commit to implementing what it recommended.

Without that we are left with piecemeal changes to the law designed to convince the populace that something is happening even if that something is not much.

We don’t have too many Royal Commissions in our history. The work has been done, the reform remains incomplete and the report should not be allowed to gather dust on a shelf.

IMHO

A state-funded party political advertisement

A state-funded electorate political advertisement

13 comments on “Why stick more fingers in the donations dyke? ”

Comments are now closed

AB 1

2 August 2022 at 10:50 am

The public will not accept state funding of political parties because we have been propagandised into believing that authoritarianism always comes from an out of control state. The notion of private power (and its origins in private wealth) seems to have been erased from our imaginations.
Ad 2

2 August 2022 at 1:37 pm

With state media funding, Labour and the Greens already have the outrageous bias of The Spinoff, Ardern has has wall to wall TVNZ and RNZ coverage for 2 years, plus huge international coverage that has echoed back. So much public money, so much coverage.

The Maori Party and Labour get supersoft treatment on Maori Television which is also state funded.

This existing indirect political funding more than counteracts NZME radio and Herald National bias. And Stuff is going so deep anti-National its hard to see how theyd function in a change of government.

If Labour can't win in this degree of funded tilt, it's probably the policies at fault.
- Chris 2.1
  
  2 August 2022 at 2:14 pm
  
  "If Labour can't win in this degree of funded tilt, it's probably the policies at fault."
  
  I don't think this is entirely the case. You also need to consider the right's Trumpian / Dirty Politics MO, and the ease with which the right's lies tend to influence the climate of opinion compared to even the most clearly-conveyed policies of the left.
  - Ad 2.1.1
    
    2 August 2022 at 2:28 pm
    
    Our "Trumpians" had multiple months of TV, an occupation, and huge marches, but haven't registered 3%.
    
    Not an issue.
    - Chris 2.1.1.1
      
      2 August 2022 at 2:35 pm
      
      That's a relief.
alwyn 3

2 August 2022 at 2:08 pm

Why don't we try something fairly simple and which allows people to choose whether they want to support any particular political party.

When you get around to tax time allow people to nominate whether they wish to contribute a small amount of their taxes to a particular party. Just tick a box and nominate a party. Then that party will receive a small payment from their taxes. Say $10.00 per time. Any party that qualifies to run a party list at the next election will qualify. It doesn't matter how many votes they might get, or have got in the past.

The amount will be paid directly and it won't mean that people have to pay more in the way of taxes. It can be done even if the person has no taxable income and/or pays no taxes.

Then nobody has to pay to support a party they dislike and it needn't favour the big vote-winners from the last election.

The Labour party might struggle a bit but with the enormous slush fund they have allocated to buying support from the MSM it shouldn't worry them very much.
- Ad 3.1
  
  2 August 2022 at 5:06 pm
  
  Givealittle is easier already
Stuart Munro 4

2 August 2022 at 3:27 pm

Parties need to behave in a manner consistent with their principles.

ACT and National, at least in public, decry anything that could be mistaken for suckling on the public tit, and accordingly are obliged to eschew public funding.

Labour too, in the person of those atrocious sellouts, the Rogergnomes, of which Palmer was one, chose to move the party away from being a full-service mass representation party with a large but reliable funding base, into the chancy territory of neoliberal freewheeling free market fantasy. Having destroyed the financial security of most of their base they must now seek funding on their merits, such as they are, from a public that is often living from paycheck to paycheck.
Belladonna 5

2 August 2022 at 4:57 pm

Regardless of whether or not public funding of political parties gets off the starting blocks (my pick would be 'not' – I don't think there is either the public support or the political will) – this loophole needs to be closed.

Even if public funding of elections was present, you still don't want to have secret donations (potentially coming from overseas) 'buying' political favour.

And, absent a change in election law, this is absolutely a risk.
gsays 6

2 August 2022 at 8:55 pm

Thanks Mike, a well made argument for state funded political funding.

Since the NZF funding court case finished in time for the Labour/National one to start, the cynicism in this one has become strong.

Hearing Kiri Allen witter away about the 'reforms' on the radio this morning is exactly what "catch-up politics trying to plug loopholes" is.

When Seymour, with his banal Putin donating to a party analogy, is singing from the songsheet as other pollies, I hear someone representing their own ends, not the public's.
Ed1 7

3 August 2022 at 7:53 am

National/ACT appear to be moving towards the USA model of substantial political effort going through cut-out organisations such as The Taxpayers Union etc – they can espouse underlying policy that is technically deniable by the political party. How would that fit with government funding of political parties? Would we not just exacerbate the problem of the wealthy funding their ideas more strongly than Labour has funds to do?

Funding for new / small parties and independents is also unclear . . .
- Gosman 7.1
  
  3 August 2022 at 8:10 am
  
  What evidence do you have that there are policies being espoused by third parties that are being denied by a political party? I'm pretty sure much of what the Taxpayers Union and NZ Initiative (to give just two right wing organisations) come out with has support from either of the two major right wing political parties. I haven't seen much in the way of denial.
Gosman 8

3 August 2022 at 8:11 am

State funding of political parties would cause a massive backlash. It would be goodbye to the government that tried to force that through.

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Don't like National's corrupt Muldoonist "fast-track" law? Aotearoa's environmental NGO's - Greenpeace, Forest & Bird, WWF, Coromandel Watchdog, Coal Action Network Aotearoa, Kiwis Against Seabed Mining, and others - have announced a joint march against it in Auckland in June: When: 13:00, 8 June, 2024 Where: Aotea Square, Auckland You ...
No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
6 days ago

Bernard’ s Dawn Chorus & Pick ‘n’ Mix for Thursday May 9
Seymour describes sushi as too woke for school meals. There are no fish sushi meals recommended by the School Lunches programme. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / Getty ImagesTL;DR: The Government will swap out hot meals for packaged sandwiches to save $107 million on school lunches for poor kids. MSD has pulled ...
The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
6 days ago

The non-woke $3 Lunch.
I don't mind stealin' bread from the mouths of decadenceBut I can't feed on the powerless when my cup's already overfilled, yeahBut it's on the table, the fire's cookin'And they're farmin' babies, while slaves are workin'The blood is on the table and the mouths are chokin'But I'm goin' hungry, yeahSome ...
Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
6 days ago

