You can never, ever, have too many Teslas

Written By: - Date published: 9:29 am, June 21st, 2023 - 55 comments
Categories: Christopher Luxon, making shit up, national, same old national, spin, you couldn't make this shit up - Tags:

A week ago I wrote about the hypocrisy of Christopher Luxon and his request for a state supplied Tesla when his household already owns one.

Little did I know that a further example of jaw breaking hypocrisy would occur so soon this.

But this is what happened.

So Christopher Luxon’s household purchased a second Tesla AND claimed the clean car discount while doing so.  Yes that is the policy that National said was subsidising wealthy people to purchase Teslas.

His use of his wife as a shield against attacks of hypocrisy is rather jarring given past pronouncements by him faithfully preserved by the excellent Rugbyintel.

Pirouetting from proud Tesla owner to my wife owns it and you should not be including this into her and by the way I own a scooter takes some nerve.

I suspect that today gin will be served with lunch for the Opposition leader’s office.

55 comments on “You can never, ever, have too many Teslas ”

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  1. PsyclingLeft.Always 1
    21 June 2023 at 10:10 am

    Pirouetting from proud Tesla owner to my wife owns it and you should not be including this into her and by the way I own a scooter takes some nerve.

    Not sure about nerve so much…I did think a level of arrogance, but IMO he's just completely oblivious.

  2. Dennis Frank 2
    21 June 2023 at 10:12 am

    So Christopher Luxon’s household purchased a second Tesla AND claimed the clean car discount while doing so.

    Do you have proof of that? I haven't seen any. Could be she paid cash for it, huh? He wasn't savvy enough to point out that the scooter is electrical, so that means he can front as an authentic BlueGreen.

    Or maybe it isn't. Maybe it's the kind of scooter us kids used in the 1950s – you push it with your legs. In which case he's going for the geriatric vote to cut Winston off at the pass. But not savvy enough to point that out, to help slow learners get it quicker.

  3. tsmithfield 3
    21 June 2023 at 10:12 am

    This says more about the government policy that allows this to happen in the first place. If the government is going to allow a rebate for those who buy high-end cars, then of course it will be the wealthy who benefit from that.

    I don't see the relevance in criticising people for doing what the government is permitting them to do.

    • Bearded Git 3.1
      21 June 2023 at 11:26 am

      Bollocks tsmith. You don't seem to understand how this looks-let me explain it:

      Hypocrite (Britttanica Disctionary)

      "a person who claims or pretends to have certain beliefs about what is right but who behaves in a way that disagrees with those beliefs"

      Luxon's wife has bought a Tesla using the Clean Car Discount. It is National Party policy to scrap the CCD. Luxon has said in relation to this:

      "We've got a Government that is actually taxing people with utes and there is no alternative. And then actually subsidising wealthy Tesla drivers by giving them subsidies,"

      https://www.newsroom.co.nz/luxons-climate-policy-donut-no-anomaly

      It follows that Luxon is a hypocrite. In fact it is worse than that, he is also a liar by omission.

      “A lie of omission is an intentional failure to tell the truth in a situation requiring disclosure.”

      • PsyclingLeft.Always 3.1.1
        21 June 2023 at 11:29 am

        In fact it is worse than that, he is also a liar by emission.

        So true : )

        • Bearded Git 3.1.1.1
          21 June 2023 at 1:56 pm

          smileyI corrected that ….must have emissions on the brain….but you are so right Psych….either would do…in fact emission is better.

          • PsyclingLeft.Always 3.1.1.1.1
            21 June 2023 at 2:13 pm

            BG sorry, I did see you had corrected…( I had linked bit early,but thought quite apt ! ) but as you say…and I agree, Luxons omissions and/or emissions….

            His emissions seemingly brain farts. Best viewed at a distance : )

            Go Luxon ! And ride that 50 cc like you stol…”borrowed” it : )

            • In Vino 3.1.1.1.1.1
              21 June 2023 at 5:25 pm

              A pity he did not have that scooter when he had a Govt Limo drive him roughly 200m to parliament..

              Well, I can only assume he didn't.

    • lprent 3.2
      21 June 2023 at 1:14 pm

      sigh The reason for the policy isn't to benefit the wealthy.

      It was to increase the number of EVs and Hybrid cars in NZ. The numbers from stats clearly show that it has had that effect.

      Cars brought in and sold to the 'wealthy', including my last $15k 2nd hand hybrid, then get resold. Usually within a few years for new cars. They are then available on the second-hand market at a lower price.

      A subsidy or a tax-break like this is a classic and well-proven way to change the composition of the countries vehicle fleet. In this case to increase the numbers of EVs, HEVs, and PHEVs in second-hand market.

      This is why there are so many Ford Rangers around – because of a long-standing tax break on working vehicles for businesses.

  4. Tiger Mountain 4
    21 June 2023 at 11:06 am

    Keep up the good work Baldrick!

    Little of this would likely have mattered–if Mr Luxon had not just recently berated Tesla and by implication, other EV owners.

  5. Thinker 5
    21 June 2023 at 11:14 am

    Two questions that remain after your article (no blame intended)…

    1. They said JFK was a poor president as far as security goes, but Luxon must beat him hands-down. Does his security team also ride scooters, two in front on each flank, and two at back, ditto? Would put him a few tiers down from Biden, when travelling in convoy to the APEC summit, methinks…
    2. Your article doesn't specify what type of scooter Luxon uses. Maybe he didn't say. I'm wondering if it is a mobility scooter…
  6. Ad 6
    21 June 2023 at 11:33 am

    If I were Luxon I would drive a Rolls Royce Silver Ghost with the number plate FU ALL, pile the main Shadow Cabinet in the back to drive through Papakura, with the soundtrack to The Sopranos windows down.

