WINZ: where hope and dignity go to die

Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, October 4th, 2017 - 66 comments
Categories: benefits, class war, disability, poverty, welfare - Tags: , , , , ,

This post by Chloe King is cross posted from millennialposse.wordpress.com


I’ve just come from a WINZ (Work and Income New Zealand) office out in East Auckland, I often go as an advocate for people on welfare. I do this because I know going it alone, mostly, means you will be denied entitlements, often leave empty handed and likely, humiliated. The person who I supported today, I will call Emma (most people on welfare would rather stay anonymous when I ask if I can write about them). Emma, had had her benefit sanctioned because she was unable to attend a few scheduled appointments with her WINZ caseworker. We discovered later that an IRD (Inland Revenue) error was at the centre of this ordeal.

Over the last year Emma, has undergone two major surgeries: one on her neck, another on her elbow, leaving her in constant pain and on heavy pain meds. On top of this, a few years ago she was diagnosed with early onset arthritis in addition to injuries to her nerves and spine. Her ongoing health issues make working incredibly hard because she can’t predict when she will have good days and when she will be stuck at home in chronic pain. She still can’t lift anything heavier than a milk jug, can’t sit in a fixed position for any period of time, and suffers from insomnia that will often keep her awake for 40 hours or more. That’s when the seizures start. Her health issues impact and compound her mental health which just adds to her brain fog.  Depression, the physical pain and the concoction of pills Emma is on to control her physical pain, make it hard to think clearly and just remember day-to-day things – like those all important WINZ appointments.

Between all the physical and emotional hurdles which Emma faces every-single-day of her life, she missed six scheduled appointments at WINZ. She was operating under the information she’d previously been given; that she needed to submit a medical certificate every three months and have a yearly review. Emma didn’t realise she wasn’t in compliance and as such, her benefit was sanctioned and cut to the bone. Resulting in her missing rent, having no money for food, and barely managing to get by. Because what better way to kick someone in the guts who is already struggling, than to to cut them off economically?

I want to say right now, right here: I feel welfare sanctions are a cruel form of (economic) punishment which are punitively administered for the smallest slights of ‘bad behaviour’. Which include (but are not limited to): forgetting or being unable to make a scheduled appointment, failing a drug test (seriously, don’t tell me *you* as a fully employed person, has never ever smoked a bit of dope, dropped a pill in the weekend, or downed a wine or three every other night), and refusing to take a job that may or may not be suitable for you.

If you want to get a welfare sanction lifted you are required to go and plead your case, to whatever caseworker has been assigned to you at the next available appointment. Either that or risk missing even more rent payments and then in turn, risk joining the 40,000 people in Aotearoa, who are homeless and living on the streets.

The WINZ appointment we had wasn’t exactly the worst I have attended. I’ve had caseworkers out right lie to me, make up WINZ policy, and actively yell in my face for calling them out on their bullshit and lies. It is always luck of the draw when it comes to WINZ: will the caseworker have empathy or will sociopathy be their preferred state of being? Who knows? But luckily this particular caseworker operated from a place of semi-empathy and reinstated her benefit with back-pay. When I asked for a food grant for Emma, the casework granted it without forcing us to jump through moral hoops. Being poor is now an individual and moral issue; not a structural or state issue.

I am just going to put-it out there and get all radical: No one in this damn country should be forced to beg for food. However, every single  day those on welfare are forced to do just that; beg for their most basic entitlements.  Only a few weeks ago RadioNZ reported that over 200 million worth of WINZ entitlements had been denied to tens-of-thousands of beneficiaries,

“The figures were in a report obtained by Newsub’s The Nation under the Official Information Act.

It showed 150,000 beneficiaries and low income families were not getting payments totalling $200m a year that they were entitled to.”

More often than not when I ask for a food grant the caseworker will demand the person in need of food justify why they deserve it and ask what happened to any extra dole money they had. Oh, I don’t know? Lack of dole cash might have something to do with the cold, hard, and shitty fact that WINZ payments are so low it barely pays rent let alone guarantees the basics like: food.

I talked to a sole mum on WINZ a few months ago who had recently discovered dumpster diving. She was so excited about it all because as she told me “I now have food security. I know I can find food no matter what. My family will not go hungry.” Ya’ fucking know our country is fucked when a sole mum is finding hope at the bottom of a trash can. And food security means going through bins at the backs of gourmet supermarkets like Farro to avoid going hungry.

In the end we got a food grant, we re-instated Emma’s welfare payments and got back-pay. We still have to go and print out some IRD material to get everything fixed up, which it seems WINZ can’t manage in an office full of printers. I am hoping tonight she has a tiny bit of economic breathing space. But what worries me the most is the despair and the sheer terror so many people I support at WINZ are feeling, this includes Emma. She bluntly summarised to me, her experiences with WINZ:

“Constant, exhausting terror, dulling your cognitive abilities because you’re in perpetual fight/flight mode.”

On the way home from WINZ, Emma told me she had come up with a ‘Plan B’ if she couldn’t sort out the WINZ sanctions. This plan was simple in execution: she was going to take her own life. She told me she didn’t want to “come across as dramatic” but she couldn’t see any other way out of it.

I understand what I just typed is heavy and hard; suicide is always a tough and painful subject. But I think we need a compassionate and public conversation around the very real and deep trauma that our State Social Systems are causing so many people. Like, forcing people to live off so little they are picking food out of a bin to gain food security is not okay. It is not fucking okay that every damn time I go to a WINZ office, caseworkers are actively making up policy. Even the ‘semi-empathetic’ caseworker we got today, still, lied and told Emma it was part of her “WINZ obligation that [she] come for an appointment once a month.” That isn’t true. Tonight, I spoke with an ex WINZ caseworker, who told me,

“What we [WINZ caseworkers] did to beneficiaries was awful… we were encouraged to dehumanise them.”

It is not okay that nearly everyone I have advocated for at WINZ, has broken down in tears during appointments and have often been close to a panic attack. Most people I advocate for at WINZ unanimously tell me it is a humiliating and utterly defeating experience.

Being poor, being unemployed, being on welfare, being down on your luck, or struggling with serious health issues like Emma… doesn’t make you less than; it doesn’t suddenly make you sub-human. The fact I even have to type those words as a reminder that, regardless, of what economic and social position you hold, you are still a human being, makes me incredibly sad.

***

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66 comments on “WINZ: where hope and dignity go to die ”

  1. One Anonymous Bloke 1

    Should “I was just following National Party orders” be a defence against charges of human rights violations?

    • Morrissey 1.1

      Sadly, the regime was as just as cruel and judgemental under the last Labour government.

      • Delia 1.1.1

        There has been a culture of coldness for some years, but Labour never applied the harsh sanctions that National has imposed, it also made it harder to speak to WINZ workers easily by forcing appointments weeks in advance..it is all about keeping the public at bay and on the phone. I can never understand why WINZ has never employed trained social workers to deal with disabled, distressed, confused clients, to much to ask eh? It shows us the official culture and I am not a particularly harsh critic of WINZ workers, it is the system that is tough.

        • weka 1.1.1.1

          +1

          When I first came into contact with the system it was the Ministry of Social Welfare. The shift to Work and Income NZ (1990s) was significant and a potent symbology of what was to come.

