Will National politicise the new Covid outbreak? *

Written By: - Date published: 12:38 pm, August 12th, 2020 - 182 comments
Categories: covid-19, jacinda ardern, Judith Collins, national, same old national - Tags:

So the bad news that we were all hoping not to hear has occurred.  There is a new case of community transmission discovered in Auckland.  A test conducted on Monday was positive.

The Government has acted quickly and imposed a level 3 lockdown on Auckland and a level 2 lockdown on the rest of the country.

It does not need to be repeated that this virus is a bastard.  Throughout the world Covid has brought countries to their knees.  Other countries and areas such as Singapore, Vietnam, Australia and Hong Kong are now struggling with far worse outbreaks after initially appearing to be on top of the virus.  This graph shows what is happening to similar nations most of who were apparently handling the virus well.  New Zealand’s line will unfortunately trend upwards.

This is the sort of event where the political parties should display a sense of solidarity and concentrate on communicating to the country what we need to do as a nation to get through this.  Because the cost of failure is clear, you just have to look at the rest of the world to see how this works out.

So how has National responded?  I am afraid that for them it is business as usual.  From Jason Walls at the Herald:

National Party leader Judith Collins is putting the blame for the new cases of community transmission in Auckland squarely in the lap of the Government and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

Speaking to the Herald tonight, Collins said she was “extremely disappointed” in the Government, given that Covid-19 has come back to New Zealand.

Asked if she was disappointed in the Government, she said yes.

“I am, like I’m sure the rest of the country is, extremely disappointed that this [Covid-19] has been allowed in through our borders.”

Collins was not impressed, given the fact she said New Zealanders have been told that the country was free of community transmission.

Sunday had marked 100 days since the last case of community transmission.

“We believed it had happened; this has clearly come through a border and must not be something that was homegrown in New Zealand.

“I have seen the Prime Minister tonight, who is leader of the Labour Party, in the middle of an election campaign, speaking about all this failure.”

I have had some feedback about this recent post where I said that Gerry Brownlee was engaging in conspiracy theories.  People claim that Brownlee was right to question the Government getting prepared for a potential new outbreak but they should reread what he said.  He was saying that it was strange that we are getting ready.  He also questioned the recommended advice to wear masks.

In that post I said:

Getting ready for a potential second wave is not puzzling.  The world is awash with the disease and we will be doing extraordinarily well if we continue to keep it out.  And you just have to see what has happened in Australia and South Korea and Singapore to see that the virus will come back and hurt if it is not eradicated.

We have elected to keep our borders open to returning kiwis and selected others.  The only other option would be to seal the borders shut to everyone.  This is not a policy decision this Government is willing to make, and not one that any Government in the world has taken.

Some of these returnees are infected.  We have had a couple of scares but so far so good.  But it should be remembered that there is a low chance that each infected returning Kiwi may spread the virus.  This is through contamination of quarantine staff, or early or late onset of the disease, or plain bad luck.  Te Punaha Matatini, a team of mathematicians and scientists, have estimated that New Zealand could expect one person over the next 18 months to be released into the community while still infectious.  That may be enough to set off a second wave.

So of course the Government should be preparing for the possibility of a second wave.  Brownlee reaching out to the tinfoil wearing sector of the population in an attempt to score political points is just weird.

If you want to have a further example of National’s frankly dishonest messaging around the issue there was the homeless person in the Crown Plaza rumour started by Michael Woodhouse.  After a thorough investigation, the All of Government Response Group concluded yesterday that, wait for this, an unnamed man had actually returned to Auckland on a flight from Melbourne and accessed the hotel legitimately.

You may recall that Woodhouse went to town on the issue.  From now on “went to town” in the context of a National MP should be equated with “told fibs”.  I mean let us analyse what he said.  As reported by Newstalk ZB:

A homeless man sneaked into a five-star hotel used as a quarantine facility and stayed there for two weeks, claims opposition health spokesman Michael Woodhouse.

National MP Michael Woodhouse claims a “reliable source” told the National Party the homeless man pretended he was a new arrival completing his 14-day isolation.

Woodhouse told the AM show that although the story is currently “unverified”, he said his source is an Auckland-based health professional.

“One of the five-star hotels housed a homeless person for a couple of weeks under the pretense that it was someone who came back from overseas. When the person was ready for discharge, he was asked for a forwarding address, only to tell the official that he didn’t have one – because he was homeless,” Woodhouse told the AM Show.

“He hadn’t come back from overseas, he just joined the back of the queue two weeks ago, and spent a fortnight getting three square meals and a bath every day on the Government.

“It just shows what a shambles this thing is. The ministry should be managing this – it’s not actually rocket science.”

Shambles is the right word.  But only if it is applied to the opposition.

Of course the conspiracy theorists will have a field day and will say that this is one big cover up and they have known for a while.  But the time line refutes this.  It appears that the second positive test was returned yesterday afternoon.  Bloomfield has confirmed that he received the news shortly before 3 pm yesterday, Ardern was told at about 4, cabinet then met and the decision was released to the public at 9:15 pm.  The turn around was pretty quick and closing Auckland down in less than 24 hours is phenomenal.

There was a flurry of twitter activity just before the announcement and it has been suggested that Judith was the source of the information.

[tweet https://twitter.com/han_dall/status/1293325483543674881]

National’s point scoring during a pandemic is very disappointing.  Every time they persuade someone in quarantine that it is all a bit of a joke and they do not have to take it seriously, or that testing is not that important, or that masks are a bit of a joke, or they leak information they weaken the collective response and increase the chances of the virus taking hold and spreading.  Right now, of all times, is not the time for political business as usual.

182 comments on “Will National politicise the new Covid outbreak? * ”

  1. Ad 1

    By tomorrow morning Judith will rise with the sun and confess her sins to her Maker, put on her cloak of righteousness,

    and regally rise to greatness by inviting the Prime Minister to form common united media briefings with all the Cabinet and Shadow Cabinet arrayed across Parliament's steps,

    and then Judith's wings rise as she forms a successful unitary Cabinet with Labour, just like the two front singers Agnetha Faltskog and Anni-Frid Lingstad,

    and after a week of this glory radiating out of our television screens, where people get to dream about the unity that the two sides presented during World War 2, the Greens and Act will see this wisdom and together they are invited by the Governor General, in place of the impossible election to join this magnificence,

    singing with perfect harmony, just as Bjorn and Benny did in that magnificent quartet:

    Did You Hear The Drums Fernando? Sing along my people, sing along:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQsjAbZDx-4

  2. Robert Guyton 3

    In the accompanying photo, I see cats, replete with cream. (I know, cats can't smirk or gloat, so my analogy falls a little short)

  3. Incognito 4

    What’s with the asterisk in the title of the Post?

    • mickysavage 4.1

      To show that the comment continued in the description.

      • Incognito 4.1.1

        Ah, that only shows up in the excerpt; it makes no sense when opening/reading the actual main text. I should not worry so much about trivial little detail 😉

  4. observer 5

    OK, let's politicise it some more.

    If dissolution is delayed, and the election is (e.g.) November, then Bennett and Kaye and Adams and Walker and all the other leavers … are back sitting in Parliament. They would have a job to do.

    They want a delay? Cool. Enjoy your caucus meetings, guys.

  5. Red 6

    A wise lefty on this site once told me, “ everything is political “ I guess he may have forget the part “only when it suits me”

  6. roblogic 7

    Putting the safety of Kiwis at risk for petty point scoring. #NationalNotFitToGovern

    https://twitter.com/edmuzik/status/1293332344758181888?s=21

  7. Stuart Munro 8

    They will attack of course, never having mastered the elements of strategy.