Labour’s chickens come home to roost
The Ardern Government’s chickens came home to roost yesterday with the news that the country is short of natural gas. In 2018, Labour banned offshore petroleum exploration, and industry executives say that the attendant loss of confidence by the industry impacted overall investment in onshore gas fields. Energy Resources Minister ...
PolitikBy Richard Harman
6 days ago

Calvin Reviews Lord of The Rings
Hi,If you’ve been digging through the newly launched Webworm store (orders are being dispatched worldwide as I type!) you’ll have noticed the best model we had was Calvin.This is Calvin.Calvin.Calvin is 7, and is the son of my producer over on Flightless Bird, Rob — aka “Wobby Wob”. Rob also ...
David FarrierBy David Farrier
6 days ago

Climate Adam: How to visualise Climate Change (ft. Katharine Hayhoe)
This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Adam Levy. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). Climate change is everywhere. And when something's everywhere it can feel like it's nowhere. So how do we get our heads ...
Skeptical Science
6 days ago

The wrong direction
Some good news on climate change today: the energy transition away from fossil fuels is picking up speed, and renewables now make up 30% of global electricity supply. Meanwhile, in Aotearoa, we're moving in the opposite direction, with Genesis Energy announcing that it will resume importing Indonesian coal. Their official ...
No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
7 days ago

National hates democracy
Its a law like gravity: whenever a right-wing government is elected, they start attacking democracy. And now, after talking to their Republican and Tory and Fidesz chums at the International Democracy Union forum in Wellington, National is doing it here, announcing plans to remove election-day enrolment. Or, to put it ...
No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
7 days ago

No Tikanga Please, We're Lawyers.
Yesterday Winston Peters focussed his attention on the important matter at hand. Tweeting. Like the former, and quite possibly next, orange POTUS, from whom he takes much of his political strategy, Winston is an avid X’er.His message didn’t resemble an historic address this time. In fact it was more reminiscent ...
Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
7 days ago

Member’s Day
Today is a Member's Day, and it seems we've entered the slowdown as things emerge from select committee. First up is the committee stage of Greg O'Connor's Child Protection (Child Sex Offender Government Agency Registration) (Overseas Travel Reporting) Amendment Bill, which will be followed by the second readings of Stuart ...
No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
7 days ago

Hurrah for coal – Shane Jones welcomes Genesis Energy’s import plans as natural gas production s...
Buzz from the Beehive A significant decline in natural gas production has given Resources Minister Shane Jones an opportunity to reiterate his enthusiasm for the mining and burning of coal. For good measure, he has praised an announcement from Genesis Energy that it will resume importing coal. He and Energy ...
Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
7 days ago

Bryce Edwards: Following the political money
“Follow the money” is the classic directive to journalists trying to understand where power and influence lie in society. In terms of uncovering who influences various New Zealand political parties and governments, it therefore pays to look at who is funding them. The political parties are legally obliged to make ...
Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
7 days ago

A Left-Right ranking of universities in NZ: a practical guide for students and parents
Rob MacCullough writes – Here is my subjective ranking on a “most-left” to “most-right” scale of most of our major NZ Universities, with some anecdotal (and at times amusing) evidence to back up the claim. Extreme Left Auckland University of Technology Evidence The ...
Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
7 days ago

Inflation and GST thresholds
Eric Crampton writes – I hadn’t thought about this one until a helpful email showed up in my inbox.It’s pretty obvious that income tax thresholds should automatically index with inflation – whether to anchor the thresholds in percentiles of the income distribution, or to anchor against a real ...
Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
7 days ago

Green Party grapples with persistent scandals
Jacqui Van Der Kaay writes – Parliament’s speaker had no option but to refer Green MP Julie Anne Genter to the Privileges Committee for her behaviour in the House last Wednesday evening. The incident, in which she crossed the floor to wave a book and yell at National ...
Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
7 days ago

A law school to be avoided – Auckland University of Technology
Gary Judd writes – The Dean of the law school at the Auckland University of Technology is someone called Khylee Quince. I have been sent her social media posting in which she has, over the LawNews headline “Senior King’s Counsel files complaint about compulsory tikanga Maori studies for ...
Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
7 days ago

17 people in Malaita stand in way of China’s takeover of the Solomons
Cleo Paskal writes – WASHINGTON, D.C.: ‘Many of us have received phone calls from [the opposing camp] telling them if they join the camp they will be given projects for their wards and $300,000 [around US$35,000] each’, says former Malaita Premier Daniel Suidani. The elections in Solomon Islands aren’t ...
Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
7 days ago

Gordon Campbell on the Hamas Ceasefire Offer, and Mark Mitchell’s Incompetence
With hindsight, it was inevitable that (a) Hamas would agree to the ceasefire deal brokered by Egypt and Qatar and that ( b) Israel would then immediately launch attacks on Rafah, regardless. We might have hoped the concessions made by Hamas would cause Israel to desist from slaughtering thousands more ...
Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
7 days ago

Government ignorant of evidence in neglect of tamariki
Today’s justification from the Minister for Children for scrapping protections for our tamariki was either a case of ignorance or deliberate deception. ...
Greens
15 hours ago

Gang policy setting communities up for failure
The Green Party says the Government’s misguided policy on gangs will fail, following the announcement of the establishment of a national gang unit and district gang disruption units to target gang activities. ...
Greens
17 hours ago

Statement from police spokesperson Ginny Andersen
“With Police pay negotiations still unresolved after six months in Government, Mark Mitchell has today rolled the Commissioner out for a rebrand of their approach to gang crime,” Labour police spokesperson Ginny Andersen said. ...
Labour Blog
17 hours ago

Charter schools not a serious solution
We need serious investment and solutions into our education system, not a vanity project from David Seymour. ...
Greens
18 hours ago

Release: Ideological charter schools won’t increase achievement
The Government bringing back 50 charter schools will not increase achievement and is a distraction from the core mission of the education system, Labour education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. ...
Labour Blog
19 hours ago

Release: Visas needed for Palestinians with family in New Zealand
The Government must show some compassion and create a special visa to allow Palestinians with family in New Zealand to be reunited with them here. ...
Labour Blog
19 hours ago

Release: Govt’s stubbornness will harm Māori children
Government has remained stubborn and is ramming its Bill into the House today, which the Waitangi Tribunal has said will hurt vulnerable children. ...
Labour Blog
2 days ago

