Year of the Long Grind 2

Written By: - Date published: 10:49 am, July 22nd, 2023 - 26 comments
Categories: food, International, labour, national, political parties, Russia, Ukraine - Tags:

There will be no respite for any of us this year and National has no cure for it.

Anyone who thinks a National government will decrease inflation by cutting public spending is fooling themselves. No matter who is in government, the world is going to be unstable and it will continue to destabilise us. Even if United States inflation stabilises, many other factors will continue to hit us.

Some of the scale of public spending here is caused by the multi-billion multi-year post-Gabrielle (etc) flooding recovery. Some of it by higher overall state spending such as health, every year. More of it is pushed by highly demanding public sector union wage demands keeping unemployment very low and wage inflation high.

Nor is there any intervention a National-Act government might entertain that will bring supermarket prices down from their astronomical highs. Because we are a food exporting nation and food supply certainty is low in multiple commodities including grain, prices for foods here as in our exports will drive high.

But most of the uncertainty, as in 2022, is caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

On July 17th the Russian government announced that it was pulling out of a deal to facilitate the export of millions of tons of grain from Ukraine ports. The arrangement had been in place since July 2022 and world prices had stabilised somewhat in that time. The United Nations chief had, back in June, worried that Russia would do this, and they did.

This is going to cause the same chaos as it did previously. The United Nations Secretary-General said: “At a time when the production and availability of food is disrupted by conflict, climate change, energy prices and more, these agreements have helped to reduce food prices by over 23 per cent since March last year.”
He noted that the U.N. World Food Programme shipped 725,000 tonnes to support humanitarian operations in Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa and Yemen, relieving hunger in some of the world’s hardest hit regions.

Russia has also heavily mined some of the richest grain producing areas in the Ukraine. It is using a very high density of mines to defend the territory it still retains because it does not have enough soldiers to otherwise defend the land it has taken.

Russia is also actively destabilising the largest nuclear powered electricity generator in Europe in Zaphhorizia. This will continue to destabilise energy supplies and energy markets across Europe for as long as this plant is under threat. This is deeply energy-price inflationary.

Russia has also actively destabilised European society with millions of Ukrainians, Belorussians and Russians leaving those countries for Germany and Poland.

Whether it is inflationary or not, Russia has also caused one of the largest environmental disasters Ukraine has faced by sabotaging the Kakhova dam, destroying many towns, and cutting most of the water to Crimea and much of the irrigated farmland that depended on that water.

Russia’s sustained invasion and effective stalemate with Ukraine is also viewed as a massive defence threat to Europe, with Finland and shortly Sweden about to join the NATO alliance. This will ultimately redirect higher spending to defence across both NATO members and others such as Japan and Australia, as much of this aligned world prepares for a wider war, a highly protracted one.

There is no sign that either Russia or Ukraine have the capacity to conclude this war inside 2024 nor any political will to even generate an armistice that might freeze actual armed conflict.

With or without the war, energy prices across the United States and Europe are going through the roof this northern hemisphere summer due in part to heat waves.

None of this is the fault of any New Zealand government be they Labour or National.

Global inflation will likely be led downwards by the aggressive rate rise interventions of the United States Reserve Bank, and it appears to be working.

Here, there is no no sign that interest rates are coming down soon, and there ain’t too many developers left who will build something for sale when prices according to Treasury at Budget 2023 will ultimately drop 21% below peak prices hit in November 2021. No one is going to make money because no one will be selling.

Our core protection from the instability of the world is to the 1.4 million New Zealanders who are heavily subsidised through different forms of welfare including NZSuper.

For the rest of us, we do not have the functioning life we used to and there is no going back to it.

So do not alter your vote on the basis that National will make life cheerier. It won’t.

I’d suggest voting for the party that has the record of keeping people and business highly subsidised by the state against the cruelty the world has for us all.

There will be no respite for any of us this year, except maybe the Barbie movie.

This continues to be Year of the Long Grind. The next Parliamentary term is more of the same.

26 comments on “Year of the Long Grind 2 ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. adam 1
    22 July 2023 at 12:12 pm

    Why did you not mention the greed of the corporate class as a major drive of inflation? Because you blamed workers with the whole wage inflation thing. Then it was the Russians fault. But not the class who are driving the bulk of it.

    Come on dude, people here are well read, and most know at least a bit of Marx. I agree national/act have no answer to the mess. If left to run with their far right economic solutions, they will do nothing but empower the corporate class to keep inflation high to maximise profits.

    • SPC 1.1
      22 July 2023 at 7:12 pm

      The best way to manage corporate greed (no second GIB board factory until there was a shortage) … is to reduce cartel power (and or regulate), and to tax windfall profits.

      The second could be effected via a change to corporate tax to a progressive tax system – thus apply a top rate on banks and supermarkets (30-39%) and a lower rate on developing local businesses (20-30%).

      • SPC 1.1.1
        22 July 2023 at 7:50 pm

        Of course the most egregious case of privilege is the class system established via no CGT nor gift duty and restate tax or wealth tax and allowing the leveraging of property ownership to acquire more and more wealth.