        • Bill 1.1.1.2

          The idea that a state should make some provisions available to ensure a level of welfare for everyone in society runs counter to ideologies that rest on notions of “opportunity” and “personal choice”.

          Both NZ Labour and National adhere to such an ideology.

          The best that can be hoped for, as long as that remains the case, is that an occasional dumpling will be provided with the gruel that’s unwillingly dished up to society’s “undeserving poor”.

          See. Bill English apparently doesn’t know what Jim Bolger meant when he said “neo-liberalism” had failed (I guess it’s just the natural order to Bill) and Jacinda Ardern echoing that refrain, reckons that “neo-liberalism” has nothing to do with economic settings, but that it ‘just happens’ to people.

          We’s kinda fucked while that mentality or degree of stupidity makes government level economic decisions that have consequences for people.

      • weka 1.1.2

        “Sadly, the regime was as just as cruel and judgemental under the last Labour government.”

        I don’t think so. Labour certainly did some shitty stuff and need to be held to account for that, but the Bennett reforms took things to a whole new level.

      • One Anonymous Bloke 1.1.3

        No, it wasn’t. It was less cruel and judgemental. They’d break your arms, but at least they wouldn’t stab you.

        • Richard@Downsouth 1.1.3.1

          I had cancer in 1997… took me til about 2003 to be fit for work… had a job for about 5 years which I had to leave because a new manager at the place bullied me and it got to the point where I couldnt sleep much, and hardly ate… I resigned, and moved towns back to Invercargill… I went and saw WINZ, and they asked why I left the job. I showed them a record of the stuff I’d been put through, and they put me on sickness benefit for 6 weeks with an option for more, if my GP thought it was needed, due to stress…

          I eventually found work for 30~ hours a week, and WINZ topped my pay up depending on my wages… I then found after a couple of years a full time job, and WINZ were helpful, and told me what I could claim to help start my job… this was about 5 years ago…

          I had heard some bad things, but generally about certain case managers, and that in general, I was fairly happy with how I was treated

          Roll on a year ago, and a friend was sick, and had to get forms from the doctor dropped into WINZ, so I offered… I got a 2 minute interrogation at the door by the security guard as ‘You’re not on the appointment list’… followed by a wait of a couple minutes in a queue inside, to be ‘greeted’ by a woman who it seemed just by me being there was ruining her day (she didn’t know me from Adam)… her tone changed when I explained I had just finished work, and was running an errand for a friend who was sick…

          Meantime, the way several staff had talked to people there had concerned me… it was pretty degrading

    • Wensleydale 1.2

      No. As a sentient human being, there should come a point when your conscience — that nagging little voice in the back of your skull that informs you when you’re being shitty to other people — has raised such a howling cacophony of outrage, that you’ve no choice but to pull the pin and say, “No. I will not do this thing anymore. Because it’s wrong.”

      I say ‘should’ because it’s frankly astounding that so many people are seemingly able to tune out that voice.

      • One Anonymous Bloke 1.2.1

        cf: the Lerner and other experiments: we’re all susceptible, uncomfortable as that thought is.

  2. AB 2

    The ideology is that the individual who needs help is somehow defective, and so needs strict monitoring and control. The effects are shameful.

    The same thinking underlies Bill’s shiny new the ideology of ‘social investment’. It gives the gloss of science to some very old Victorian prejudices – we will identify the defective individuals early on and give them ‘support’.
    It is intended to specifically suppress the thought that maybe the individual is not defective at all (or becomes so only in response to prolonged stress) and that it’s the economic system that needs attention.

  3. DoublePlusGood 3

    “I am just going to put-it out there and get all radical”

    The sad thing is that basic human decency is now radical in our society.

    • Wensleydale 3.1

      Yes, if you advocate for the humane treatment of other people, you’re a leftie, a loony, a communist, an agitator, a trouble-maker and part of the infamous ‘rent-a-mob’ National enjoy dismissively referring to whenever citizens band together to protest some new draconian outrage.

  4. eco maori 4

    You can see by the way national ran this organization that humane is not in the neo liberal’s dictionary’s

  5. Bill 6

    My reckons is that Chloe is writing some really good shit around this these days. Her (your, if you’re reading this thread) “Beyond the Election: on solidarity and building communities of compassion” being a case in point.

    That aside, I’m getting the impression that many, many people are now feeling able to cast aside the ‘cloak of shame’ this society has forced them to wear with regards being poor and seeking a degree of welfare via state mechanisms.

    • jcuknz 6.1

      If you think Labour will be any better you are dreaming as who brought in WFF to make so many of the population a beneficiary But of course they are not benes, just on WFF.

  6. Whispering Kate 7

    Everytime a beneficiary has a negative experience with WINZ and ends up in tears and has panic attacks it is just another layer of negative experience to them that compounds over time into post stress trauma. I know from personal experience with a family member that it sets back their recovery of whatever predicament they are in – illness, unemployment. They panic each benefit day their money won’t be there to support them. It just is a never ending horror story for them.

    To hear from Chloe that a person she was advocating for was contemplating ending it all isn’t unusual, in fact it is a daily event in this country and why wouldn’t these persecuted people not feel like finishing it all. We have experienced this in our family with suicide attempts, one which we didn’t think our loved one would recover from.

    If there is a Goddess looking after us, please let her kick this pack of heathens out of Government. There is a very good editorial in the Herald today about tribalism and how devotees of any one ideology will wear blinkers and refuse to accept anything negative about their favoured political party – I know this to be true with people I know who cannot accept or will listen to anything negative about this corrupt administration we have in right now.

    WINZ needs a new culture of empathy, please let it be soon.

    • Punk Is Bread 7.1

      +100!

    • Bob 7.2

      Hear hear Kate, well said.

    • tracey 7.3

      Really well said Kate

      The cynic in me says a dead beneficary is seen as a reduction in people on the benefit…

      Tolley says MSD does not keep stats on how many WINZ clients take their own lives. Makes me wonder why not.

      • Craig H 7.3.1

        The Ministry of Health have that information even if MSD don’t.

        • weka 7.3.1.1

          They probably don’t have records of who are WINZ clients though. I’m guessing they list occupation and lots of WINZ clients will have their occupation as their part time job, not beneficiary.

    • jcuknz 7.4

      I disagree Kate as we need to change National …they are already have come a fair way to the left pushing ‘the left’ to extremities.
      Some more pushing/encouragement and they could keep the country on an even keel while looking after those in need better.
      While a government of national unity with nats plus lab could be an solution .
      The country needs the experience and common sense of National with a levening of compassion.
      I will continue to support National as I have done since ACT proved its worthlessness until I see sense in the ‘left’ and not just feelings.
      Rage at the injustices perpetrated by case managers should not obscure the fact that the country needs to be economically successful to look after its people and the people need to show responsibility to justify that care.

      • Ed 7.4.1

        There is no alternative……we’ve heard that lie for 35 years.
        And you still believe it.
        Oh well……

        • jcuknz 7.4.1.1

          Of course there is an alternative but one must be careful not to throw the baby out with the bathwater.
          I started thinking about this around 1963 when I came upon Bill Sutch’s writing … in those days as a renter I was mainly interested in housing but as I looked and saw our society develop I have ideas on numerous aspects of life … The Responsible Society.