    • Patricia Bremner 6.1
      21 June 2023 at 11:44 am

      Don't you think he is throwing stones from a glass house?

      Or are you playing Devil's Advocate.?? Again??devil

      Papakura?? Not his sort there, too many “Bottom Feeders” Face it he is a fudge artist. Do as I say not as I do.

  7. AB 7
    21 June 2023 at 11:45 am

    It's better for everyone if Mr Luxon's family drives an EV than if they don't – because it contributes to lower emissions. The universality of the clean car discount is absolutely the correct approach and it is what delivering outcomes for New Zealanders really looks like when done by serious people. Universality will drive the greatest uptake.

    There is an equity argument. Even with the clean car discount, new EVs are beyond the price range of ordinary people. Ordinary people will buy used hybrids and the like which get a lower discount – so rich people will get a bigger cash discount than poorer people. But if your concern is emissions reduction, then the largest discount should indeed go to the vehicles that reduce emissions the most. This is again completely the right thing to do from an emissions reduction perspective. The equity considerations should therefore be handled outside the policy itself – simply by taxing Mr Luxon's family's wealth and income more progressively. If you try to solve the equity issue inside the policy with some silly, childish attempt at targeting, that will cause injustices at the margins, be inefficient/cost more and limit how effective the policy is in reducing emissions.

    Luxon is therefore completely wrong about the policy being a bad one. Whether he really thinks it is, or figures that stoking resentments is his best chance of winning, I don't know. But I'm not all surprised that he (or his family) still pockets the savings from it anyway. Is it hypocrisy? Maybe – though not many people will turn down seemingly free money. The vulgarity and stupidity of it all annoy me more. In particular, it's the fact that what his family did tends to show that the policy actually works well in reducing emissions.

    • Patricia Bremner 7.1
      21 June 2023 at 9:09 pm

      Yes you are right AB. I let my annoyance with his forensic examination of the left, plus the playing down of a successful policy. Saving emissions is it!!yes

  8. Poldark 8
    21 June 2023 at 12:06 pm

    Yes it is like Trump getting medical treatment for Covid !

  9. alwyn 9
    21 June 2023 at 12:31 pm

    I had just a couple of thoughts about this post.

    Does Micky not accept the idea that says that a politicians family should not be regarded as fair game for attacks?

    Does Micky really hold the antedeluvian view that wives are owned by their husband and must only do the things their husband approves of? Free will is not allowed for married women?

    • lprent 9.1
      21 June 2023 at 12:53 pm

      Does Micky not accept the idea that says that a politicians family should not be regarded as fair game for attacks?

      That general rule applies if the politician doesn't pull their family into a political discussion and as an example. Which is exactly what his political ineptness, Christopher Luxon did. I was just impressed at the reserve on the part media and Micky about keeping the focus on Luxon.

      Unlike you, who has just managed to push the wife front and centre in your efforts to divert attention for a political fool.

      Any attack wasn't on the family – it was on a pretty inept politician and their apparent inability to be coherent. One with a strong tendency to throw others under a bus when it was convenient.

      The question was about the hypocrisy of a politician claiming a policy was wrong, and his household taking advantage of it. The hypocrisy used his exact words about the policy.

      Luxon by choice brought his partner and son into the interview(s) FFS. That was deliberate and really was rather inept and crass for any politician to do it.

      In effect he described his partner as taking a subsidy that in the view of the National party and himself was there solely to benefit wealthy Tesla drivers.

      Whereas the actual policy was to help the purchase of new and imported EV's. And its purpose was to increase the availability of second-hand EVs within the country in the future. Clearly the policy based on this example was working.

      Not a good look for the Christopher Luxon doing yet another dockup adn blagging someone else because of his incompetence, and speaks yet again to his lack of political credibility.

      • Thinker 9.1.1
        21 June 2023 at 3:24 pm

        Was thinking the same as lprent, Alwyn.

        It's Luxon who hid behind his wife and dragged her into his politics.

        Most politicians don't do that, other than the occasional "My wife's from Singapore" or "My husband's Samoan, so Talofa".

        If Luxon treats his family like that, how much does he care about the rest of NZ, IMHO.

  10. JohnO 10
    21 June 2023 at 2:21 pm

    Terrible hypocrisy by Luxon, who failed to prohibit little wifey from purchasing and claiming a rebate on a Tesla. It would be even worse if a Labour cabinet member, being part of a government critical of excessive bank profits, was profiting from holding undisclosed shares in an Australian bank though.

    Wait, WHAT?

  11. Reality 11
    21 June 2023 at 2:49 pm

    Luxon on a scooter? That would be as funny as the very ill-fitting suit he wore to the Coronation when he stood beside Richie McCaw and tried and failed to look statesmanlike. He just doesn't cut the mustard in so many situations.

  12. tWiggle 12
    21 June 2023 at 3:06 pm

    Spiderhoof examines Luxon's tesla

    Look at tiktok 1024, Luxon is morally corrupt.

    • tWiggle 12.1
      21 June 2023 at 3:10 pm

      Spiderhoof examines Luxon’s fiscal hole, see #2875 at the same page as above.