‘Lucky dip’ process too casual for hearing critical submissions on Fast Track approvals bill
Te Pāti Māori is showing extreme concern over the Environment Select Committees adoption of a lucky dip draw to determine hearings for the Fast Track Approvals bill. Of the 27,000 submissions, 2,900 requested to present. All organisations will be heard; however, the remaining 2,350 submitters will be subject to a ...
Māori Party
2 days ago

New Zealand First Member’s Bill to protect women’s spaces
Today New Zealand First will introduce a Member’s Bill that will protect women’s spaces. The ‘Fair Access to Bathrooms Bill’ will require, primarily in the interest and safety of women and girls, that all new non-domestic publicly accessible buildings provide separate, clearly demarcated, unisex and single sex bathrooms. This Bill ...
NZ First Press Release
5 days ago

Release: Support for climate adaptation inquiry
Labour supports a Notice of Motion in the House today to move the Finance and Expenditure Committee to conduct an inquiry on climate adaptation. ...
Labour Blog
5 days ago

Greens welcome cross-party approach to climate adaptation
The Green Party is welcoming Climate Change Minister Simon Watts’ continuation of Hon. James Shaw’s cross-party work on climate adaptation, now in the form of a Finance and Expenditure Committee Inquiry. ...
Greens
5 days ago

Release: Sexual violence prevention among hundreds of job cuts at ACC
The National Government plans to cut 390 jobs at ACC, including roles in the areas of prevention of sexual violence, road safety and workplace safety. ...
Labour Blog
6 days ago

Government shows allergy to evidence in benefits crackdown
The Government has been caught in opposition to evidence once again as it looks to usher in tried, tested and failed work seminar obligations for job-seeking beneficiaries. ...
Greens
6 days ago

Minister of Finance reheats austerity politics
This morning’s pre-Budget speech from the Minister of Finance offered no “meaningful” news on the Government’s trickle-down economics based plans. ...
Greens
6 days ago

A win for Wellington – Greens welcome more housing
The Green Party is welcoming the announcement by the Minister Responsible for RMA Reform Chris Bishop to approve most of the Wellington City Council’s District Plan recommendations. ...
Greens
7 days ago

Release: Backtrack on school lunches a win for Kiwi kids
David Seymour has failed to get the sweeping cuts he wanted to the free and healthy school lunch programme, Labour education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. ...
Labour Blog
7 days ago

Release: Hon Willie Jackson to debate at the Prestigious Oxford Union
Hon Willie Jackson has been invited by the Oxford Union to debate the motion “This House Believes British Museums are not Very British’ on May 23rd. ...
Labour Blog
7 days ago

Members Bill will prevent Māori land confiscations
Green Party MP Hūhana Lyndon says her Public Works (Prohibition of Compulsory Acquisition of Māori Land) Amendment Bill is an opportunity to right some past wrongs around the alienation of Māori land. ...
Greens
1 week ago

TIKANGA IS NOT LAW. IT IS CULTURAL INDOCTRINATION.
A senior, highly respected King’s Counsel with decades of experience in our law courts, Gary Judd KC, has filed a complaint about compulsory tikanga Māori studies for law students - highlighting the utter depths of absurdity this woke cultural madness has taken our society. The tikanga regulations will compel law ...
NZ First Press Release
1 week ago

Release: National won’t commit to full Nelson Hospital upgrade
The Government needs to be clear with the people of the Nelson Marlborough region about the changes it is considering for the Nelson Hospital rebuild, Labour health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall said. ...
Labour Blog
1 week ago

Release: Labour calls for fast track list to be released
Ministers must front up about which projects it will push through under its Fast Track Approvals legislation, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour Blog
1 week ago

Release: National gaslights women fighting for equal pay
National has scrapped the pay equity taskforce that fights for equal pay for women and looks at ethnic pay gaps. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Release: More job cuts, fewer houses under National
The Government is again adding to New Zealand’s growing unemployment, this time cutting jobs at the agencies responsible for urban development and growing much needed housing stock. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Release: Children fall deeper through the cracks in Govt cuts
With Minister Karen Chhour indicating in the House today that she either doesn’t know or care about the frontline cuts she’s making to Oranga Tamariki, we risk seeing more and more of our children falling through the cracks. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Release: Labour honours memory of Sir Robert Martin
The Labour Party is saddened to learn of the death of Sir Robert Martin, a globally renowned disability advocate who led the way for disability rights both in New Zealand and internationally. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Release: 130,000 cattle saved from live export
Labour is calling for the Government to urgently rethink its coalition commitment to restart live animal exports, Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack said. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Central Bank makes clear Government is pouring fuel on housing crisis fire
Today’s Financial Stability Report has once again highlighted that poverty and deep inequality are political choices - and this Government is choosing to make them worse. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

New unemployment figures paint bleak picture
The Green Party is calling on the Government to do more for our households in most need as unemployment rises and the cost of living crisis endures. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Release: National’s job cuts already starting to bite as unemployment rises
Unemployment is on the rise and it’s only going to get worse under this Government, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate grew to 4.3 percent in the March quarter from 4 percent in the December quarter. “This is the second rise in unemployment ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Release: National hiking transport costs for families and young New Zealanders
Weekly expenses will grow for more than 1.6 million New Zealanders as the Government ends free and half price public transport fares tomorrow. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Release: Labour welcomes EU free trade agreement
The New Zealand Labour Party welcomes the entering into force of the European Union and New Zealand free trade agreement. This agreement opens the door for a huge increase in trade opportunities with a market of 450 million people who are high value discerning consumers of New Zealand goods and ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Surprise: Landlord tax cuts don’t trickle down
The Green Party is renewing its call for rent controls following reports of rental prices hitting an all-time high. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Release: $1.7b for no increase in access to medicine
The National-led Government continues its fiscal jiggery pokery with its Pharmac announcement today, Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says. “The government has increased Pharmac funding but conceded it will only make minimal increases in access to medicine”, said Ayesha Verrall “This is far from the bold promises made to fund ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Release: National should heed Tribunal warning and scrap coalition commitment with ACT
This afternoon’s interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Release: More accountability for preventable workplace deaths this Workers’ Memorial Day
Labour is calling for more accountability for preventable workplace deaths because everybody who goes to work deserves to come home safely. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Gaza: Aotearoa Must Support Independent Investigation into Mass Graves
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Māori Party
3 weeks ago

Joint statement of Christopher Luxon and Emmanuel Macron: Launch of the Christchurch Call Foundation
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and President Emmanuel Macron of France today announced a new non-governmental organisation, the Christchurch Call Foundation, to coordinate the Christchurch Call’s work to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online. This change gives effect to the outcomes of the November 2023 Call Leaders’ Summit, ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
17 hours ago