    Avoiding Brownlee is axiomatic. Play away from thickness .

    Defeated warriors go to war first, and then seek to win – Sun Tzu

  8. Robert Guyton 9

    "OPINION: The worst has finally happened. As we were all warned, and as has been painfully obvious from looking at the pandemic overseas, it was inevitable. Despite a whole nation’s best efforts Covid-19 was always going to pop back up in the community somewhere."

    (My bold)

    Luke Malpass

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/122417199/election-2020-in-this-new-lockdown-labour-competence-will-be-key

    • Sabine 9.1

      not sure who he is, but yeah, a lot of people were saying that. And anyone not thinking it was somewhere in dream land happily drifting on some lovely clouds.

      This country is as safe as is the rest of the world, namely one infection away from a major disaster. And considering that we are allowing citizens back in, and upon arrival have them in contact with workers at the airport, hotels etc the chances that one gets infected on the job and takes it home were good enough to wager on it.

    • Uncle Scrim 9.2

      I agree. It was so bizarre to hear Collins and Brownlee complaining about mixed messages last week, saying we can't be both apparently 'safe' (Cook Islands here we come) and 'at risk' (get some masks) at the same time – yes we can! The whole world is somewhere on that spectrum, we were just right on the edge between safety and danger. And still today are in a much better place than most.

  9. Peter 10

    Collins and Brownlee are the scum twins. If they thought spreading covid-19 through rest homes would help their chances they would deliver vials of the stuff there and make sure it was spread most efficaciously.

  10. Robert Guyton 11

    Someone said… "On the positive side, 120+ days with no community transmission in the South Island."

    smiley

  11. ianmac 12

    Judith Collins = Nastiness.

  12. ScottGN 13

    Radio NZ are saying Collins and Reti have a presser scheduled for 3pm.

    • Incognito 13.1

      Will she come across as a PM-in-waiting? Watch the eyebrows.

    • tc 13.2

      Okey so Crusher has her bulldog on hand for it. We know what they'll do let's see how our msm deal with the fear mongering.

      They could challenge their BS but it’ll be a spray and walk away again probably.

  13. observer 14

    This is why Collins is desperate to politicise it.

    Latest UMR poll: Labour 52%, National 28%, Act 5.9%, Greens 5.4%, NZ First 5.1%.

    (not public poll but already widely reported in media).

  14. AB 15

    Collins speaking now – will try to de-legitimise the election and call for its postponement.

    • Pat 15.1

      as expected

    • Muttonbird 15.2

      She spoke for just 5-6 minutes before taking questions. Just an opportunity to get in front of the cameras really.

      In that 5-6 minutes she complained people don't have certainty about the election. We do have certainty, it's on Sept 19. The only person promoting uncertainty is Collins herself.

    • Incognito 15.3

      Does that mean she’s sending a secret signal to National voters not to vote this time?

      • woodart 15.3.1

        yes. nat fans should boycot the election. that will teach the rest of us a lesson!!

  15. McFlock 16

    The same crowd who wanted the borders opened up to students and rich yanks now complain covid is back. And Collins criticises the management of the borders when she can't manage her own damned caucus.

  16. Ross 17

    Mickey

    It's like saying that sport and politics don’t mix. That was the fallacious argument of those supporting the 1981 Springbok tour. Governments need to be held to account.

  17. Byd0nz 18

    Sounds like the Nats are trying for Coup de gras. Funny to watch the Collins live moan with Brownlie. Oh dear Labour is not asking them for advice.

    • In Vino 18.1

      Coup de grace, old chap.

      Mind you, in French 'gras' means fat, so maybe you were making a clever allusion to a certain Nat…

  18. observer 19

    This Collins/Brownlee press conference is insane.

    She wants the election put off until NEXT year. Wow.

    • AB 19.1

      De-legitimise an election Labour, with its partners, did win (2017), de-legitimise an election Labour might win (2020). These f*ckers are dangerous.

    • dv 19.2

      Lab should call her and put the election off til sept 2022

      • lprent 19.2.1

        Dates for a different election date after early December (the absolute max assuming you used all available authority without legislation) would take a act of parliament.

        If you're going to do legislation for a few months until 2021, then you may as well do a few years until we are absolutely sure that we are clear of infection.

        September 2023 anyone? It makes as more sense as 2021. There is a pretty good bet that there will be a diminished chance of covid-19 outbreaks then.

        Until then, September 19th 2020 looks as good as anything else. NZ isn’t a failed state – we already do 1.24 million advance votes in the weeks leading up to the 2017 election in NZ. another few million shouldn’t be a problem.

        FFS: are the current National MPs all mindless idiots?

    • gsays 19.3

      Listening to Collins, I was reminded of a sulky young teenager that doesn't want to sit at the kids table at a family Christmas lunch. Despite having spent the morning, telling people what was in their presents before they were opened and relentlessly tormenting their younger sibling.

      I was hoping one of the journos would hand her a straw that she was so desperately grasping for.

  19. barry 20

    Brownlie today continuing his conspiracy theory hints

    • 16 minutes ago

      He wouldn't go into more detail about what he meant by those comments.

      17 minutes ago

      "I'm just outlining facts," Brownlee said.

      17 minutes ago

      He said the messaging around further outbreaks about 10 days ago, the advice to wear masks and have them available, and the PM's visit to a mask manufacturer are all "very interesting things to happen".

    • tc 20.1

      Hipkins owns him with the line that Gez should swap a tinfoil hat for a mask the other week. A zinger that nails them.

      Jude's probably hoping he keeps the 'china virus' meme to himself, that would be uncomfortable for the former Oravida minister.

  20. barry 21

    I must say that Collins didn't look like she believed what she was saying. She looked like she didn't want to be there.

  21. observer 22

    Collins complains that gov't has not held a briefing with National's health spokesman.

    Perhaps that's because National's previous health spokesman made things up. If you want trust, don't destroy it.

    • tc 22.1

      Probably can't keep up with who it is this week.

    • dv 22.2

      Do they know who the health spokesperson is for the NATS?

    • Incognito 22.3

      Hmmm, Collins was briefed yesterday and immediately leaked the info. She and her Party have a serious incontinence problem but without the embarrassment that usually comes with it.

      • I Feel Love 22.3.1

        I for one hope National don't even know who this family in South AK is, otherwise they will probably leak it.

    • Tricledrown 22.4

      Yet Jacinda talked directly with Judarth an hr before media conference.

  22. Heather Tanguay 23

    A nasty, spiteful, mean woman, trying desperately to make herself and her cabal relevant. The behaviour is appalling and has a real Trumpish ring about it, making a public health emergency a political game.

    • PaddyOT 23.1

      That " appalling fear raising" out there she says; then her real fear hits the airwaves.

      No to postal voting Trumpism fear because we have two referendums that postal voting would not be fair to do by mail.
      Didn't we vote by mail before, for a flag, Judith?

      " I think mail-in voting is horrible,” Trump said in Tuesday’s coronavirus press conference.

      “You voted by mail in Florida’s election last month, didn’t you?” the reporter asked.

      “Sure,” the president replied. “I can vote by mail.”

      “How do you reconcile with that?”

      “Because I’m allowed to,” Trump said."

      https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2020/04/trump-mail-in-voting-is-horrible-except-when-i-do-it

    • georgecom 23.2

      keep the election as per scheduled, move date back if we cannot quickly get on top of the covid outbreak. And come election day lets all cross our fingers for an election result that decimates the National vote and marks Collins as dead woman walking in terms of leadership. After the election the fragments of National can drop Collins and Brownlee at the curb for the rubbish truck to pick up.