  13. Sabine 13
    22 June 2023 at 8:39 am

    The freeby for rich people to buy a EV was announced in May 2022. I left these comments

    https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-10-05-2022/#comment-1887573

    You know what, if i were a rich person who could spend 30.000 + on a car outright, i too would have the 8000 courtesy of the tax payer, i means like, take a family of five (a rich family of course) and that subsidy will get you a brand new car for free!!! What is not to like, maybe we should ask Mike Hoskin and his wife and the kids. I wonder if they all drive a brand new electric car

    and this one https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-13-05-2022/#comment-1887959

    a comment of funding public transport rather then

    But hey, buy an electric car if you are rich enough, you will get a nice juicy several thousand dollar subsidy so that that Stay at Home Mother of Athena and Tristan can now drive their children to private school in a tax payer subsidized EV. Now that is winning!

    so really, who cares that a rich person took a subsidy that was aimed at rich people, i mean heck, rich people were literally the only ones that could afford then and now a car that costs several ten of thousands of dollars in order to get a 8 grand tax payer hand out.

    Everyone who bought a EV since the subsidy was announced claimed that entitlement. The only one at fault here is the Labour Party who announced that tax payer funded give a way to the rich, and then not put a 'means test' on it to prevent those that they consider 'super rich' from claiming that entitlement.

    Btw, did you know that his Wife is no more in politics then the partner of the last PM? What about the families of politicians should be left in peace, or is that only another lip service / kindness demanded but not granted?

    Mrs. Luxon claimed a publicly announced entitlement of several grand for a EV because Labour granted that entitlement.

    • Incognito 13.1
      22 June 2023 at 9:06 am

      You should become Luxon’s Press Secretary or Spin Doctor, as you almost makes as little sense as he does – what many call ‘hypocrisy’ I’d call self-contradiction.

    • weka 13.2
      22 June 2023 at 9:26 am

      Everyone who bought a EV since the subsidy was announced claimed that entitlement. The only one at fault here is the Labour Party who announced that tax payer funded give a way to the rich, and then not put a 'means test' on it to prevent those that they consider 'super rich' from claiming that entitlement.

      You patently don't understand the point of the subsidy. It's not to give rich people some dosh. It's to help transition the NZ car fleet to EVs because climate change is going to turn very very nasty if we don't drop GHGs fast. And the way to transition the NZ car fleet to EVs is to encourage people who are about to buy a new car to buy an EV instead of an ICE one. One enough people do that, the secondhand EV car market will grow and the price of those will drop so that middle income and then eventually low income people will be able to afford them.

      If you have another way to transition the fleet, let's hear it. Otherwise you're just running yet another version of climate denial. The problem with the policy isn't the policy, it's that we don't have a transition plan because of the amount of climate denial on the left/liberal/progressives who still seem to think that somehow we can just muddle on through.

      And spare me any rhetoric about the problem of focusing on EVs. The reason we are doing that is because for 30 years people have been voting in centrist governments instead of the ones that understood the nature of the climate crisis and were developing more sensible transition plans.

      You can wave your hands around all you like about poor people, but you can't escape the massive hole in your position which is that poor people will get absolutely hammered as the climate crisis deepens. Which is will if we continue to have stupid fights about EV subsidies instead of doing the real mahi.

      • Sabine 13.2.1
        22 June 2023 at 9:49 am

        the real mahi would have been to use that money to make public transport an option, and currently public transport is in shambles pretty much everywhere.

        the real mahi would have been to use that money to pay bus drivers a decent salary some years ago, but we gave money to rich people who can afford a tesla on their own to pay for their own tesla with tax payers subsidies.

        the real mahi would have been to use that money to subsidize e-bikes, but we gave that money to Mrs. Luxon and those in her financial situation to buy a car she could wholesale afford on her own

        And we have yet to have a grown up discussion as to how we generate the electricity needed to ‘fuel’ all these E-gadgets. That too is real mahi that we refuse to do.

        I have pointed out that is was a stupid thing to do when it was done, and fwiw, i am comfortable with my position.

        And i would like to point out that Mrs. Luxon is not a Politian she is the wife of one, and did hte left not insist to not talk mean about the spouses?

        • weka 13.2.1.1
          22 June 2023 at 11:00 am

          the real mahi would have been to use that money to make public transport an option, and currently public transport is in shambles pretty much everywhere.

          The government did in fact put money into public transport.

          I'm sick of your faux political naivety, especially given your arguments against Labour and the Greens. For Labour to make real change on climate action they need enough people voting Green to give them the mandate, that's the real politik. You of course oppose that, and don't have any alternative solutions.

          I didn't read the rest of your comment, because if you can't get even the basics of politics right, it's just a bunch of hot air. Anyone can come online and moan about the government. I'm interested in meaningful analysis and solutions.

    • Molly 13.3
      22 June 2023 at 9:38 am

      I completely agree.

      Those that celebrated this scheme, are now complaining it was used as designed.

      • weka 13.3.1
        22 June 2023 at 9:49 am

        Those that celebrated this scheme, are now complaining it was used as designed.

        This misrepresents the point. The issue isn't that rich people take advantage of the subsidy. It's that Luxon is the leader of the party that opposes the subsidy but is happy to make use of it himself. As Incog pointed out, some people call this hypocrisy, or in Incog's view, self contradiction. It's worthwhile pointing this out about a political leader in election year, in part because of the bigger picture: Nact will block climate action and insist on making money while they do it. It's not just hypocrisy, it's dangerous.

        • Sabine 13.3.1.1
          22 June 2023 at 9:58 am

          No one is taking advantage of a situation.

          The subsidy is quite clear. Buy an E-vehicle and receive a government subsidy.

          That applies to all, if it was not intended to be used by all the Labour Party should have put a caveat on this, 'this applies not to people who are rich or the spouses of Politians on the opposition bench'.

          The subsidy worked as intended. Mrs. Luxon bought an e-vehicle and for that she got the e-vehicle subsidy.