          • Ed 7.4.1.1.1

            Ditch neoliberalism.
            There is no baby.
            Just fetid stagnant toxic bathwater that needs to be rid of after 33 years.

            • miravox 7.4.1.1.1.1

              +1

            • jcuknz 7.4.1.1.1.2

              I do not know what all this ‘neoliberalism’ means but I do believe that if Roger Douglas started it when he saved the country from the Muldoon disaster he did good but unfortunately a guy came along for a cuppa and the moderating social side was not implemented.
              Black or white or in this case blue or red is not an answer of any value but a meld of good economic policy which works with the world we have to deal with coupled with a more compassionate welfare system which is not valued by those running it on how much they save but how well people are treated.

  7. Kevin 8

    This happened a couple of months ago.

    The person involved, turned ups to her WINZ appointment on time and was waiting. Because WINZ actively discourage having your children there, she had paid someone to mind her two preschoolers.

    Whilst sitting in the waiting area she was able to see the case manager who she was supposed to see (open plan office). This person just carried on working and my friend was left waiting. She spoke to the receptionist and asked if she could phone the case manager to tell her her appointment was here.

    The receptionist phoned three times and the case manager never picked up the phone.
    After an hour my friend had to leave to pick up her children.

    Later that day she got one of the shitty threatening emails from WINZ pointing out the ramifications for missing appointments!

    Turns out the case manager had turned the ringer off on her phone. So more time wasted and more money for babysitter. And they wonder why they are hated so much… or do they?

  8. Trey 9

    On the Herald online this morning there was an article about a woman who committed suicide the day after she recieved a letter saying she was to be prosecuted over recieving benefit over payments amounting to $20,000. This was despite WINZ knowing that she suffered from depression and had been suicidal. Sorry cant link to it as it disappeared very quickly.
    Welcome to Nationals Brighter future that delivers for New Zealanders as long as your white and wealthy.

  9. Delia 10

    Lots of people on benefits consider Plan B, just remove themselves and not have to worry about the welfare system and their own survival.

    • tracey 10.1

      I wonder how many homeless are in this category? Got so sick of the hoop jumping and degradation they decided at least homeless they were in control of life decisions?

      • Macro 10.1.1

        A very large majority tracey.
        Also many just simply cannot manage the paperwork.
        Form filling can be a terrifying experience for many, and especially so for dyslexic.
        But added to that, is the continual rise of housing (and even basic shelter), and the fact that this is no longer given a heavy weighting in the calculation of the CPI. Given the fact that benefits were cast in 1991 at 80% of what would constitute, even then, a subsistence level of living, it is obvious that benefits nowadays, are completely inadequate for even a sub-standard level of living in this country.

  10. Siobhan 11

    It occurs to me that Labour managed to create a Radical Revolution for the benefit of the Economy back in ’84, so, given their regret and repeatedly declared separation from neo liberal ideology, how about Labour running on a platform of Revolution for the People??
    Why not have a clear policy where they state..this is what happens at WINZ under National, this is what we will do to dismantle that culture and policies within 6 months of gaining power.

    How hard could that be, whats stopping them spelling these things out?

    Maybe these are the issues that would attract the missing voters.

    • Sparky 11.1

      You have it in one. Also why no increased taxes for the super rich? I see that’s off the table and why not an emphatic “no” to the TPPA? To my mind they might call themselves Labour but they are a long way from the Labour party I remember as a kid.

    • tracey 11.2

      Because since 84 the brainwashing that if you just work harder you will make lotsa money has taken hold?

      • Ed 11.2.1

        Must be brainwashing because you only have to look to see it’s not true.

        • In Vino 11.2.1.1

          Tracey – I think that the true philosophy was: “If you just work harder at immoral profit-gouging, you will make lotsa money.”
          But for some strange reason, the full version got shortened.

  11. Sparky 12

    Yep the current government have in my opinion been helping to dig this country’s grave over the last nine years but it started way back in the 1980’s when this neo liberal shit first turned up on the scene. The burning question is will an alliance of Labour/Greens/NZF do better? I would hope so but that’s a case of wait and see (assuming it happens at all).

    Personally I do feel we need a total revamp of our political system and in particular an end to the Westmonster model which allows these pricks free reign to pretty much do as they like once elected.

  12. rhinocrates 13

    I used to have terrible panic attacks before and after and some staff are hopelessly inadequate human beings. On the other hand, I’ve dealt for some time now with a case manager who is a very nice, attentive, sympathetic and capable person. That comes down to their personal qualities, but they make it clear that they’re under pressure from above. The system forces inhumanity and callousness.

    Also, my current fairly positive experience is largely due to the fact that I’m permanently on Fluoxetine.

    • Barfly 13.1

      I take enough of that so that I’m only chronically depressed instead of clinically depressed I tried taking a higher dose but it gets hard to get much sleep when there are imaginary people banging on your door most of the time when you nod off .

  13. jaymam 14

    I have advocated at WINZ (or whatever stupid name they have from time to time) for a number of people. It is my impression that WINZ are even more incompetent and ridiculous under a National government.

    One of their clients was alleged to owe $25,000 and they were going to prosecute her. By going carefully through the rules I managed to get the amount reduced to a few thousand. She had been paid slightly over the $80/week limit while helping disabled children for years.

    Another client started work and had been overpaid a benefit by a small amount, about $50. He paid in cash and got a receipt. WINZ sent him a bill every month for many months. Phoning them did no good. They threatened his credit record. I sent a letter and a copy of the receipt to the chief WINZ accountant in Wellington, with a CC to my MP. The demands stopped. Truly WINZ is incompetent and out of control.

    And those damned appointments. I went to WINZ to tell them that I now had a boarder and could no longer claim the Living Alone Super allowance. They said I would have to make an appointment to tell them that. I refused, and handed them the form that I had filled out, which they accepted. As some of you may know, I am much more aggressive than most WINZ clients.

    We need an organisation with advocates like the Combined Beneficiaries Union which seems to have disappeared.

  14. cleangreen 15

    We should have a public prosecuter place a legal case against WINZ for delilection of duty to it’s public clients due to a lack of their duties under the “public servant Act” code.

    Here is the legal interpretation of the function of a public servant.

    Government consists of “public servants”; – these who are our ‘public servants’ should firstly be serving the needs and ‘interests’ including aspirations of their employees who are ‘the public’
    Public service’. 2 :a service rendered in the public interest

    So according to the legal requirements of these ‘public servants’ they are legally required to serve the public interests firstly and not their own needs right?

    Here is the proof;

    https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/public%20service

    Webster dictonary

    Definition of public service

    1 :the business of supplying a commodity (such as electricity or gas) or service (such as transportation) to any or all members of a community
    2 :a service rendered in the public interest
    3 :governmental employment; especially :civil service

  15. Whispering Kate 16

    I fear that Labour, if they get into power, with a coalition, will not radically change the culture of WINZ. There hasn’t been much policy concerning WINZ coming from them and the Greens, as far as I can ascertain, are the only party which will keep them honest.

    What will it take to make this department called WINZ become a caring and understanding department for people who are vulnerable – I am speaking of the disabled, mentally unwell, people who cannot work. Prior governments have abandoned them and left them to the mercies of rental landlords and living on the streets. Its no wonder the suicide rate is so high, its shameful.

