How much did Key pay for his seat?

Written By: Steve Pierson - Date published: 8:33 am, June 4th, 2008 - 85 comments
Categories: election funding, john key, rumour, slippery - Tags: Electoral Finance Act, secret trusts

It’s funny the stories you hear when you’re out in the provinces. I was up in Auckland over the long weekend and came across someone who told me the story of how Key became involved in National.

See, Key was never political growing up and certainly not strongly National. He can’t remember where he stood on the Springbok Tour and he says he voted for Mike Moore a couple of times in the 1980s. But it seems that in 1999, Key’s sister met National Party President John Slater, whose eyeballs turned into little cartoon dollar signs when he heard of John’s enormous wealth and interest in adding MP (or even PM) to his CV.

Key was given a meeting with PM Jenny Shipley, who with not so much as a ‘thus, do I ever make my fool my purse’ hatched a plan. Key would be offered a safe National seat in the 2002 election (he returned to NZ permanently just before the 2002 selection process); the troublesome Brian Neeson in Helensville would be pushed to one side, and, in return, Key would make substantial donations to National.

How substantial? Well, substantial enough that it would be a scandal if the public found out. So, National had him channel his donations through a group of anonymous trusts, principally the Waitemata Trust, which National uses to hide the identity of its large donors. In total, it’s said he gave up to $1.5 million between 1999 and 2005. More money may have secured his leadership in 2006 (ironically, National is now sitting on piles of cash it can’t channel through sock-puppets because of the EFA).

All this looks very bad; Key may be the first person to try to literally buy himself the Prime Ministership. The people of New Zealand deserve to know the truth. It’s time for National to open the accounts of the Waitemata Trust and its other secret trusts, and for Key to come clean on how much he donated in return for his seat.

[Update: I’ve since heard lower figures than $1.5 million, but the truth still needs to be told.]

85 comments on “How much did Key pay for his seat? ”

Comments are now closed

vto 1

4 June 2008 at 8:37 am

Sometimes your stories are a bit pathetic Mr Pierson. Sometimes good, but this one is clearly from the off-smelling section.
Monty 2

4 June 2008 at 8:47 am

Your leftards are so sad. Have you not worked out that KDS is simply not going to win you an election. The 55% od the people in NZ who are now supporting John Key are doing so on his merits as Prime Minister in waiting. Helen has already tried the line “herump cackle I don’t have $50 million to get my party elected” and was rightly chastised for such a comment.

But I suppose when your beloved but corrupt party is 26% points behind in the polls you may as well try anything for a story – no matter if there is no proof or substance. Just “someone I came across”. Get a life.
mike 3

4 June 2008 at 8:49 am

Another sad attempt at a smear SP.
But bad polls can bring the Wishart out in anyone I guess.
barnsleybill 4

4 June 2008 at 8:50 am

Any actual evidence of this Steve, or are you just interviewing your keyboard again?
rjs131 5

4 June 2008 at 8:52 am

Arent you ignoring the role (and i realise it is minor) that the people of Helensville had in voting him in? How big is his majority? Or are you also suggesting he will be getting his just deserves this year when he is defeated in a Darien Fenton landslide….
James Kearney 6

4 June 2008 at 8:59 am

The righties don’t like it. Sorry fellas but I’ve heard similar stories around the traps myself. Anyone know if there’s any substance to them?
James Kearney 7

4 June 2008 at 9:03 am

rjs- Tory MP wins solid blue seat? Give the man a bloody medal!
rjs131 8

4 June 2008 at 9:16 am

yes, but didnt he substantially increase his majority?
Billy 9

4 June 2008 at 9:16 am

Sorry fellas but I’ve heard similar stories

You should hear the stories I hear about Helen Clarke. I have no evidence for them whatsoever. Shall I nonetheless repeat them? Nah, that wouldn’t be right.
hmm 10

4 June 2008 at 9:17 am

put up evidence or don’t make posts like this.

This is exactly the type of irresponsible writing that you guys so often criticise when the mainstream media does it – is it not hypocritical for you yourself to then follow suit with these gutter posts based on “rumour”?
Dancer 11

4 June 2008 at 9:19 am

Actually I think Key arrived permanently in NZ in 2002 just ahead of the Nats selection processs.
Pascal's bookie 12

4 June 2008 at 9:34 am

I’ll just note that not one righty has said anything even approaching:

“No way, couldn’t happen. The National party doesn’t operate like that.” (No Brash, No Cash. cough)

Nor have any of them seconded the call for National’s funding to be made transparent in order to refute this rumour.

Funny that.
higherstandard 13

4 June 2008 at 9:34 am

Clinton

1. Proof ?
2. Who really cares if Key donated money to National ?
Billy 14

4 June 2008 at 9:40 am

Pascal’s Bookie, you are running what we around here call a “pig fcuking argument”.
Robinsod 15

4 June 2008 at 9:41 am

Funny – I heard the same rumour with the same dollar amount attached to it.
Scribe 16

4 June 2008 at 9:46 am

SP,

This is a disgraceful post â€” UNLESS you can provide some supporting evidence for your allegations, which are incredibly serious.

This is on a par with some of the whispers about Helen Clark and/or Peter Davis which you would have kittens over if, for example, Kiwiblog posted about them.

Your blog, free to do what you like, but this is as bad, if not worse, than the things you criticise others for.
Pascal's bookie 17

4 June 2008 at 9:50 am

Yeah, sort of Billy.

Except that in this instance, the ‘No brash, No cash deal’, is a polaroid of animal related bedroom activity, and from the secret trusts wafts a porcine smell.

The smell could be from a wholesome reanactment of a children’s tale put on for the benefit of starving children. Who knows? The National Party could clear that up at any time.
T-rex 18

4 June 2008 at 9:55 am

Is there any reason National SHOULD make their funding transparent when other parties aren’t required to?

If Key has bought himself the party leadership then that does raise some serious questions about Nationals internal candidate selection process… but frankly I’d say that’s an internal National party issue (if it exists). Key still has to be elected through democratic process – if he’s bought anything it’s leadership of the opposition.

If he’s a good candidate, then it doesn’t matter if he donated to the party, and if he’s a bad candidate then it shouldn’t help him.

I think it’s a bit unreasonable to make accusations like this on limited evidence and demand that a party make a disclosure it’s not legally obiligated to make to refute them.
Archon 19

4 June 2008 at 9:58 am

Ah, the old Porcine Copulator post. Classy.

And just after a post regarding the lowering of journalistic quality and “journos who will take the spin you give them and run it uncritically”. Double classy.

The Standard. ‘Ethically diverse’ since ages ago.
Steve Pierson 20

4 June 2008 at 9:59 am

Cheers Dancer, you’re right. I got mixed up.

Obviously, I can’t have proof, that’s the whole point of National having secret trusts, so the public can’t have proof of the donations people like Key and Peter Shirtcliffe give the party.

The difference between this and the odious stories regarding Peter Davis or Clark is that this story is politically relevent.

All National has to do is reveal the trusts’ accounts.
mike 21

4 June 2008 at 9:59 am

A friend of a friend of mine told me that Helen Clarke (and a bunch of unnamed MP’s) donated tens of thousands of dollars to the labour Party coffers to pay back money they rorted from the taxpayer.