        Now our home ownership levels are lower than the UK and falling – and they have CGT and estate tax to disperse some of the property wealth, whereas we do not.

        We may soon be the worst of all OECD nations in terms of equity.

      • adam 1.1.2
        22 July 2023 at 11:01 pm

        See no political will to tax the corporate class.

        AS for equity, to many pull the ladder up's. Just look at those who see act as salvation, they want to burn everyone who did not make it up the ladder.

        • georgecom 1.1.2.1
          23 July 2023 at 1:08 pm

          the economic conditions at present makes a CGT common sense. The right wing has few answers to the present economic or environmental issues facing the nation

  2. Blazer 2
    22 July 2023 at 12:33 pm

    So it's all Russias fault!

    Apart from the blowing up of Nordstream,sanctions and the freezing funds debacle the West effectively torpedoed a negotiated peace settlement to end the conflict.

    Ukraine and Russia explore neutrality plan in peace talks | Financial Times (ft.com)

    Did Boris Johnson scuttle a Russia-Ukraine peace deal – back in APRIL? | Vox Political (voxpoliticalonline.com)

    • SPC 2.1
      22 July 2023 at 7:15 pm

      The conflict between NATO and Russia over Ukraine has an impact on European inflation (energy costs) rather than here anyhow. And otherwise on those dependent on food exports from Ukraine and Russia.

      We are more impacted by the stand-off between the Western economic order and the One belt and road alternative – where they no longer operate as partners in a global supply chain system.

  3. Jono letts 3
    22 July 2023 at 6:51 pm

    The article makes some interesting points about inflation..just the blatant russiaphobia displayed is highly disturbing.

    Many "claims" are just speculation.

    a ) I don't remember usa doing a deal with iraq govt owned oil companies to "keep supplying" customers..they were blatantly Taken over by the invaders.

    B) it is actually bj and the USA who are just as responsible for torpedoing peace talks. See April 2022 for more info.

    C) BIDEN actually actively got involved. He had the choice to Not Intervene. The United Nations was Actually Created (see ww1 and the lead up to it) to diplomatically solve precisely this situation. BIDEN actively undermined the UN.

    D) claims that dams and nuclear power stations are put at risk ….no proof it was Russia.

    E) The Alternate Reality of the West not intervening eg nato..hasn't happened..so blaming everything on Russia is simplistic

    Example: I don't remember putin sending weapons to saddam march20 2003+

    F) I don't remember the u.s invasion of iraq as a massive threat to S.A Egypt or Iran. More attempted mind reading of Putin claimed as an eternal truth.

    G) I don't remember massively long articles on the standard prior to February22 condemning Ukraines bombing of russians.

    H) George w bush destroyed the "rules based order" and "STARTED IT" on Oct 7th 2001?

    You really need to pump your American apologist logic harder on here to get someone like me to change my Neutral position on this conflict..and weapons to zelensky…which most disturbingly..my govt supports.

    • SPC 3.1
      22 July 2023 at 7:42 pm

      FACT CHECK

      a There were no customers of Iraqi oil in 2003, there had been sanctions for over 10 years. And not one of the oil contracts awarded by the elected Iraqi government was given to any USA or USA corporation.

      e Putin provided aid to Syria (NATO was not directly involved in Syria) because nations are allowed to respond to request for aid from nation state governments, as many did when Ukraine was attacked by Russian forces. In the case of Iraq, it was a nation under UN sanctions and inspections for WMD, after being subject to UN action over its invasion of Kuwait.

      g Ukraine did not bomb Russian territories, but areas within Ukraine.

      h No, collective security is part of the rules based order – and has been since the UN was formed. The extension to nations hosting terrorist organisations being culpable if they continue to host them after attacks was not unreasonable. After all, the goal of al Qaeda was to destabilse all governments of Moslem population nations via the claim they were western puppets under the protection of the US security regime.

      It could be better argued that the rules based order ended with the false claim of WMD in Iraq. Though those arguing for the west to be blamed for Russia's decision to war on another nation state have no leg to stand on in that matter.

  4. SPC 4
    22 July 2023 at 7:00 pm

    The good news is that inflation will be down to 4% by the end of this year (already 1.% per quarter) but its further decline into the 1-3% band by the end of 2024 might not be so straight forward.

    The bad news is that the El Nino cycle will mean more rain in the north and east coast next year as well (with impact on some of the recovery of those growing zones from this years floods). This and the National Party policy on housing (increasing rents because National will not constrain migration despite rising unemployment) might leave inflation in the 3-4% zone.

    Thus the OCR might also be sticky (because of continuing migration driven demand despite rising unemployment), so most expect it to remain no lower than 5% in 2024, with no fall to 4% till 2025.

    This is largely because of the end to the era of the global distribution efficiencies placing downward pressure on national inflation rates – partly the West's standoff with China and its one belt and road alternative centre to the world economy, partly the pandemic and related workforce issues (long COVID) and partly the Ukraine war/sanctions.

    Thus we return to the old issue of economic management, and in whose interest.