          Now is that ethical? Who cares, she was entitled.
          And again, i was one of the few that pointed out that this subsidy would benefit those that needed it the least. And that is what you are now discussing, how that subsidy benefitted someone who did not need it, but got it because they were entitled to it.

          • weka 13.3.1.1.1
            22 June 2023 at 11:03 am

            You don't understand the critique either. Anyone can use the subsidy. If they're the leader of a political party with a policy that opposes the subsidy and they use the subsidy themselves, then they can expect to be criticised for that. It's not a hard concept to understand.

            I don't consider it an ethical issue, but good to know you don't care about ethics and think entitlements rule.

        • Molly 13.3.1.2
          22 June 2023 at 10:23 am

          "Nact will block climate action and insist on making money while they do it. It's not just hypocrisy, it's dangerous."

          Alternatively, the government claimed the Clean Car Rebate Policy was a good investment in addressing climate change when it was obvious to many it was not.

          That can also be viewed as misleading and dangerous.

          • weka 13.3.1.2.1
            22 June 2023 at 10:51 am

            I don't know what those many thing (you haven't said), but I explained to Sabine above what the point of the rebate is – to help change the NZ car fleet to EV. It's not the only thing they're doing obviously. If you have better ideas, then present them. But in this conversation we are talking about the leader of the opposition and why his positions and actions matter, and you clearly misrepresented critiques of him. And even you are right about the rebate policy, the point about Luxon remains independent of that.

            • Molly 13.3.1.2.1.1
              22 June 2023 at 11:09 am

              If politicians being hypocritical was consistently considered this newsworthy, that would barely leave space for the weather.

              The Clean Car Rebate was available to all those that could afford it – hypocrites and virtuous alike.

              The focus on Luxon misses the real failings of the policy – one of which I've highlighted in bold above.

              • weka …
                22 June 2023 at 12:03 pm

                If you think scheme is flawed, start a conversation in OM about it. Or write a Guest Post. But whatever flaws there are in the scheme the point here isn't about that, it's about Luxon.

                It's election year, climate matters and do does how MPs and leaders function. This is just another example of how Luxon leads and where his values are at. Of course that is of interest. Not as important as say climate itself, but then no-one wants to talk about that /shrug

                • weka …
                  22 June 2023 at 12:08 pm

                  Or, if you want to argue that critique of Luxon over his positions on the scheme are flawed because the scheme itself is flawed, then make the arguments. I don't see the relevance myself. He's still a hypocrite and climate denier.

            • Phillip ure 13.3.1.2.1.2
              22 June 2023 at 12:36 pm

              My 'better ideas' re e.v.'s ..(that was asked for..)..comes in the form of a question..

              Why are we not able to purchase those two-seater/side by side/cheap as city cars..that are available in so many other countries..?

              At the moment only corporates/middle class can afford e.v..

              At under 20 grand..why can't we buy these in nz…?

              Does anyone know the answer to this..?

              • Incognito …
                22 June 2023 at 12:57 pm

                At under 20 grand..why can’t we buy these in nz…?

                Where did you unearth this nugget?

                • Phillip ure …
                  22 June 2023 at 1:21 pm

                  Putting two and two together…

                  I have been harbouring this question for awhile..and I think I saw it mentioned in this forum first…

                  Then I googled electric city cars or some such thing…

                  When mentioned in this forum it was alleged that wood was blocking them..

                  And not wanting to kick a guy when he is down..I refrained from following it up here..

                  But now he is gone..so I feel freed to again raise the topic…

                  For a basic primer I would suggest googling electric city cars..

                  They are essentially two seater shopping trolleys..and as such perfect for many inner city dwellers…

                  I assumed they were being delayed because of safety issues..but I would note that countries that allow them…have already done that research…

                  Why can't we rely on that..?

                  As I said…they are cheap and cheerful…and would allow many more nz'ers to drive electric..

                  Seems like a no-brainer to me ..so I ask why the delay/blocking their import..?

                  • Incognito …
                    22 June 2023 at 1:44 pm

                    So, when you were whining about cars ‘under 20 grand’, you were really thinking about ‘electric city cars or some such thing’.

                    We’re not mind-readers here, so why don’t you make an effort to say what you mean and mean what you say? It would save us all so much time & effort …

  14. Phillip ure 14
    22 June 2023 at 2:47 pm

    In my first comment I talked about electric ' city cars'..

    So I am unsure what you are complaining about…

    And ‘ whining’..?..really..?

    Is my question not a valid one..?

    • Incognito 14.1
      22 June 2023 at 5:21 pm

      Ah yes, you did, amid the ellipses. My apologies for overlooking it.

      I withdraw my accusation of ‘whining’ and apologise.

  15. JohnO 15
    27 June 2023 at 7:50 am

    You can never, ever have too many Boeings.

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    As a child in the 1950s, I thought the British had won the Second World War because that’s what all our comics said. Later on, the films and comics told me that the Americans won the war. In my late teens, I found out that the Soviet Union ...
    Open ParachuteBy Ken
    3 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #36 2024

    Open access notables Diurnal Temperature Range Trends Differ Below and Above the Melting Point, Pithan & Schatt, Geophysical Research Letters: The globally averaged diurnal temperature range (DTR) has shrunk since the mid-20th century, and climate models project further shrinking. Observations indicate a slowdown or reversal of this trend in recent decades. ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago
  • Media Link: Discussing the NZSIS Security Threat Report.

    I was interviewed by Mike Hosking at NewstalkZB and a few other media outlets about the NZSIS Security Threat Report released recently. I have long advocated for more transparency, accountability and oversight of the NZ Intelligence Community, and although the … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    3 days ago
  • How do I make this better for people who drive Ford Rangers?