Panel announced for review into disability services
Distinguished public servant and former diplomat Sir Maarten Wevers will lead the independent review into the disability support services administered by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. The review was announced by Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston a fortnight ago to examine what could be done to strengthen the ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
18 hours ago

Minister welcomes Police gang unit
Today’s announcement by Police Commissioner Andrew Coster of a National Gang Unit and district Gang Disruption Units will help deliver on the coalition Government’s pledge to restore law and order and crack down on criminal gangs, Police Minister Mark Mitchell says. “The National Gang Unit and Gang Disruption Units will ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
18 hours ago

New Zealand expresses regret at North Korea’s aggressive rhetoric
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today expressed regret at North Korea’s aggressive rhetoric towards New Zealand and its international partners. “New Zealand proudly stands with the international community in upholding the rules-based order through its monitoring and surveillance deployments, which it has been regularly doing alongside partners since 2018,” Mr ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
18 hours ago

New Chief of Defence Force appointed
Air Vice-Marshal Tony Davies MNZM is the new Chief of Defence Force, Defence Minister Judith Collins announced today. The Chief of Defence Force commands the Navy, Army and Air Force and is the principal military advisor to the Defence Minister and other Ministers with relevant portfolio responsibilities in the defence ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
19 hours ago

Government puts children first by repealing 7AA
Legislation to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act has been introduced to Parliament. The Bill’s introduction reaffirms the Coalition Government’s commitment to the safety of children in care, says Minister for Children, Karen Chhour. “While section 7AA was introduced with good intentions, it creates a conflict for Oranga ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
20 hours ago

Defence Minister to meet counterparts in UK, Italy
Defence Minister Judith Collins will this week travel to the UK and Italy to meet with her defence counterparts, and to attend Battles of Cassino commemorations. “I am humbled to be able to represent the New Zealand Government in Italy at the commemorations for the 80th anniversary of what was ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
20 hours ago

Charter schools to lift educational outcomes
The upcoming Budget will include funding for up to 50 charter schools to help lift declining educational performance, Associate Education Minister David Seymour announced today. $153 million in new funding will be provided over four years to establish and operate up to 15 new charter schools and convert 35 state ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
21 hours ago

COVID-19 Inquiry terms of reference consultation results received
“The results of the public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has now been received, with results indicating over 13,000 submissions were made from members of the public,” Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says. “We heard feedback about the extended lockdowns in ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 day ago

The Pacific family of nations – the changing security outlook
Foreign Minister, Defence Minister, other Members of Parliament Acting Chief of Defence Force, Secretary of Defence Distinguished Guests Defence and Diplomatic Colleagues Ladies and Gentlemen, Good afternoon, tēna koutou, apinun tru It’s a pleasure to be back in Port Moresby today, and to speak here at the Kumul Leadership ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 day ago

NZ and Papua New Guinea to work more closely together
Health, infrastructure, renewable energy, and stability are among the themes of the current visit to Papua New Guinea by a New Zealand political delegation, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “Papua New Guinea carries serious weight in the Pacific, and New Zealand deeply values our relationship with it,” Mr Peters ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

Driving ahead with Roads of Regional Significance
The coalition Government is launching Roads of Regional Significance to sit alongside Roads of National Significance as part of its plan to deliver priority roading projects across the country, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The Roads of National Significance (RoNS) built by the previous National Government are some of New Zealand’s ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

New Zealand congratulates new Solomon Islands government
A high-level New Zealand political delegation in Honiara today congratulated the new Government of Solomon Islands, led by Jeremiah Manele, on taking office. “We are privileged to meet the new Prime Minister and members of his Cabinet during his government’s first ten days in office,” Deputy Prime Minister and ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

New Zealand supports UN Palestine resolution
New Zealand voted in favour of a resolution broadening Palestine’s participation at the United Nations General Assembly overnight, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The resolution enhances the rights of Palestine to participate in the work of the UN General Assembly while stopping short of admitting Palestine as a full ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

Speech to the 2024 Infrastructure Symposium
Introduction Good morning. It’s a great privilege to be here at the 2024 Infrastructure Symposium. I was extremely happy when the Prime Minister asked me to be his Minister for Infrastructure. It is one of the great barriers holding the New Zealand economy back from achieving its potential. Building high ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
5 days ago

$571 million for Defence pay and projects
Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced the upcoming Budget will include new funding of $571 million for Defence Force pay and projects. “Our servicemen and women do New Zealand proud throughout the world and this funding will help ensure we retain their services and expertise as we navigate an increasingly ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
5 days ago

Climate change – mitigating the risks and costs
New Zealand’s ability to cope with climate change will be strengthened as part of the Government’s focus to build resilience as we rebuild the economy, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “An enduring and long-term approach is needed to provide New Zealanders and the economy with certainty as the climate ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
5 days ago

Getting new job seekers on the pathway to work
Jobseeker beneficiaries who have work obligations must now meet with MSD within two weeks of their benefit starting to determine their next step towards finding a job, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “A key part of the coalition Government’s plan to have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
6 days ago

Accelerating Social Investment
A new standalone Social Investment Agency will power-up the social investment approach, driving positive change for our most vulnerable New Zealanders, Social Investment Minister Nicola Willis says. “Despite the Government currently investing more than $70 billion every year into social services, we are not seeing the outcomes we want for ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
6 days ago

Getting Back on Track
Check against delivery Good morning. It is a pleasure to be with you to outline the Coalition Government’s approach to our first Budget. Thank you Mark Skelly, President of the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, together with your Board and team, for hosting me. I’d like to acknowledge His Worship ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
6 days ago

NZ – European Union ties more critical than ever
Your Excellency Ambassador Meredith, Members of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassadors from European Union Member States, Ministerial colleagues, Members of Parliament, and other distinguished guests, Thank you everyone for joining us. Ladies and gentlemen - In diplomacy, we often speak of ‘close’ and ‘long-standing’ relations. ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
6 days ago

Therapeutic Products Act to be repealed
The Therapeutic Products Act (TPA) will be repealed this year so that a better regime can be put in place to provide New Zealanders safe and timely access to medicines, medical devices and health products, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello announced today. “The medicines and products we are talking about ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
7 days ago