    National want wages held down and accept higher levels of unemployment as the way to keep the inflation rate lower. Inflation (unless it is in asset values) is something they are against. For them the worst of times is when there is inflation and wages increase to compensate and this lowers the real value of their asset wealth. The working class would find the next three years difficult if they were elected. Those paying mortgages on one home would not notice much if any improvement either. The real gains would be made by those with multiple properties and on higher income tax brackets.

    The major advantage of a Labour government re-election is the full impact of their end of mortgage payment deduction against rent income on existing property – this was of a design to encourage home sales to first home buyers and re-investment in new builds. The policy would eventually lead to a lower value to homes for first home buyers and a reduction in rents. Their major mistake was not applying a two year rent freeze 2022-2024 (this would have been a good complementary policy to the petrol price cut) to increase pressure on these landlords and help tenants with rising costs.

  5. Jono letts 5
    22 July 2023 at 8:22 pm

    Some good responses SPC.

    But the overall points I made are not addressed.

    A) I just used oil as a substitute for grain in

    The article…the point being that the invaders (u.s.a) weren't put in that position because precisely and ironically the war was shorter. Fact check..putin or china for that matter..did not send 100b plus in weapons to that conflict. Overall…you seem to excuse the iraq invasion because they didn't blatantly steal oil..how KIND!

    E) you bring up Syria but that is irrelevant..

    We are talking invasions..did turkey invade Syria?

    G) the point here is the lack of attention given to the conflict prior to feb22..your point is noted..it wasn't Russian soil.

    H( neutrals…like myself…would point more to nato expansion to explain putins invasion…….the Reason Iraq and Afg is brought up is to contrast Weapons to zelensky…..vs ….weapons to taliban or saddam….eg the different response.

    Overall…the entire west's narrative on this

    Conflict is that Neutrality is flawed…when in fact That claim Itself is flawed. 204 countries were Neutral when u.s.a invaded iraq.

    • SPC 5.1
      22 July 2023 at 11:18 pm

      Overall…you seem to excuse the iraq invasion because they didn't blatantly steal oil..how KIND!

      Really, … It could be better argued that the rules based order ended with the false claim of WMD in Iraq.

      E) you bring up Syria but that is irrelevant..

      Not really, Islamists tried to take over the government (aided by foreign fighters – a bit like the Donbass in 2014), and Russia stopped this – at the request of the Syrian government. The question could be raised why there was not more help to Ukraine in 2014.

      H The Taleban ruled without elections and hosted terrorist groups with aims to depose governments, Iraqs one party state regime had invaded Kuwait (and used chemical weapons on their own civilians). Who was on their side?

      As for NATO expansion, does Russian action call into question or validate it? Germany had a policy of Nordstrom *2 and retained 1% of GDP on defence spending in 2021 (when they were required to go to 2% by 2024). If Putin had not attacked Germany and NATO were set on a conflict, it will go down as the most self-destructive move in Russian history. From chess grandmaster to chump.

  6. Jono letts 6
    22 July 2023 at 11:57 pm

    Spc..

    Your responses appreciated.

    But the real question is how do 3rd parties

    React to invasions not involving them.

    The un was set up to solve diplomatically

    Nato…

    https://www.nytimes.com/1997/02/05/opinion/a-fateful-error.html

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_invasion_of_Grenada

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bay_of_Pigs_Invasion

  7. Jono letts 7
    23 July 2023 at 12:04 am

    The Cuban missile crisis revealed in full view to the world how ridiculous u.s.a stance is on international affairs.

    By u.s logic …Kennedys blockade was totally illegal and should have been rammed.

    By u.s logic…mercenaries can travel to Iraq March 03 and kill Americans.

    By u.s logic ..putin should have shoveled weapons in from jan03 and saddam does zoom meetings from his bunker.

    • SPC 7.1
      23 July 2023 at 12:25 am

      Sure. the USA has opposed every left wing government, exceptions only for military allies, regardless of international norm. It is team global American dollar (capitalism rules OK) empire.

      • Patricia Bremner 7.1.1
        23 July 2023 at 6:37 am

        We have to walk the fine line of diplomacy. A small left of centre (US view) country which "could be useful" as a staging post at some point.

        Nanaia Mahuta's skill in dealing with truculent Tainui men is very useful, she is a calm considered presence.

        The leaders of USA China and Russia currently all seem keen on conflict rather than conflict resolution. Dangerous for all.

        Supply lines could again become an issue for us keeping costs and inflation beyond the 1 to 3% target for some time.

        • Sanctuary 7.1.1.1
          23 July 2023 at 10:46 am

          I would have thought the biggest takeout from the Ukraine war is the centrality of collective security buttressed by military alliances to New Zealand's security.

          Why did Putin attack the Ukraine? A big part was because he could. Finland? Once bitten twice shy for Russia with those combative Finns backed up by Sweden. Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania are tiny countries, utterly small fry. But they are in NATO, so they've got a backer with an enormous stick. So dare not attack them. The Ukraine, however, was unallied and alone and, to Putin's way of thinking, easy pickings.

          What that tells me is that in an increasingly dangerous world, the ultimate guarantee of our secuirty is in our alliances with our Five Eyes partners.

