Apologise

Written By: - Date published: 6:10 am, May 10th, 2010 - 46 comments
Categories: accountability, brand key, history, human rights, International, john key, national, racism - Tags: , , , , , ,

Congratulations John on your latest speech. We especially like the line

“Let me be clear: there is no room for separatism in New Zealand.”

Very masterly, clear and unequivocal. I know you meant what you said and weren’t just dog-whistling to the racist red-necks in the audience who’re feeling spooked by us signing up to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Considering your new found taste for such politics (I know it must be fairly new because when they asked you on bfm you ‘couldn’t remember’ which side you were on during the Springbok Tour), here’s a prime opportunity to disambiguate and consolidate your position – and set that Springbok Tour question straight once and for all.

Apologise.

Just like the South African Government Minister of Sport has done for the wrongs done to New Zealand Maori All Blacks.  Rev Makhenkesi Arnold Stofile has officially acknowledged the past wrongs of South Africa’s forefathers and apologized for their separatist racism towards our Maori All Blacks – exactly the same separatist racism our Governments showed when they colluded with the South African Government in forbidding Maori All Blacks from playing against white Springboks. While you’re at it you could apologize for Muldoon inviting the all white Springboks Tour that ripped this country apart. These were, after all, shameful and offensive acts perpetrated by New Zealand governments against its own people.

So just apologise. We can’t rely on the aligator hunters in the NZRU to do anything with a 21st Century social conscience, so make it a formal New Zealand Government apology to our Maori All Blacks, endorsing the South African apology to them. Make it now – before you’re forced to and before it ends up just looking, well, forced and like a cynical expediency. Apologise because its the right thing to do, in solidarity with anti-separatist South Africa, which clearly has exactly the same sentiments as you expressed in your speech.

But if doing it because its the right thing doesn’t work for you, think of the great symbolism John (that’s important you know, like with DRIP, and coming back for the ANZAC Day crash funeral). Think of the opportunity to show Maori you’re not just a ‘smiling snake‘ like Hone said you were, using Maori when it suits you and completely unworthy of their trust. Think of the international exposure for the Rugby World Cup. Think of how you could show all New Zealand that you really were always opposed to the Springbok Tour.

Think of how you could prove that when you say “there is no room for separatism in New Zealand”, you actually mean it and you aren’t just a two-faced dog-whistling bigot after all.

46 comments on “Apologise ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Outofbed 1
    10 May 2010 at 12:02 am

    you don’t like him do you?

  2. Sam 2
    10 May 2010 at 1:50 am

    He could apologise for using that young girl and her family as a disposable political tool at the same time.

    About as likely.

  3. RedLogix 3
    10 May 2010 at 6:35 am

    Just for the record Sprout, I take it that you DO think there is room for separatism in NZ?

    • Ari 3.1
      10 May 2010 at 7:24 am

      I think he quite rightly takes it as a dogwhistle 😛

    • the sprout 3.2
      10 May 2010 at 7:43 am

      the phrase is a daft rhetorical device. literally the answer is yes, metaphorically the answer is no – we don’t have any room for the separatism we have practiced in NZ, just as we don’t have room for inegalitarianism either – but that’s not stopping its acceleration.

      but the issue is one of sincerity and intent.

      • RedLogix 3.2.1
        10 May 2010 at 8:44 am

        The public discourse in this area is tricky enough, without shouting down all moderate voices as ‘racist’ and ‘dogwhistling’, leaving only space for strident extremists to grab all the headlines.

        Right now we have Tuhoe and Ngapuhi making explicit claims openly claiming separate sovereignty and their right to establish independent enclave nations on lands they believe are their ‘traditional native title’. It’s a development I abhor and condemn, as it will lead inevitably lead to bloodshed. The result would be what Sri Lanka has gone through, only perhaps worse as there would be so many torn loyalties within so many families.

        At this point in time we have the Green, Labour and National party all in thrall to the notion of giving the Maori Party whatever it wants because they all need the seven entrenched seats to ever govern. This is the dream run the extremists have always wanted, and what I’m seeing is the re-emergence of the same militant Maori separatism that went undercover in the late 80’s.

        Someone tell me otherwise.

        • the sprout 3.2.1.1
          10 May 2010 at 8:50 am

          agreed, precisely why we shouldn’t turn a blind eye to dog-whistling from the highest level of the State

        • pollywog 3.2.1.2
          10 May 2010 at 9:37 am

          Tuhoe and Ngapuhi making explicit claims openly claiming separate sovereignty and their right to establish independent enclave nations on lands they believe are their ‘traditional native title’…it will lead inevitably lead to bloodshed

          What they believe IS the truth whether you believe it or not.

          So who’s gonna draw first blood ? Historically it never has been Maori and theres no reason to believe otherwise.

        • marty mars 3.2.1.3
          10 May 2010 at 10:22 am

          It won’t lead to bloodshed – it will lead to peace.

          • RedLogix 3.2.1.3.1
            10 May 2010 at 10:26 am

            It won’t lead to bloodshed it will lead to peace.

            So when your local iwi send you a letter demanding you pay rent on property that you believe you have freehold title to…how do you imagine that will lead to peace?