      We all know National is desperate, but stooping to the levels of implying a conspiracy about release of covid data, holy shit. Either a spiteful little childish tantrum, or tinfoil hat stuff. Either way, by going there, Collins and Brownlee have shown they need to be decimated in the election. Not fit to govern.

  23. JohnSelway 24

    While I completely disagree with the conspiracy theories Brownlie was throwing down I do think they have a point in being unable to campaign while the government sucks up all the oxygen.

    • Muttonbird 24.1

      Labour can't campaign either. Nor the Greens.

      • JohnSelway 24.1.1

        That is true but Labour and Ardern will suck up all the media oxygen so it isn't fair on the greens either.

        No other party can even do a proper campaign launch

        • Muttonbird 24.1.1.1

          National only have themselves to blame for not launching earlier.

          Life's not fair, poor life choices, etc. Mike Hosking will tell you all about that.

        • woodart 24.1.1.2

          bollocks johnselway. nats have plenty of dosh, a proper campaign launch for them would be champagne on a launch, at the dock, with planking and other assorted nat party games..film at eleven…yuk…lifes not fair johnnyboy.

          • Muttonbird 24.1.1.2.1

            John reckons we should all wait until the Nats are ready. Maybe loan them a coupe of players to make it fair?

            Guess what, it's not little Johnny's U8 football tournament…

            #snoozelose

            • JohnSelway 24.1.1.2.1.1

              Yes – that's exactly what I said. Fucking nitwit.

              • Muttonbird

                You said it's not fair. It's fair. Fucking nitwit.

                • JohnSelway

                  Oh I don’t think it’s particularly fair no. I don’t know what to do about it – but for all parties that have yet to have a campaign launch it’s pretty unfair on them. It’s not labour’s fault nor is it because I support national. I know if I were the leader of a party and suddenly my campaigning got thrown into disarray I would feel pretty jilted by it.

                  but I never said we should wait until the Nats were ready. Perhaps reading isn’t your strong suit.

        • Sacha 24.1.1.3

          How many votes is a 'campaign launch' worth these days? As many as a glossy manifesto, a street corner meeting, or a hand-cranked gazette at the fete?

    • barry 24.2

      It would help them if they used their press conferences and time when they do have attention, to do something other than whinge and make stuff up.

    • I Feel Love 24.3

      Yet Paula Bennett is on air campaigning … oh? That's different? Somehow????

  24. Muttonbird 25

    Collins reckons she's going to need 12 months to get the National Party back on track, headline:

    Collins calls for election to be pushed back to late November or 2021

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/423358/collins-calls-for-election-to-be-pushed-back-to-late-november-or-2021

  25. Brian Tregaskin 26

    from Fear Facts Exposed FB group–well said and best explanation of Nationals ruse 🙂

    What Judith said…

    Judith said she is disappointed about this particular Covid outbreak – again.

    Then things got very self centred and petty.

    Judith was upset that Shane Reti has been trying to tie up Chris Hipkins in meetings since 12 noon but there has been no meeting yet?

    National have pestered Chris Hipkins every half hour about this dire matter of doing what National demand – but now it is past 3PM and Hipkins is still focussing on the pandemic rather than National.

    Yes – mind boggling isn't it.

    Judith is so upset about the lack of respect for pre-election conventions she needed a press conference about it.

    She says this Government must not make major decisions in a pandemic in an agile fast way – without first spending hours having endless consultations with her.

    A quick phone call from Jacinda is not good enough at all – says Judith.

    The whole thing is about Judith and her election chances.

    Judith told us she needs to know immediately – right now – today about the election date – NOT tomorrow, NOT on Monday – nor anything silly like that.

    Stamp feet. Huff and puff.

    Judith says it is unsustainable to expect a fair election when she is not free to campaign.

    A rattle has been spat onto the floor.

    New Zealand deserves better – says Judith.

    New Zealand is dealing with a Covid lockdown – and there is Judith in all her malignant glory – being a selfish loser.

    Judith called upon the PM to shift out the election to where National would benefit most.

    Apparently next year suits National best according to Judith.

    Judith was self centred, power crazy and she had nothing to say about the people and their jobs or health or anxiety.

    Is anyone surprised?

    And 20% prefer her as leader.

    What Judith said…

    • PaddyOT 26.1

      You missed out the endless sound loop, ' I want transperency, we've been waiting all day, transperency , we've been waiting all day'.

      Seems like she's remembered what NZers were asking for during Natz last term.

    • georgecom 26.2

      "however" Judith Collin added, "we only have ourselves to blame. If we had got our shirt together earlier, rather than playing silly buggers and turning our political party into a complete shambles, we would have been ready to start our campaign several weeks ago, rather than scramble to pull something together at the last minute which some covid cases has interrupted. So yes, I am having a tantrum but really the fault lies entirely with me and my party. I can understand if Kiwis wouldn't trust us to run the country, heck, they probably wouldn't trust us to be able to buy a round at the pub".

  26. Judith's name should be changed from crusher to shocker.

  27. Mark 28

    In their position I couldn’t resist to state the fact that with the way the localised Auckland shutdown was executed a key mistake was made.

    I know that hindsight is a beautiful thing but in this case we had many examples of failed localised shutdowns: Wuhan, Milan and New York are just three examples.

    In Aucklands case it took 15 hours till we closed the roads.

    I fear the consequences of this will be a north island or worse nation wide lockdown.

  28. NZJester 29

    Lets not let the Toryists win.

    I see some expat yob is saying what we are doing does not work and the 4 new cases proves it. No the number of deaths here prove what we are doing does work. The Toryiosts don't care if a few people die as long as they can make a profits. They want us to put money ahead of human lives and hope that heard immunity will win the day. Well the US is reaping those rewards in the numbers of infected and dead. No thank you Toryists, I would prefer the on and off again lock-downs.

    https://www.msn.com/en-nz/news/national/the-remarkable-run-is-over-world-reacts-with-scorn-sympathy-to-nz-outbreak/ar-BB17QxL2?li=BBqdg4K

  29. Grafton Gully 30

    Memory problems "I don't think I swore," she told the news outlet. "I don't think I said it."

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/121780498/mp-judith-collins-muttered-swear-during-select-committee-zoom-call

    And paranoia "worried about the lack of transparency"

    https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/judith-collins-expected-to-formally-call-for-the-election-to-be-delayed/

    Are worrisome signs in a potential prime minister.

  30. Brian Tregaskin 31

    Muttonbird:Remember when, just 2 days ago, Judith Collins vowed National will do ‘whatever we have to’ to get power back?

    DO NOT let National anywhere near top level discussion and decision making. Judith has shown she cannot and will not play nice, and they just can't be trusted.

    DO NOT postpone the Election date –have it on Sept 19 or over a few days – every day of delay is a risk that an unknown will present itself .

    DO NOT be a sap and play into Nationals hands or MSMs hands!

    Sorry Duncan and Tova you are not calling the shots here.Our PM is too smart to fall for any ruse

  31. Brian Tregaskin 32

    https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/aug/12/plain-politics-not-safety-fears-are-root-of-opposition-calls-delay-to-new-zealand-election

    Plain politics, not safety fears, are root of opposition calls to delay New Zealand election

    Claire Robinson

    With access to information and the voting process remaining open, there is no reason to postpone the September poll because of Covid-19 outbreak

    [Deleted]

    Claire Robinson is professor of communication design and pro vice-chancellor at Massey University college of creative arts.