Man if that story ever got out it would be end of her..
Robinsod 22

4 June 2008 at 10:02 am

Scribe – I know you have pretensions to being a journalist but the rumours you are talking about regard private lives and have no real bearing on the political process. I didn’t see you complaining about media commentators suggesting Owen Glen may have been behind NZ First donations or the suggestions he brokered a secret “cash for honours” deal. Bill English was happy to put out a media release pushing this story:

http://www.billenglish.co.nz/index.php?/archives/263-Clark-must-front-over-Glenn-donations.html

I’m glad to see you hold a bunch of bloggers to a higher level of accountability than you do the deputy leader of the opposition.

Or will you be writing to Bill to chastise him?
Robinsod 23

4 June 2008 at 10:08 am

Hey Mike you tard – you don’t need a friend to tell you that because it’s on the public record. You know “the public record” – that thing the Nats are too scared to list their backers or their policies on.
Steve Pierson 24

4 June 2008 at 10:10 am

mike. Clark and other MPs donated openly to Labour last year – that’s public information here

It’s also public information that the Green MPs tithe to the party.

What’s not public information is how much Key has given to National, nor indeed who gave the rest of the $4 million in large, secret donations Naitonal recieved over the last 10 years.

– also, her name’s Clark, not Clarke. It’s not like she’s new on the scene.
T-rex 25

4 June 2008 at 10:15 am

Was anyone watching channel 3 this morning? Key was supposed to be on there for an interview. This was the conversation… I almost never watch it so I don’t know the peoples names, for now they’re bill and sue.

paraphrased…

Bill: And unfortunately John Key still hasn’t made it in.
Sue: I wonder where he’s got to.
Bill: I’m not sure, maybe he got lost.
Sue: He’s probably trying to find some policy.

heheheh

—

Had an interesting insight into the public mind this morning too – or at least a microcosm of it. A few weeks ago my flatmate was saying “surely National will get in this time… they have to… otherwise it’ll almost be time to move to aussie”.

This morning she said “Isn’t it scary that he (Key) might end up being the leader of our country and we don’t have any idea what he stands for or what he’s going to do. I really hope he doesn’t get in”.

Ahhhh, winds of change, how sweet your scent…
mike 26

4 June 2008 at 10:26 am

T-rex:”Key was supposed to be on there for an interview.”
He was on TV1 talking about Labours poor environmental record.

SP: I realise it public knowledge I was sarcastically pointing out that other partys also receive “donations” from their members

RS: Nice blog you have. Very grown-up. Now I know why you are without a job.
Robinsod 27

4 June 2008 at 10:29 am

Thanks Mike – the funny part is I do have a job (well, a business) and I make a lot of money. In fact I probably make more money than you. I guess that means we live in a meritocracy, eh?
illuminatedtiger 28

4 June 2008 at 10:35 am

I would love to see Key pressed on this one during a debate. He would melt on set! Wonderful 🙂 !
Steve Pierson 29

4 June 2008 at 10:38 am

T-rex, did he show up late? because his interview is on the tv3 site.
Scribe 30

4 June 2008 at 10:41 am

SP and Robinsod,

Some of the rumours that were rife last year about Dr Davis related to things much more serious than just his private life, so I don’t think you can use that smokescreen.

And re the Owen Glenn situation, I don’t think I was on The Standard at that stage. What we know as fact is that Glenn has been a large donor to Labour and he was given a gong under a Labour government. This post is based on a rumour.

Bill English has every right to ask the PM to clarify a series of conflicting statements and reports. Just as Robinsod has every right to say I have “pretensions” of being a journalist and just as SP can run his mouth about Key’s path to the National Party, though the last one is borderline libelous.
Scribe 31

4 June 2008 at 10:48 am

“illuminated”tiger,

I would love to see Key pressed on this one during a debate. He would melt on set!

How would the question go? Something like this maybe: “John, we read a rumour on a blog whose sole purpose is to bash you and your party that you paid for your seat, even though there is no evidence whatsoever. How do you respond?”

If a right-leaning blog posted something alleging that Helen Clark is a lesbian, should she be asked that question during a debate as well?
Bryan Spondre 32

4 June 2008 at 10:51 am

Entertaining thread: still waiting for all the Key/National FUD to start showing up in the polls. So far Nationals strategy of keeping quiet on policy appears to be working.

Tomorrows Monetary Policy Statement will be interesting. I wonder what Dr Bollard will have to say about the consequences of the budget ?
T-rex 33

4 June 2008 at 10:53 am

Mike – I know. I saw him. What was the first thing he said again?
“Governments record on the environment which has been shocking in the last 9 years, mumble massive deforestation, wrong signals to forestry, land usage change, 3/4 electricity generation from thermal”. This is a faily misleading perspective. The forestry issue resulted from the land use change rules, which were a necessary part of the climate change legislation.The electricity generation issue has been conclusively addressed with the recent policy on renewables (which, incidentally, national doesn’t like).
Interestingly, labours environmental record was under simultaneous review on channel 3… some guy they had on…

He said that he thought NZ had the potential to become a beacon for climate change globally.
“I think you’ve already taken quite a progressive approach over the last few years”
“NZ has already begun to work on this”
“We look to NZ as one of the encouraging examples”
[will biodiver”If more countries acted like NZ we would indeed, because you have a very proud record actually NZ of conservation and protected areas mangagement, almost 1/3rd of the country is under protected areas management and you have one of the highest percentage of marine protected areas…”

To be fair though, he never worked as a currency trader… he was just the UN Climate Change Director. Achim Steiner… probably some underqualified hack. Oops, no, my bad, looks like he’s actually a world renowned expert in the field.

So on one hand, we have the smiling assassin saying Labours environmental record is terrible, and on the other hand we have the UN Climate Change Director and international environmental management expert saying the UN looks to NZ as an encouraging example and wishes more places were like us.

Hmmm…. who to believe….
T-rex 34

4 June 2008 at 10:55 am

SP – whether he was actually late or not I’m not sure, but they were definitely giving him grief about it. Check the stuff that screened shortly before the interview maybe? They were interviewing some woman who’s name I forget – I think she was the first one who pulled out the “looking for some policy” line.
Steve Pierson 35

4 June 2008 at 10:57 am

Bryan. There will be no movement of the OCR, just as no-one was expecting a move so early. Remember, these tax cuts are $1.5 billion in the first year, exactly the size that the RB had assumed tax cuts would be.

And, anyway, weren’t you one of the ones complainng the tax cuts weren’t big enough?

(personally, I would move it down but I’m not a monetarist)
Robinsod 36

4 June 2008 at 11:01 am

though the last one is borderline libelous

No it’s not. It’s clearly marked as rumour and contains nothing more than honest opinion. You are obviously not a journalist as you would have flunked media law. You should also know that if a defamation suit was brought against Steve the onus would be on Key to disprove the allegations and that would mean opening the trust’s accounts in a court of law. I would welcome this rumour being disproved because it is my sincere hope that this sort of chicanery could not occur in New Zealand politics.
Bryan Spondre 37

4 June 2008 at 11:04 am

Steve: as a homeowner I would love to see it drop, driving inflation and eroding the real size of my home loan.
T-rex 38

4 June 2008 at 11:11 am

Bryan – no doubt you would… good luck with that!