    Families are left to shoulder the burden and its a burden they lovingly take up, inexperienced as they are, but what’s to happen when these parents finally are no longer there to care for their loved ones. We once had a society where one could rest in peace knowing their loved ones were cared for.

    IMO NZ has become a shitty place to live in.

    • greywarshark 16.1

      Not long after the Neo lib government started to get into the swing of how it was going to run down welfare, a woman with an adult son who was mentally incapable of coping on his own, decided to do the decisive thing and not leave him to the merciless grinding system that the government was adopting if she died and he was left with no-one to love and care for him. So she killed him and herself, deeming that it was better to end their joint lives together while they were still reasonably happy, rather than live on with her in fear of his not having suitable, sensitive care.

  16. Andrea 17

    “I fear that Labour, if they get into power, with a coalition, will not radically change the culture of WINZ”

    Is it still free to ‘write to your Congressman’ – Stonewall, MP, Parliament Buildings, Wellington – no stamp needed?

    And keep nagging every last miserable constituency representative until their days are made uneasy.

    The whole social welfare set-up is a mess. The total disconnect from ‘market forces’ that keep bumping up the costs of living -even thriftily- until more is going out to Feed the Beast than is coming in to feed the present and future.

    The horror and shame of having to seek any scraping assistance beyond the threadbare basics; the ethos and culture that demands you be totally destitute, with few to no ways out of the pit – it has got to go. Preferably before the ‘world of work’ really starts to change.

    While we’re at it – recognise that the present round of ‘monopoly’ has nearly ended: most people have been forced out and the spectators are looking for a better game to play. Let’s make it happen – for as many as want to.

    • JustPassingThrough 17.1

      Yep, it’s a cultural problem. The attitude of the average WINZ worker is that it’s their money and anyone who walks through the door is out to steal it from them. Personally, I blame Christine Rankin and her “zero-tolerance” towards benefit fraud, for it.

      What’s needed is an independent oversight authority (even a new branch of the court system populated by district court judges) where people can go and make complaints against WINZ, free of charge, and have decisions by WINZ reviewed.

      • jcuknz 17.1.1

        Yes it is a cultural problem dating back to 1990 at least when I boarded a beneficiary and they told me of the ‘war’ between the department and those it ‘helped’.
        I was on the dole for a short time back then after one staff accepting my financial position and paying me the full amount somebody else sent me a letter cutting me back to $7pw. … “You are getting much too much” but without any details.

        • JustPassingThrough 17.1.1.1

          I despise WINZ with a passion.

          Back in the 90’s I got my benefit cut off at least four times due to “clerical” mistakes and each time it took at least a month before it was reinstated with full back payment. That means at a least a month with no income. Fortunately I had a very understanding landlord.

          And every WINZ worker I’ve known personally has had the attitude of “what a shitty job I’ve got I had a guy come in demanding $1000 for an engagement ring … whinge whinge moan moan.” Well whoop-de-do. Police have to put up with being sworn at and spat on and you don’t hear them bitching about it.

  17. Yeah fuck the cunts.

    I wrote a post on an article on The Daily Blog which , is similar in vein.

    I would invite you to read what Kim Isaac wrote as an article.

    GUEST BLOG: Kim Isaac – the reality for single mums & dads « The …
    https://thedailyblog.co.nz/…/guest-blog-kim-isaac-the-reality-for-single-mums-dads/

    I dont give a fuck what the circumstances are… quite frankly , … what I do give a fuck about is the way fellow New Zealanders and New Zealander-esses are being treated by the wimps at WINZ.

    Wimps at WINZ ,… whats that in acronyms? , … hang on ,… WAW. There you go. Sounds a lot like WAR. WAR on the fucking poor. Wimps at WINZ.

    Think of that next time you think of Nationals little toadies. WAW. WAR on the poor.

    Fuck em.

    And in light of the 63% in favor ( unscientific poll @ Stuff ) of the teachers strike posited at Rotorua today , – I’d say many of these WINZ fuckers need to do a bit of soul searching for the reasons they are even in that line of work. Waiting on the weekly cheque?, … marking time in a secure govt job?

    I like this little number from Kevin Bloody Wilson.

    I’m still not sure which side I agree with ,.. the Kid ?, … or Miss Brown.

    All I know is both of them show a pair. I think I side slightly more with the kid because he’s only 6 years old. And showed bushwackers ‘guts ‘ . Tellin’ it like it is. I like gutsy people who talk in plainspeak . Like Chloe King. Either way I reckon certain WINZ heads are shittin bricks that a Labour / Greens / NZ First govt is coming in.

    Heads are fucking going to roll if they do , – if not ?… heads are fucking going to be pulled the fuck in.

    This ones for you , ‘ Wayne ‘ . Enjoy the Trade Union references… scumbag.

    Search Results
    The Kid (He Swears a Little Bit) – YouTube
    Video for the kid he swears a little bit you tube▶ 5:53
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHX5XAQ3uZE

  18. Janet Crawford 19

    I feel sad, angry and ashamed of our government.

  19. SMILIN 20

    Winz arrogance policy
    Outa Sight Outa Mind
    Across the board from the cradle to the grave