Decisions on Wellington City Council’s District Plan
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop, today released his decision on twenty recommendations referred to him by the Wellington City Council relating to its Intensification Planning Instrument, after the Council rejected those recommendations of the Independent Hearings Panel and made alternative recommendations. “Wellington notified its District Plan on ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
7 days ago

Rape Awareness Week: Government committed to action on sexual violence
Rape Awareness Week (6-10 May) is an important opportunity to acknowledge the continued effort required by government and communities to ensure that all New Zealanders can live free from violence, say Ministers Karen Chhour and Louise Upston. “With 1 in 3 women and 1 in 8 men experiencing sexual violence ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
7 days ago

Smarter lunch programme feeds more, costs less
Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government will be delivering a more efficient Healthy School Lunches Programme, saving taxpayers approximately $107 million a year compared to how Labour funded it, by embracing innovation and commercial expertise. “We are delivering on our commitment to treat taxpayers’ money ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
7 days ago

Report provides insights into marine recovery
New research on the impacts of extreme weather on coastal marine habitats in Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay will help fishery managers plan for and respond to any future events, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. A report released today on research by Niwa on behalf of Fisheries New Zealand ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
7 days ago

NZ to send political delegation to the Pacific
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will lead a broad political delegation on a five-stop Pacific tour next week to strengthen New Zealand’s engagement with the region. The delegation will visit Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and Tuvalu. “New Zealand has deep and ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
7 days ago

Low gas production threatens energy security
There has been a material decline in gas production according to figures released today by the Gas Industry Co. Figures released by the Gas Industry Company show that there was a 12.5 per cent reduction in gas production during 2023, and a 27.8 per cent reduction in gas production in the ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Defence industry talent, commitment recognised
Defence Minister Judith Collins tonight announced the recipients of the Minister of Defence Awards of Excellence for Industry, saying they all contribute to New Zealanders’ security and wellbeing. “Congratulations to this year’s recipients, whose innovative products and services play a critical role in the delivery of New Zealand’s defence capabilities, ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Speech to the Minister of Defence Awards of Excellence for Industry
Welcome to you all - it is a pleasure to be here this evening.I would like to start by thanking Greg Lowe, Chair of the New Zealand Defence Industry Advisory Council, for co-hosting this reception with me. This evening is about recognising businesses from across New Zealand and overseas who in ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Speech to the Sixth Annual New Zealand Government Data Summit
It is a pleasure to be speaking to you as the Minister for Digitising Government. I would like to thank Akolade for the invitation to address this Summit, and to acknowledge the great effort you are making to grow New Zealand’s digital future. Today, we stand at the cusp of ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Ceasefire agreement needed now: Peters
New Zealand is urging both Israel and Hamas to agree to an immediate ceasefire to avoid the further humanitarian catastrophe that military action in Rafah would unleash, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The immense suffering in Gaza cannot be allowed to worsen further. Both sides have a responsibility to ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Daily school attendance data now available
A new online data dashboard released today as part of the Government’s school attendance action plan makes more timely daily attendance data available to the public and parents, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. The interactive dashboard will be updated once a week to show a national average of how ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Ambassador to United States appointed
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced Rosemary Banks will be New Zealand’s next Ambassador to the United States of America. “Our relationship with the United States is crucial for New Zealand in strategic, security and economic terms,” Mr Peters says. “New Zealand and the United States have a ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

New permit proposed for recreational gold mining
The Government is considering creating a new tier of minerals permitting that will make it easier for hobby miners to prospect for gold. “New Zealand was built on gold, it’s in our DNA. Our gold deposits, particularly in regions such as Otago and the West Coast have always attracted fortune-hunters. ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

NZ and the UAE launch FTA negotiations
Minister for Trade Todd McClay today announced that New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will commence negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA). Minister McClay met with his counterpart UAE Trade Minister Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi in Dubai, where they announced the launch of negotiations on a ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

New Zealand Sign Language Week an opportunity for anyone to sign
New Zealand Sign Language Week is an excellent opportunity for all Kiwis to give the language a go, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. This week (May 6 to 12) is New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Week. The theme is “an Aotearoa where anyone can sign anywhere” and aims to ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Next stop NASA for New Zealand students
Six tertiary students have been selected to work on NASA projects in the US through a New Zealand Space Scholarship, Space Minister Judith Collins announced today. “This is a fantastic opportunity for these talented students. They will undertake internships at NASA’s Ames Research Center or its Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), where ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

$1.9 billion investment to keep NZ safe from crime
New Zealanders will be safer because of a $1.9 billion investment in more frontline Corrections officers, more support for offenders to turn away from crime, and more prison capacity, Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell says. “Our Government said we would crack down on crime. We promised to restore law and order, ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

OECD reinforces need to control spending
The OECD’s latest report on New Zealand reinforces the importance of bringing Government spending under control, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The OECD conducts country surveys every two years to review its members’ economic policies. The 2024 New Zealand survey was presented in Wellington today by OECD Chief Economist Clare Lombardelli. ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

British High Commissioner Speech To The NZIIA: In An Unstable World, Standing With Our Friends Is Ne...
This decade is becoming increasingly characterised by accelerating instability and standing with our friends is needed now more than ever. ...
Scoop politics
33 mins ago

The Reserve Bank’s double-pronged cash plan
What happens when cash is king – and then your bank leaves. A businessman in a town that hasn’t had a bank for three years says the Reserve Bank’s plans to put more cash in the hands of its people and introduce digital cash could save hours of time. John ...
NewsroomBy Tom Kitchin
52 mins ago

Daily crossword, Wednesday 15 May
The post Daily crossword, Wednesday 15 May appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Newsroom Puzzles
52 mins ago

Taskforce disestablishment a setback for pay equity claims – employers
Employers in the funded NGO sector say the goal of reaching pay parity with the public service is now further away The post Taskforce disestablishment a setback for pay equity claims – employers appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Emma Hatton
52 mins ago

Ockhams: Catton wins People’s Choice
The people have spoken, in their hundreds. Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton has been overwhelmingly voted the favourite New Zealand book of 2023 as nominated by ReadingRoom readers. The vote can informally be regarded as the People’s Choice award – ahead of tonight’s Ockham book awards, where Catton’s novel is competing ...
NewsroomBy Steve Braunias
52 mins ago

Resolving funding block only way forward for infrastructure
Opinion: The pressure of funding the infrastructure deficit must be reduced or at least shared by central government The post Resolving funding block only way forward for infrastructure appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Lianne Dalziel
52 mins ago