            • pollywog 3.2.1.3.1.1
              10 May 2010 at 10:30 am

              Thats hardly likely to happen. If anything, Maori will legitimately demand a percentage of your rates bill from local gov’t.

              • RedLogix …
                10 May 2010 at 10:42 am

                Thats hardly likely to happen

                Why not? If the iwi is given ‘full native title’, something you appear to fully support, then the old Crown freehold title must lapse and be confiscated off the current owners. Is this what you are asking for?

                If anything, Maori will legitimately demand a percentage of your rates bill from local gov’t.

                Which is essentially the same thing as demanding rent is it not? Besides what percentage do you have in mind? 5% or 50%?

                Besides, what Local Authority? It would be gone also.

              • nzfp …
                10 May 2010 at 11:46 am

                “Which is essentially the same thing as demanding rent is it not”

                No it’s a tax, specifically a tax on the improvements of your dwelling. A better solution would be a tax on the land which is distributed equitably between Maori and the state. Or even better a land tax distributed equitably to everybody in the form of a Guaranteed National Income.

            • marty mars 3.2.1.3.1.2
              10 May 2010 at 11:03 am

              When they send the letter – pay up or leave. No bloodshed there.

              Equality for all.

              Freedom for all.

              Respect for all.

              Why is that so hard to accept?

              • RedLogix …
                10 May 2010 at 11:07 am

                You delude yourself if you imagine that 3.5m non-Maori New Zealanders will accept that.

                Or that they will simply leave.

              • marty mars …
                10 May 2010 at 11:29 am

                Who’s going to be fighting who? Is my right arm going to cut my left arm off?

                Are you sure that you are not just amping up the fear for your own survivalist fantasy?

                Can you remember what one of the points of this post is? You know about how maori were treated like scum here – for just being maori.

                captcha – sad – indeed

              • RedLogix …
                10 May 2010 at 12:19 pm

                Is my right arm going to cut my left arm off?

                Sorry, I’ve lost your point here. Are you implying that the iwi ‘rates/rent/tax’ demand invoice I pay will simply be recycled into my own bank account? I don’t think that is what you have in mind. Or are you implying that because most of us have some genetic percentage of Maori in us that we all get signed up as members of some iwi or another (placed of course at some position in the whakapapa pecking order) and kowtow to our new, unelected tribal masters?

                Or what? Exactly.

                Are you sure that you are not just amping up the fear for your own survivalist fantasy?

                Cripes what are you imagining here? That those Maori who decide to take up arms in order to press their iwi claims would suffer anything other than the same fate as the Tamil militants?

                Or that the 85% of the population who are on the other side of the equation will meekly pay over the new tax to iwi (who are privately held corporations after all) and cheerfully, passively accept their new status as ‘whitey scum’. If that is what you wish for then come out and say so honestly.

                I’m only asking these questions because I hear so much vague pious clap talked around this question, with very little examination of the actual, exact consequences of what people are asking for.

              • marty mars …
                10 May 2010 at 1:06 pm

                Try reading the first sentence and that will provide context for the second sentence.

                The fact is that this thread was about how poorly maori have been treated and you pop up talking about how poorly non-maori may be treated in the future – based upon what? You have no evidence, just fear. You talk about bloodshed – and then compare maori with Tamils, also implying that maori would get the same treatment.

                I never identify anyone as ‘whitey scum’ – get over it.

                Here’s an actual – if Te Urewera is given back to Tuhoe – who loses? How many private owners get shafted? Is the land protected less? Do you think brownlee will get his mining rigs in there? If trampers and visitors want to visit they still can. If an iwi member wants to visit they still can.

                What is the big bogey man on this one again RL?

              • marty mars …
                10 May 2010 at 6:41 pm

                Retorical question now RL with the cowardly gnats taking Te Urewera off the table.

                I predict a bit of bother about this.

              • RedLogix …
                10 May 2010 at 7:56 pm

                Who’s going to be fighting who? Is my right arm going to cut my left arm off?

                Oh now I understand…we are ‘all one people’ when it suits your argument.

                The fact is that this thread was about how poorly maori have been treated and you pop up talking about how poorly non-maori may be treated in the future based upon what?

                Well right now we have Ngapuhi arguing to nullify the Treaty and the full restoration of their ownership and right to rule much of Northland including it would seem the city of Whangarei. (Map). How do you see that working?

                And why on earth do would any other iwi not settle for any less? One can only assume if Tuhoe or Ngapuhi attained full vested title that mana alone would require all the other iwi demand the same…existing settlements be damned. How strange that you to accuse me of scaremonegering when all I am doing is repeating the exact claims being made as we speak.

                You talk about bloodshed and then compare maori with Tamils, also implying that maori would get the same treatment.

                I am simply making the obvious parallel here. Whereas I am certain neither of us wishes for bloodshed; unwise actions do have logical and sometimes inescapable consequences.

                I predict a bit of bother about this.

                Yes. One way or another. We get bother if the Crown asserts it’s sovereignty over NZ, or we get bother if the iwi all start lining up to claim their own petty bantustan enclave ‘nations’.

                In the meantime the Chinese will simply move in and evict the squabbling idiots bickering over the ruins of what was once this nation. Then we will all know what it’s like to be treated as second, third or fourth class citizens.