    [You copied & pasted the whole article from the Guardian, which I’ve now deleted for the most part. Besides possible copyright infringement, it is poor behaviour to just dump a whole lot of text here without adding your opinion as to why anybody should read it. In addition, you should add a conversation starter, e.g. why you agree/disagree with it, thanks – Incognito]

    • Incognito 32.1

      See my Moderation note @ 9:47 PM.

    • lprent 32.2

      I’ve never been a fan of Claire Robinson’s writing (I don’t watch much free to air TV these days so I can’t comment on her talking head appearances). She has tended to brush very lightly over political topics.

      But this article is a sound summation of the issues around shifting election date. Essentially it comes down to what is the case for doing it? If you can’t guarantee that same issue won’t arise in the new target date, then there is no real point in shifting dates apart from straight medical issues.

      That can be handled with the week by week procedure by the electoral commission and the director of health.

      The reason to defer writ day at present is a good one. Mostly to consider if legislation needs to be considered for introduction about election changes to cope with a level 3 or 4 lock-down. Longer periods of advance voting perhaps? In a level 3 or 4 the essential issue medically is that you don’t want voters to crowd together in lines in polling booths on the same day. Spreading that day over a week or more would probably be preferable. That would carry about as much risk as queuing at the supermarket did in level 4.

      In the last election there were 2,591,896 valid party votes cast. 1,023,059 were valid advance votes. This isn’t exactly a major ramp up.

      Elections aren’t held for or at the convenience of political parties and politicians. They are held for the voters to cast a vote on their political representatives. Self-involved fools of politicians should remember that.

  32. RedBaronCV 33

    As far as I am concerned Nats and Covid are already politicised. Every time someone breaks quarantine or does some thing stupid to expose us all to covid ( apart from the few who obviously have other deeper issues) I immediately think " I bet they for vote National or maybe Act".

    Suspect I'm not the only one thinking like that – with the constant demands to open borders etc- and that sort of linkage is probably fairly hard to shift.

  33. Observer Tokoroa 34

    Stunning News

    On the Radio this morning I heard Judith Collins tellingly inform Distinguished Kim Hill, that she is a Lawyer.

    Wow !

    Judith maybe under some stress, but she in no way had anything like the clarity of Kim Hill.

    Most Lawyers have excellent clarity and avoid running all around and round a toddler's paddock. Judith Collins did however give out masterpieces of nonsense – including full on mountains of nonsequiturs.

    I hope National can do a bit better. But it looks unlikely.

    • Tricledrown 34.1

      Most people in NZ are discusted by Collins Brownlee Trumpish behaviour.

      They haven't learned why they are polling at 28% on average polling.

      Collins own words when in a hole why would you keep digging.

  34. Observer Tokoroa 35

    On a Serious Note

    Vaccine

    There is obviously tremendous interest in Covid-19 Virus. We are fortunate to be on the expert side of New Zealand's approach to managing the nasty Virus.

    Above all, Sensible Kiwis have assisted each other to follow the instructions of our Prime Minister Ardern, Health Minister Bloomfield, Fiscal Grant Robertson, and Exceptional Chris Hipkins.

    These few Leaders have given us the best run of the whole viral World.

    Unfortunately, the National party have not contributed anything towards the well being of New Zealanders. If anything, they have nothing but Dollars on their minds. They are always at it.

    However, the vital thing we need will be Vaccine. We will be unable to work along side National on that. because their minds are occupied on their mean little Pockets and their big houses.

    Vaccine discovery is the most necessary item we will need in the near future.

    I feel we should set up a Kiwi Foundation of Vaccines. So that we are ready for the much wanted Break Through.

  35. Chris T 36

    You could argue Ardern has been politicising it from the first out break with her daily 1pm health speeches the other bloke could do.

    • left_forward 36.1

      You could, but you'd be a dawk if you thought that the best interest of New Zealanders was not her only motivation.

    • Incognito 36.2

      You could but you’d have to argue why the person in charge does not front the media and the NZ public and tries to avoid accountability, responsibility, openness, and transparency.

      Give it your best shot!

      • Paddington 36.2.1

        The PM has no reason to front these daily sessions other to maximise political effect. An occassional appearance would be more than sufficient. Labour have leveraged this crisis beautifully for political gain. All power to them, but denying it is just naieve. Or ignorant.

        • Sacha 36.2.1.1

          All those overseas articles observing the power of a visible national leader communicating well must just be bunkum I suppose?

          • Paddington 36.2.1.1.1

            There is a big difference between being visible and exploiting a crisis. But she's a politician, and that's what they do.

            • Sacha 36.2.1.1.1.1

              What would 'not exploiting' look like?

              • observer

                It's funny how "exploiting" is perceived, isn't it?

                The Prime Minister has ultimate responsibility for the country's response to a virus. The Prime Minister has no responsibility whatsoever for the results of the All Blacks.

                Only one of those is "exploiting".

                • Paddington

                  The PM has ultimate responsibility. Doesn't mean she has to pretend to be a micro-biologist.

                  • observer

                    Give an example of her pretending that.

                    You're really big on the sweeping statement, but when asked for evidence, you have nothing. Why do you keep dong this?

                    • Paddington

                      Watch tonights ppb again. You'll see the evidence.

                    • Incognito []

                      The PM bases her decisions on evidence and is guided by (the) science. Her job is to relay some of the decision-making process back to the people who are mostly lay-people. In other word, the PM is sharing her information and (basic) knowledge with the general public. Only a fool would see fault in that.

                  • Incognito

                    Did she dye her hair pink/purple? Did she fake her PhD degree? Are you wearing a tinfoil nightcap at night?

                    • Paddington

                      " In other word, the PM is sharing her information and (basic) knowledge with the general public. "

                      No, her job is to win re-election. She doesn't have information that a half decent health minister couldn't share.

                    • Incognito []

                      Nope, her job is to lead the Government in an unprecedented time of crisis. Funny that some have accused her of not being interested in the Election and downplaying it. How naive!

              • Paddington

                Not turning the daily briefings into a party political broadcast.

                • Sacha

                  So if we check recordings, the word "Labour" will appear?

                  • Paddington

                    The PM is the leader of a governing political party in an election year. Anyone who doesn't know which party she leads must be asleep.

                    • Incognito

                      That’s a “No” then. Quite a relief to see that you didn’t resort to making outright lies, just insinuations.

        • Incognito 36.2.1.2

          The buck stops with the PM, as the saying goes. She has the ability to clarify and justify decisions, as they are made by Cabinet, not by Uncle Ashley. She also has the trust of the NZ people, as polls have shown. Despite the howls of protest and wacky conspiracy theories from the usual suspects, the PM nor the Government that she leads have deliberately orchestrated this outbreak. However, she might want to distance herself from the daily pressers ASAP to avoid further insinuations and accusations by dim-witted RWNJs – I’d nominate the Deputy Prime Minister or the Minister of Health. To argue differently is deliberately misleading but quite understandable coming from RWNJs.

        • observer 36.2.1.3

          The "daily sessions" with the PM ended months ago.

          They returned on Tuesday.

          I know that doesn't fit the fantasy narrative, but it is a simple, verifiable fact.

          • Paddington 36.2.1.3.1

            Who cares when it ended? I'm expressing my considerable admiration for how well the PM has exploited this. Previous PM's have been no different.

            • observer 36.2.1.3.1.1

              I care, because truth matters.

              It's an attack line constantly repeated, and it's false.