    Home, home again to a long warm embrace. Plenty of reasons to be glad to be back.But also, reasons for dejection.You, yes you, Simeon Brown, you odious little oik, you bible thumping petrol-pandering ratfucker weasel. You would be Reason Number One. Well, maybe first among equals with Seymour and Of-Seymour ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • A missed opportunity

    The government introduced a pretty big piece of constitutional legislation today: the Parliament Bill. But rather than the contentious constitutional change (four year terms) pushed by Labour, this merely consolidates the existing legislation covering Parliament - currently scattered across four different Acts - into one piece of legislation. While I ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • Nicola Willis Seeks New Sidekick To Help Fix NZ’s Economy

    Synopsis:Nicola Willis is seeking a new Treasury Boss after Dr Caralee McLiesh’s tenure ends this month. She didn’t listen to McLiesh. Will she listen to the new one?And why is Atlas Network’s Taxpayers Union chiming in?Please consider subscribing or supporting my work. Thanks, Tui.About CaraleeAt the beginning of July, Newsroom ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    4 days ago
  • Inflation alive and kicking in our land of the long white monopolies

    The golden days of profit continue for the the Foodstuffs (Pak’n’Save and New World) and Woolworths supermarket duopoly. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMōrena. Long stories short; here’s my top six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Thursday, September 5:The Groceries Commissioner has ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The thermodynamics of electric vs. internal combustion cars

    This is a re-post from The Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler I love thermodynamics. Thermodynamics is like your mom: it may not tell you what you can do, but it damn well tells you what you can’t do. I’ve written a few previous posts that include thermodynamics, like one on air capture of ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago
  • Security Politics in Peripheral Democracies: Excerpt Three.

    The notion of geopolitical  “periphery.” The concept of periphery used here refers strictly to what can be called the geopolitical periphery. Being on the geopolitical periphery is an analytic virtue because it makes for more visible policy reform in response … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    4 days ago
  • Venus Hum

    Fill me up with soundThe world sings with me a million smiles an hourI can see me dancing on my radioI can hear you singing in the blades of grassYellow dandelions on my way to schoolBig Beautiful Sky!Song: Venus Hum.Good morning, all you lovely people, and welcome to the 700th ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • I Went to a Creed Concert

    Note: The audio attached to this Webworm compliments today’s newsletter. I collected it as I met people attending a Creed concert. Their opinions may differ to mine. Read more ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    4 days ago
  • Government migration policy backfires; thousands of unemployed nurses

    The country has imported literally thousands of nurses over the past few months yet whether they are being employed as nurses is another matter. Just what is going on with HealthNZ and it nurses is, at best, opaque, in that it will not release anything but broad general statistics and ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • A Time For Unity.

    Emotional Response: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon addresses mourners at the tangi of King Tuheitia on Turangawaewae Marae on Saturday, 31 August 2024.THE DEATH OF KING TUHEITIA could hardly have come at a worse time for Maoridom. The power of the Kingitanga to unify te iwi Māori was demonstrated powerfully at January’s ...
    Bowalley Road
    4 days ago
  • Climate Change: Failed again

    National's tax cut policies relied on stealing revenue from the ETS (previously used to fund emissions reduction) to fund tax cuts to landlords. So how's that going? Badly. Today's auction failed again, with zero units (of a possible 7.6 million) sold. Which means they have a $456 million hole in ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Security Politics in Peripheral Democracies: Excerpt Two.

    A question of size. Small size generally means large vulnerability. The perception of threat is broader and often more immediate for small countries. The feeling of comparative weakness, of exposure to risk, and of potential intimidation by larger powers often … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    4 days ago
  • Nicola Willis’s Very Unserious Bungling of the Kiwirail Interislander Cancellation

    Open to all with kind thanks to all subscribers and supporters.Today, RNZ revealed that despite MFAT advice to Nicola Willis to be very “careful and deliberate” in her communications with the South Korean government, prior to any public announcement on cancelling Kiwirail’s i-Rex, Willis instead told South Korea 26 minutes ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    5 days ago
  • Satisfying the Minister’s Speed Obsession

    The Minister of Transport’s speed obsession has this week resulted in two new consultations for 110km/h speed limits, one in Auckland and one in Christchurch. There has also been final approval of the Kapiti Expressway to move to 110km/h following an earlier consultation. While the changes will almost certainly see ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    5 days ago
  • What if we freed up our streets, again?

    This guest post is by Tommy de Silva, a local rangatahi and freelance writer who is passionate about making the urban fabric of Tāmaki Makaurau-Auckland more people-focused and sustainable. New Zealand’s March-April 2020 Level 4 Covid response (aka “lockdown”) was somehow both the best and worst six weeks of ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    5 days ago
  • No Alarms And No Surprises

    A heart that's full up like a landfillA job that slowly kills youBruises that won't healYou look so tired, unhappyBring down the governmentThey don't, they don't speak for usI'll take a quiet lifeA handshake of carbon monoxideAnd no alarms and no surprisesThe fabulous English comedian Stewart Lee once wrote a ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Five ingenious ways people could beat the heat without cranking the AC

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Daisy Simmons Every summer brings a new spate of headlines about record-breaking heat – for good reason: 2023 was the hottest year on record, in keeping with the upward trend scientists have been clocking for decades. With climate forecasts suggesting that heat waves ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago
  • No new funding for cycling & walking

    Studies show each $1 of spending on walking and cycling infrastructure produces $13 to $35 of economic benefits from higher productivity, lower healthcare costs, less congestion, lower emissions and lower fossil fuel import costs. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMōrena. Long stories short; here’s my top six things to note ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • 99

    Dad turned 99 today.Hell of a lot of candles, eh?He won't be alone for his birthday. He will have the warm attention of my brother, and my sister, and everyone at the rest home, the most thoughtful attentive and considerate people you could ever know. On Saturday there will be ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago
  • Open Government: National reneges on beneficial ownership

    One of the achievements of the New Zealand’s Open Government Partnership Fourth National Action Plan was a formal commitment from the government to establish a public beneficial ownership register. Such a register would allow the ultimate owners of companies to be identified - a vital measure in preventing corruption, money ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Security Politics in Peripheral Democracies: Excerpt One.