On an unrelated topic – 3 Cheers for Russel Norman for getting into parliament. Much rationality may he inject.

Likewise, 3 cheers for Tanczos and Delahunty for making it possible. 2 cheers for Norman for deciding to stop being a pain in the ass about it.
Steve Pierson 39

4 June 2008 at 11:13 am

Russel Norman?
T-rex 40

4 June 2008 at 11:14 am

Ha! That’s the one. Mark… Russel… they both sound the same.
Hoolian 41

4 June 2008 at 11:16 am

Pierson, you’re a gossip (not to mention a liar and propagandist). You’re as bad as those who go on about Clark’s sexuality.

However, this will cause quite a concern to your ‘holier than thou’ image – largely due to you forever claiming to be above the “kiwiblog right” and yet here you are, rolling in the same muck.

Funny how mud sticks, irrespective of party ideology.
Nedyah Hsan 42

4 June 2008 at 11:16 am

How much did Key pay? The real answer lies in the destruction of NZ come twenty eleven if National ever got in. What price fame eh?

This is remniscient of other rumours I’ve heard in that Key wins for National, steps aside quoting “family”, Prime Minister English steps up…

Now thats a scary thought.
Robinsod 43

4 June 2008 at 11:26 am

However, this will cause quite a concern to your â€˜holier than thou’ image – largely due to you forever claiming to be above the “kiwiblog right’ and yet here you are, rolling in the same muck.

Jeez Hoolian coming from someone who writes inane bullsh*t such as: Furthermore, Clark looked truly ghoulish in the House, with almost a touch of vampirism. you’ve got a cheek.

You seem to have missed the fact that this post has not said anything about Key’s personal life and has only commented on a political rumour. As a fully fledged member of the Kiwiblog right I realise you have some issue recognising the distinction and for that you have my sympathies.
Lew 44

4 June 2008 at 11:44 am

This is speculative wonkery, but at least it’s clearly marked as such. Last I checked Wishart et al. were considered reliable investigative sources on the side of the fence from which all this howling emerges.

L
erikter 45

4 June 2008 at 11:51 am

Similar question could be asked: how much money did Russell Norman pay for his new seat?
T-rex 46

4 June 2008 at 11:55 am

ARGH! SUCH a retard.
Billy 47

4 June 2008 at 11:56 am

Hey, ‘sod, as the resident expert, care to explain why this is not a pig fcuker argument?

[lprent: You and ‘sod need to find another metaphor. I’m getting a bit sick of the bestality in-jokes. Eventually it always winds up in a mini-flame]
gobsmacked 48

4 June 2008 at 11:57 am

John Key donates money to the National Party. But he has never reported this fact, or how much, in the annual accounts.

At the height of the Owen Glen story, Key was asked about this, and for the first time …

‘Key disclosed that he had donated “several thousand” dollars a year to National for the past six years but never more than $10,000 in any one year — the maximum an individual can give before the donation has to be declared.’ (Stuff.co.nz, Feb 21).

So he finally went public, because he was pressed. He should be pressed some more. Simple questions: How much? When?

I do not actually believe he simply “bought” his seat. But I prefer to deal with known facts, and they are:

1) John Key has consistently donated large sums to the National Party
2) He has consistently hidden those donations (why?)
3) His party is extensively funded by hidden donations

There is a very clear public interest in transparency (not conspiracy). John Key should not hide his large donations behind secret Trusts, but should disclose them openly to the NZ public. Then we can make up our own minds.
Scribe 49

4 June 2008 at 12:05 pm

Robinsod,

Actually an award-winning journalist; thanks for asking.

The only notion that this is rumour is that it has been tagged into that category. Nothing in the post headline or the post itself suggest it’s a rumour. “Allegedly” or “apparently” or other words usually used to show it’s just a rumour are absent.

Steve says: “someone … told me THE story of how Key became involved in National”. (emphasis mine)
T-rex 50

4 June 2008 at 12:06 pm

I fail to see why Key should be obliged to disclose the details of his donations anymore than Clark should be obliged to disclose the details of her voting.

Anonymity is an important part of effective democracy I feel. The EFA was passed to try to prevent it from distorting fair democratic process. Unless Key’s breaking the law, I think he should be free to remain anonymous.
gobsmacked 51

4 June 2008 at 12:10 pm

“Unless Key’s breaking the law, I think he should be free to remain anonymous.”

Er, he wants to make the laws. That’s the whole point. Where does Key stand on the EFA again?
Felix 52

4 June 2008 at 12:10 pm

I find it quite amusing that any time questions are raised about shady right-wing activity (be they of a pig-loving nature or not) the first response from certain people is

“but… but… Helen Clark’s a lesbian!”

It’s also quite handy though as I can make mental notes to never take anything these people say seriously again.
Robinsod 53

4 June 2008 at 12:11 pm

Hey, ‘sod, as the resident expert, care to explain why this is not a pig fcuker argument?

Billy – it clearly is such an argument. What’s your point? And have you read any Celine yet?
T-rex 54

4 June 2008 at 12:13 pm

He might want to make new ones, but he’s still bound by the existing oens. If there’s reason to suspect he’s breaking them, the police should investigate. In my opinion, you’d have no right to even know such an investigation was taking place until charges were laid.
Billy 55

4 June 2008 at 12:14 pm

Good-oh.

No, but I bought Journey. Have to finish the dreary Ian McEwen first.
Scribe 56

4 June 2008 at 12:14 pm

Felix,

There’s as much evidence that the PM is a lesbian as there is evidence that Key bought his seat, i.e. ZERO. I think that’s where the comparisons are coming from (certainly it’s why I brought it up).

I can’t say for sure whether either is true, but there’s no evidence to say they are.
gobsmacked 57

4 June 2008 at 12:23 pm

T-rex, you seem to be setting the bar very low for those we entrust with power.

It would be legal for John Key (or anybody else) to channel many millions of dollars to a party through secret accounts, while using that party as a vehicle to gain power. I am not suggesting that has actually happened in Key’s case, but if it did, would “hey, it’s legal, mind your own business” be all the public need to know?

Don’t you want to hold the powerful to account? What weapons do we have, except knowledge of the truth?
Lew 58

4 June 2008 at 12:24 pm

Scribe: It’s marked as speculation and rumour by the fact that the source cited is `someone’ that SP ran across. Could be someone at the pub, could be a taxi driver, could have been anyone but an authoritative source.

L
Steve Pierson 59

4 June 2008 at 12:28 pm

Hey, maybe Whaleoil can fill us in on some of this.

After all, Whaleoil’s Dad is the John Slater in the story, former National Party President.

So, Whale, did John ever tell you the story of meeting Key’s sister?

Also, is he proud of you for making pictures putting the head a teenage boy on gay porn? I see that’s got you in trouble with your advertiser. http://newzblog.wordpress.com/2008/06/03/funny-karma-ii/
gobsmacked 60

4 June 2008 at 12:40 pm

Colin Espiner had a good piece on National and its secretive donors a while back:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/blogs/politics/2008/02/22/time-to-tell-us-about-your-donors-national/

Note the documented (NOT rumour/gossip etc) role played by John Key.
hmm 61

4 June 2008 at 12:46 pm

Robinsod said:

“You should also know that if a defamation suit was brought against Steve the onus would be on Key to disprove the allegations and that would mean opening the trust’s accounts in a court of law. I would welcome this rumour being disproved because it is my sincere hope that this sort of chicanery could not occur in New Zealand politics.”