              • Paddington

                The 'truth' is the PM fronts these daily sessions. She doesn't need to. It's politicking, pure and simple. And it's not an attack line. The PM is a politician in an election year. Any politician would do exactly the same. But for goodness sake don't try to make this out as anything other than bald opportunism.

                • observer

                  They. Are. Not. Daily. You are repeating the lie.

                  So, details please …

                  Should she not have made the announcement on Tuesday? Yes or no?

                  Parliament is not sitting any more, so should she have fronted to media yesterday? Yes or no?

              • Drowsy M. Kram

                Ardern doing her job, & doing it well. Collins’ eyebrow similarly hardworking.
                Check out the Paddington Brow Bar – just joking wink
                https://browbar.com/store/paddington/

                • Paddington

                  devil

                • Chris T

                  This attitude pretty much says it all.

                  Do you actually not want a fair election?

                  [I can’t be bothered with your insipid trolling any longer. The incumbent leader/party generally has an advantage over the challenger(s). The fact that this Coalition Government grapples with a huge crisis should offset their ‘home advantage’ to some degree, as the Opposition carries zero responsibility. To even think that the latest turn of events is being cynically manipulated to tilt the election in favour of the incumbents is ludicrous. The National Party has made its bed and has to lie in it so please spare me your crocodile tears about a “fair election”. Banned till Monday week, which is Super Troll Day – Incognito]

            • greywarshark 36.2.1.3.1.2

              Paddington is exploiting this situation and this blog to sound wise with a world-weary air. He's devious and projecting this onto our PM. See projection referred to today in one of the posts.

              • Paddington

                Actually I greatly admire the PM, so you've got that entirely wrong. But she lies, and exploits and makes mistakes just like any other politician. The popular ones (eg the last PM to be as popular) just do it better or cover it up better than the others.

                • Drowsy M. Kram

                  Paddington, by your own admission you "greatly admire" a political leader who you believe "lies, and exploits and makes mistakes".

                  Personally I couldn't admire anyone with that combination of flaws, but if that's what appeals to National party supporters then the behaviour of Key, Barclay, English, Joyce, Ross, Bridges, Collins, Brownlee, Walker, Falloon, Woodhouse, Bennett, Boag et al. starts to make sense.

                  “Strong Team” laugh

                  • McFlock

                    It really is politics through the eyes of a moral vacuum: duplicitous PM is turning briefings into party political broadcasts and faking empathy better than the nats ever could because her job is to win the election, and while the commenter is annoyed that she's on the other team her skill at deceit is worthy of admiration.

                    Because they can't comprehend having a PM who genuinely empathises with the people she is supposed to lead, nor can they comprehend the concept that a politician might view themselves as having any obligation other than furthering their career.

                    The worldview of the practitioners of Dirty Politics.

                  • solkta

                    Strong smell.

                • Incognito

                  Yup, demeaning comments about the PM to undermine her authority and to further erode public trust in politicians and the political process. It can’t be irony that you state that you “greatly admire the PM” and it must be sarcasm.

      • Chris T 36.2.2

        That would be a first.

        There is zero reason that Bloomfield just can't front it.

        Especially given the new lock down, the government shutdown and the election coming up.

        • observer 36.2.2.1

          Bloomfield is not elected. The elected government is ultimately responsible.

          We went through all this before ("why is she hiding, why won't she front?"). She is there, she is not there, just toss a coin and attack either way it lands.

          • Chris T 36.2.2.1.1

            No. He is the expert I want to hear from. The facts. That's it.

            Parliament has shutdown till the election.

            What is the point of Ardern doing her pep talks apart from politicising leading up to it and getting all the media oxygen?

            • observer 36.2.2.1.1.1

              So when there is a major issue, of huge concern to the public, you want the PM to refuse to face the media? You want the media to say "We wanted to put these questions to the PM, but her office said she was unavailable."

              Again, you have to make a choice. She fronts, or she does not front.

              Tell us what the PM should do and why.

              • Chris T

                Sorry.

                I don't get your point.

                I don't care if she isn't there.

              • Paddington

                Who said I wanted information from the deputy PM?

                • Incognito

                  Nobody said that. Are you as paranoid as Gerry?

                  Your comment was a reply to observer @ 36.2.2.1.1.1, 13 August 2020 at 5:04 pm.

                  • Paddington

                    Who said " So you do want information from the deputy PM answering ". So you were wrong again, weren’t you?

                    • Incognito

                      It was a comment from observer @ 13 August 2020 at 7:17 pm. So, you replied to the wrong comment and didn’t answer, but just negated, which is so typical of you here.

                  • Paddington

                    "She is getting an Emmy for her performance."

                    Well she deserves.

                  • Paddington

                    You knew the comment was to observer, yet you still got it wrong.

                  • Paddington

                    You knew the comment I replied to, and still got it wrong.

                    • Incognito

                      At the time I did not know that because in the back-end I looked at which comment you replied to and that did not say what you stated it said. You still haven’t addressed that comment properly and you’re just bleating on about me being wrong. Why don’t you address the questions that other commenters have put to you instead of evading genuine engagement? I’ve not banned you to give you exactly this opportunity but you’re squandering it, as usual. Do you have any interest in engaging here because that is not obvious at all. Just asking because you have presented an ‘interesting line of facts’, so far. I’m growing tired of your comments so why don’t we draw a line under this disappointing exchange and you start engaging with other commenters in a genuine way?

                  • Paddington

                    " Do send in your nomination and do vote for her. "

                    The funny thing in all this is that I may still be voting for her. It is becoming increasingly apparent the border control process has been absolutely botched (https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2020/08/nearly-two-thirds-of-nz-s-covid-19-border-isolation-staff-had-never-been-tested-a-week-ago.html). My dilemna is I have absolutely no confidence the nats could do any better. Sigh.

                  • Paddington

                    " Why don’t you address the questions that other commenters have put to you… "

                    I have.

            • Sacha 36.2.2.1.1.2

              You seem to be confusing 'speaking while PM' with 'politicising'. I hope you get some help with that but you have done more than enough diverting here for one day. On your bike.

              • Paddington

                This is an election year. In fact we are just weeks out from an election. We have a second wave of a global pandemic, possibly the result of mistakes at our border. The PM is speaking at length in daily briefings, and is enjoying huge political gain as a result. If you think that is not planned, you are seriously naieve.

                • Sacha

                  'Planned'? The PM somehow made a Covid resurgence happen on cue? How daft do you think the rest of us are?

                  • Paddington

                    You're being obtuse. The planning is around exploiting the political advantage. The Pm could take her own advice https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2020/08/coronavirus-jacinda-ardern-s-message-to-covid-19-conspiracy-theorists.html. But then why should she? She's doing what politicians do. Never let a good crisis go to waste.

                    • Stuart Munro

                      Never let a good crisis go to waste.

                      It's because she doesn't try to squeeze every drop out of them that her handling of them wins her such approval. Maybe she's read her Taleb – there's never a shortage of crisies.

                    • Incognito

                      The PM’s advice was for paranoid fear mongers such as you. There’s no “exploiting” or “planning” other than dealing with the current crisis. Meanwhile the National Party is self-destructing in a mushroom cloud of highly dangerous paranoia. Maybe you should offer your ‘invaluable insights’ to them.

                    • Paddington

                      "It's because she doesn't try to squeeze every drop out of them that her handling of them wins her such approval. "

                      Are you serious? The pained expression. The serious furrowing of the brow. This PM is a master. That's why she has the approval, not becasue she is in any way sincere.

                    • Incognito []

                      Are you serious? A person showing real emotion and empathy must be faking it. She is getting an Emmy for her performance. All polls and approval ratings are based on her acting skills. Yeah, right!