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  • Climate Change: The wrong direction
    This week the International Energy Association released its Net Zero Roadmap, intended to guide us towards a liveable climate. The report demanded huge increases in renewable generation, no new gas or oil, and massive cuts to methane emissions. It was positive about our current path, but recommended that countries with ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    14 hours ago
  • “Racism” becomes a buzz word on the campaign trail – but our media watchdogs stay muzzled when...
    Buzz from the Beehive  Oh, dear.  We have nothing to report from the Beehive. At least, we have nothing to report from the government’s official website. But the drones have not gone silent.  They are out on the election campaign trail, busy buzzing about this and that in the hope ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    14 hours ago
  • Play it, Elvis
    Election Hell special!! This week’s quiz is a bumper edition featuring a few of the more popular questions from last weekend’s show, as well as a few we didn’t have time for. You’re welcome, etc. Let us press on, etc. 1.  What did Christopher Luxon use to his advantage in ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    15 hours ago
  • Pure class warfare
    National unveiled its fiscal policy today, announcing all the usual things which business cares about and I don't. But it did finally tell us how National plans to pay for its handouts to landlords: by effectively cutting benefits: The biggest saving announced on Friday was $2b cut from the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    15 hours ago
  • Ask Me Anything about the week to Sept 29
    Photo by Anna Ogiienko on UnsplashIt’s that time of the week for an ‘Ask Me Anything’ session for paying subscribers about the week that was for an hour, including:duelling fiscal plans from National and Labour;Labour cutting cycling spending while accusing National of being weak on climate;Research showing the need for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    19 hours ago
  • Weekly Roundup 29-September-2023
    Welcome to Friday and the last one for September. This week in Greater Auckland On Monday, Matt highlighted at the latest with the City Rail Link. On Tuesday, Matt covered the interesting items from Auckland Transport’s latest board meeting agendas. On Thursday, a guest post from Darren Davis ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    22 hours ago
  • Protest at Parliament: The Reunion.
    Brian’s god spoke to him. He, for of course the Lord in Tamaki’s mind was a male god, with a mighty rod, and probably some black leathers. He, told Brian - “you must put a stop to all this love, hope, and kindness”. And it did please the Brian.He said ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    23 hours ago
  • Labour cuts $50m from cycleway spending
    Labour is cutting spending on cycling infrastructure while still trying to claim the higher ground on climate. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The Labour Government released a climate manifesto this week to try to claim the high ground against National, despite having ignored the Climate Commission’s advice to toughen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    23 hours ago
  • The Greater Of Two Evils.
    Not Labour: If you’re out to punish the government you once loved, then the last thing you need is to be shown evidence that the opposition parties are much, much worse.THE GREATEST VIRTUE of being the Opposition is not being the Government. Only very rarely is an opposition party elected ...
    1 day ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #39 2023
    Open access notables "Net zero is only a distraction— we just have to end fossil fuel emissions." The latter is true but the former isn't, or  not in the real world as it's likely to be in the immediate future. And "just" just doesn't enter into it; we don't have ...
    1 day ago
  • Chris Trotter: Losing the Left
    IN THE CURRENT MIX of electoral alternatives, there is no longer a credible left-wing party. Not when “a credible left-wing party” is defined as: a class-oriented, mass-based, democratically-structured political organisation; dedicated to promoting ideas sharply critical of laissez-faire capitalism; and committed to advancing democratic, egalitarian and emancipatory ideals across the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    2 days ago
  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More than a fieldingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Hipkins fires up in leaders’ debate, but has the curtain already fallen on the Labour-led coalitio...
    Labour’s  Chris Hipkins came out firing, in the  leaders’ debate  on Newshub’s evening programme, and most of  the pundits  rated  him the winner against National’s  Christopher Luxon. But will this make any difference when New  Zealanders  start casting their ballots? The problem  for  Hipkins is  that  voters are  all too ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    2 days ago
  • Govt is energising housing projects with solar power – and fuelling the public’s concept of a di...
    Buzz from the Beehive  Not long after Point of Order published data which show the substantial number of New Zealanders (77%) who believe NZ is becoming more divided, government ministers were braying about a programme which distributes some money to “the public” and some to “Maori”. The ministers were dishing ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago
  • MIKE GRIMSHAW: Election 2023 – a totemic & charisma failure?
    The D&W analysis Michael Grimshaw writes –  Given the apathy, disengagement, disillusionment, and all-round ennui of this year’s general election, it was considered time to bring in those noted political operatives and spin doctors D&W, the long-established consultancy firm run by Emile Durkheim and Max Weber. Known for ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • FROM BFD: Will Winston be the spectre we think?
    Kissy kissy. Cartoon credit BoomSlang. The BFD. JC writes-  Allow me to preface this contribution with the following statement: If I were asked to express a preference between a National/ACT coalition or a National/ACT/NZF coalition then it would be the former. This week Luxon declared his position, ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • California’s climate disclosure bill could have a huge impact across the U.S.
    This re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Andy Furillo was originally published by Capital & Main and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. The California Legislature took a step last week that has the potential to accelerate the fight against climate ...
    2 days ago
  • Untangling South East Queensland’s Public Transport
    This is a cross post Adventures in Transitland by Darren Davis. I recently visited Brisbane and South East Queensland and came away both impressed while also pondering some key changes to make public transport even better in the region. Here goes with my take on things. A bit of ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    2 days ago
  • Try A Little Kindness.
    My daughter arrived home from the supermarket yesterday and she seemed a bit worried about something. It turned out she wanted to know if someone could get her bank number from a receipt.We wound the story back.She was in the store and there was a man there who was distressed, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • What makes NZFirst tick
    New Zealand’s longest-running political roadshow rolled into Opotiki yesterday, with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters knowing another poll last night showed he would make it back to Parliament and National would need him and his party if they wanted to form a government. The Newshub Reid Research poll ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago
  • September AMA
    Hi,As September draws to a close — I feel it’s probably time to do an Ask Me Anything. You know how it goes: If you have any burning questions, fire away in the comments and I will do my best to answer. You might have questions about Webworm, or podcast ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • Bludgers lying in the scratcher making fools of us all
    The mediocrity who stands to be a Prime Minister has a litany.He uses it a bit like a Koru Lounge card. He will brandish it to say: these people are eligible. And more than that, too: These people are deserving. They have earned this policy.They have a right to this policy. What ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • More “partnerships” (by the look of it) and redress of over $30 million in Treaty settlement wit...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point of Order has waited until now – 3.45pm – for today’s officially posted government announcements.  There have been none. The only addition to the news on the Beehive’s website was posted later yesterday, after we had published our September 26 Buzz report. It came from ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • ALEX HOLLAND: Labour’s spending
    Alex Holland writes –  In 2017 when Labour came to power, crown spending was $76 billion per year. Now in 2023 it is $139 billion per year, which equates to a $63 billion annual increase (over $1 billion extra spend every week!) In 2017, New Zealand’s government debt ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • If not now, then when?