Libraries covering a third of NZ to migrate data to Australia
Why your library might be shifting its information to Australian data centres, and whether experts think that’s a problem The post Libraries covering a third of NZ to migrate data to Australia appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy David Williams
52 mins ago

Transpower takes blame for Simeon Brown’s ‘misleading’ chart
The energy minister said there were no low power supply notices issued before 2019, but that’s because the system was only introduced that year The post Transpower takes blame for Simeon Brown’s ‘misleading’ chart appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Marc Daalder
52 mins ago

Govt reviewing ‘counterintuitive’ fishing permits for biosecurity zone
Despite the $11m invested in eradication of exotic caulerpa, commercial crayfish permits were issued for an impacted area The post Govt reviewing ‘counterintuitive’ fishing permits for biosecurity zone appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Andrew Bevin
52 mins ago

Newsroom daily quiz, Wednesday 15 May
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A,DIV,A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Wednesday 15 May appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Newsroom Puzzles
52 mins ago

Former Kiwi MPs’ names aired in Hong Kong security trial
The controversial national security trial of a Hong Kong newspaper founder has touched on the work of former Kiwi MPs The post Former Kiwi MPs’ names aired in Hong Kong security trial appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Sam Sachdeva
52 mins ago

Doubts about value, results from charter schools – education figures
Reintroduced charter schools will be tightly monitored, but a lack of transparency in reporting was a key criticism they faced last time around. ...
Radio NZ – political
7 hours ago

At a glance: the 2024 federal budget split four ways
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Matt Garrow, Editorial Web Developer The government has handed down its budget for 2024–25. It’s delivered a $9.3 billion surplus for the financial year just about to finish but is forecasting a $28.3 billion deficit for next year. Here’s the key points: ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
7 hours ago

View from The Hill: What the Reserve Bank thinks of Chalmers’ budget will be nearly as important a...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Jim Chalmers has produced a benign third budget aimed at soothing hard-pressed voters agitated about their high cost of living and punishing interest rates. At the same time he has walked a tightrope, trying ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
7 hours ago

Relief on energy bills for all in a federal budget that bets on lower inflation
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Wes Mountain/The Conversation, CC BY-ND A $300 energy rebate for all households from July 1 and a 10% increase in Commonwealth Rent Assistance are key measures in a budget targeting cost-of-living relief that put ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
7 hours ago

Budget 2024: Chalmers fights inflation, will it be enough for a rate cut?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra Treasurer Jim Chalmers promised an “inflation-fighting and future-making budget” and he has delivered by introducing measures aimed at directly bringing down inflation. Combined, his A$300-per-household energy rebate and ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
7 hours ago

Budget 2024: As Chalmers fights inflation, will it be enough for a rate cut?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra Treasurer Jim Chalmers promised an “inflation-fighting and future-making budget” and he has delivered by introducing measures aimed at directly bringing down inflation. Combined, his A$300-per-household energy rebate and ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
8 hours ago

Chalmers is bitten by the giveaway bug in a budget that contains good news for almost everyone
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Bartos, Professor of Economics, University of Canberra Treasurer Jim Chalmers has been bitten by the giveaway bug. This budget contains not only the well-foreshadowed tax cuts for all taxpayers, but a range of new spending measures in health, education, infrastructure, aged ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
8 hours ago

Curfew in New Caledonia after Kanak riots over French voting change plan
By Stephen Wright and Stefan Armbruster of BenarNews French authorities have imposed a curfew on New Caledonia’s capital Nouméa and banned public gatherings after supporters of the Pacific territory’s independence movement blocked roads, set fire to buildings and clashed with security forces. Tensions in New Caledonia have been inflamed by ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
9 hours ago

Gang unit will disproportionately affect Māori and Pasifika, Te Pāti Māori say
Amid criticism from opposition parties, a gang expert says it focuses on an area of political and public worry. ...
Radio NZ – political
9 hours ago

Sir Maarten Wevers to lead Ministry for Disabled People review
The review will investigate how to keep disability support services funded by the ministry going in the long-term. ...
Radio NZ – political
9 hours ago

David McBride goes to prison – and Australian democracy takes a hit
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Greste, Professor of Journalism and Communications, Macquarie University Governments and their agencies wield awesome power. At times, it is quite literally the power over life and death. That is why in any functioning democracy, we have robust checks and balances designed ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
10 hours ago

Longer appointments are just the start of tackling the gender pain gap. Here are 4 more things we ca...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle O’Shea, Senior Lecturer, School of Business, Western Sydney University PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock Ahead of today’s federal budget, health minister Mark Butler last week announced an investment of A$49.1 million to help women with endometriosis and complex gynaecological conditions such ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
10 hours ago

71st Everest Day: A Celebration Of New Zealand-Nepal Relationship And The Quest To Preserve The Ever...
As the world commemorates the 71st Everest Day, it's not just a celebration of human achievement but also a reflection of the enduring bond between New Zealand and Nepal. This day marks the historic feat of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa ...
Scoop politics
11 hours ago

Activists Seek To Shut Down Gender-critical Event: Tākina Events Must Uphold Speech Rights
Individuals in Wellington, led by City Councillor Nīkau Wi Neera, are working to use the ‘hecklers veto’ to shut down Inflection Point , a gender-critical event to be held at a Te Papa venue this weekend featuring speakers such as Bob McCoskrie ...
Scoop politics
12 hours ago

Trans Community To Rally Against Hate
The transgender community, whānau & allies will rally outside Tākina/Wellington Convention Centre against anti-trans confederation “Inflection Point NZ,” who are hosting a conference to encourage parliamentarians to restrict trans people’s ...
Scoop politics
12 hours ago

Net Migration Loss Of New Zealand Citizens Exceeds 50,000
Before the current high levels, the record annual net migration loss of New Zealand citizens was 44,400 in the February 2012 year. ...
Scoop politics
12 hours ago

Charter schools: What are they, how are they different, and are they better than public schools?
What exactly are charter schools and what makes them different to regular public schools? Here's what you need to know. ...
Radio NZ – political
13 hours ago

End is nigh for public ownership of Auckland Airport shares
A strategic asset for Auckland that has been fought over for years as either sacrosanct or a sacred cow looks certain to be sold and the proceeds of around $1.3 billion put in a new investment fund. A year after bitter political struggle ended in a compromise in which Auckland ...
NewsroomBy Tim Murphy
13 hours ago