                    • Paddington

                      " The PM’s advice was for paranoid fear mongers such as you. "

                      Paranoid? Fear mongerer? Good grief you are as sensitive as ever.

                      The PM's advice was for votes. She is politiking, and who'd blame her? It's just amazing you are fooled by it. Rather than holding her daily PPB's, I rather she was addressing the reason we're back in lockdown.

                      https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2020/08/nearly-two-thirds-of-nz-s-covid-19-border-isolation-staff-had-never-been-tested-a-week-ago.html

                    • Incognito []

                      I urge you to send an e-mail tonight as you have single-handedly solved the case of the community spread and found the source of the ‘index case’. Well done!

                  • Paddington

                    I don't for a moment think the covid resurgence was planned. According to Winnie it was a case of incompetence around the management of quarantine https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12356430.

                    • observer

                      So you do want information from the deputy PM answering media questions, but you do not want information from the PM answering media questions.

                    • greywarshark

                      This is hard to bear.

                    • Incognito

                      You find Winnie a credible source or is this just because it suits you?

                      Your sweeping insinuations, your refusal to back them up with specific information, and the lack of any substantial evidence are exactly the reasons why you and I clashed in the past. You simply keep repeating the same insinuations and attack lines that are not really “attack lines”, just making some comments and just asking some questions but evading questions by other commenters. Yeah, right! You probably smirk more than Gerry does when you write that kind of nonsense.

                      You’re not commenting in good faith. I’m letting you know now this ‘game’ will be a lot shorter than in the past here. I’ve already banned Chris T and you’re still free to comment here but this is you only and last warning. Make it work!

                    • Paddington

                      " but evading questions by other commenters. "

                      The reason we've clashed on the past is because you don't exercise moderation with any kind of finesse. Your banning of ChrisT is a classic example. You're idea of unacceptable is something you don’t agree with or don’t understand. It's quite pathetic.

                      As to "evading questions by other commenters" I challenge you to provide an example. You won't be able to.

                    • Incognito []

                      Compared to Lprent’s, my Moderation is the epitome of patience and finesse 😉

                      However, it is a diversion again (!) because you don’t respond to either way of Moderation here. Nice try, but no cigar for you.

                      FYI, Chris T has been trolling this site for donkey’s years, has had many warnings, and copped a few bans. It was the behaviour why Chris T was banned, but that is something that cannot seem to understand and/or accept. Either way, you’re really not that smart to defend Chris T and criticise Moderation on TS. In fact, the latter is a bannable offence here.

                      Since you asked:

                      https://thestandard.org.nz/will-national-politicise-the-new-covid-outbreak/#comment-1740831

                      https://thestandard.org.nz/will-national-politicise-the-new-covid-outbreak/#comment-1740843

                      https://thestandard.org.nz/will-national-politicise-the-new-covid-outbreak/#comment-1740813

                      https://thestandard.org.nz/will-national-politicise-the-new-covid-outbreak/#comment-1740902

                      None of which has been answered by you. All you seem capable of, or willing to, is giving evasive replies that suck oxygen & energy out and away from the commentariat. Maybe you’re a sophisticate trollbot; you certainly come across like one.

                      BTW, this is your last chance to show that you want to play a part in the TS community although I have a strong suspicion you will blow it in your idiosyncratic way. Still, it’s not over till the Fat Lady sings.

                    • Paddington

                      Incognito

                      Your first link…here's my response, with a clear answer

                      https://thestandard.org.nz/will-national-politicise-the-new-covid-outbreak/#comment-1740862

                      Your second link…very clearly answered at https://thestandard.org.nz/will-national-politicise-the-new-covid-outbreak/#comment-1740859.

                      Your third link…again a very clear response @ https://thestandard.org.nz/will-national-politicise-the-new-covid-outbreak/#comment-1740818

                      Your fourth link…the one you found difficult to understand, was answered here

                      https://thestandard.org.nz/will-national-politicise-the-new-covid-outbreak/#comment-1740910.

                      Next.

                      BTW, you’re banning of Chris was for a particular comment that was totally innocuous. It was a petulant response that wrecks open dialogue, not enhances it.

                      [Next? There won’t be a “next” for you for a while. Stubborn slow-learner who refuses to take heed. The Fat Lady has sung, a Requiem, just for you. I’m sure you enjoyed it because you repeatedly asked for it. In the end, I could no longer ignore and refuse your request. God knows I tried. You won’t be wasting anybody’s time here for two months, by which time the Election will hopefully be done & dusted and the new Government sworn in – Incognito]

                    • Incognito []

                      See my Moderation note @ 10:42 PM.

                    • observer

                      I stopped engaging with Paddington on this because there is not even an attempt at good faith. I'm happy to debate and disagree, but not waste my time.

                      When asked for evidence that "the PM pretends to be a micro-biologist" I would expect at least a quote, an example, or a link. Something to support the claim.

                      Instead the response was:

                      "Watch tonights ppb again. You'll see the evidence."

                      Might as well say "I got nothing, so go search for the wild goose". It's empty bluster, by somebody found out.

    • Sacha 36.3

      The other bloke is not elected leader of the nation. Though he'd have a great shot if he ever wanted to be 🙂