You may want to check your defamation texts yourself Robinsod. All Key would have to prove is that this statement on this website lessened his reputation in the eyes of right thinking people. If he could show on the balance of probabilities that then it’s prima facie defamation.

Mr Pierson, if he invoked the truth defence, would have to prove himself on the balance of probabilites that it was the truth. Good luck.

If he used honest opinion then he’d atleast need to point to some factual grounding to this story. The fact that Key is the MP for Helensville, is rich and that the National Party have a number of anonymous donors would not be a sufficient factual grounding to make this type of leap to more gutter journalism from the Standard defensible by honest opinion.

Also labelling something “rumour” doesn’t help – otherwise everyone who wanted to defame someone would just say “this is a rumour” before then saying that the facts suggest that someone did ‘x’ bad thing.
Scribe 62

4 June 2008 at 1:10 pm

hmm,

Well said.

But what does prima facie mean again? Oh, I remember now. If we like you, it’s not in the public interest to prosecute.

Captcha: satisfying st (I bet house prices are crazy there)
Robinsod 63

4 June 2008 at 1:22 pm

All Key would have to prove is that this statement on this website lessened his reputation in the eyes of right thinking people

I like the way you preface that with “All” as if it is simple a case of saying “this hurts my reputation… wah” The truth is that’s a pretty hard bar to get across. Now if Steve had said “Key is a child molester” it would be a lot more simple but I don’t think it would wash with this given Key is a prominent political figure who is frequently involved in extremely robust debate himself.

Oh and honest opinion would certainly cover Steve’s “I heard this and if this is the case then” statements.
Felix 64

4 June 2008 at 1:33 pm

Scribe:

There’s as much evidence that the PM is a lesbian as there is evidence that Key bought his seat, i.e. ZERO. I think that’s where the comparisons are coming from (certainly it’s why I brought it up).

If you really can’t make a distinction between alleged secret political funding and alleged secret homosexuality then it’s probably not worth explaining why you brought it up.

There are so many comparisons you could draw involving allegations with zero evidence but you pick sexuality as being the relevant one. It says a lot.
Scribe 65

4 June 2008 at 1:34 pm

Robinson,

Oh and honest opinion would certainly cover Steve’s “I heard this and if this is the case then’ statements.

Well, except Steve never said anything remotely resembling “and if this is the case then…”
Scribe 66

4 June 2008 at 1:37 pm

Felix,

There are so many comparisons you could draw involving allegations with zero evidence but you pick sexuality as being the relevant one. It says a lot.

If you say so, Felix. If you say so.

The problem is that most of the allegations against Clark do have evidence to support them. I had trouble thinking of one that didn’t have supporting material.
Steve Pierson 67

4 June 2008 at 1:39 pm

media privilege on covering politicans as a defence to defamation: http://www.arts.auckland.ac.nz/online/politics328/defnotes2.htm

and, anyway, I’m just relating a story I’ve heard the gels with other stuff that’s come out. I seem to remember Key fudging an answer aobut how much he had given the Nats once, but can’t find a reference.
Felix 68

4 June 2008 at 1:42 pm

Of course, you could have just made something up as an example.

In fact, if you think the story about Mr Key is made up then that would be the logical way to make a comparison.

But why bother eh?
Scribe 69

4 June 2008 at 1:47 pm

Steve,

From your link:

b Privilege is lost if the media shows ill will or takes improper advantage – acts in a reckless way or with cavalier disregard for the truth, or is irresponsible. It is up to a jury to decide. Juries may be expected to treat MPs rigorously.

I’m sure it’s a moot point, but I’d like to see you try the “and, anyway, I’m just relating a story I’ve heard [that] gels with other stuff that’s come out” defence.
randal 70

4 June 2008 at 1:50 pm

who else did he buy along the way?
Scribe 71

4 June 2008 at 1:52 pm

Felix,

I thought the “Clark’s a lesbian” story was made up, like the “Key bought his seat” story is, in my estimation, made up. But now you’re telling me I should have made up a story.

Colour me confused.

captcha: careful swearing (I’ve always preferred that to reckless swearing)
gobsmacked 72

4 June 2008 at 2:09 pm

It is worth noting that John Key only joined the National Party in order to become a parliamentary candidate. For most of his adult life, he was not even a passive member of the party (or any political organisation of any kind). His sizeable financial contributions began only when he decided to enter politics himself.

That says nothing at all about any alleged “seat buying”. It does, however, say quite a lot about his priorities. Most people join a party because they support what the party stands for. John Key joined National to support John Key.
hmm 73

4 June 2008 at 2:14 pm

Steve RE: Media privilege,

There’s a reason it’s called qualified privilege. That’s because you don’t get blanket privilege just because you’re talking about politicians, you have to be responsible in your journalism in order to hold onto this legal privilege.

To quote your link, “reckless or irresponsible journalism” does not acquire this qualified privilege. That means doing some of the below: checking your sources, substantiating any rumour, verifying the information with the person who you’re targetting, even offering them a chance to comment.

And Robinsod – go and read about honest opinion a little bit more, you need a factual basis to deduce your opinion from not an honest opinion based on an opinion. You’re view on defamation is if I use a rumour to substantiate spreading another rumour then it’s honest opinion. I think you’ll find most of the case law disagrees with you.
Mike D 74

4 June 2008 at 2:37 pm

Yeah right Steve!!

You guys are really scraping the bottom of the barrel now. Maybe you should save some of your bullshit until the election is a little closer, or will you just keep making this stuff up as you go along.
travellerev 75

5 June 2008 at 4:22 pm

I really did not think I was going to write ever again on this blog being threatened with a ban because of 911 but this is just to good.

John Key met with Tame Iti two months (August) before Tame “the terrorist” was arrested for allegedly threatening to kill John Key.
Two years of investigations, listening in on the “terrorists” phone calls and John Kay is allowed to meet them without police and with the police’s written assurances that he will be safe’

I wondered about that, and asked one of my sources what the f*&k is going on.
He told me that John Key was trying to buy Tame Iti’s and some the peoples around him their vote. Puts a new light on John Key’s and Tame’s hongi doesn’t it.
here is the article in the mainstream press: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeFyee9xj68&eurl=http://www.prisonplanet.com/articles/june2008/040608_b_Coast.htm
Steve Withers 76

6 June 2008 at 12:21 am

The attraction of this story (Key buying his seat) is that it does align with other pieces of information that indicate National whores for cash.

For example, Brian Rudman has referred to Peter Shirtcliffe’s money as a major force within National. The secret trusts that clearly aunder millions of dollars from anonymous donors can only lend credibility to these stories….true or not.

I’m paraphrasing a famous aphorism by saying: “It isn’t good enough that there be financial transparency. Financial transparency must be SEEN to be done.”

I think that applies here. National will always be vulnerable to claims that it is for sale to highest bidder while anonymous millions continue to be laundered through trusts that are most definitely not transparent and open to scrutiny.