    This project analyzes security politics in three peripheral democracies (Chile, New Zealand, Portugal) during the 30 years after the end of the Cold War. It argues that changes in the geopolitical landscape and geo-strategic context are interpreted differently by small … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    5 days ago
  • Tea and Toast

    When the skies are looking bad my dearAnd your heart's lost all its hopeAfter dawn there will be sunshineAnd all the dust will goThe skies will clear my darlingNow it's time for you to let goOur girl will wake you up in the mornin'With some tea and toastLyrics: Lucy Spraggan.Good ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • NLTP 2024 released – destroying pipeline of shovel ready local projects

    Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Waka Kotahi yesterday released the latest National Land Transport Plan (NLTP) for 2024-27. The NLTP sets out what transport projects will be funded for the next three years, including both central and local government projects. As expected given the government’s extremely ideological transport policy, it’s ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    6 days ago
  • Can Brown deliver his roads

    The Government’s unveiling of its road-building programme yesterday was ambitious and, many would say, long overdue. But the question will be whether it is too ambitious, whether it is affordable, and, if not, what might be dropped. The big ticket items will be the 17 so-called Roads of National Significance. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago
  • New paper about detecting climate misinformation on Twitter/X

    Together with Cristian Rojas, Frank Algra-Maschio, Mark Andrejevic, Travis Coan, and Yuan-Fang Li, I just published a paper in Nature Communications Earth & Environment where we use the Computer Assisted Recognition of Denial and Skepticism (CARDS) machine learning model to detect climate misinformation in 5 million climate tweets. We find over half ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago
  • Excerpting “Security Politics in Peripheral Democracies.”

    In the late 2000s-early 2010s I was researching and writing a book titled “Security Politics in Peripheral Democracies: Chile, New Zealand and Portugal.” The book was a cross-regional Small-N qualitative comparison of the security strategies and postures of three small … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    6 days ago
  • Hating for the Wrong Reasons: Of Rings of Power, Orcs and Evil

    A few months ago, my fellow countryman, HelloFutureMe, put out a giant YouTube video, dissecting what went wrong with the first season of Rings of Power (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJ6FRUO0ui0&t=8376s). It’s an exceptionally good video, and though it spans some two and a half hours, it is well worth your time. But ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    6 days ago
  • Climate Change: “Least cost” to who?

    On Friday the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment released their submission on National's second Emissions Reduction Plan, ripping the shit out of it as a massive gamble based on wishful thinking. One of the specific issues he focused on was National's idea of "least cost" emissions reduction, pointing out that ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago
  • Israeli Lives Matter

    There is no monopoly on common senseOn either side of the political fenceWe share the same biology, regardless of ideologyBelieve me when I say to youI hope the Russians love their children tooLyrics: Sting. Read more ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago
  • Luxon Cries

    Over the weekend, I found myself rather irritably reading up about the Treaty of Waitangi. “Do I need to do this?” It’s not my jurisdiction. In any other world, would this be something I choose to do?My answer - no.The Waitangi Tribunal, headed by some of our best legal minds, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • Just one Wellington home being consented for every 10 in Auckland

    A decade of under-building is coming home to roost in Wellington. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMōrena. Long stories short; here’s my top six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Monday September 2:Wellington’s leaders are wringing their hands over an exodus of skilled ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • Container trucks on local streets: why take the risk?

    This is a guest post by Charmaine Vaughan, who came to transport advocacy via her local Residents Association and a comms role at Bike Auckland. Her enthusiasm to make local streets safer for all is shared by her son Dylan Vaughan, a budding “urban nerd” who provided much of the ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    7 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #35

    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, August 25, 2024 thru Sat, August 31, 2024. Story of the week After another crammed week of climate news including updates on climate tipping points, increasing threats from rising ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago
  • An Uncanny Valley of Improvement: A Review and Analysis of The Rings of Power, Episodes 1-3 (Season ...

    And thus we come to the second instalment of Amazon’s Rings of Power. The first season, in 2022, was underwhelming, even for someone like myself, who is by nature inclined to approach Tolkien adaptations with charity. The writing was poor, the plot made no sense on its own terms, and ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    1 week ago
  • Alcohol debris and Crocodile Tears

    I write to you this morning from scenes of carnage. Around the floor lie young men who only hours earlier were full of life, and cocktails, and now lie silent. Read more ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • When Do We Look Away?

    Hi,The first time I saw something that made me recoil on the internet was a visit to Rotten.com. The clue was in the name — but the internet was a new thing to me in the 90s, and no-one really knew what the hell was going on. But somehow I ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    1 week ago
  • The decades just fly by

    You turn your back for a moment and a city can completely transform itself. It was, oh, just the other day I was tripping up to Kuala Lumpur every few months to teach workshops and luxuriate in the tropical warmth and fill my face with Char Kway Teow.It has to ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago
  • 2024 Reading Summary: August

    Completed reads for August: Aesop’s Fables (collection), by Aesop Berserk: Volume XXV (manga), by Kentaro Miura Benighted, by J.B. Priestly Berserk: Volume XXVI (manga), by Kentaro Miura Berserk: Volume XXVII (manga), by Kentaro Miura Berserk: Volume XXVIII (manga), by Kentaro Miura Berserk: Volume XXIX (manga), by Kentaro Miura ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    1 week ago
  • Is recent global warming part of a natural cycle?

    Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park from the Gigafact team in collaboration with John Mason. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Is recent global warming part ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago
  • White Noise

    Now here we standWith our hearts in our handsSqueezing out the liesAll that I hearIs a message, unclearWhat else is there to decide?All that I'm hearing from youIs White NoiseLyrics: Christopher John CheneyIs the tide turning?Have we reached the high point of the racist hate and lies from Hobson’s Pledge, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • The Death Of “Big Norm” – Exactly 50 Years Ago Today.

    Norman KirkPrime Minister of New Zealand 1972-1974Born: 6 January 1923 - Died: 31 August 1974Of the working-class, by the working-class, for the working-class.Video courtesy of YouTubeThese elements were posted on Bowalley Road on Saturday, 31 August 2024. ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 week ago
  • Claims and Counter-Claims.

    Whose Foreshore? Whose Seabed? When the Marine and Coastal Area Act was originally passed back in 2011, fears about the coastline becoming off-limits to Pakeha were routinely allayed by National Party politicians pointing out that the tests imposed were so stringent  that only a modest percentage of claims (the then treaty ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 week ago

  • New Zealand Honours Maori King ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 week ago
  • The Principles of the Treaty

    Hardly anyone says what are ‘the principles of the treaty’. The courts’ interpretation restrain the New Zealand Government. While they about protecting a particular community, those restraints apply equally to all community in a liberal democracy – including a single person.Treaty principles were introduced into the governance of New Zealand ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago
  • The Only Other Reliable Vehicle.

    An Elite Leader Awaiting Rotation? Hipkins’ give-National-nothing-to-aim-at strategy will only succeed if the Coalition becomes as unpopular in three years as the British Tories became in fourteen.THE SHAPE OF CHRIS HIPKINS’ THINKING on Labour’s optimum pathway to re-election is emerging steadily. At the core of his strategy is Hipkins’ view ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 week ago
  • A Big F U to this Right Wing Government

    Open to all - deep thanks to those who support and subscribe.One of the things that has got me interested recently is updates about Māori wards.In April, Stuff’s Karanama Ruru reported that ~ 2/3 of our 78 councils had adopted Māori wards in NZ.That meant that under the Coalition repeal ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 week ago
  • Climate Change: James Shaw’s legacy keeps paying off

    One of the central planks of the previous Labour-Green government's emissions reduction policy was GIDI (Government Investment in Decarbonising Industry). This was basically using ETS revenue to pay polluters to clean up production, reducing emissions while protecting jobs. Corporate welfare, but it got the job done, and was often a ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago
  • Gravity

    Oh twice as much ain't twice as goodAnd can't sustain like one half couldIt's wanting moreThat's gonna send me to my kneesSong: John MayerSome ups and downs from the last week of August ‘24. The good and bad, happy and sad, funny and mad, heroes and cads. The week that ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Ditch the climate double speak and get real

    Long stories short, here’s the top six news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above between Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer:The Government announced changes to the Fast-Track Approvals Bill on Sunday, backing off from the contentious proposal to give ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The Hoon around the week to August 30

    The podcast above of the weekly ‘Hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers on Thursday night features co-hosts and talking about the week’s news with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent on the latest science of changing sea temperatures and which emissions policies actually work; on the latest from Ukraine, Gaza and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • This Govt’s infrastructure strategy depends on capital gains taxes & new road taxes

    Billions of dollars in value uplift was identified around the Transmission Gully project, but that was captured 100% by landowners and not shared to pay for the project. Now National is saying value capture should be used for similar projects. Photo: Lynn Grieveson/ Getty ImagesMōrena. Long stories short; here’s my ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Roundup 30-August-2024

    Kia ora and welcome to the end of another week. Here’s our regular Friday roundup of things that caught our eye, in the realm of cities and transport. If you enjoy these roundups, feel free to join our growing ranks of supporters by making a recurring donation to keep the ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 week ago
  • Table Talk: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.

    “That’s the sort of constitutional reform he favours: conceived in secret; revolutionary in intent; implemented incrementally without fanfare; and under no circumstances to be placed before the electorate for democratic ratification.”TO SAY IT WAS RAINING would have understated seriously the meteorological conditions. Simply put, it was pissing down. One of ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 week ago
  • Big Norm and Chris Hipkins

    It’s 50 years ago today that “Big Norm” Kirk died of a heart attack in Wellington’s Home of Compassion. Home of Compassion. Although he was Prime Minister for only 623 days, he has an iconic place in New Zealand history, particularly Labour history. When Labour leaders like Jacinda Ardern recite ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 week ago

  • Government progresses response to Abuse in Care recommendations

    A Crown Response Office is being established within the Public Service Commission to drive the Government’s response to the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care. “The creation of an Office within a central Government agency was a key recommendation by the Royal Commission’s final report.  “It will have the mandate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Passport wait times back on-track

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says passport processing has returned to normal, and the Department of Internal Affairs [Department] is now advising customers to allow up to two weeks to receive their passport. “I am pleased that passport processing is back at target service levels and the Department ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • New appointments to the FMA board

    Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister has today announced three new appointments and one reappointment to the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) board. Tracey Berry, Nicholas Hegan and Mariette van Ryn have been appointed for a five-year term ending in August 2029, while Chris Swasbrook, who has served as a board member ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • District Court judges appointed