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    “It hardly strikes me as fair to criticise a government for doing exactly what it said it was going to do. For actually keeping its promises.”THUNDER WAS PLAYING TAG with lightning flashes amongst the distant peaks. Its rolling cadences interrupted by the here-I-come-here-I-go Doppler effect of the occasional passing car. ...
    3 days ago
  • Manufacturing The Truth.
    Subversive & Disruptive Technologies: Just as happened with that other great regulator of the masses, the Medieval Church, the advent of a new and hard-to-control technology â€“ the Internet –  is weakening the ties that bind. Then, and now, those who enjoy a monopoly on the dissemination of lies, cannot and will ...
    3 days ago
  • A Powerful Sensation of DĂŠjĂ  Vu.
    Been Here Before: To find the precedents for what this Coalition Government is proposing, it is necessary to return to the “glory days” of Muldoonism.THE COALITION GOVERNMENT has celebrated its first 100 days in office by checking-off the last of its listed commitments. It remains, however, an angry government. It ...
    3 days ago
  • Can you guess where world attention is focussed (according to Greenpeace)? It’s focussed on an EPA...
    Bob Edlin writes –  And what is the world watching today…? The email newsletter from Associated Press which landed in our mailbox early this morning advised: In the news today: The father of a school shooter has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter; prosecutors in Trump’s hush-money case ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Further integrity problems for the Greens in suspending MP Darleen Tana
    Bryce Edwards writes – Is another Green MP on their way out? And are the Greens severely tarnished by another integrity scandal? For the second time in three months, the Green Party has secretly suspended an MP over integrity issues. Mystery is surrounding the party’s decision to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Jacqui Van Der Kaay: Greens’ transparency missing in action
    For the last few years, the Green Party has been the party that has managed to avoid the plague of multiple scandals that have beleaguered other political parties. It appears that their luck has run out with a second scandal which, unfortunately for them, coincided with Golraz Ghahraman, the focus ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago
  • Bernard’s Dawn Chorus with six newsey things at 6:46am for Saturday, March 16
    TL;DR: The six newsey things that stood out to me as of 6:46am on Saturday, March 16.Andy Foster has accidentally allowed a Labour/Green amendment to cut road user chargers for plug-in hybrid vehicles, which the Government might accept; NZ Herald Thomas Coughlan Simeon Brown has rejected a plea from Westport ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • How Did FTX Crash?
    What seemed a booming success a couple of years ago has collapsed into fraud convictions.I looked at the crash of FTX (short for ‘Futures Exchange’) in November 2022 to see whether it would impact on the financial system as a whole. Fortunately there was barely a ripple, probably because it ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    4 days ago
  • Elections in Russia and Ukraine
    Anybody following the situation in Ukraine and Russia would probably have been amused by a recent Tweet on X NATO seems to be putting in an awful lot of effort to influence what is, at least according to them, a sham election in an autocracy.When do the Ukrainians go to ...
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s six stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15
    TL;DR: Shaun Baker on Wynyard Quarter's transformation. Magdalene Taylor on the problem with smart phones. How private equity are now all over reinsurance. Dylan Cleaver on rugby and CTE. Emily Atkin on ‘Big Meat’ looking like ‘Big Oil’.Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15Photo by Jeppe Hove Jensen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Buzz from the Beehive Finance Minister Nicola Willis had plenty to say when addressing the Auckland Business Chamber on the economic growth that (she tells us) is flagging more than we thought. But the government intends to put new life into it:  We want our country to be a ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • National’s clean car tax advances
    The Transport and Infrastructure Committee has reported back on the Road User Charges (Light Electric RUC Vehicles) Amendment Bill, basicly rubberstamping it. While there was widespread support among submitters for the principle that EV and PHEV drivers should pay their fair share for the roads, they also overwhelmingly disagreed with ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Government funding bailouts
    Peter Dunne writes – This week’s government bailout – the fifth in the last eighteen months – of the financially troubled Ruapehu Alpine Lifts company would have pleased many in the central North Island ski industry. The government’s stated rationale for the $7 million funding was that it ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Two offenders, different treatments.
    See if you can spot the difference. An Iranian born female MP from a progressive party is accused of serial shoplifting. Her name is leaked to the media, which goes into a pack frenzy even before the Police launch an … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    4 days ago
  • Treaty references omitted
    Ele Ludemann writes  – The government is omitting general Treaty references from legislation : The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last Government in a bid to get greater coherence in the public service on Treaty ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • The Ghahraman Conflict
    What was that judge thinking? Peter Williams writes –  That Golriz Ghahraman and District Court Judge Maria Pecotic were once lawyer colleagues is incontrovertible. There is published evidence that they took at least one case to the Court of Appeal together. There was a report on ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 15
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Climate Scorpion – the sting is in the tail. Introducing planetary solvency. A paper via the University of Exeter’s Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.Local scoop: Kāinga Ora starts pulling out of its Auckland projects and selling land RNZ ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The day Wellington up-zoned its future
    Wellington’s massively upzoned District Plan adds the opportunity for tens of thousands of new homes not just in the central city (such as these Webb St new builds) but also close to the CBD and public transport links. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Wellington gave itself the chance of ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Weekly Roundup 15-March-2024
    It’s Friday and we’re halfway through March Madness. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt asked how we can get better event trains and an option for grade separating Morningside Dr. On Tuesday Matt looked into ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    4 days ago
  • That Word.
    Something you might not know about me is that I’m quite a stubborn person. No, really. I don’t much care for criticism I think’s unfair or that I disagree with. Few of us do I suppose.Back when I was a drinker I’d sometimes respond defensively, even angrily. There are things ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • The Hoon around the week to March 15
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:PM Christopher Luxon said the reversal of interest deductibility for landlords was done to help renters, who ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Labour’s policy gap
    It was not so much the Labour Party but really the Chris Hipkins party yesterday at Labour’s caucus retreat in Martinborough. The former Prime Minister was more or less consistent on wealth tax, which he was at best equivocal about, and social insurance, which he was not willing to revisit. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #11 2024
    Open access notables A Glimpse into the Future: The 2023 Ocean Temperature and Sea Ice Extremes in the Context of Longer-Term Climate Change, Kuhlbrodt et al., Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society: In the year 2023, we have seen extraordinary extrema in high sea surface temperature (SST) in the North Atlantic and in ...
    5 days ago
  • Melissa remains mute on media matters but has something to say (at a sporting event) about economic ...
     Buzz from the Beehive   The text reproduced above appears on a page which records all the media statements and speeches posted on the government’s official website by Melissa Lee as Minister of Media and Communications and/or by Jenny Marcroft, her Parliamentary Under-secretary.  It can be quickly analysed ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • The return of Muldoon
    For forty years, Robert Muldoon has been a dirty word in our politics. His style of government was so repulsive and authoritarian that the backlash to it helped set and entrench our constitutional norms. His pig-headedness over forcing through Think Big eventually gave us the RMA, with its participation and ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Will the rental tax cut improve life for renters or landlords?
    Bryce Edwards writes –  Is the new government reducing tax on rental properties to benefit landlords or to cut the cost of rents? That’s the big question this week, after Associate Finance Minister David Seymour announced on Sunday that the Government would be reversing the Labour Government’s removal ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: What Saudi Arabia’s rapid changes mean for New Zealand
    Saudi Arabia is rarely far from the international spotlight. The war in Gaza has brought new scrutiny to Saudi plans to normalise relations with Israel, while the fifth anniversary of the controversial killing of Jamal Khashoggi was marked shortly before the war began on October 7. And as the home ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    5 days ago
  • Racism’s double standards
    Questions need to be asked on both sides of the world Peter Williams writes –   The NRL Judiciary hands down an eight week suspension to Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu , an Auckland-born Samoan, after he calls Ezra Mam, Sydney-orn but of Aboriginal and Torres Strait ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • It’s not a tax break
    Ele Ludemann writes – Contrary to what many headlines and news stories are saying, residential landlords are not getting a tax break. The government is simply restoring to them the tax deductibility of interest they had until the previous government removed it. There is no logical reason ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • The Plastic Pig Collective and Chris' Imaginary Friends.
    I can't remember when it was goodMoments of happiness in bloomMaybe I just misunderstoodAll of the love we left behindWatching our flashbacks intertwineMemories I will never findIn spite of whatever you becomeForget that reckless thing turned onI think our lives have just begunI think our lives have just begunDoes anyone ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Who is responsible for young offenders?
    Michael Bassett writes – At first reading, a front-page story in the New Zealand Herald on 13 March was bizarre. A group of severely intellectually limited teenagers, with little understanding of the law, have been pleading to the Justice Select Committee not to pass a bill dealing with ram ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on National’s fantasy trip to La La Landlord Land
    How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is: (a) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was ...
    5 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 14
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Jonathon Porritt calling bullshit in his own blog post on mainstream climate science as ‘The New Denialism’.Local scoop: The Wellington City Council’s list of proposed changes to the IHP recommendations to be debated later today was leaked this ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • No, Prime Minister, rents don’t rise or fall with landlords’ costs
    TL;DR: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Cartoons: ‘At least I didn’t make things awkward’
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Tom Toro Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in Playboy, the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. Related: What 10 EV lovers ...
    5 days ago
  • Solving traffic congestion with Richard Prebble