That is the consequence of any party hiding who supports it and for how much.
Robinsod 77

6 June 2008 at 8:14 am

hmm – “qualified privilege” pertains only to reporting on the house and some local government and court proceedings. I don’t see what it has to do with this situation other than your desire to (mis)use an important sounding term.
travellerev 78

6 June 2008 at 9:27 am

Oh oops wrong link. Well, it was three o’clock in the morning.
Here is the right link to the article about John Key visiting Tame Iti
only two months before Tame was arrested for allegedly wanting to kill amongst others John Key.
http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/1320238/1447560

Captcha:insult longest?
hmm 79

6 June 2008 at 11:23 am

Robinsod –

It was Mr Pierson’s claim that there is a “media privilege on covering politicans as a defence to defamation”. That was why I pointed out that the media privilege/qualified privilege that he was referring to is somewhat less wide than he believes it to be.

Also again you’re not up with qualified privilege – go and read about it, particularly Lange v Atkinson and you’ll find that it doesn’t just cover reporting on the house, local government etc.

Full Parliamentary privilege protects the media when they report on speech in the House, not Qualified Privilege. Qualified Privilege is a different beast altogether which covers the media talking more generally about political matters tied to particular politicians but in a responsible manner.
Robinsod 80

6 June 2008 at 11:42 am

Full Parliamentary privilege protects the media when they report on speech in the House

No it protects them when they report speech from the house. When they report *on* speech from the house (which is to say they offer opinion on what has been said) they are covered by qualified privilege.

Having said that it’s been nearly a decade since I’ve needed to read defamation law so I may have to go back and have a look.
First time caller 81

6 June 2008 at 6:17 pm

Utter disgrace.

This is why labour is twenty six points behind in the polls. Do you really think steve that making up lies like this you will have a chance at not getting humiliated at the election?
r0b 82

6 June 2008 at 11:44 pm

This is why labour is twenty six points behind in the polls.

Well you can’t argue with logic like that.

Links to post

Introducing the Standard Week at The Standard 2.01: posted on 6 June 2008 at 11:22 am
EFA lets voters know who bankrolls parties at The Standard 2.01: posted on 19 June 2008 at 10:26 am
UK Labour’s dirty politics | Kiwiblog: posted on 13 April 2009 at 11:52 am

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A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 7, 2024 thru Sat, April 13, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week is about adults in the room setting terms and conditions of ...
Skeptical Science
5 days ago

Feline Friends and Fragile Fauna The Complexities of Cats in New Zealand’s Conservation Efforts
Cats, with their independent spirit and beguiling purrs, have captured the hearts of humans for millennia. In New Zealand, felines are no exception, boasting the highest national cat ownership rate globally [definition cat nz cat foundation]. An estimated 1.134 million pet cats grace Kiwi households, compared to 683,000 dogs ...
Gareth’s WorldBy admin
5 days ago

Or is that just they want us to think?
Nice guy, that Peter Williams. Amiable, a calm air of no-nonsense capability, a winning smile. Everything you look for in a TV presenter and newsreader.I used to see him sometimes when I went to TVNZ to be a talking head or a panellist and we would yarn. Nice guy, that ...
More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
5 days ago

Fact Brief – Did global warming stop in 1998?
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 in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Did global warming stop in ...
Skeptical Science
6 days ago

Arguing over a moot point.
I have been following recent debates in the corporate and social media about whether it is a good idea for NZ to join what is known as “AUKUS Pillar Two.” AUKUS is the Australian-UK-US nuclear submarine building agreement in which … Continue reading → ...
KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
6 days ago

Fast-track submissions period must be extended
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
Greens
6 mins ago

Release: Progress on climate will be undone by Govt
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
Labour Blog
16 mins ago

Release: Dark day for Kiwi kids as a third of Govt cuts affect them
News that 1000 jobs at the Ministry of Education and Oranga Tamariki could go is devastating for future generations of New Zealanders. ...
Labour Blog
2 days ago

Release: Alarm as Government signals further blow to school lunches
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Labour Blog
2 days ago

Release: Quick, submit – stop Govt’s dodgy approvals bill
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Labour Blog
3 days ago

Government throws coal on the climate crisis fire
The Government’s policy announced today to ease consenting for coal mining will have a lasting impact across generations. ...
Greens
3 days ago

Release: Public transport costs to double as National looks at unaffordable roading project instead
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
Labour Blog
4 days ago

Release: Cost of living in Auckland still not a priority
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Labour Blog
4 days ago

Greens look to fast-track submissions on harmful law
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
Greens
1 week ago

Release: Govt should stop making people’s lives harder and build more homes
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Labour Blog
1 week ago

Release: Melissa Lee missing in action on media
The action Melissa Lee promised to protect democracy and the media sector is missing, Media and Communications spokesperson Willie Jackson said. ...
Labour Blog
1 week ago

Landlord Government leaves little hope for renters
The Government’s announcement on tenancy rules prove that it does not care about renters. ...
Greens
1 week ago

Opportunity to build a more sustainable economy
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
Greens
1 week ago

Significant step forward in fixing cruel and unjust past
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
Greens
1 week ago

Missed opportunity but NZ will surely one day recognise the right to a sustainable environment
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Greens
1 week ago

Release: Don’t cut our lunches – clear message sent to Government
Tens of thousands of people are demanding the Government commits to fully funding free and healthy school lunches. ...
Labour Blog
1 week ago

Release: Govt makes U-turn on Suicide Prevention Office
Labour welcomes the Government’s U-turn on the closure of the Suicide Prevention Office, says Labour Mental Health spokesperson Ingrid Leary. ...
Labour Blog
1 week ago

CCC issues warning over further climate delay
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Luxon targets are lousy example of leadership
If talk is cheap, Chris Luxon’s “targets” are bankrupt. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Luxon targets lame and lousy example of leadership
If talk is cheap, Chris Luxon’s “targets” are bankrupt. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Release: Commitment to disability communities missing from Govt priorities
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Methane target review is dangerous duplication
The Government’s newly announced review of methane emissions reduction targets hints at its desire to delay Aotearoa New Zealand’s urgent transition to a climate safe future, the Green Party said. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Release: Government must commit to school building project for disabled students
The Government must commit to the Maitai School building project for students with high and complex needs, to ensure disabled students from the top of the South Island have somewhere to learn. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Release: National must take mental health seriously
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey and his Government colleagues have made a meal of their mental health commitments, showing how flimsy their efforts to champion the issue truly are, says Labour Mental Health spokesperson Ingrid Leary. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Referendums for Māori wards a racist step backwards
The Government's imposed referendum on Māori wards is a racist step backwards for Māori representation, and disregards Te Tiriti o Waitangi. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Release: Job losses at Health not worth it for tax cuts
New Zealand will feel the harm of the National Government’s reckless cuts to jobs at the health ministry for generations, says Ayesha Verrall. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Press release: No Māori initiatives in Government’s nothing plan
Māori are yet to see anything from this Government except cuts, reversals and taking our people backwards, Māori Development spokesperson Willie Jackson said. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Thirty six point PR spin
The Government’s ‘36 point’ plan for the next three months is as pointless as it is hollow. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Thirty six point PR spin
The Government’s ‘36 point’ plan for the next three months is as pointless as it is hollow. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Thirty six point PR spin
The Government’s ‘36 point’ plan for the next three months is as pointless as it is hollow. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Release: Social housing off Government’s to-do list
The Coalition Government’s refusal to commit to ongoing funding for social housing is seeing the sector pull back on developments and families watch their dreams of securing a home fade away, says Labour Housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Release: Less money in most people’s pockets this April
Changes to minimum wage and benefit indexation means many New Zealanders will get less this year, as the Government gives a big tax break to landlords instead. ...
Labour Blog
3 weeks ago