          • SPC 7.1.1.1.1
            23 July 2023 at 11:09 am

            Security from our major trading partner?

            If we do not have the option of neutrality (not participating in a warhawk operation as per Iraq, or organised confrontation over Taiwan), is it that useful to us?

            We do not benefit from an arms build up. Nor does anyone from war.

            And we already know the consequence of the western economic order and the one belt and road alternative separating, the dislocation of the global supply chain (increased cost).

            For us and Oz (suppliers) and the USA companies that manufacture there the impasse with China over the two disparate economic spheres developing (the US dollar and SWIFT system global hegemony may soon be ending) has consequences.

            • Sanctuary 7.1.1.1.1.1
              23 July 2023 at 12:03 pm

              I don't think NZer's have any idea how expensive "neutrality" would be. Within an alliance you get to contribute a component of the whole – thus, we don't need a force of expensive fast jets because the Americans and Australians have better and more modern jets that can everything we would need them to do in coalition warfare. Neutral? Bring back jet fighters. But what we do have is four P-8 patrol aircraft which is fully 25% of the combined ANZAC strength in these aircraft. Why? Because it where we choose to contribute to the alliance. In fact, along with the Five Eyes intelligence gathering & our elite special forces, the P-8 is our main cost and contribution to our alliance with some very powerful allies. Expect us to buy at least one more of these aircraft and invest in the long range drones that they are designed to control (the P-8 is capable of being the "mothership" to several large, long range drones like the MQ-4C).

              Ditto with the Navy. we get away with a pair of aging frigates because we are only expected to contribute to second line operations within an alliance. Beecome neutral? We would need five or six major surface warships plus all sorts of other vessels.

              Being part of an alliance saves us a lot of money that we'd otherwise have to waste on defence.

              • SPC …
                23 July 2023 at 12:48 pm

                We are not a member of any alliance now, apart from our security relationship with Oz. That commits them, and via them others, to defend us. It's the only thing they do for us, and in return they steal our workers by offering them more money. This advantages them and thus they have the capacity to defend 7 states, rather than 6.

                We have intell association within Five Eyes. And will probably join AUKUS 2 for the tech development co-op advantages.

                Who says neutrality means being able to defend against others alone? How much money does Costa Rica spend on defence?

                Our security is based on our location, any capacity to arrive here in force would have been confronted long before that stage was reached. It’s therefore somewhat logical our defence forces are developed mindful of that, but that does not necessitate an alliance just the occasional exercise with others.

          • Blazer 7.1.1.1.2
            23 July 2023 at 1:04 pm

            As you think you can read Putin's mind,please enlighten as to who is potentially interested in invading NZ and why?

      • Jono letts 7.1.2
        23 July 2023 at 10:36 am

        When soviet union retracted to Russia in 91..a set of buffer states were created..roughly a distance between Berlin and minsk. As these buffer states defaulted to neutral the demilitarization produced new hope. Russia itself still existed with 17 odd Sq km of resources,nukes for Africa and good relations with many countries on its southern flank such as kazak.uzbek etc. Not to mention neutrals like ind. Mongo.china etc. Yes the balance of power became an imbalance of power…but still a very multipower world. Since putin came in.in99..

        Georgian intven.2008 preceded by Serbia intven 1999.

        Crimea annex 2014 preceded by kosovo 2005.

        The point is…the REACTION..acknowledged and proved the above blurb.

        On February 2022 putin escalates(guilty) but Biden actively intervenes too.. SPREADING a conflict.

        The post above mine talks about diplomacy. Guarantee at no point in blinkens visit to this country this weekend does he say:

        The destiny of Taiwanese people should be decided by the Taiwanese people themselves in a democratic referendum.

        • SPC 7.1.2.1
          23 July 2023 at 10:58 am

          Guarantee at no point in blinkens visit to this country this weekend does he say:

          The destiny of Taiwanese people should be decided by the Taiwanese people themselves in a democratic referendum.

          Are you sure? That is exactly the American position – that they will defend Taiwan from China (despite acknowledging Taiwan is part of China), to ensure Taiwan gives consent to (has veto over) any change in their governing arrangements.

          The diplomatic position would be to facilitate talks over a future autonomy for Taiwan within China, to de-escalate confrontation. The American position encourages a continuance of the status quo (which now includes increases in defence spending in the region).

          This follows American promotion of democracy in Hong Kong – in breach of the 1997 agreement (involved just autonomy till 2047), that led to a crackdown on public protests. And thus renewed focus on the future of Taiwan (with American politicians going there to grandstand for domestic advantage).

          • Jono letts 7.1.2.1.1
            23 July 2023 at 12:02 pm

            You make an excellent point about blinken and Taiwan spc.

            I am looking at it from a military standpoint.

            Your right ..it seems china is just as guilty as the u.s in this regard.

            My question would be better phrased…if Taiwan chose neutrality with no military hardware from either country on its soil…what do Taiwanese choose?

            For example..u.s military on Philippines.okinawa and lower jap islands…who is cornering who?