Bryce Edwards’ Analysis – The Govt’s Fast-Track being demolished by submissions to Parliament
Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards – the Democracy Project (https://democracyproject.nz) Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. The number of voices raising concerns about the Government’s Fast-Track Approvals Bill is rapidly growing. This is especially apparent now that Parliament’s select committee is listening to submissions from the public to evaluate the ...
Evening ReportBy Bryce Edwards
13 hours ago

‘A lot of fire, violence’: Nouméa erupts as protests halt New Caledonia
RNZ Pacific New Caledonians lined up in long queues outside shopping centres to buy supplies in the capital Nouméa today amid political unrest in the French territory Demonstrations, marches and clashes with security forces erupted yesterday and French High Commissioner Louis Le Franc told the public broadcaster he had called ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
14 hours ago

Christchurch Call to continue as charity
The initiative, established by former prime minister Dame Jacinda Ardern, aims to stop violent extremism online. ...
Radio NZ – political
14 hours ago

An NRL player died at training due to exertional heat stroke. What is it and what should coaches and...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Samuel Chalmers, Senior Lecturer in Human Movement, University of South Australia The tragic death of Manly rugby league player Keith Titmuss in 2020 due to exertional heat stroke is a reminder of the life-threatening nature of the condition. Titmuss died after ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
15 hours ago

Luxon Must Rule Out Taxpayer Funding For “fatally Compromised” Christchurch Call
Internet Governance Project founder Milton Mueller asked “is the Christchurch Call accomplishing anything?” Increasingly it seems the only thing it hopes to achieve is killing off free expression. ...
Scoop politics
15 hours ago

NZ foreign minister Peters cancels New Caledonia visit as unrest erupts
New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has cancelled his visit to New Caledonia due to pro-independence unrest throughout the French Pacific territory. Peters and a delegation of other ministers was due to visit the capital Nouméa later this week. Nouméa’s La Tontouta International Airport is expected to remain closed ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
16 hours ago

‘I thought we could wear Zoolander outfits’: Pip Adam and Emily Perkins on the Ockhams
Audition by Pip Adam and Lioness by Emily Perkins are both shortlisted for the fiction award at the 2024 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards. Here the authors discuss awards, writing, Selling Sunset, review culture, Zoolander and more. Pip Adam: Whenever I think about writers and our ambitions, I can’t help ...
The SpinoffBy The Spinoff Review of Books
16 hours ago

Influence, authority and power: how elite women played a crucial role in the Italian Wars of the 16t...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Susan Broomhall, Director, Gender and Women’s History Research Centre, Australian Catholic University Andrea Mantegna, Minerva (Athena) expelling Vices from the Garden of Virtue, from the Studiolo of Isabella d’Este, Palazzo Ducale, Mantua (c. 1499–1502). Louvre Museum/Wikimedia Commons Wartime has often presented opportunities ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
16 hours ago

Some say the Treaty of Waitangi divides NZ – a new survey suggests the opposite is true
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Olli Hellmann, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Waikato Getty Images The stories Aotearoa New Zealand tells itself about the history of Te Tiriti o Waitangi/the Treaty of Waitangi have evolved considerably over time. For many decades, starting with the ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
17 hours ago

Police to establish national gang unit
Police are setting up frontline teams to tackle crime and intimidation by gangs, Andrew Coster has announced. ...
Radio NZ – political
17 hours ago

Why are auroras so hard to predict? And when can we expect more?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brett Carter, Associate Professor, RMIT University Aurora visible from Cope Cope, Victoria on May 11 2024. cafuego/Flickr, CC BY-SA On Saturday evening before Mother’s Day, Australians witnessed a rare celestial spectacle: a breathtaking display of aurora australis, also known as the southern ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
18 hours ago

Watch: Police Commissioner Andrew Coster announces new 'National Gang Unit'
Police are setting up frontline teams to tackle crime and intimidation by gangs, Andrew Coster has announced. ...
Radio NZ – political
18 hours ago

Watch live: Police Commissioner Andrew Coster announces new 'National Gang Unit'
Andrew Coster has revealed new dedicated police teams will tackle organised crime. ...
Radio NZ – political
18 hours ago

‘As much as we built it, it built us’: How Sunday said goodbye
Tara Ward watches as TVNZ’s long-running current affairs show bows out with humility and grace. We have just 12 days left to view the final episode of Sunday on TVNZ+. In just over a week, there will be no more evidence of the award-winning current affairs show on the digital ...
The SpinoffBy Tara Ward
18 hours ago

Botched prison mutiny, protests ahead of New Caledonia constitution vote
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk New Caledonia has gone through yet another day of tense political protests and a failed prison mutiny — a few hours ahead of a vote in Paris’s National Assembly on a government-tabled Constitutional amendment. This amendment would “unfreeze” the list of ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
19 hours ago

Winston Peters cancels New Caledonia visit amid violent unrest
The Foreign Affairs Minister was due to visit the capital Nouméa this week. ...
Radio NZ – political
19 hours ago

One woman’s ranking of her 20 favourite local band shirts
To celebrate New Zealand Music Month, Sophie Ricketts wears a different band T-shirt every day. Here she picks her top 20. I love music. I love listening to it, I love seeing it live, and I love buying a T-shirt from the band or artist I’ve enjoyed. Every year, during ...
The SpinoffBy Sophie Ricketts
19 hours ago

Behind the roller door: How people are using their garages for much more than storage
Research from AA Insurance reveals more and more people are taking pride in their garage. Meet three New Zealanders using their space in creative ways. If you think of a garage, you might picture a dark room with a parked car. There might be some tools on the wall, or ...
The SpinoffBy Stewart Sowman-Lund
19 hours ago

Critical Forestry Research Under Threat As Attack On Science Ramps Up
Government spending cuts have forced Scion, the dedicated Crown research institute charged with growing forestry exports, to propose shedding a significant number of scientists. ...
Scoop politics
20 hours ago

About 30 jobs to go at Crown forestry institute Scion
About 30 jobs are being cut at the Crown forestry institute, the PSA says. ...
Radio NZ – political
20 hours ago

Winston Peters cancels New Caledonia vist due to unrest
The Foreign Affairs Minister was due to visit the capital Nouméa this week. ...
Radio NZ – political
20 hours ago

Watch: Charter schools to get $153m in new funding in Budget 2024
Up to 50 charter schools will be funded with $153m out of Budget 2024, David Seymour has announced. ...
Radio NZ – political
20 hours ago