$41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
18 mins ago

Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 hours ago

Judicial appointments announced
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 hours ago

Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 hours ago

Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 hours ago

Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 hours ago

Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
7 hours ago

Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
18 hours ago

Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
24 hours ago

Taupō takes pole position
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 day ago

Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 day ago

Government backing mussel spat project
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 day ago

Government focused on getting people into work
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 day ago

Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 day ago

Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 day ago

Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

Inflation coming down, but more work to do
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector. "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner. The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel. “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says. "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
5 days ago

Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board. “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti. “I have asked her to ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Roads of National Significance planning underway
The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Navigating an unstable global environment
New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States. “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Joint US and NZ declaration
April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

NZ and US to undertake further practical Pacific cooperation
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced further New Zealand cooperation with the United States in the Pacific Islands region through $16.4 million in funding for initiatives in digital connectivity and oceans and fisheries research. “New Zealand can achieve more in the Pacific if we work together more urgently and ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Are 2 mid-career AFL retirements a sign Australian athletes are taking brain health more seriously?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alan Pearce, Professor, School of Allied Heath, Human Services & Sport, La Trobe University, La Trobe University This week, Collingwood AFL player Nathan Murphy announced his retirement, brought on by his concussion history and ongoing issues. The 24-year-old’s seemingly sudden retirement, ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 hour ago

Luxon: Waitangi Tribunal comments from coalition parties 'ill considered'
Comments from ACT and NZ First ministers about the Tribunal were "ill considered" and "that message will be underscored" to them, the PM says. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 hour ago

Mental Health Foundation Facing Staff Cuts From Govt Funding Squeeze
The Mental Health Foundation provides support and resources for those facing the loss of their job, so it’s wrong in the very week the Government adds another 1000 jobs to its tally of cuts, that this is happening. ...
Scoop politics
2 hours ago

I wholeheartedly recommend The President: a brilliant revival of a play of decay, terror and revulsi...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexander Howard, Senior Lecturer, Discipline of English and Writing, University of Sydney Daniel Boud/Sydney Theatre Company Decay, terror, revulsion. These are three of the central themes of Thomas Bernhard’s rarely performed play The President. The Austrian is one of the greatest ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
2 hours ago

How the coolest little capital is shrinking
It's not the first time a government has targeted public servants for job cuts, but this time Wellington is really feeling it. ...
Radio NZ – political
2 hours ago

Many prisoners go years without touching a smartphone. It means they struggle to navigate life on th...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ye In (Jane) Hwang, Postdoctoral Research Associate at School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney Shutterstock You’d be hard pressed to find any aspect of daily life that doesn’t require some form of digital literacy. We need only to look back ten ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
2 hours ago

Ministers accused of Cabinet Manual breach with threats to Waitangi Tribunal
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says threats by ministers Shane Jones and David Seymour to reform or close down the Waitangi Tribunal were “ill-considered”, as legal experts say the ministers may have breached Cabinet Manual conventions. “I think those comments are ill-considered and we expect all ministers to actually exercise good ...
NewsroomBy Marc Daalder
2 hours ago

Good news: midlife health is about more than a waist measurement. Here’s why
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rob Newton, Professor of Exercise Medicine, Edith Cowan University Pexels/RDNE stock project You’re not in your 20s or 30s anymore and you know regular health checks are important. So you go to your GP. During the appointment they measure your waist. ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
2 hours ago

The Friday Poem: ‘Mitochondrial Problem’ by Evangeline Riddiford Graham
A new poem by Evangeline Riddiford Graham. Mitochondrial Problem I. It was long drive to Kansas for the man and his dog but you have to understand he said She doesn’t fly. Which calls to mind not carsick shitting barking or whining but a dog who chooses not to as ...
The SpinoffBy Evangeline Riddiford Graham
3 hours ago

The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending April 18
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington. AUCKLAND 1 Hemingway’s Goblet by Dermot Ross (Mary Egan Publishing, $38) Hot off the press, this debut ...
The SpinoffBy The Spinoff Review of Books
3 hours ago

Department of Conservation closing Dunedin centre, but no jobs lost
Visitor habits are changing and DOC needs to adapt in a financially sustainable way, its operations director says. ...
Radio NZ – political
3 hours ago

Unions Collaborate With Thousands Of Job Cuts
With New Zealand officially in recession, a swathe of mass sackings is currently sending shockwaves through the entire working class. ...
Scoop politics
3 hours ago

Watch live: Christopher Luxon speaks to media in Manila
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is speaking to reporters in Manila after pledging greater defence cooperation with the Philippines. Watch live. ...
Radio NZ – political
3 hours ago

Government sent please explain letter to Wellington City Council over transport disagreement
The contents were revealed in correspondence from Simeon Brown and Chris Bishop to Wellington's Mayor. ...
Radio NZ – political
3 hours ago

Some families push back against journalists who mine social media for photos – they have every rig...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Laura Wajnryb McDonald, PhD candidate in Criminology, University of Sydney Less than 24 hours after Ashlee Good was murdered in Bondi Junction, her family released a statement requesting the media take down photographs they had reproduced of Ashlee and her family without ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
3 hours ago

Mental Health Foundation staff cuts loom, with funding falling behind rising costs
Chief executive Shaun Robinson said it has not had any government funding cut, but government-funded contracts have not kept pace with rising costs. ...
Radio NZ – political
4 hours ago

The ‘devil comet’ 12P/Pons-Brooks has finally become visible from Australia. What can we expect?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jonti Horner, Professor (Astrophysics), University of Southern Queensland Pons–Brooks visible from Utah, March 9 2024. James Peirce/Flickr, CC BY-NC-ND If you’re a fan of all things space, you’ve doubtless heard about the “devil comet”, which has been captivating keen-eyed observers in the ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
4 hours ago

Rugby stadiums are sold as an economic asset – but NZ needs to ask if they’re really worth it
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robert Hamlin, Senior Lecturer in Marketing , University of Otago A multi-billion dollar stadium precinct has been proposed for Auckland, one of three proposals in front of Auckland Council for a new stadium in the city. The council is also considering revamping ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
4 hours ago

Auckland dog attacks: Callouts for attacks on other animals going up
Roaming dogs are responsible for more than a thousand attacks on animals each year, and the number is growing. ...
Radio NZ – political
5 hours ago

What access to puberty blockers means for trans young people and their whānau
The Ministry of Health has delayed the release of its evidence brief on the safety, reversibility and mental health and wellbeing outcomes for puberty blockers. While we wait, Julia de Bres speaks to those with firsthand experience. Best practice gender-affirming healthcare is based on trans people’s self-determination and agency. The ...
The SpinoffBy Julia de Bres
5 hours ago

NZ and Philippines pledge defence cooperation amid rising tensions
The commitment came after a sit-down meeting between Christopher Luxon and President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Romualdez Marcos Jr overnight. ...
Radio NZ – political
6 hours ago