  8. Bruce 8
    24 July 2023 at 3:34 pm

    Its you tube and not NZ but if this is the situation in the US and we follow. we are in for a rough ride. Perhaps as the interest rate hikes have finished. interest rates have peaked and employment remains full we may avoid the worst of it.

    '15 big box retailers collapsing before our eyes'

    https://youtu.be/MeoiVIBaHYg

  9. Thinker 9
    25 July 2023 at 7:24 am

    "None of this is the fault of any New Zealand government be they Labour or National."

    Except that National is blaming Labour for it and that IS their fault…

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    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago

  • No Time To Think: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    “Members of Parliament don’t work for us, they represent us, an entirely different thing. As with so much that has turned out badly, the re-organising of MPs’ responsibilities began with the Fourth Labour Government. That’s when they began to be treated like employees – public servants – whose diaries had ...
    Bowalley Road
    2 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Lobbying for Waikato’s Medical School causing problems for the Govt
    It’s becoming a classic case study for why lobbying deals with politicians need greater scrutiny. Former National Minister Steven Joyce runs a lobbying company with a major client – the University of Waikato. The University desperately wants $300m+ of taxpayer funding to establish a third medical school in New Zealand, ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    2 days ago

  • Picking Sides.
    Time To Choose: Like it or not, the Kiwis are either going into AUKUS’s  “Pillar 2” – or they are going to China.HAD ZHENG HE’S FLEET sailed east, not west, in the early Fifteenth Century, how different our world would be. There is little reason to suppose that the sea-going junks ...
    Bowalley Road
    2 days ago

  • Universities offer course in self-serving cowardice
    Henry Ergas writes –  When in Randall Jarrell’s Pictures from an Institution, a college president is accused of being a hypocrite, the novel’s narrator retorts that the description is grossly unfair. After all, the man is still far from the stage of moral development at which the charge ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • The teacher trainee challenge
    David Farrar writes –  Radio NZ reports: The Education Review Office says too many new teachers feel poorly prepared for their jobs. In a report published on Monday, the review office said 60 percent of the principals it interviewed said their new teachers were not ready. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Words and (in)actions
    New Zealand’s economic performance and the PM’s vision   Michael Reddell writes –  When I wrote yesterday morning’s post, highlighting how poorly both New Zealand and its Anglo peer countries have been doing in respect of productivity in recent times (ie, in the case of New ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • What do you hope for/fear from the budget?
    Hi all,Firstly - thank you! You guys are awesome. The response I’ve received to last night’s mail has been quite overwhelming. It’s a ghastly day outside, but there are no clouds in here.In case you didn’t read my email and are wondering what on earth I’m talking about you can ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on ACT’s charter schools experiment
    If there was still any doubt as to who is actually running this government – and it isn’t the buffoon from Botany – then this week’s announcement of a huge spend up on charter schools has settled the matter. While jobs and public services continue to be cut in the ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    2 days ago

  • Drought fuels wildfire concerns as Canada braces for another intense summer
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Gaye Taylor As widespread drought raises expectations for a repeat of last year’s ferocious wildfire season, response teams across Canada are grappling with the rapidly changing face of fire in a warming climate. No longer quenched by winter, nor quelled by the ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago

  • Bernard’s Dawn Chorus and pick ‘n’ mix for Thursday, May 16
    Half of Christchurch City Holdings Ltd’s directors and its chair resigned en masse last night in protest at Christchurch City Council’s demand to front-load dividends File Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The chair of Christchurch City Council’s investment company and four of its independent directors resigned in protest last ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Controversial proposal could threaten coalition
    The University of Waikato has reworded an advertisement that begins the tender process for its new $300 million-plus medical school even though the Government still needs to approve it. However, even the reworded ad contains an architect’s visualisations of what the school might look like. ACT leader David Seymour told ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago

  • Of Rings of Power Annatar, Dramatic Irony, and Disguises
    As a follow-up to the Rings of Power trailer discussion, I thought I needed to add something. There has been some online mockery about the use of the same actor for both the Halbrand and Annatar incarnations of Sauron. The reasoning is that Halbrand with a shave and a new ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    2 days ago

  • The future of Nick's Kōrero.
    This isn’t quite as dramatic as the title might suggest. I’m not going anywhere, but there is something I wanted to talk to you about.Let’s start with a typical day.Most days I send out a newsletter in the morning. If I’ve written a lot the previous evening it might be ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago

  • The PM promises tax relief in the Budget – but will it be enough to satisfy the Taxpayers’ Union...
    Buzz from the Beehive The promise of tax relief loomed large in his considerations when  the PM delivered a pre-Budget speech to the Auckland Business Chamber. The job back in Wellington is getting government spending back under control, he said, bandying figures which show that in per capita terms, the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago

  • Fucking useless
    Yesterday de facto Prime Minister David Seymour announced that his glove puppet government would be re-introducing charter schools, throwing $150 million at his pet quacks, donors and cronies and introducing an entire new government agency to oversee them (the existing Education Review Office, which actually knows how to review schools, ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • Setting things straight.
    Seeing that, in order to discredit the figures and achieve moral superiority while attempting to deflect attention away from the military assault on Rafa, Israel supporters in NZ have seized on reports that casualty numbers in Gaza may be inflated … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    3 days ago