              • marty mars …
                10 May 2010 at 9:05 pm

                “In the meantime the Chinese will simply move in and evict the squabbling idiots bickering over the ruins of what was once this nation. Then we will all know what it’s like to be treated as second, third or fourth class citizens.”

                Maori already know – thus the point of the post.

              • RedLogix …
                10 May 2010 at 9:27 pm

                Maori already know … and not lost on me either marty.

                But in what world do you imagine that tearing this nation apart on the sacrificial altar of the god of wrongs committed generations ago, will actually be of any benefit to anyone in this land, brown or white?

                In the final analysis most past injustices writ sufficiently large cannot be made whole. In the years 1800-1840 warring iwi and hapu indulged in the most extraordinary genocide, murdering almost 40% of their own population in a series of brutal wars. They can never make that right, it is an injustice no amount of recrimination and reparation can ever heal.

                Equally none of the nations of the world cannot wipe away the same brutal horrors that have stained human history…all we can do is remember and strive to learn not to repeat the same mistakes over and over.

              • marty mars …
                11 May 2010 at 12:14 pm

                “… tearing this nation apart on the sacrificial altar of the god of wrongs committed generations ago.”

                It is already happening. The ‘nation’ is torn.

                I’m not talking about going backwards to the past, I’m talking about moving forwards into the future. And that future can never be the same as the past.

                It would be nice to imagine that these historical grievences are it – but they aren’t – it is still happening today, maori are still disregarded and treated as 2nd, 3rd, 4th and less in this country today – within the last hour, a minute ago.

  4. pollywog 4
    10 May 2010 at 8:01 am

    New Zealand could be “rocked constitutionally” in a Waitangi Tribunal hearing starting today with the country’s largest tribe, Ngapuhi, arguing they never ceded sovereignty to the Crown.

    The Northland iwi of 122,000 people will argue it was and still is a self-governing state within New Zealand.

    It is the first time that the standing of the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi has been measured against the 1835 Declaration of Independence created by 34 northern chiefs of the Confederation of United Tribes. “We didn’t cede our sovereignty, and if we did, we didn’t do it to become paupers in our own land,” Haami Piripi, chairman of the Kaitaia-based Te Runanga o Te Rarawa, said.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/3674280/Hearing-starts-into-Ngapuhis-claims

    I’d say he better start making some room cos thats what i been talking about…

  5. pollywog 5
    10 May 2010 at 8:07 am

    New Zealand could prove to be built on a fairytale.

    indeed… cos i’m sure theres not many who know this

    The independence of New Zealand is a matter of continued academic and social debate. New Zealand has no fixed date of independence, instead independence came about as a result of New Zealand’s evolving constitutional status.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_of_New_Zealand

  6. pollywog 6
    10 May 2010 at 8:34 am

    Looks like fairytale NZ could be dealt a knockout one two blow with tuhoe in reparations negotiations as well

    authorities falsely accused TÅ«hoe of involvement in the killing of missionary Karl Volkner in the Volkner Incident and confiscated the iwi’s fertile lands. TÅ«hoe lost 5700ha of land on its northern border from a total of 181,000ha of land confiscated by the Grey government from TÅ«hoe, Te Whakatōhea and Ngāti Awa. The Crown took TÅ«hoe’s only substantial flat, fertile land and their only access to the coast. The TÅ«hoe people retained only harsh, more difficult land, setting the scene for later famines

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ng%C4%81i_T%C5%ABhoe

    …and The declaration of indigenous rights only strengthens the case for Tuhoe autonomy as well given they never signed the treaty so are due not just some serious apologies but some massive compensation.

  7. Joe Bloggs 7
    10 May 2010 at 9:04 am

    having looked at one side of the coin let’s inspect the other side:

    In the 39 years since the ’81 Springbok Tour of NZ, Labour has been in government for 15 years.

    Despite apologising for a variety of topical and historical issues, and despite being keen rugby supporters (evidenced by 2004’s high speed motorcade from Waimate to Chch get to a rugby game) Labour did not offer an apology to the Maori All Blacks.

    So how about an apology from Phil Goff for Labour’s failure to apologise?

    • felix 7.1
      10 May 2010 at 9:21 am

      A public apology by the PM is on behalf of New Zealand. Its not the National party saying sorry, its all of us.

      You want the opposition leader to make an apology? Probably would if asked but as he isn’t charged with speaking on behalf of the country it wouldn’t mean much.

    • Anne 7.2
      10 May 2010 at 10:05 am

      Joe Bloggs
      Learn to count little boy. Labour was in power for just over half the time. Your attempt to be smart is so feeble it says much more about your lack of cognisant power (oops… that’s too big a word for you) brains and lack of wit.

      • Joe Bloggs 7.2.1
        10 May 2010 at 11:51 am

        my bad – should have read:

        In the 29 years since the ‘81 Springbok Tour of NZ, Labour was in government for 15 years or more than half of the time that has elapsed since the Springbok Tour.

        Despite dominating NZ politics for that time, successive Labour Government Prime Ministers repeatedly failed to apologise to the Maori All Blacks.

        Frankly Anne, it doesn’t paint Labour in any better light.

        Incidentally I’m surprised at the patronising and sexist attitude that you display – I’ve never revealed my gender to you, nor my size. Speaks volumes about your diversophobic attitudes.