    Attorney-General Hon Judith Collins today announced the appointment of two new District Court judges. The appointees, who will take up their roles at the Manukau Court and the Auckland Court in the Accident Compensation Appeal Jurisdiction, are: Jacqui Clark Judge Clark was admitted to the bar in 1988 after graduating ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government makes it faster and easier to invest in New Zealand

    Associate Minister of Finance David Seymour is encouraged by significant improvements to overseas investment decision timeframes, and the enhanced interest from investors as the Government continues to reform overseas investment. “There were about as many foreign direct investment applications in July and August as there was across the six months ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • New Zealand to join Operation Olympic Defender

    New Zealand has accepted an invitation to join US-led multi-national space initiative Operation Olympic Defender, Defence Minister Judith Collins announced today. Operation Olympic Defender is designed to coordinate the space capabilities of member nations, enhance the resilience of space-based systems, deter hostile actions in space and reduce the spread of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government commits to ‘stamping out’ foot and mouth disease

    Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says that a new economic impact analysis report reinforces this government’s commitment to ‘stamp out’ any New Zealand foot and mouth disease incursion. “The new analysis, produced by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research, shows an incursion of the disease in New Zealand would have ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Improving access to finance for Kiwis

    5 September 2024  The Government is progressing further reforms to financial services to make it easier for Kiwis to access finance when they need it, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says.  “Financial services are foundational for economic success and are woven throughout our lives. Without access to finance our ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Prime Minister pays tribute to Kiingi Tuheitia

    As Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII is laid to rest today, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has paid tribute to a leader whose commitment to Kotahitanga will have a lasting impact on our country. “Kiingi Tuheitia was a humble leader who served his people with wisdom, mana and an unwavering ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Resource Management reform to make forestry rules clearer

    Forestry Minister Todd McClay today announced proposals to reform the resource management system that will provide greater certainty for the forestry sector and help them meet environmental obligations.   “The Government has committed to restoring confidence and certainty across the sector by removing unworkable regulatory burden created by the previous ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • More choice and competition in building products

    A major shake-up of building products which will make it easier and more affordable to build is on the way, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Today we have introduced legislation that will improve access to a wider variety of quality building products from overseas, giving Kiwis more choice and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Joint Statement between the Republic of Korea and New Zealand 4 September 2024, Seoul

    On the occasion of the official visit by the Right Honourable Prime Minister Christopher Luxon of New Zealand to the Republic of Korea from 4 to 5 September 2024, a summit meeting was held between His Excellency President Yoon Suk Yeol of the Republic of Korea (hereinafter referred to as ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Comprehensive Strategic Partnership the goal for New Zealand and Korea

    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Republic of Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol. “Korea and New Zealand are likeminded democracies and natural partners in the Indo Pacific. As such, we have decided to advance discussions on elevating the bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • International tourism continuing to bounce back

    Results released today from the International Visitor Survey (IVS) confirm international tourism is continuing to bounce back, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Matt Doocey says. The IVS results show that in the June quarter, international tourism contributed $2.6 billion to New Zealand’s economy, an increase of 17 per cent on last ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Government confirms RMA reforms to drive primary sector efficiency

    The Government is moving to review and update national level policy directives that impact the primary sector, as part of its work to get Wellington out of farming. “The primary sector has been weighed down by unworkable and costly regulation for too long,” Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says.  “That is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Weak grocery competition underscores importance of cutting red tape

    The first annual grocery report underscores the need for reforms to cut red tape and promote competition, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “The report paints a concerning picture of the $25 billion grocery sector and reinforces the need for stronger regulatory action, coupled with an ambitious, economy-wide ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Government moves to lessen burden of reliever costs on ECE services

    Associate Education Minister David Seymour says the Government has listened to the early childhood education sector’s calls to simplify paying ECE relief teachers. Today two simple changes that will reduce red tape for ECEs are being announced, in the run-up to larger changes that will come in time from the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Over 2,320 people engage with first sector regulatory review

    Regulation Minister David Seymour says there has been a strong response to the Ministry for Regulation’s public consultation on the early childhood education regulatory review, affirming the need for action in reducing regulatory burden. “Over 2,320 submissions have been received from parents, teachers, centre owners, child advocacy groups, unions, research ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government backs women in horticulture

    “The Government is empowering women in the horticulture industry by funding an initiative that will support networking and career progression,” Associate Minister of Agriculture, Nicola Grigg says.  “Women currently make up around half of the horticulture workforce, but only 20 per cent of leadership roles which is why initiatives like this ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government to pause freshwater farm plan rollout

    The Government will pause the rollout of freshwater farm plans until system improvements are finalised, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds and Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard announced today. “Improving the freshwater farm plan system to make it more cost-effective and practical for farmers is a priority for this ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Milestone reached for fixing the Holidays Act 2003

    Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety Brooke van Velden says yesterday Cabinet reached another milestone on fixing the Holidays Act with approval of the consultation exposure draft of the Bill ready for release next week to participants.  “This Government will improve the Holidays Act with the help of businesses, workers, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • New priorities to protect future of conservation

    Toitū te marae a Tāne Mahuta me Hineahuone, toitū te marae a Tangaroa me Hinemoana, toitū te taiao, toitū te tangata. The Government has introduced clear priorities to modernise Te Papa Atawhai - The Department of Conservation’s protection of our natural taonga. “Te Papa Atawhai manages nearly a third of our ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Faster 110km/h speed limit to accelerate Kāpiti

    A new 110km/h speed limit for the Kāpiti Expressway Road of National Significance (RoNS) has been approved to reduce travel times for Kiwis travelling in and out of Wellington, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
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  • IVL increase to ensure visitors contribute more to New Zealand

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