  • Far too light a sentence
    David Farrar writes – Newstalk ZB report: The man responsible for a horror hit and run in central Wellington last year was on a suspended licence and was so drunk he later asked police, “Did I kill someone?” Jason Tuitama injured two women when he ran a red ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Unwinding Labour’s Agenda
    Muriel Newman writes –  Former US President Ronald Reagan once said, “Freedom is a fragile thing and it’s never more than one generation away from extinction. It is not ours by way of inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation.” The fight for ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Sequel to “Real reason Waitangi Tribunal could not summons Chhour”
    Why Courts should have said Waitangi Tribunal could not summons Karen Chhour Gary Judd writes – In the High Court, Justice Isacs declined to uphold the witness summons issued by the Waitangi Tribunal to compel Minister for Children, Karen Chhour, to appear before it to be ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • The Govt’s Fast-Track is being demolished by submissions to Parliament
    Bryce Edwards writes –  The number of voices raising concerns about the Government’s Fast-Track Approvals Bill is rapidly growing. This is especially apparent now that Parliament’s select committee is listening to submissions from the public to evaluate the proposed legislation. Twenty-seven thousand submissions have been made to Parliament ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • A generation is leaving at a rate of one A320-load per day
    An average of 166 New Zealand citizens left the country every day during the March quarter, up 54% from a year ago.Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The economy and housing market is sinking into a longer recession through the winter after a slump in business and consumer confidence in ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • NZUP RORS back to life
    The government has made it abundantly clear they’re addicted to the smell of new asphalt. On Tuesday they introduced a new term to the country’s roading lexicon, the Roads of Regional Significance (RoRS), a little brother for the Roads of National (Party) Significance (RoNS). Driving ahead with Roads of Regional ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    3 days ago

  • School Is Out.
    School is outAnd I walk the empty hallwaysI walk aloneAlone as alwaysThere's so many lucky penniesLying on the floorBut where the hell are all the lucky peopleI can't see them any moreYesterday morning, I’d just sent out my newsletter on Tama Potaka, and I was struggling to make the coffee. ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • How Are You Doing?
    Hi,I wanted to check in and ask how you’re doing.This is perhaps a selfish act, of attempting to find others feeling a similar way to me — that is to say, a little hopeless at the moment.Misery loves company, that sort of deal.Some context.I wish I could say I got ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    3 days ago

  • The Rings of Power: Season Two Teaser Trailer
    I have hitherto been fairly quiet on the new season of Rings of Power, on the basis that the underwhelming first season did not exactly build excitement – and the rumours were fairly daft. The only real thing of substance to come out has been that they have re-cast Adar ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    3 days ago

  • At a glance – What ended the Little ice Age?
    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 ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • Talking Reo with the PM
    “The thing is,” Chris Luxon says, leaning forward to make his point, “this has always been my thing.”“This goes all the way back to the first multinational I worked for. I was saying exactly the same thing back then. The name of our business needs to be more clear; people ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • Waitangi Tribunal’s authority in Chhour case is upheld – but bill’s introduction to Parliament...
    Buzz from the Beehive It’s been a momentous few days for Children’s Minister Karen Chhour.  The Court of Appeal has overturned a High Court decision which blocked a summons order from the Waitangi Tribunal for her. And today she has announced the Government is putting children first by introducing to ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • Australia jails another whistleblower
    In 2014 former Australian army lawyer David McBride leaked classified military documents about Australian war crimes to the ABC. Dubbed "The Afghan Files", the documents led to an explosive report on Australian war crimes, the disbanding of an entire SAS unit, and multiple ongoing prosecutions. The journalist who wrote the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • Some “scrutiny”!
    Back in February I blogged about another secret OIA "consultation" by the Ministry of Justice. This one was on Aotearoa's commitment in its Open Government Partnership Action Plan to "strengthen scrutiny of Official Information Act exemption clauses in legislation" (AKA secrecy clauses). Their consultation paper on the issue focused on ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago

  • TVNZ is loss-making, serves no public service due to bias, and should be liquidated
    Rob MacCulloch writes –  According to the respected Pew Research Centre, “In seven of eight [European] countries surveyed, the most trusted news outlet asked about is the public news organization in each country”. For example, “in Sweden, an overwhelming majority (90%) say they trust the public broadcaster SVT”. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • The conflicted Covid Chair
    David Farrar writes –  Kata MacNamara reports:    Details of Tony Blakely’s involvement in the New Zealand Government’s response to the pandemic raise serious questions about the work of the Covid-19 Royal Commission of Inquiry over which he presides. It has long been clear that Blakely, a ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Attacking the smartest and most resilient people in the room is never a good idea
    Chris Trotter writes – Are you a Brahmin or a Merchant? Or, are you merely one of those whose lives are profoundly influenced by the decisions of Brahmins and Merchants? Those are the questions that are currently shaping the politics of New Zealand and the entire West. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • A fortune-telling failure, surely, if the tarot cards can’t see a bulldozer coming
    RNZ reports –  It’s supposed to be a haven of healing and spiritual awakening but residents of the Kawai Purapura community say they’ve been hurt and deceived. It’s the successor to the former Centrepoint commune, and has been on the bush block opposite Albany shopping centre since 2008. It ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • The climate battleground heats up
    TL;DR : Here’s the top six items climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, as selected by Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer. Usually we have a video chat to go with this wrap, but were unable to do one this week. We’ll be back next week.Several reports ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • Bernard’ s Dawn Chorus & Pick ‘n’ Mix for Tuesday, May 14
    The Transport Minister has set a hard 'fiscal envelope' of $6.54 billion for transport capital spending. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The economy is settling into a state of suspended animation as the Government’s funding freezes and job cuts chill confidence and combine with stubbornly high interest rates to ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on why anti-Zionism is not anti-Semitic
    To be precise, the term “anti- Zionism” refers to (a) criticism of the political movement that created a modern Jewish state on the historical land of Israel, and to (b)the subjugation of Palestinians by the Israeli state. By contrast, the term “anti-Semitism” means bigotry and racism directed at Jewish people, ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    4 days ago

  • Climate change is making hurricanes more destructive
    This is a re-post from the Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler Because hurricanes are one of the big-ticket weather disasters that humanity has to face, climate misinformers spend a lot of effort muddying the waters on whether climate change is making hurricanes more damaging. With the official start to the hurricane ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • Wayne Brown’s PT Plan
    Yesterday the Mayor released what he calls his “plan to save public transport” which is part of his final proposal for the Council’s Long Term Plan (LTP). This comes following consultation on the draft version that occurred in March which showed, once again, that people want more done on transport, especially ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    4 days ago

  • Potaka's Private Universe.
    And it's a pleasure that I have knownAnd it's a treasure that I have gainedAotearoa’s coalition government is fragile. It’s held together by the obsequious sycophancy of Christopher Luxon, who willingly contorts his party into the fringe positions of his junior coalition partners and is unwilling to contradict them. The ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • Our slow regional councils
    The Select Committee hearing submissions on the fast-track consenting legislation is starting to become a beat-up of regional councils. The inflexibility and slow workings of the Councils were prominent in two submissions yesterday. One, from the Coromandel Marine Farmers Association, simply said that the Waikato Regional Council’s planning decisions were ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago

  • Ministers are not above the law after all
    Back in April, the High Court surprised everyone by ruling that Ministers are above the law, at least as far as the Waitangi Tribunal is concerned. The reason for this ruling was "comity" - the idea that the different branches of government shouldn't interfere with each other's functions. Which makes ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago

  • NZTA takes the wheel after govt gives it the road map for regional roads (and puts a speed governor ...
    Buzz from the Beehive  Tolling was mentioned when Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced the government was re-introducing the Roads of National Significance (RoNS) programme, with 15 “crucial” projects to support economic growth and regional development across New Zealand. All RoNS would be four-laned, grade-separated highways, and all funding, financing, and ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • Change in Catalonia?
    or the past 14 years, ever since the Spanish government cheated on an autonomy deal, Catalonia has reliably given pro-independence parties a majority of seats in their regional parliament. But now that seems to be over. Catalans went to the polls yesterday, and stripped the Catalan parties of their majority. ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago

  • Having an enrolment date is not depriving anyone of a vote
    David Farrar writes –  Radio NZ report: Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins said the Electoral Commission should make sure the system ran smoothly and “taking away the right of thousands of people to vote” was not the answer. “Thousands of people enroled and voted on the day. If ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Perhaps house prices don’t always go up
    Don Brash writes –  There was a rather revealing headline in the Herald on Sunday today (12 May). It read “One in 8 Auckland homes on market were bought during boom, may now sell for loss”. The first line of text noted that “New data shows one in ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Can’t read, can’t write, can’t comprehend – and won’t think…?
    Mike Grimshaw writes –  At a time when universities are understandably nervous regarding the establishment of the University Advisory Group (UAG) and the Science System Advisory Group (SSAG) it may seem strange – or even fool-hardy – to state that there are long-standing issues in the tertiary sector ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Time for some perspective
    Lindsay Mitchell writes –  A lack of perspective can make something quite large or important seem small or irrelevant. Against a backdrop of high-profile, negative statistics it is easy to overlook the positive. For instance, the fact that 64 percent of Maori are employed is rarely reported. For ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Will NZ Herald’s ‘poor journalism’ cost lives?
    Earlier this year, the Herald ran a series of articles amounting to a sustained campaign against raised pedestrian crossings, by reporter Bernard Orsman. A key part of that campaign concerned the raised crossings being installed as part of the Pt Chevalier to Westmere project, with at least 10 articles over ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    5 days ago

  • The Kaka’s diary for the week to May 19 and beyond
    TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to May 19 include:PM Christopher Luxon is expected to hold his weekly post-cabinet news conference at 4:00pm on Monday.Parliament is not sitting this week. It resumes next week for a two-week sitting session up to and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • Webworm Popup Photos!
    Hi,Thanks to all the beautiful Worms who came to the LA Webworm popup on Saturday.It was a way to celebrate the online store we launched last week — and it was super special.As I talk about a lot, I really value our community here — and it was a BLAST ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    5 days ago