        • felix 7.2.1.1
          10 May 2010 at 12:44 pm

          Diversophobic. Nice word.

          As I said above, when PMs apologise it’s for ALL of us, not for any political party.

          For the sake of example, the previous Labour PM apologised to NZ soldiers for the way they were treated on returning home from service in Vietnam. Are you going to insist that Key apologise on behalf of the National party for not doing the same?

          Of course not. And rightly not.

        • Zorr 7.2.1.2
          10 May 2010 at 1:04 pm

          I never quite follow this line of argument:
          “Because this group of people didn’t do anything about Issue X that makes it fine for this other group of people to not do it as well”

          I would have thought that if something was worth doing, then it should be considered worth doing by all and everyone be equally damned who doesn’t. Personally Joe, you are correct in this and both sides should be slapped.

  8. just saying 8
    10 May 2010 at 9:46 am

    Sounds like it’s time for a bipartisan accord -that neither of the main parties will work with NZ first no matter the result of the next election.

  9. marty mars 9
    10 May 2010 at 10:19 am

    Imagine you have worked your guts out to make the team – the all blacks, to be considered a hero, to be accepted by all who own everything and have all the power. You have accepted that sport is the great equaliser, that sport makes you feel accepted in this country of your ancestors. And then they say you can’t go, you aren’t white, you are maori and you think about the land and your whanau and your mates at the club and the little boys that come up and want to just be near you, and you think about the farm and your kids and you drop your head and walk on.

    A lot of apologies are needed but real ones please not fake ones.

    Equality for all.

    Freedom for all.

    Respect for all.

  10. Jim Nald 10
    10 May 2010 at 10:22 am

    Hey Sprout
    Key’s “there is no room for separatism in New Zealand’ might seem innocuous but does show another side of Nats’ not-so-subtle, nuanced nudge-nudge-wink-wink, coded, dogwhistling modus operandi that reveals its Iwi/Kiwi thinking as being at best, dormant, and at worst, alive and kicking.

  11. prism 11
    10 May 2010 at 10:34 am

    pollywog Every time there is a large shift in power and systems there are losses. Owning up to past and present errors and illegal behaviour by NZ pakeha against Maori and redressing these and changing to positive, collaborative ways with some autonomy would I think have excellent result.
    But I get the feeling that you think self-government of tribal rohe would be the right move to make.

    Are you thinking that it would be a good thing to have a splintered country where local elites hold sway in defined areas. This would not be good if it happened with pakeha or Maori. Look at Canterbury where pakeha are trying a local dictatorship with doubtful integrity. There would be no guarantee that the actions and approaches of locals in a self-governing area would result in better conditions for the local iwi/hapu.

    In fact they might diminish, money could be lost or defrauded from the iwi, lip service given to old traditions and kawa while modern, hard, vice-oriented pursuits took place behind that camouflage. A USA crime western book I was reading recently had the criminal fleeing to the Indian lands where government laws did not apply, and the indigenous people didn’t have the means or method to deal with the degenerates of their own or the white society.

    By the way – interesting book on a Tuhoe Maori leader who has not been properly recognised and remembered. Review on Nat Radio 9.45am
    http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/sunday
    Jeffrey Paparoa Holma’s new book ‘Best of Both Worlds – The story of Elsdon Best and Tutakangahau’ examines the relationship of two well known New Zealands. (duration: 17′06″)

    • pollywog 11.1
      10 May 2010 at 12:06 pm

      then the old Crown freehold title must lapse and be confiscated off the current owners. Is this what you are asking for?

      Give Maori some credit, they’re not all foolish extremists demanding all confiscated land back cos that’ll never happen and they know it.

      There’ll probably be some horsetrading in conservation areas with an iwi toll and creation of economic protection zones that exempt maori from tax and rent/rates while providing more freedom for maori to develop intitatives outside standing govt legislation.

      Not saying it’ll all be brothels and casinos like native americans but maybe more like the ‘export processing zones’ in asia. Most probably there’ll be partnerships like the latest geo thermal power station in Taupo.

      But whatever, negotiations for redress in traditional rohe will probably be between maori local bodies and regional local bodies. it’s not like some hori’s gonna turn up with a gun and force you off the land like zimbabwe. iwi wont stand for vigilantes any more than the rest of NZ.

      Jeez you’re a scaremongerer RL. At most it’s just sabre rattling at the mo. it’s when the republican debate really starts getting traction that there’ll be blood in the streets and most likely it’ll be the rednecks who start it hoping to incite racial violence.

      By then i would hope Pasifikan non violent protest like what the Samoans did back in the day and the spirit of Parihaka and Rua Kenana will take hold.

      captcha :entitles, which i forgot to enter so backtracked and now it’s countys 🙂

      • RedLogix 11.1.1
        10 May 2010 at 12:30 pm

        Jeez you’re a scaremongerer RL. At most it’s just sabre rattling at the mo

        Another ‘shutdown the debate’ tactic. I’m asking fair questions. You are the ones making very large and sweeping claims about the primacy of native land title and Maori sovereignty. Fine you are entitled to do so, but I am equally entitled to put such claims to scrutiny and to ask exactly what you have in mind and exactly how this might work in practise.