    Labour released its fiscal plan today, promising the same old, same old: "responsibility", balanced books, and of course no new taxes: "Labour will maintain income tax settings to provide consistency and certainty in these volatile times. Now is not the time for additional taxes or to promise billions of ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • THE FACTS:  77% of Kiwis believe NZ is becoming more divided
    The Facts has posted –        KEY INSIGHTSOf New Zealander’s polled: Social unity/division 77%believe NZ is becoming more divided (42% ‘much more’ + 35% ‘a little more’) 3%believe NZ is becoming less divided (1% ‘much less’ + 2% ‘a little less’) ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the cynical brutality of the centre-right’s welfare policies
    The centre-right’s enthusiasm for forcing people off the benefit and into paid work is matched only by the enthusiasm (shared by Treasury and the Reserve Bank) for throwing people out of paid work to curb inflation, and achieve the optimal balance of workers to job seekers deemed to be desirable ...
    3 days ago
  • Wednesday’s Chorus: Arthur Grimes on why building many, many more social houses is so critical
    New research shows that tenants in social housing - such as these Wellington apartments - are just as happy as home owners and much happier than private tenants. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The election campaign took an ugly turn yesterday, and in completely the wrong direction. All three ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Old habits
    Media awareness about global warming and climate change has grown fairly steadily since 2004. My impression is that journalists today tend to possess a higher climate literacy than before. This increasing awareness and improved knowledge is encouraging, but there are also some common interpretations which could be more nuanced. ...
    Real ClimateBy rasmus
    3 days ago
  • Bennie Bashing.
    If there’s one thing the mob loves more than keeping Māori in their place, more than getting tough on the gangs, maybe even more than tax cuts. It’s a good old round of beneficiary bashing.Are those meanies in the ACT party stealing your votes because they think David Seymour is ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • The kindest cuts
    Labour kicks off the fiscal credibility battle today with the release of its fiscal plan. National is expected to follow, possibly as soon as Thursday, with its own plan, which may (or may not) address the large hole that the problems with its foreign buyers’ ban might open up. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago
  • Green right turn in Britain? Well, a start
    While it may be unlikely to register in New Zealand’s general election, Britain’s PM Rishi Sunak has done something which might just be important in the long run. He’s announced a far-reaching change in his Conservative government’s approach to environmental, and particularly net zero, policy. The starting point – ...
    Point of OrderBy xtrdnry
    3 days ago
  • At a glance – How do human CO2 emissions compare to natural CO2 emissions?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    3 days ago
  • How could this happen?
    Canada is in uproar after the exposure that its parliament on September 22 provided a standing ovation to a Nazi veteran who had been invited into the chamber to participate in the parliamentary welcome to Ukrainian President Zelensky. Yaroslav Hunka, 98, a Ukrainian man who volunteered for service in ...
    4 days ago
  • Always Be Campaigning
    The big screen is a great place to lay out the ways of the salesman. He comes ready-made for Panto, ripe for lampooning.This is not to disparage that life. I have known many good people of that kind. But there is a type, brazen as all get out. The camera ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • STEPHEN FRANKS: Press seek to publicly shame doctor – we must push back
    The following is a message sent yesterday from lawyer Stephen Franks on behalf of the Free Speech Union. I don’t like to interrupt first thing Monday morning, but we’ve just become aware of a case where we think immediate and overwhelming attention could help turn the tide. It involves someone ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Competing on cruelty
    The right-wing message calendar is clearly reading "cruelty" today, because both National and NZ First have released beneficiary-bashing policies. National is promising a "traffic light" system to police and kick beneficiaries, which will no doubt be accompanied by arbitrary internal targets to classify people as "orange" or "red" to keep ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Further funding for Pharmac (forgotten in the Budget?) looks like a $1bn appeal from a PM in need of...
    Buzz from the Beehive One Labour plan  – for 3000 more public homes by 2025 – is the most recent to be posted on the government’s official website. Another – a prime ministerial promise of more funding for Pharmac – has been released as a Labour Party press statement. Who ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: The Vested interests shaping National Party policies
    As the National Party gets closer to government, lobbyists and business interests will be lining up for influence and to get policies adopted. It’s therefore in the public interest to have much more scrutiny and transparency about potential conflicts of interests that might arise. One of the key individuals of ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago
  • Labour may be on way out of power and NZ First back in – but will Peters go into coalition with Na...
    Voters  are deserting Labour in droves, despite Chris  Hipkins’  valiant  rearguard  action.  So  where  are they  heading?  Clearly  not all of them are going to vote National, which concedes that  the  outcome  will be “close”. To the Right of National, the ACT party just a  few weeks  ago  was ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    4 days ago
  • GRAHAM ADAMS: Will the racists please stand up?
    Accusations of racism by journalists and MPs are being called out. Graham Adams writes –    With the election less than three weeks away, what co-governance means in practice — including in water management, education, planning law and local government — remains largely obscure. Which is hardly ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on whether Winston Peters can be a moderating influence
    As the centre-right has (finally!) been subjected to media interrogation, the polls are indicating that some voters may be starting to have second thoughts about the wisdom of giving National and ACT the power to govern alone. That’s why yesterday’s Newshub/Reid Research poll had the National/ACT combo dropping to 60 ...
    4 days ago
  • Tuesday’s Chorus: RBNZ set to rain on National's victory parade
    ANZ has increased its forecast for house inflation later this year on signs of growing momentum in the market ahead of the election. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: National has campaigned against the Labour Government’s record on inflation and mortgage rates, but there’s now a growing chance the Reserve ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • After a Pittsburgh coal processing plant closed, ER visits plummeted
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Katie Myers. This story was originally published by Grist and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. Pittsburgh, in its founding, was blessed and cursed with two abundant natural resources: free-flowing rivers and a nearby coal seam. ...
    4 days ago
  • September-23 AT Board Meeting
    Today the AT board meet again and once again I’ve taken a look at what’s on the agenda to find the most interesting items. Closed Agenda Interestingly when I first looked at the agendas this paper was there but at the time of writing this post it had been ...
    4 days ago
  • Electorate Watch: West Coast-Tasman
    Continuing my series on interesting electorates, today it’s West Coast-Tasman.A long thin electorate running down the northern half of the west coast of the South Island. Think sand flies, beautiful landscapes, lots of rain, Pike River, alternative lifestylers, whitebaiting, and the spiritual home of the Labour Party. A brief word ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Big money brings Winston back
    National leader Christopher Luxon yesterday morning conceded it and last night’s Newshub poll confirmed it; Winston Peters and NZ First are not only back but highly likely to be part of the next government. It is a remarkable comeback for a party that was tossed out of Parliament in ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • 20 days until Election Day, 7 until early voting begins… but what changes will we really see here?
    As this blogger, alongside many others, has already posited in another forum: we all know the National Party’s “budget” (meaning this concept of even adding up numbers properly is doing a lot of heavy, heavy lifting right now) is utter and complete bunk (read hung, drawn and quartered and ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    4 days ago
  • A night out
    Everyone was asking, Are you nervous? and my response was various forms of God, yes.I've written more speeches than I can count; not much surprises me when the speaker gets to their feet and the room goes quiet.But a play? Never.YOU CAME! THANK YOU! Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago
  • A pallid shade of Green III
    Clearly Labour's focus groups are telling it that it needs to pay more attention to climate change - because hot on the heels of their weaksauce energy efficiency pilot programme and not-great-but-better-than-nothing solar grants, they've released a full climate manifesto. Unfortunately, the core policies in it - a second Emissions ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • A coalition of racism, cruelty, and chaos
    Today's big political news is that after months of wibbling, National's Chris Luxon has finally confirmed that he is willing to work with Winston Peters to become Prime Minister. Which is expected, but I guess it tells us something about which way the polls are going. Which raises the question: ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • More migrant workers should help generate the tax income needed to provide benefits for job seekers
    Buzz from the Beehive Under something described as a “rebalance” of its immigration rules, the Government has adopted four of five recommendations made in an independent review released in July, The fifth, which called on the government to specify criteria for out-of-hours compliance visits similar to those used during ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • Letter To Luxon.
    Some of you might know Gerard Otto (G), and his G News platform. This morning he wrote a letter to Christopher Luxon which I particularly enjoyed, and with his agreement I’m sharing it with you in this guest newsletter.If you’d like to make a contribution to support Gerard’s work you ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • LINDSAY MITCHELL: Alarming trend in benefit numbers
    Lindsay Mitchell writes –  While there will not be another quarterly release of benefit numbers prior to the election, limited weekly reporting continues and is showing an alarming trend. Because there is a seasonal component to benefit number fluctuations it is crucial to compare like with like. In ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • BRIAN EASTON: Has there been external structural change?
    A close analysis of the Treasury assessment of the Medium Term in its PREFU 2023 suggests the economy may be entering a new phase.   Brian Easton writes –  Last week I explained that the forecasts in the just published Treasury Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Update (PREFU 2023) was ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • CRL Progress – Sep-23
    It’s been a while since we looked at the latest with the City Rail Link and there’s been some fantastic milestones recently. To start with, and most recently, CRL have released an awesome video showing a full fly-through of one of the tunnels. Come fly with us! You asked for ...
    5 days ago
  • Monday’s Chorus: Not building nearly enough
    We are heading into another period of fast population growth without matching increased home building or infrastructure investment.Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Labour and National detailed their house building and migration approaches over the weekend, with both pledging fast population growth policies without enough house building or infrastructure investment ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Game on; Hipkins comes out punching
    Labour leader Chris Hipkins yesterday took the gloves off and laid into National and its leader Christopher Luxon. For many in Labour – and particularly for some at the top of the caucus and the party — it would not have been a moment too soon. POLITIK is aware ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago
  • Tax Cut Austerity Blues.
    The leaders have had their go, they’ve told us the “what?” and the “why?” of their promises. Now it’s the turn of the would be Finance Ministers to tell us the “how?”, the “how much?”, and the “when?”A chance for those competing for the second most powerful job in the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago
  • MIKE GRIMSHAW:  It’s the economy – and the spirit – Stupid…
    Mike Grimshaw writes – Over the past 30-odd years it’s become almost an orthodoxy to blame or invoke neoliberalism for the failures of New Zealand society. On the left the usual response goes something like, neoliberalism is the cause of everything that’s gone wrong and the answer ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • 2023 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #38
    A chronological listing of news and opinion articles posted on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Sep 17, 2023 thru Sat, Sep 23, 2023. Story of the Week  Opinion: Let’s free ourselves from the story of economic growth A relentless focus on economic growth has ushered in ...
    6 days ago
  • The End Of The World.
    Have you been looking out of your window for signs of the apocalypse? Don’t worry, you haven’t been door knocked by a representative of the Brian Tamaki party. They’re probably a bit busy this morning spruiking salvation, or getting ready to march on our parliament, which is closed. No, I’ve ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    7 days ago
  • Climate Town: The Brainwashing Of America's Children
    Climate Town is the YouTube channel of Rollie Williams and a ragtag team of climate communicators, creatives and comedians. They examine climate change in a way that doesn’t make you want to eat a cyanide pill. Get informed about the climate crisis before the weather does it for you. The latest ...
    1 week ago
  • Has There Been External Structural Change?
    A close analysis of the Treasury assessment of the Medium Term in its PREFU 2023 suggests the economy may be entering a new phase. Last week I explained that the forecasts in the just published Treasury Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Update (PREFU 2023) was similar to the May Budget BEFU, ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago
  • Another Labour bully
    Back in June, we learned that Kiri Allan was a Parliamentary bully. And now there's another one: Labour MP Shanan Halbert: The Labour Party was alerted to concerns about [Halbert's] alleged behaviour a year ago but because staffers wanted to remain anonymous, no formal process was undertaken [...] The ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago
  • Climate Change: Ignoring our biggest problem
    Its that time in the election season where the status quo parties are busy accusing each other of having fiscal holes in a desperate effort to appear more "responsible" (but not, you understand, by promising to tax wealth or land to give the government the revenue it needs to do ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago
  • JERRY COYNE: A good summary of the mess that is science education in New Zealand
    JERRY COYNE writes –  If you want to see what the government of New Zealand is up to with respect to science education, you can’t do better than listening to this video/slideshow by two exponents of the “we-need-two-knowledge-systems” view. I’ve gotten a lot of scary stuff from Kiwi ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 week ago
  • Good news on the GDP front is accompanied by news of a $5m govt boost for Supercars (but what about ...
    Buzz from the Beehive First, we were treated to the news (from Finance Minister Grant Robertson) that the economy has turned a corner and New Zealand never was in recession.  This was triggered by statistics which showed the economy expanded 0.9 per cent in the June quarter, twice as much as ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 week ago
  • The Scafetta Saga
    It has taken 17 months to get a comment published pointing out the obvious errors in the Scafetta (2022) paper in GRL. Back in March 2022, Nicola Scafetta published a short paper in Geophysical Research Letters (GRL) purporting to show through ‘advanced’ means that ‘all models with ECS > ...
    Real ClimateBy Gavin
    1 week ago
  • Friday's Chorus: Penny wise and pound foolish
    TL;DR: In the middle of a climate emergency and in a city prone to earthquakes, Victoria University of Wellington announced yesterday it would stop teaching geophysics, geographic information science and physical geography to save $22 million a year and repay debt. Climate change damage in Aotearoa this year is already ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • CHRIS TROTTER: Calling the big dog’s bluff
      For nearly thirty years the pundits have been telling the minor parties that they must be good little puppies and let the big dogs decide. The parties with a plurality of the votes cast must be allowed to govern – even if that means ignoring the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 week ago
  • The electorate swing, Labour limbo and Luxon-Hipkins two-step
     Another poll, another 27 for Labour. It was July the last time one of the reputable TV company polls had Labour's poll percentage starting with a three, so the limbo question is now being asked: how low can you go?It seems such an unlikely question because this doesn't feel like the kind ...
    PunditBy Tim Watkin
    1 week ago
  • A Womance, and a Nomance.
    After the trench warfare of Tuesday night, when the two major parties went head to head, last night was the turn of the minor parties. Hosts Newshub termed it “the Powerbrokers' Debate”.Based on the latest polls the four parties taking part - ACT, the Greens, New Zealand First, and Te ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago

  • New community-level energy projects to support more than 800 Māori households
    Seven more innovative community-scale energy projects will receive government funding through the Māori and Public Housing Renewable Energy Fund to bring more affordable, locally generated clean energy to more than 800 Māori households, Energy and Resources Minister Dr Megan Woods says. “We’ve already funded 42 small-scale clean energy projects that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Huge boost to Te Tai Tokerau flood resilience
    The Government has approved new funding that will boost resilience and greatly reduce the risk of major flood damage across Te Tai Tokerau. Significant weather events this year caused severe flooding and damage across the region. The $8.9m will be used to provide some of the smaller communities and maraes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Napier’s largest public housing development comes with solar
    The largest public housing development in Napier for many years has been recently completed and has the added benefit of innovative solar technology, thanks to Government programmes, says Housing Minister Dr Megan Woods. The 24 warm, dry homes are in Seddon Crescent, Marewa and Megan Woods says the whanau living ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Te Whānau a Apanui and the Crown initial Deed of Settlement I Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me...
    Māori: Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna te Whakaaetanga Whakataunga Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna i tētahi Whakaaetanga Whakataunga hei whakamihi i ō rātou tāhuhu kerēme Tiriti o Waitangi. E tekau mā rua ngā hapū o roto mai o Te Whānau ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Plan for 3,000 more public homes by 2025 – regions set to benefit
    Regions around the country will get significant boosts of public housing in the next two years, as outlined in the latest public housing plan update, released by the Housing Minister, Dr Megan Woods. “We’re delivering the most public homes each year since the Nash government of the 1950s with one ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Immigration settings updates
    Judicial warrant process for out-of-hours compliance visits 2023/24 Recognised Seasonal Employer cap increased by 500 Additional roles for Construction and Infrastructure Sector Agreement More roles added to Green List Three-month extension for onshore Recovery Visa holders The Government has confirmed a number of updates to immigration settings as part of ...
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    1 week ago
  • Poroporoaki: Tā Patrick (Patu) Wahanga Hohepa
    Tangi ngunguru ana ngā tai ki te wahapū o Hokianga Whakapau Karakia. Tārehu ana ngā pae maunga ki Te Puna o te Ao Marama. Korihi tangi ana ngā manu, kua hinga he kauri nui ki te Wao Nui o Tāne. He Toa. He Pou. He Ahorangi. E papaki tū ana ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Renewable energy fund to support community resilience
    40 solar energy systems on community buildings in regions affected by Cyclone Gabrielle and other severe weather events Virtual capability-building hub to support community organisations get projects off the ground Boost for community-level renewable energy projects across the country At least 40 community buildings used to support the emergency response ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • COVID-19 funding returned to Government
    The lifting of COVID-19 isolation and mask mandates in August has resulted in a return of almost $50m in savings and recovered contingencies, Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. Following the revocation of mandates and isolation, specialised COVID-19 telehealth and alternative isolation accommodation are among the operational elements ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Appointment of District Court Judge
    Susie Houghton of Auckland has been appointed as a new District Court Judge, to serve on the Family Court, Attorney-General David Parker said today.  Judge Houghton has acted as a lawyer for child for more than 20 years. She has acted on matters relating to the Hague Convention, an international ...
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    1 week ago
  • Government invests further in Central Hawke’s Bay resilience
    The Government has today confirmed $2.5 million to fund a replace and upgrade a stopbank to protect the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant. “As a result of Cyclone Gabrielle, the original stopbank protecting the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant was destroyed. The plant was operational within 6 weeks of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Govt boost for Hawke’s Bay cyclone waste clean-up
    Another $2.1 million to boost capacity to deal with waste left in Cyclone Gabrielle’s wake. Funds for Hastings District Council, Phoenix Contracting and Hog Fuel NZ to increase local waste-processing infrastructure. The Government is beefing up Hawke’s Bay’s Cyclone Gabrielle clean-up capacity with more support dealing with the massive amount ...
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    1 week ago
  • Taupō Supercars revs up with Government support
    The future of Supercars events in New Zealand has been secured with new Government support. The Government is getting engines started through the Major Events Fund, a special fund to support high profile events in New Zealand that provide long-term economic, social and cultural benefits. “The Repco Supercars Championship is ...
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    1 week ago
  • There is no recession in NZ, economy grows nearly 1 percent in June quarter
    The economy has turned a corner with confirmation today New Zealand never was in recession and stronger than expected growth in the June quarter, Finance Minister Grant Robertson said. “The New Zealand economy is doing better than expected,” Grant Robertson said. “It’s continuing to grow, with the latest figures showing ...
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    1 week ago
  • Highest legal protection for New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs
    The Government has accepted the Environment Court’s recommendation to give special legal protection to New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs, Te Waikoropupū Springs (also known as Pupū Springs), Environment Minister David Parker announced today.   “Te Waikoropupū Springs, near Takaka in Golden Bay, have the second clearest water in New Zealand after ...
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    1 week ago
  • More support for victims of migrant exploitation
    Temporary package of funding for accommodation and essential living support for victims of migrant exploitation Exploited migrant workers able to apply for a further Migrant Exploitation Protection Visa (MEPV), giving people more time to find a job Free job search assistance to get people back into work Use of 90-day ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Strong export boost as NZ economy turns corner
    An export boost is supporting New Zealand’s economy to grow, adding to signs that the economy has turned a corner and is on a stronger footing as we rebuild from Cyclone Gabrielle and lock in the benefits of multiple new trade deals, Finance Minister Grant Robertson says. “The economy is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Funding approved for flood resilience work in Te Karaka
    The Government has approved $15 million to raise about 200 homes at risk of future flooding. More than half of this is expected to be spent in the Tairāwhiti settlement of Te Karaka, lifting about 100 homes there. “Te Karaka was badly hit during Cyclone Gabrielle when the Waipāoa River ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Further business support for cyclone-affected regions
    The Government is helping businesses recover from Cyclone Gabrielle and attract more people back into their regions. “Cyclone Gabrielle has caused considerable damage across North Island regions with impacts continuing to be felt by businesses and communities,” Economic Development Minister Barbara Edmonds said. “Building on our earlier business support, this ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New maintenance facility at Burnham Military Camp underway
    Defence Minister Andrew Little has turned the first sod to start construction of a new Maintenance Support Facility (MSF) at Burnham Military Camp today. “This new state-of-art facility replaces Second World War-era buildings and will enable our Defence Force to better maintain and repair equipment,” Andrew Little said. “This Government ...
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    1 week ago
  • Foreign Minister to attend United Nations General Assembly
    Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta will represent New Zealand at the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York this week, before visiting Washington DC for further Pacific focussed meetings. Nanaia Mahuta will be in New York from Wednesday 20 September, and will participate in UNGA leaders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • Midwives’ pay equity offer reached
    Around 1,700 Te Whatu Ora employed midwives and maternity care assistants will soon vote on a proposed pay equity settlement agreed by Te Whatu Ora, the Midwifery Employee Representation and Advisory Service (MERAS) and New Zealand Nurses Association (NZNO), Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. “Addressing historical pay ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • New Zealand provides support to Morocco
    Aotearoa New Zealand will provide humanitarian support to those affected by last week’s earthquake in Morocco, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced today. “We are making a contribution of $1 million to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to help meet humanitarian needs,” Nanaia Mahuta said. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • Government invests in West Coast’s roading resilience
    The Government is investing over $22 million across 18 projects to improve the resilience of roads in the West Coast that have been affected by recent extreme weather, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins confirmed today.  A dedicated Transport Resilience Fund has been established for early preventative works to protect the state ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • Government invests in Greymouth’s future
    The Government has today confirmed a $2 million grant towards the regeneration of Greymouth’s CBD with construction of a new two-level commercial and public facility. “It will include a visitor facility centred around a new library. Additionally, it will include retail outlets on the ground floor, and both outdoor and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • Nanaia Mahuta to attend PIF Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
    Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta will attend the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, in Suva, Fiji alongside New Zealand’s regional counterparts. “Aotearoa New Zealand is deeply committed to working with our pacific whanau to strengthen our cooperation, and share ways to combat the challenges facing the Blue Pacific Continent,” ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • PREFU shows no recession, growing economy, more jobs and wages ahead of inflation
    Economy to grow 2.6 percent on average over forecast period Treasury not forecasting a recession Inflation to return to the 1-3 percent target band next year Wages set to grow 4.8 percent a year over forecast period Unemployment to peak below the long-term average Fiscal Rules met - Net debt ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago
  • New cancer centre opens in Christchurch
    Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall proudly opened the Canterbury Cancer Centre in Christchurch today. The new facility is the first of its kind and was built with $6.5 million of funding from the Government’s Infrastructure Reference Group scheme for shovel-ready projects allocated in 2020. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago
  • Government invests in top of the south’s roading resilience
    $12 million to improve the resilience of roads in the Nelson, Marlborough and Tasman regions Hope Bypass earmarked in draft Government Policy Statement on land transport $127 million invested in the top of the south’s roads since flooding in 2021 and 2022 The Government is investing over $12 million to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago
  • New Zealanders continue to support the revitalisation of te reo as we celebrate Te Wiki o te Reo Mā...
    Ko tēnei te wiki e whakanui ana i tō tātou reo rangatira. Ko te wā tuku reo Māori, e whakanuia tahitia ai te reo ahakoa kei hea ake tēnā me tēnā o tātou, ka tū ā te Rātū te 14 o Mahuru, ā te 12 o ngā hāora i te ahiahi. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago

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