  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #19
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, May 5, 2024 thru Sat, May 11, 2024. (Unfortunate) Story of the week "Grief that stops at despair is an ending that I and many others, most notably ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • DJ Fred Again – Assurance report received
    "On the 27th of March, I sought assurances from the Chief Executive, Department of Internal Affairs, that the Department’s correct processes and policies had been followed in regards to a passport application which received media attention,” says Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden.  “I raised my concerns after being ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    11 hours ago

  • District Court Judges appointed
    Attorney-General Judith Collins has announced the appointment of three new District Court Judges, to replace Judges who have recently retired. Peter James Davey of Auckland has been appointed a District Court Judge with a jury jurisdiction to be based at Whangarei. Mr Davey initially started work as a law clerk/solicitor with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago

  • Unions should put learning ahead of ideology
    Associate Education Minister David Seymour is calling on the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) to put ideology to the side and focus on students’ learning, in reaction to the union holding paid teacher meetings across New Zealand about charter schools.     “The PPTA is disrupting schools up and down the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    16 hours ago

  • Craig Stobo appointed as chair of FMA
    Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly today announced the appointment of Craig Stobo as the new chair of the Financial Markets Authority (FMA). Mr Stobo takes over from Mark Todd, whose term expired at the end of April. Mr Stobo’s appointment is for a five-year term. “The FMA plays ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    16 hours ago

  • Budget 2024 invests in lifeguards and coastguard
    Surf Life Saving New Zealand and Coastguard New Zealand will continue to be able to keep people safe in, on, and around the water following a funding boost of $63.644 million over four years, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Transport Minister Matt Doocey say. “Heading to the beach for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago

  • New Zealand and Tuvalu reaffirm close relationship
    New Zealand and Tuvalu have reaffirmed their close relationship, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says.  “New Zealand is committed to working with Tuvalu on a shared vision of resilience, prosperity and security, in close concert with Australia,” says Mr Peters, who last visited Tuvalu in 2019.  “It is my pleasure ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • New Zealand calls for calm, constructive dialogue in New Caledonia
    New Zealand is gravely concerned about the situation in New Caledonia, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.  “The escalating situation and violent protests in Nouméa are of serious concern across the Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says.  “The immediate priority must be for all sides to take steps to de-escalate the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • New Zealand welcomes Samoa Head of State
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon met today with Samoa’s O le Ao o le Malo, Afioga Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II, who is making a State Visit to New Zealand. “His Highness and I reflected on our two countries’ extensive community links, with Samoan–New Zealanders contributing to all areas of our national ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Island Direct eligible for SuperGold Card funding
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has announced that he has approved Waiheke Island ferry operator Island Direct to be eligible for SuperGold Card funding, paving the way for a commercial agreement to bring the operator into the scheme. “Island Direct started operating in November 2023, offering an additional option for people ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Further sanctions against Russia
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters today announced further sanctions on 28 individuals and 14 entities providing military and strategic support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.  “Russia is directly supported by its military-industrial complex in its illegal aggression against Ukraine, attacking its sovereignty and territorial integrity. New Zealand condemns all entities and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • One year on from Loafers Lodge
    A year on from the tragedy at Loafers Lodge, the Government is working hard to improve building fire safety, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “I want to share my sincere condolences with the families and friends of the victims on the anniversary of the tragic fire at Loafers ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Pre-Budget speech to Auckland Business Chamber
    Ka nui te mihi kia koutou. Kia ora and good afternoon, everyone. Thank you so much for having me here in the lead up to my Government’s first Budget. Before I get started can I acknowledge: Simon Bridges – Auckland Business Chamber CEO. Steve Jurkovich – Kiwibank CEO. Kids born ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • New Zealand and Vanuatu to deepen collaboration
    New Zealand and Vanuatu will enhance collaboration on issues of mutual interest, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “It is important to return to Port Vila this week with a broad, high-level political delegation which demonstrates our deep commitment to New Zealand’s relationship with Vanuatu,” Mr Peters says.    “This ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Penk travels to Peru for trade meetings
    Minister for Land Information, Chris Penk will travel to Peru this week to represent New Zealand at a meeting of trade ministers from the Asia-Pacific region on behalf of Trade Minister Todd McClay. The annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade meeting will be held on 17-18 May ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Minister attends global education conferences
    Minister of Education Erica Stanford will head to the United Kingdom this week to participate in the 22nd Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers (CCEM) and the 2024 Education World Forum (EWF). “I am looking forward to sharing this Government’s education priorities, such as introducing a knowledge-rich curriculum, implementing an evidence-based ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Education Minister thanks outgoing NZQA Chair
    Minister of Education Erica Stanford has today thanked outgoing New Zealand Qualifications Authority Chair, Hon Tracey Martin. “Tracey Martin tendered her resignation late last month in order to take up a new role,” Ms Stanford says. Ms Martin will relinquish the role of Chair on 10 May and current Deputy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Driving ahead with Roads of Regional Significance
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