        For instance. Imagine we give Northland to Nga Puhi. And it is set up as an independent nation exactly as is being demanded. What would be the citizenship status of non-Nga Puhi people living in this new country?

        You cannot push this agenda and pretend that it might not have some very profound implications on the ground for all New Zealanders. You will not right the wrongs of the past, by creating a whole lot of new ones in the present.

        • pollywog 11.1.1.1
          10 May 2010 at 12:58 pm

          I’ve given examples of how it might work in practise and they’re pretty much straight of the top of the dome.

          of course theres profound implications but they need not neccessarily all be profoundly negative ones which you seem prone to highlight.

          as for citzenship in Ngapuhi i imagine they’ll still be NZer’s with Ngapuhi descendents having dual citizenship with more freedoms and less constraints.

          Dunno, how exactly does england, ireland, scotland and wales fit into the UK citizenship thing. How do they resolve sovereignty issues ?

          • nzfp 11.1.1.1.1
            10 May 2010 at 1:03 pm

            “as for citzenship in Ngapuhi i imagine they’ll still be NZer’s with Ngapuhi descendents having dual citizenship with more freedoms and less constraints.”

            Or it could be the same as the Cook Islands and Tokelau and any other New Zealand protectorates. The new protectorate would just be called Te Tai Tokerau, alongside Tokelau and the Cook Islands.

  12. Alexandra 12
    10 May 2010 at 12:42 pm

    I have mixed views on the issue of an apology to Maori Rugby players partly because I believe the greatest injustice lies in our determination to have sporting contact with SA and because Maori Rugby did not take a stand against the apartheid. Indeed, I was chastised for protesting in Hamilton by an uncle, a former Maori All Black. If an apology is in order it should be directed to all the people who suffered under apartheid. The Government should acknowledge its indifference to the racist regime including the effect that indifference caused on Maori players, and the decision to go ahead with the 1981 tour which ripped families apart here.

    • the sprout 12.1
      10 May 2010 at 1:21 pm

      good point.
      then again, an apology could still be ‘aspirational’ in terms of acknowledging where we don’t want to go again, and in counter-defining where we do want to head.

  13. nzfp 13
    10 May 2010 at 12:58 pm

    Alexandra makes a very good point which I agree with, “an apology […] should be directed to all the people who suffered under apartheid”. However, should this new found social conscience be limited to South Africa? There are other peoples suffering under “apartheid” and “racist regime[s]” where both Labour and National governments have turned a blind eye to modern sporting, cultural and commercial relations. If it’s acceptable to abhor South African “apartheid” and “racism” shouldn’t we be consistent in condemning any “apartheid” and “racist” states that attempt commercial, cultural or sporting exchanges with us?

  14. Ed 14
    10 May 2010 at 4:29 pm

    Should John Key apologise for New Zealand sending a racially selected rugby team to South Africa?

    The reality is that this is just another sound-bite to Smile and Wave – it sounds good but does not have to mean anything in any particular situation. Such pablums are at the heart of all National plans and policies – they can be used to justify anything.

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    Auckland Transport have started rolling out new HOP card readers around the network and over the next three months, all of them on buses, at train stations and ferry wharves will be replaced. The change itself is not that remarkable, with the new readers looking similar to what is already ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    15 hours ago

  • 2024 Reading Summary: April (+ Writing Update)
    Completed reads for April: The Difference Engine, by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling Carnival of Saints, by George Herman The Snow Spider, by Jenny Nimmo Emlyn’s Moon, by Jenny Nimmo The Chestnut Soldier, by Jenny Nimmo Death Comes As the End, by Agatha Christie Lord of the Flies, by ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    1 day ago

  • At a glance – Clearing up misconceptions regarding 'hide the decline'
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 day ago

  • Road photos
    Have a story to share about St Paul’s, but today just picturesPopular novels written at this desk by a young man who managed to bootstrap himself out of father’s imprisonment and his own young life in a workhouse Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Paula Bennett’s political appointment will challenge public confidence
    The list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill English, Simon Bridges, Steven Joyce, Roger Sowry, ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    1 day ago

  • NZDF is still hostile to oversight
    Newsroom has a story today about National's (fortunately failed) effort to disestablish the newly-created Inspector-General of Defence. The creation of this agency was the key recommendation of the Inquiry into Operation Burnham, and a vital means of restoring credibility and social licence to an agency which had been caught lying ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago

  • Winding Back The Hands Of History’s Clock.
    Holding On To The Present: The moment a political movement arises that attacks the whole idea of social progress, and announces its intention to wind back the hands of History’s clock, then democracy, along with its unwritten rules, is in mortal danger.IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 day ago

  • Sweet Moderation? What Christopher Luxon Could Learn From The Germans.
    Stuck In The Middle With You: As Christopher Luxon feels the hot breath of Act’s and NZ First’s extremists on the back of his neck and, as he reckons with the damage their policies are already inflicting upon a country he’s described as “fragile”, is there not some merit in reaching out ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 day ago

  • A clear warning
    The unpopular coalition government is currently rushing to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act. The clause is Oranga Tamariki's Treaty clause, and was inserted after its systematic stealing of Māori children became a public scandal and resulted in physical resistance to further abductions. The clause created clear obligations ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago

  • Poll results and Waitangi Tribunal report go unmentioned on the Beehive website – where racing tru...
    Buzz  from the Beehive The government’s official website – which Point of Order monitors daily – not for the first time has nothing much to say today about political happenings that are grabbing media headlines. It makes no mention of the latest 1News-Verian poll, for example.  This shows National down ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago

  • Listening To The Traffic.
    It Takes A Train To Cry: Surely, there is nothing lonelier in all this world than the long wail of a distant steam locomotive on a cold Winter’s night.AS A CHILD, I would lie awake in my grandfather’s house and listen to the traffic. The big wooden house was only a ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 day ago

  • Comity Be Damned! The State’s Legislative Arm Is Flexing Its Constitutional Muscles.
    Packing A Punch: The election of the present government, including in its ranks politicians dedicated to reasserting the rights of the legislature in shaping and determining the future of Māori and Pakeha in New Zealand, should have alerted the judiciary – including its anomalous appendage, the Waitangi Tribunal – that its ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 day ago

  • Ending The Quest.
    Dead Woman Walking: New Zealand’s media industry had been moving steadily towards disaster for all the years Melissa Lee had been National’s media and communications policy spokesperson, and yet, when the crisis finally broke, on her watch, she had nothing intelligent to offer. Christopher Luxon is a patient man - but he’s not ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 day ago

  • Will political polarisation intensify to the point where ‘normal’ government becomes impossible,...
    Chris Trotter writes –  New Zealand politics is remarkably easy-going: dangerously so, one might even say. With the notable exception of John Key’s flat ruling-out of the NZ First Party in 2008, all parties capable of clearing MMP’s five-percent threshold, or winning one or more electorate seats, tend ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago

  • Bernard’s pick 'n' mix for Tuesday, April 30
    TL;DR: Here’s my top 10 ‘pick ‘n’ mix of links to news, analysis and opinion articles as of 10:30am on Tuesday, May 30:Scoop: NZ 'close to the tipping point' of measles epidemic, health experts warn NZ Herald Benjamin PlummerHealth: 'Absurd and totally unacceptable': Man has to wait a year for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Why Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating in the country
    Bryce Edwards writes – Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Worst poll result for a new Government in MMP history
    Luxon will no doubt put a brave face on it, but there is no escaping the pressure this latest poll will put on him and the government. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Pinning down climate change's role in extreme weather
    This is a re-post from The Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler In the wake of any unusual weather event, someone inevitably asks, “Did climate change cause this?” In the most literal sense, that answer is almost always no. Climate change is never the sole cause of hurricanes, heat waves, droughts, or ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago

  • Serving at Seymour's pleasure.
    Something odd happened yesterday, and I’d love to know if there’s more to it. If there was something which preempted what happened, or if it was simply a throwaway line in response to a journalist.Yesterday David Seymour was asked at a press conference what the process would be if the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago

  • Webworm LA Pop-Up
    Hi,From time to time, I want to bring Webworm into the real world. We did it last year with the Jurassic Park event in New Zealand — which was a lot of fun!And so on Saturday May 11th, in Los Angeles, I am hosting a lil’ Webworm pop-up! I’ve been ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago

  • “Feel good” school is out
    Education Minister Erica Standford yesterday unveiled a fundamental reform of the way our school pupils are taught. She would not exactly say so, but she is all but dismantling the so-called “inquiry” “feel good” method of teaching, which has ruled in our classrooms since a major review of the New ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago

  • 6 Months in, surely our Report Card is “Ignored all warnings: recommend dismissal ASAP”?
    Exactly where are we seriously going with this government and its policies? That is, apart from following what may as well be a Truss-Lite approach on the purported economic “plan“, and Victorian-era regression when it comes to social policy. Oh it’ll work this time of course, we’re basically assured, “the ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    2 days ago

  • Bread, and how it gets buttered
    Hey Uncle Dave, When the Poms joined the EEC, I wasn't one of those defeatists who said, Well, that’s it for the dairy job. And I was right, eh? The Chinese can’t get enough of our milk powder and eventually, the Poms came to their senses and backed up the ute ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Why Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating in the country
    Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is higher than for any other mayor ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    2 days ago

  • Justice for Gaza?
    The New York Times reports that the International Criminal Court is about to issue arrest warrants for Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, over their genocide in Gaza: Israeli officials increasingly believe that the International Criminal Court is preparing to issue arrest warrants for senior government officials on ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago

  • If there has been any fiddling with Pharmac’s funding, we can count on Paula to figure out the fis...
    Buzz from the Beehive Pharmac has been given a financial transfusion and a new chair to oversee its spending in the pharmaceutical business. Associate Health Minister David Seymour described the funding for Pharmac as “its largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff”. ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago

  • FastTrackWatch – The case for the Government’s Fast Track Bill
    Bryce Edwards writes – Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Bernard’s pick 'n' mix for Monday, April 29
    TL;DR: Here’s my top 10 ‘pick ‘n’ mix of links to news, analysis and opinion articles as of 10:10am on Monday, April 29:Scoop: The children's ward at Rotorua Hospital will be missing a third of its beds as winter hits because Te Whatu Ora halted an upgrade partway through to ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on Iran killing its rappers, and searching for the invisible Dr. Reti
    span class=”dropcap”>As hideous as David Seymour can be, it is worth keeping in mind occasionally that there are even worse political figures (and regimes) out there. Iran for instance, is about to execute the country’s leading hip hop musician Toomaj Salehi, for writing and performing raps that “corrupt” the nation’s ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    3 days ago