    The business section of the NZ Herald is full of opinion. Among the more opinionated of all is the ex-Minister of Transport, ex-Minister of Railways, ex MP for Auckland Central (1975-93, Labour), Wellington Central (1996-99, ACT, then list-2005), ex-leader of the ACT Party, uncle to actor Antonia, the veritable granddaddy ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    5 days ago
  • I Think I'm Done Flying Boeing
    Hi,Just quickly — I’m blown away by the stories you’ve shared with me over the last week since I put out the ‘Gary’ podcast, where I told you about the time my friend’s flatmate killed the neighbour.And you keep telling me stories — in the comments section, and in my ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • Invoking Aristotle: Of Rings of Power, Stones, and Ships
    The first season of Rings of Power was not awful. It was thoroughly underwhelming, yes, and left a lingering sense of disappointment, but it was more expensive mediocrity than catastrophe. I wrote at length about the series as it came out (see the Review section of the blog, and go ...
    6 days ago
  • Van Velden brings free-market approach to changing labour laws – but her colleagues stick to distr...
    Buzz from the Beehive Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden told Auckland Business Chamber members they were the first audience to hear her priorities as a minister in a government committed to cutting red tape and regulations. She brandished her liberalising credentials, saying Flexible labour markets are the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Why Newshub failed
    Chris Trotter writes – TO UNDERSTAND WHY NEWSHUB FAILED, it is necessary to understand how TVNZ changed. Up until 1989, the state broadcaster had been funded by a broadcasting licence fee, collected from every citizen in possession of a television set, supplemented by a relatively modest (compared ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Māori Party on the warpath against landlords and seabed miners – let’s see if mystical creature...
    Bob Edlin writes  –  The Māori Party has been busy issuing a mix of warnings and threats as its expresses its opposition to interest deductibility for landlords and the plans of seabed miners. It remains to be seen whether they  follow the example of indigenous litigants in Australia, ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • There’s a name for this
    Every year, in the Budget, Parliament forks out money to government agencies to do certain things. And every year, as part of the annual review cycle, those agencies are meant to report on whether they have done the things Parliament gave them that money for. Agencies which consistently fail to ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago
  • Echoes of 1968 in 2024?  Pocock on the repetitive problems of the New Left
    Mike Grimshaw writes – Recent events in American universities point to an underlying crisis of coherent thinking, an issue that increasingly affects the progressive left across the Western world. This of course is nothing new as anyone who can either remember or has read of the late ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Positive progress for social worker workforce
    New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 hours ago
  • Minister confirms reduced RUC rate for PHEVs
    Cabinet has agreed to a reduced road user charge (RUC) rate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. Owners of PHEVs will be eligible for a reduced rate of $38 per 1,000km once all light electric vehicles (EVs) move into the RUC system from 1 April.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    8 hours ago
  • Trade access to overseas markets creates jobs
    Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay, says that today’s opening of Riverland Foods manufacturing plant in Christchurch is a great example of how trade access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand.  Speaking at the official opening of this state-of-the-art pet food factory the Minister noted that exports ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    8 hours ago
  • NZ and Chinese Foreign Ministers hold official talks
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago
  • Kāinga Ora instructed to end Sustaining Tenancies
    Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber: Growth is the answer
    Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Singapore rounds out regional trip
    Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships.      “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister van Velden represents New Zealand at International Democracy Summit
    Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Insurance Council of NZ Speech, 7 March 2024, Auckland
    ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland  Acknowledgements and opening  Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho.  Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau  My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Five-year anniversary of Christchurch terror attacks
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says.  “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024
    Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024  Acknowledgements and opening  Morena, Nga Mihi Nui.  Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau  Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Early visit to Indonesia strengthens ties
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country.   “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • China Foreign Minister to visit
    Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week.  “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister opens new Auckland Rail Operations Centre
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Celebrating 10 years of Crankworx Rotorua
    The Government is proud to support the 10th edition of Crankworx Rotorua as the Crankworx World Tour returns to Rotorua from 16-24 March 2024, says Minister for Economic Development Melissa Lee.  “Over the past 10 years as Crankworx Rotorua has grown, so too have the economic and social benefits that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government delivering on tax commitments
    Legislation implementing coalition Government tax commitments and addressing long-standing tax anomalies will be progressed in Parliament next week, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The legislation is contained in an Amendment Paper to the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill issued today.  “The Amendment Paper represents ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Significant Natural Areas requirement to be suspended
    Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard has today announced that the Government has agreed to suspend the requirement for councils to comply with the Significant Natural Areas (SNA) provisions of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity for three years, while it replaces the Resource Management Act (RMA).“As it stands, SNAs ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government classifies drought conditions in Top of the South as medium-scale adverse event
    Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has classified the drought conditions in the Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts as a medium-scale adverse event, acknowledging the challenging conditions facing farmers and growers in the district. “Parts of Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts are in the grip of an intense dry spell. I know ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government partnership to tackle $332m facial eczema problem
    The Government is helping farmers eradicate the significant impact of facial eczema (FE) in pastoral animals, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced.  “A $20 million partnership jointly funded by Beef + Lamb NZ, the Government, and the primary sector will save farmers an estimated NZD$332 million per year, and aims to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • NZ, India chart path to enhanced relationship
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has completed a successful visit to India, saying it was an important step in taking the relationship between the two countries to the next level.   “We have laid a strong foundation for the Coalition Government’s priority of enhancing New Zealand-India relations to generate significant future benefit for both countries,” says Mr Peters, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Ruapehu Alpine Lifts bailout the last, say Ministers
    Cabinet has agreed to provide $7 million to ensure the 2024 ski season can go ahead on the Whakapapa ski field in the central North Island but has told the operator Ruapehu Alpine Lifts it is the last financial support it will receive from taxpayers. Cabinet also agreed to provide ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Fresh produce price drop welcome
    Lower fruit and vegetable prices are welcome news for New Zealanders who have been doing it tough at the supermarket, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Stats NZ reported today the price of fruit and vegetables has dropped 9.3 percent in the 12 months to February 2024.  “Lower fruit and vege ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Statement to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68)
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government backs rural led catchment projects
    The coalition Government is supporting farmers to enhance land management practices by investing $3.3 million in locally led catchment groups, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. “Farmers and growers deliver significant prosperity for New Zealand and it’s vital their ongoing efforts to improve land management practices and water quality are supported,” ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber
    Good evening everyone and thank you for that lovely introduction.   Thank you also to the Honourable Simon Bridges for the invitation to address your members. Since being sworn in, this coalition Government has hit the ground running with our 100-day plan, delivering the changes that New Zealanders expect of us. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Commission’s advice on ETS settings tabled
    Recommendations from the Climate Change Commission for New Zealand on the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction and unit limit settings for the next five years have been tabled in Parliament, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “The Commission provides advice on the ETS annually. This is the third time the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government lowering building costs
    The coalition Government is beginning its fight to lower building costs and reduce red tape by exempting minor building work from paying the building levy, says Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk. “Currently, any building project worth $20,444 including GST or more is subject to the building levy which is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Trustee tax change welcomed
    Proposed changes to tax legislation to prevent the over-taxation of low-earning trusts are welcome, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The changes have been recommended by Parliament’s Finance and Expenditure Committee following consideration of submissions on the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill. “One of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister’s Ramadan message
    Assalaamu alaikum. السَّلَام عليكم In light of the holy month of Ramadan, I want to extend my warmest wishes to our Muslim community in New Zealand. Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, renewed devotion, perseverance, generosity, and forgiveness.  It’s a time to strengthen our bonds and appreciate the diversity ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister appoints new NZTA Chair
    Former Transport Minister and CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber Hon Simon Bridges has been appointed as the new Board Chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) for a three-year term, Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced today. “Simon brings extensive experience and knowledge in transport policy and governance to the role. He will ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Speech to Life Sciences Summit
    Good morning all, it is a pleasure to be here as Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology.  It is fantastic to see how connected and collaborative the life science and biotechnology industry is here in New Zealand. I would like to thank BioTechNZ and NZTech for the invitation to address ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
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  • Progress continues apace on water storage
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