How superblocks can help reimagine city life
Barcelona’s city streets have gone from traffic-clogged to pedestrian-friendly. How? Superblocks. Ellen Rykers explains. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. Last week I read a great interview with renowned urbanist Janette Sadik-Khan by The Spinoff’s Wellington editor Joel MacManus: “You can reimagine streets, ...
The SpinoffBy Ellen Rykers
6 hours ago

Fire engineering expertise may take a big hit with job cuts at MBIE
The public sector cuts are poised to take out a big chunk of expertise at the country's building regulator. ...
Radio NZ – political
7 hours ago

“Fast-track Law To Kill Kiwi”: Students Say Fight Against Anti-democracy Legislation Is Only Jus...
Student groups ‘Climate Action VUW’, Schools Strike 4 Climate and VUWSA will be on the street in Wellington today, the last day for submissions on the Fast-track Approvals Bill, with a message that the fight against the Government’s ‘War on ...
Scoop politics
7 hours ago

‘We have thousands of Modis’: the secret behind the BJP’s enduring success in India
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sofia Ammassari, Research Fellow, Griffith University Since 2014, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity has grown exponentially – and so has the formidable organisational machine of his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). These two factors will be key to delivering the BJP a ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
7 hours ago

Online schooling is not just for lockdowns. Could it work for your child?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brendon Hyndman, Associate Professor of Education (Adjunct) & Senior Manager (BCE), Charles Sturt University During COVID almost all Australian students and their families experienced online learning. But while schools have long since gone back to in-person teaching, online learning has not gone ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
7 hours ago

Hear me out: You can shove your reusable period products
Yes, they’re better for the environment. No, that’s not a good enough reason for me to use them. Once every 26 days or so, my period arrives, and if struck by an act of God, I am caught red-crotched without products. How, after 17 years of this, do I still ...
The SpinoffBy Kristin Kelly
8 hours ago

Rip It Up And Start Over – Fast-Track Approvals Bill Needs To Be Scrapped
“It will cause significant harm to our environment and communities. It is completely at odds with New Zealanders’ relationship with nature and our need for a low-carbon, sustainable economic future." ...
Scoop politics
8 hours ago

Maori Authority Warns Government On Fast Track Legislation
The Chair of the National Maori Authority, Matthew Tukaki, has warned a Parliamentary Select Committee that fast-tracking legislation is a perilous practice that undermines the core tenets of democracy, transparency, and accountability. ...
Scoop politics
8 hours ago

Why the government’s haste in changing the health system could come back to haunt it
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Tenbensel, Associate Professor, Health Policy, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Getty Images Since coming into power, the coalition government has adopted a simple but shrewd see-how-fast-we-can-move political strategy. However, in the health sector this need for speed entails ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
8 hours ago

Many suicides are related to gambling. How can we tackle this problem?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anastasia Hronis, Clinical Psychologist, University of Technology Sydney Darya Sannikova/Pexels Whether you’re watching TV, attending a footy game, or eating a meal at your local pub, gambling is hard to escape. Although the rise of gambling is not unique to Australia, ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
8 hours ago

Things that go buzz in the night – our global study found there really are more insects out after ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Wong, Forrest Fellow, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia Have you ever wondered if there are more insects out at night than during the day? We set out to answer this question by combing through the scientific ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
8 hours ago

Why don’t Australians talk about their salaries? Pay transparency and fairness go hand-in-hand
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Carol T Kulik, Research Professor, University of South Australia IR Stone/Shutterstock In Australia, it’s not the done thing to know – let alone ask – what our colleagues are paid. Yet, it’s easy to see how pay transparency can make pay ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
8 hours ago

‘Character’ And Its Impact On Immigration Status
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is sounding a warning to migrants, that running foul of the law may see them leaving the country prematurely. ...
Scoop politics
8 hours ago

20,000 more on jobseeker benefits than this time last year
The government’s plan to get 50,000 people off jobseeker support by 2030 has had a rocky start, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. Beneficiary numbers are up – and so are ...
The SpinoffBy Catherine McGregor
9 hours ago

All of the Raglan Roast cafes in Wellington, ranked from worst to best
Raglan Roast is a staple of Wellington coffee culture. But with five branches across the capital, which one is the best? I am a die-hard Raglan Roast fan. It’s consistently the most affordable cafe in Wellington, and one of the only places you can get a coffee after 3pm. So, ...
The SpinoffBy Zoë Mills
12 hours ago

Auckland uni students threaten rent strike over rising accommodation fees
Residents of University of Auckland halls are being urged to withhold their accommodation fees from May 1, in a bid to force the university to take student concerns over rent hikes seriously. The University of Auckland is facing a strike from students over the cost of on-campus accommodation. The Students ...
The SpinoffBy Stewart Sowman-Lund
12 hours ago

Missy rustles to stardom in Canada
Hineaupounamu ‘Missy’ Nuku has been scaling mountains in Canada for her college basketball team, the Lakeland Rustlers. Alberta is currently home for the 20-year-old point guard, who is in her first year of a scholarship at Lakeland College, where she is studying for a business degree. She has certainly made ...
NewsroomBy Aiden McLaughlin
12 hours ago

Emissions fall again – now NZ needs to up the pace
Official figures confirm New Zealand produced less climate pollution in 2022 than in any other year in the 21st century The post Emissions fall again – now NZ needs to up the pace appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Marc Daalder
12 hours ago

Warning of death from a million cuts as Oceans Secretariat dissolved
Shane Jones says people voted for change, but opponents say small cuts such as ending a special oceans secretariat are starting to add up The post Warning of death from a million cuts as Oceans Secretariat dissolved appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Andrew Bevin
12 hours ago

Defence deal to counter Beijing’s aggression in South China Sea
New Zealand and the Philippines have signed a new maritime security agreement and stated their concerns over activity in the South China Sea, as Chinese vessels continue to flout international law. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Philippines President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos committed to signing a Mutual Logistics Supporting Arrangement by ...
NewsroomBy Laura Walters
12 hours ago

Wellington’s ebb and flow of public servants
The thousands of government “back-office” job cuts are causing widespread pain in the capital city. In today’s episode of The Detail, we speak to three journalists and a think tank researcher, looking at the larger picture around the cuts and what effect it will have on Wellington, a city that’s ...
NewsroomBy Tom Kitchin
12 hours ago

New Zealand transport planning has gone off the rails
Opinion: The famed American architect and urban designer Daniel Burnham once said, “Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men’s blood!” Burnham wouldn’t have been referring to the transport plans in Aotearoa New Zealand over the past five years; projects so big they hadn’t the credibility to ...
NewsroomBy Dr Timothy F Welch
12 hours ago

Daily crossword, Friday 19 April
The post Daily crossword, Friday 19 April appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Newsroom Puzzles
12 hours ago

Brakes on transport and logistics sector as demand for freight slows
The transport sector is currently in the slow lane The post Brakes on transport and logistics sector as demand for freight slows appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Emma Hatton
12 hours ago

Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 19 April
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 19 April appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Newsroom Puzzles
12 hours ago

Financial literacy should be on all of us
Opinion: With maths understanding at 42 percent for Year 8 students, there’s no doubt something has to be done. But how? The post Financial literacy should be on all of us appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Bryce Marsden
12 hours ago