  • Auckland Rail Electrification 10 years old
    Yesterday marked 10 years since the first electric train carried passengers in Auckland so it’s a good time to look back at it and the impact it has had. A brief history The first proposals for rail electrification in Auckland came in the 1920’s alongside the plans for earlier ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    3 days ago

  • Coalition's dirge of austerity and uncertainty is driving the economy into a deeper recession
    Right now, in Aotearoa-NZ, our ‘animal spirits’ are darkening towards a winter of discontent, thanks at least partly to a chorus of negative comments and actions from the Government Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Disability Funding or Tax Cuts.
    You make people evil to punish the paststuck inside a sequel with a rotating castThe following photos haven’t been generated with AI, or modified in any way. They are flesh and blood, human beings. On the left is Galatea Young, a young mum, and her daughter Fiadh who has Angelman ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • Of the Goodness of Tolkien’s Eru
    April has been a quiet month at A Phuulish Fellow. I have had an exceptionally good reading month, and a decently productive writing month – for original fiction, anyway – but not much has caught my eye that suggested a blog article. It has been vaguely frustrating, to be honest. ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    3 days ago

  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #17
    A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 21, 2024 thru Sat, April 27, 2024. Story of the week Anthropogenic climate change may be the ultimate shaggy dog story— but with a twist, because here ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • Pastor Who Abused People, Blames People
    Hi,I spent about a year on Webworm reporting on an abusive megachurch called Arise, and it made me want to stab my eyes out with a fork.I don’t regret that reporting in 2022 and 2023 — I am proud of it — but it made me angry.Over three main stories ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    3 days ago

  • Vic Uni shows how under threat free speech is
    The new Victoria University Vice-Chancellor decided to have a forum at the university about free speech and academic freedom as it is obviously a topical issue, and the Government is looking at legislating some carrots or sticks for universities to uphold their obligations under the Education and Training Act. They ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Winston remembers Gettysburg.
    Do you remember when Melania Trump got caught out using a speech that sounded awfully like one Michelle Obama had given? Uncannily so.Well it turns out that Abraham Lincoln is to Winston Peters as Michelle was to Melania. With the ANZAC speech Uncle Winston gave at Gallipoli having much in ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • 25
    She was born 25 years ago today in North Shore hospital. Her eyes were closed tightly shut, her mouth was silently moving. The whole theatre was all quiet intensity as they marked her a 2 on the APGAR test. A one-minute eternity later, she was an 8.  The universe was ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Fact Brief – Is Antarctica gaining land ice?
    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. Is Antarctica gaining land ice? ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • Policing protests.
    Images of US students (and others) protesting and setting up tent cities on US university campuses have been broadcast world wide and clearly demonstrate the growing rifts in US society caused by US policy toward Israel and Israel’s prosecution of … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    4 days ago

  • Open letter to Hon Paul Goldsmith
    Barrie Saunders writes – Dear Paul As the new Minister of Media and Communications, you will be inundated with heaps of free advice and special pleading, all in the national interest of course. For what it’s worth here is my assessment: Traditional broadcasting free to air content through ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: FastTrackWatch – The Case for the Government’s Fast Track Bill
    Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its arguments for such a bold reform. ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago

  • Luxon gets out his butcher’s knife – briefly
    Peter Dunne writes –  The great nineteenth British Prime Minister, William Gladstone, once observed that “the first essential for a Prime Minister is to be a good butcher.” When a later British Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan, sacked a third of his Cabinet in July 1962, in what became ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • More tax for less
    Ele Ludemann writes – New Zealanders had the OECD’s second highest tax increase last year: New Zealanders faced the second-biggest tax raises in the developed world last year, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) says. The intergovernmental agency said the average change in personal income tax ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Real News vs Fake News.
    We all know something’s not right with our elections. The spread of misinformation, people being targeted with soundbites and emotional triggers that ignore the facts, even the truth, and influence their votes.The use of technology to produce deep fakes. How can you tell if something is real or not? Can ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • Another way to roll
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.Share ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Simon Clark: The climate lies you'll hear this year
    This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Simon Clark. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). This year you will be lied to! Simon Clark helps prebunk some misleading statements you'll hear about climate. The video includes ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • Cutting the Public Service
    It is all very well cutting the backrooms of public agencies but it may compromise the frontlines. One of the frustrations of the Productivity Commission’s 2017 review of universities is that while it observed that their non-academic staff were increasing faster than their academic staff, it did not bother to ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    5 days ago

  • Luxon’s demoted ministers might take comfort from the British politician who bounced back after th...
    Buzz from the Beehive Two speeches delivered by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters at Anzac Day ceremonies in Turkey are the only new posts on the government’s official website since the PM announced his Cabinet shake-up. In one of the speeches, Peters stated the obvious:  we live in a troubled ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago

  • This is how I roll over
    1. Which of these would you not expect to read in The Waikato Invader?a. Luxon is here to do business, don’t you worry about thatb. Mr KPI expects results, and you better believe itc. This decisive man of action is getting me all hot and excitedd. Melissa Lee is how ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • The Waitangi Tribunal is not “a roving Commission”…
    …it has a restricted jurisdiction which must not be abused: it is not an inquisition   NOTE – this article was published before the High Court ruled that Karen Chhour does not have to appear before the Waitangi Tribunal Gary Judd writes –  The High Court ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Is Oranga Tamariki guilty of neglect?
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – One of reasons Oranga Tamariki exists is to prevent child neglect. But could the organisation itself be guilty of the same? Oranga Tamariki’s statistics show a decrease in the number and age of children in care. “There are less children ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago

  • Three Strikes saw lower reoffending
    David Farrar writes: Graeme Edgeler wrote in 2017: In the first five years after three strikes came into effect 5248 offenders received a ‘first strike’ (that is, a “stage-1 conviction” under the three strikes sentencing regime), and 68 offenders received a ‘second strike’. In the five years prior to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Luxon’s ruthless show of strength is perfect for our angry era
    Bryce Edwards writes – Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in politics. That’s refreshing and will be extremely ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • 'Lacks attention to detail and is creating double-standards.'
    TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the two days to 6:06am on Thursday, April 25:Politics: PM Christopher Luxon has set up a dual standard for ministerial competence by demoting two National Cabinet ministers while leaving also-struggling ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • One Night Only!
    Hi,Today I mainly want to share some of your thoughts about the recent piece I wrote about success and failure, and the forces that seemingly guide our lives. But first, a quick bit of housekeeping: I am doing a Webworm popup in Los Angeles on Saturday May 11 at 2pm. ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago

  • What did Melissa Lee do?
    It is hard to see what Melissa Lee might have done to “save” the media. National went into the election with no public media policy and appears not to have developed one subsequently. Lee claimed that she had prepared a policy paper before the election but it had been decided ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #17 2024
    Open access notables Ice acceleration and rotation in the Greenland Ice Sheet interior in recent decades, Løkkegaard et al., Communications Earth & Environment: In the past two decades, mass loss from the Greenland ice sheet has accelerated, partly due to the speedup of glaciers. However, uncertainty in speed derived from satellite products ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • Maori Party (with “disgust”) draws attention to Chhour’s race after the High Court rules on Wa...
    Buzz from the Beehive A statement from Children’s Minister Karen Chhour – yet to be posted on the Government’s official website – arrived in Point of Order’s email in-tray last night. It welcomes the High Court ruling on whether the Waitangi Tribunal can demand she appear before it. It does ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Who’s Going Up The Media Mountain?
    Mr Bombastic: Ironically, the media the academic experts wanted is, in many ways, the media they got. In place of the tyrannical editors of yesteryear, advancing without fear or favour the interests of the ruling class; the New Zealand news media of today boasts a troop of enlightened journalists dedicated to ...
    Bowalley Road
    6 days ago

  • “That's how I roll”
    It's hard times try to make a livingYou wake up every morning in the unforgivingOut there somewhere in the cityThere's people living lives without mercy or pityI feel good, yeah I'm feeling fineI feel better then I have for the longest timeI think these pills have been good for meI ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    7 days ago

  • “Comity” versus the rule of law
    In 1974, the US Supreme Court issued its decision in United States v. Nixon, finding that the President was not a King, but was subject to the law and was required to turn over the evidence of his wrongdoing to the courts. It was a landmark decision for the rule ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    7 days ago

  • Aotearoa: a live lab for failed Right-wing socio-economic zombie experiments once more…
    Every day now just seems to bring in more fresh meat for the grinder. In their relentlessly ideological drive to cut back on the “excessive bloat” (as they see it) of the previous Labour-led government, on the mountains of evidence accumulated in such a short period of time do not ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    1 week ago

  • Water is at the heart of farmers’ struggle to survive in Benin
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Megan Valére Sosou Market gardening site of the Itchèléré de Itagui agricultural cooperative in Dassa-Zoumè (Image credit: Megan Valère Sossou) For the residents of Dassa-Zoumè, a city in the West African country of Benin, choosing between drinking water and having enough ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago

  • At a time of media turmoil, Melissa had nothing to proclaim as Minister – and now she has been dem...
    Buzz from the Beehive   Melissa Lee – as may be discerned from the screenshot above – has not been demoted for doing something seriously wrong as Minister of ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 week ago

  • Minister acknowledges passing of Sir Robert Martin (KNZM)
    New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours ago

  • Speech to New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, Parliament – Annual Lecture: Challenges ...
    Good evening –   Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours ago

  • Accelerating airport security lines
    From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 hours ago

  • Community hui to talk about kina barrens
    People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago

  • Kiwi exporters win as NZ-EU FTA enters into force
    Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago

  • Mining resurgence a welcome sign
    There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago

  • Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill passes first reading
    The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Government to boost public EV charging network
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure.  The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Residential Property Managers Bill to not progress
    The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Independent review into disability support services
    The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Justice Minister updates UN on law & order plan
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Ending emergency housing motels in Rotorua
    The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Trade Minister travels to Riyadh, OECD, and Dubai
    Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Education priorities focused on lifting achievement
    Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • NZTA App first step towards digital driver licence
    The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say.  “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Supporting whānau out of emergency housing
    Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Tribute to Dave O'Sullivan
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