Access Denied: Government Must Fund Online Access To Public Records
...
Scoop politics
20 hours ago

Scrapping the waste export levy threatens Australia’s emerging lithium battery recycling industry
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yasir Arafat, Senior Research Associate, Edith Cowan University asharkyu, Shutterstock As electric vehicle (EV) demand accelerates, so does the need for lithium batteries. But these batteries contain valuable critical minerals, as well as toxic materials, so they should not be treated ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
21 hours ago

Centenarian Recalls Battles Of Cassino Ahead Of 80th Anniversary Commemorations
NZDF personnel will support the New Zealand National Commemorative Service at the Cassino War Cemetery and a New Zealand Service of Remembrance at the Cassino Railway Station, next week. ...
Scoop politics
21 hours ago

Consultants needed for education system changes – Christopher Luxon
But the Prime Minister says he's not aware of ministry staff who are losing their jobs being asked to work as consultants. ...
Radio NZ – political
21 hours ago

The cost of being: A sex worker with a taste for luxury shopping
As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a masseuse tells us how much she earns and where she spends it. Want to be part of The Cost of Being? Fill out the questionnaire here. Gender: Female Age: 33 Ethnicity: NZ European Role: ...
The SpinoffBy The Cost of Being
21 hours ago

AI can make up songs now, but who owns the copyright? The answer is complicated
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Wellett Potter, Lecturer in Law, University of New England Eugenio Marongiu/Shutterstock Artificial intelligence (AI) text and image generation tools have now been around for a while, but in recent weeks, apps for making AI-generated music have reached consumers as well. ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
21 hours ago

1968 was an inflection point for the US. Is another one coming in 2024?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Liam Byrne, Honorary Fellow, School of Historical and Philosophical Studies, The University of Melbourne For many reasons, the 2024 US presidential election will be like no other. Republican nominee Donald Trump’s campaign is unprecedented. Never before has a former president who ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
21 hours ago

154 million lives saved in 50 years: 5 charts on the global success of vaccines
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meru Sheel, Associate Professor and Epidemiologist, Infectious Diseases, Immunisation and Emergencies Group, Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney We know vaccines have been a miracle for public health. Now, new research led by the World Health Organization has found vaccines ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
21 hours ago

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Chrissy Severinsen, Associate Professor in Public Health, Massey University Getty Images Becoming a mother is a significant identity shift, and many new mums struggle. Up to 18% of New Zealand mothers experience depression and anxiety after giving birth. The first ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
21 hours ago

Our research shows children produce better pieces of writing by hand. But they need keyboard skills ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anabela Malpique, Senior Lecturer, Edith Cowan University Norma Mortenson/ Pexels , CC BY Children today are growing up surrounded by technology. So it’s easy to assume they will be able to write effectively using a keyboard. But our research suggests ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
21 hours ago

Is it wrong to have a romantic type based on race? Yes – it’s a form of racism we rarely speak a...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Aaron Teo, Lecturer in Curriculum and Pedagogy, University of Southern Queensland ABC Much has been written and produced about white men’s fetishisation of Asian women (crudely nicknamed “yellow fever”). The ABC’s comedy series White Fever breaks new ground by exploring an ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
21 hours ago

What the Court of Appeal’s latest ruling means for the future of the Waitangi Tribunal
The children’s minister could have been legally brought before the tribunal after all, writes Stewart Sowman-Lund in this extract from The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. The end of ...
The SpinoffBy Stewart Sowman-Lund
23 hours ago

Public sector cuts: Education ministry prepares to use consultants
Staff consulting firms were already asking some of the staff being made redundant to work for them. ...
Radio NZ – political
23 hours ago

Fast-track submissions: Hundreds will miss out on speaking at committee
The Select Committee has six weeks to hear submissions and its chair said it simply did not have enough time to get through everyone. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

Public service cuts: Education ministry prepares to use consultants
The Ministry of Education is already preparing consultants to do the work of the people it is laying off, say staff. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

‘Eat the bugs’: a short history of yet another global conspiracy
Seen comments on social media about eating bugs? Byron Clark explains the short history of our latest conspiracy. “No, Bill Gates nor Klaus Schwab has not funded the research done here,” reads an August 2023 Facebook post from Otago Locusts, the first farm in Aotearoa rearing insects for human consumption. ...
The SpinoffBy Byron C Clark
1 day ago

‘I get bread and milk in the mail’: Why the decline of post will hurt rural communities
Rural post is essential but expensive, and residents are worried about its future. It’s 9.30am on a Monday morning in rural Manawatū, and farmer Mairi Whittle is on an all-terrain vehicle with her two young sons. After moving sheep from one slope to another, she swings by the letterbox. Opening ...
The SpinoffBy Rachel Judkins
1 day ago

DoC responsible for $87.5m Ruapehu remediation
Remediating Mt Ruapehu if things go pear-shaped could cost more than $80m – and the new operators aren’t on the hook for any of it The post DoC responsible for $87.5m Ruapehu remediation appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Andrew Bevin
1 day ago

Where the ‘woke’ word fits in a history of racism
Opinion: Unfortunately, the term ‘woke’ is back in the news and for the most stupid of reasons: Act leader David Seymour is now designating certain types of food as ‘woke’ or not. As the Government makes cuts to school lunches, let us consider what ‘woke’ might mean here. ...
NewsroomBy Dr Neal Curtis
1 day ago

Mega-prison’s missing business case
Analysis: The Government’s decision to return to a mega-style prison seems to be missing a clear business case The post Mega-prison’s missing business case appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Laura Walters
1 day ago

East Coast mayors hold out hope for Budget as rebuild bills mount
East Coast mayors are confident their region remains a priority, despite the Government’s focus on building new roads elsewhere The post East Coast mayors hold out hope for Budget as rebuild bills mount appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Emma Hatton
1 day ago

Ockhams: the sad truth about authors’ pot plants
New Zealand authors hate houseplants. They are frightened of them, have nightmares about them, regard them as bad omens; they are afraid, too, of the responsibility of caring for them, and think of them as an alien species that will take over the selfish planet of their interior lives. There ...
NewsroomBy Steve Braunias
1 day ago

Newsroom daily quiz, Tuesday 14 May
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A,DIV,A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Tuesday 14 May appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Newsroom Puzzles
1 day ago

Daily crossword, Tuesday 14 May
The post Daily crossword, Tuesday 14 May appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Newsroom Puzzles
1 day ago

Why stick more fingers in the donations dyke?

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