Grattan on Friday: Ethnic tensions will complicate the Albanese government’s multicultural policy ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra When ASIO boss Mike Burgess delivered his annual threat assessment earlier this year, he stressed the rising danger posed by espionage and foreign interference. “In 2024, threats to our way of life have surpassed ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
17 hours ago

Group plans work to improve safety of female MPs
New research shows harassment of elected officials - especially women - is on the rise. ...
Radio NZ – political
18 hours ago

Ukraine warns of WW3 ahead of long-stalled Congress aid vote
Ukraine's Prime Minister says his country desperately needs the US to approve long-stalled security assistance. ...
Radio NZ – political
20 hours ago

PSA astonished Education Minister expects hiring of contractors to review curriculum
Hiring contractors is an appalling solution when people who could do the work are losing their jobs, the PSA says. ...
Radio NZ – political
21 hours ago

Crown lawyers attempt to block Waitangi Tribunal summons to Minister for Children
The Tribunal had called on Minister for Children Karen Chhour to provide evidence at an urgent inquiry into the repeal of Section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act. ...
Radio NZ – political
22 hours ago

Luxon refuses to guarantee public consultation on AUKUS Pillar 2
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says it's "far too premature" to be confirming whether the public would be consulted on joining AUKUS Pillar 2. ...
Radio NZ – political
23 hours ago

Visualising the 1800s or designing wedding invitations: 6 ways you can use AI beyond generating text
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By T.J. Thomson, Senior Lecturer in Visual Communication & Digital Media, RMIT University Midjourney image by T.J. Thomson As more than half of Australian office workers report using generative artificial intelligence (AI) for work, we’re starting to see this technology affect every ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
23 hours ago

Falls, fractures and self-harm: 4 charts on how kids’ injury risk changes over time and differs fo...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lisa Nicole Sharwood, Injury epidemiologist | Expert Witness, UNSW Sydney Sergey Novikov/Shutterstock Injuries are the leading cause of disability and death among Australian children and adolescents. At least a quarter of all emergency department presentations during childhood are injury-related. Injuries can ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
23 hours ago

Choice and control: will NDIS reforms mean people with disability don’t get to decide who they liv...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Di Winkler, Adjunct Associate Professor, Living with Disability Research Centre, La Trobe University Shutterstock/Ground Picture Many Australians with disability feel on the edge of a precipice right now. Recommendations from the disability royal commission and the NDIS review were released late ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
24 hours ago

Asbestos in playground mulch: how to avoid a repeat of this circular economy scandal
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Salman Shooshtarian, Senior Lecturer, School of Property, Construction and Project Management, RMIT University Salman Shooshtarian Asbestos has been found in mulch used for playgrounds, schools, parks and gardens across Sydney and Melbourne. Local communities naturally fear for the health of their ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
24 hours ago

Could Albanese’s bet on homegrown green industries be the boost our regions deserve?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Madeline Taylor, Senior Lecturer, Macquarie University Cloudy Designs/Shutterstock Right now, there’s a global race underway. The goal: bring back manufacturing and energy jobs as the energy transition speeds up. In 2022, America launched its mammoth Inflation Reduction Act and the ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
24 hours ago

Watch: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon won't say if government will consult public on joining ...
Asked multiple times if the public will be consulted on joining the defence pact, Luxon repeatedly said that was yet to be worked through. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

Watch live: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon speaks in Philippines
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is speaking to reporters on the third leg of his Southeast Asia trip, from Manila in the Philippines. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

Māori lawyers call Shane Jones' Waitangi Tribunal comments 'inappropriate'
The Māori Law Society says his comments breach the principle of the separation of powers and the Cabinet Manual. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

Abortions Increase 25% Since Law Change
Family First says that the latest abortion statistics make grim and upsetting reading, with a 25% increase in abortions since the decriminalisation of abortion in March 2020. According to an Official Information Act request received by Right to Life ...
Scoop politics
1 day ago

Over Half Of New Zealanders Feel That The Country Is In Decline And That Our Society Is Broken
Ipsos New Zealand's inaugural participation in a global study on populism reveals a pervasive sense of societal and economic decline among New Zealanders. MORE DETAILS AND FULL REPORT HERE Ipsos New Zealand's inaugural participation in a global study ...
Scoop politics
1 day ago

Australia’s new defence strategy is big on ideas, but lacks one key ingredient: well-trained soldi...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Layton, Visiting Fellow, Strategic Studies, Griffith University There have been a lot of defence announcements recently about buying new equipment, building up Australia’s manufacturing capabilities, creating local jobs, new legislation to support AUKUS and even a new defence chief. In ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

What does Steve Smith’s Stateside signing mean for cricket in the US – and Australia?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Harcourt, Industry Professor and Chief Economist, University of Technology Sydney Steve Smith, one of this generation’s finest batters, has conquered much of the cricketing world during his career, and he now has set his sights on a new frontier: the United ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

A love letter to Wellington: when i open the shop by romesh dissanayake, reviewed
Madeleine Ballard reviews the debut novel from romesh dissanayake. when I open the shop, the debut novel by Naarm-based Aotearoa writer romesh dissanayake (Sri Lankan, Koryo Saram), is a narrative of grief. Devendra loses his mother, opens a noodle shop on The Terrace, grieves, and emerges changed. But just as ...
The SpinoffBy Madeleine Ballard
1 day ago

Minister Concedes Contractors Will Be Hired To Do Work Of Axed Ministry Of Education Staff
The PSA can’t believe that the Minister of Education is happy for her ministry to hire contractors at the same time it is dismissing 565 workers. ...
Scoop politics
1 day ago

Attempt to bar diplomat from Myanmar military junta fails
Myanmar community members applied to the courts to bar the diplomat from attending the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

LGNZ Welcomes Govt Earthquake-prone Buildings Decision
LGNZ has advocated for this decision as part of a remit led by Manawatū District Council. ...
Scoop politics
1 day ago

AUKUS Pillar 2 a 'fragrant, methane-wrapped bull***' – Bob Carr
The former Australian Foreign Minister has continued to warn New Zealand against joining the defence pact. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

Enforceable undertaking issued to abc accounting services limited after continued non-compliance.
The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) has accepted an enforceable undertaking agreement from ABC Accounting Services Limited (ABC) under section 81 of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009 (AML/CFT Act). ...
Scoop politics
1 day ago

REVEALED: RNZ’s Hypocrisy Over Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill
The Taxpayers’ Union can reveal that Radio New Zealand (RNZ) spent $71,842.53 on Facebook advertising over the past 12 months, despite earlier this year coming out in support of the Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill , which would force the likes ...
Scoop politics
1 day ago

Police rejected 'very good offer' – Mark Mitchell
Police Minister Mark Mitchell says the pay offer rejected by police was the best the government could put forward under difficult financial circumstances. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

How can we have truth-telling without the Voice? Our research shows a way forward
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Heidi Norman, Professor, Faculty of Arts, Design and Architecture, Convenor: Indigenous Land & Justice Research Group, UNSW Sydney Shutterstock The Uluru Statement from the Heart set out the aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for “Voice, Treaty, Truth”, in ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

NZ education scores must improve – but another polarising ideological pivot isn’t the answer
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Bronwyn E Wood, Associate Professor in Education, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Getty Images You don’t need to look hard right now to see concerns about Aotearoa New Zealand’s education system. Declining performance in international testing has been ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

How much did Key pay for his seat?

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