‘Punch in the face’ dad guilty

Written By: - Date published: 8:25 am, May 20th, 2009 - 90 comments
Categories: child discipline - Tags:

What’s wrong with The Herald? Their articles Jimmy Mason on the father who punched his child in the face – and pulled him by the ear, and picked him and his brother up on their bikes and slammed them down – has described him as the ‘ear-flick’ father.

The headline today is ‘Ear flick father found guilty of assault’, ignoring the fact he was found guilty of punching a four year old in the face. Why not the ‘punch in the face’ dad? That would have been more accurate.

In fact, it takes until the third paragraph until the article bothers to mention the punch in the face.

As to the substance of the case. It’s a good decision and few would disagree with that. Even Family Fist’s Bob McCroskie has gone from his initial unconditional support for the ‘punch in the face’ dad to muted criticism.

Yes, ‘punch in the face’ dad might have been charged with assault before the child discipline law came in but he might have been acquitted. After all, under the previous law people were getting away with attacking their children with weapons like  horse whips and pipes.

Mason was found not guilty of assault for the bike slams. The jury decided that those actions were too inconsequential. It shows that the law is working: he wasn’t convicted on more minor assaults but he also wasn’t allowed to get away with a punch to the face, which he might have in the past.

[That’s really weird. I’ve reloaded today’s Herald article several times while writing this. The headline changed from ‘Ear flick father found guilty of assault’ to ‘Ear flick father found guilty of assault for punching son’ then back again.. and now back to the second one. What does the physical version say?]

90 comments on “‘Punch in the face’ dad guilty ”

  1. serpico 1

    The court has made another mistake. Great stuff Sue Bradford, thanks for adding to the problems of fatherhood. What a gender bias country of misfits.
    Remember to flick that moron feminist judge.

    • Eddie 1.1

      standing up for the right of adults to punch 4 year olds in the face, eh serpico?

      Are you also one of those leading the howls of outrage when one of those punches ends up with a child being killed?

    • Christopher Nimmo 1.2

      Oh man, I’m so sorry that you are no longer able to legally punch your kids in the face – in public! in front of, IIRC, a police officer and a teacher! That must be tough for you!

      • serpico 1.2.1

        Police officer and teacher, what prime examples of your classic moronic pc feminist robots. I wonder if the deranged court will fine Jimmy who is struggling to bring up five kids? Take the kids food money judge dread !! Go Sue Bradford I hope you rot in hell you twisted bitch!!This country is a social mess and the court is a feminist tool. What a disgusting country saturated with judicial gender bias. When will police arrest a mother for this kind of behaviour, yeah righ – pigs do fly, just ask the Badford bitch .

        [lprent: that is getting very close to my troll standard. It is a rant. Do too many and you’ll see what I do to commentators that I consider are robotic trolls]

        • Christopher Nimmo 1.2.1.1

          If he is fined, I doubt it’ll be more than his WFF entitlements. You know, the ones that those durn pesky socialists gave out?

          You abuse your kids, you pay the price.

        • Chris G 1.2.1.2

          Take your conspiracy garbage back to the fathers coalition, dork.

        • jcuknz 1.2.1.3

          While I do not question the courst I do wonder how any penalty will affect the wife and kids, perhaps by taking money out of the family budget or causing thre father to loose his job with similar financial results.
          I hope there will be a ‘good’ sentance which doesn;t punish the family along with the father.. I’d guess that they are already suffering and have suffered.

          • Lew 1.2.1.3.1

            Looks like it’ll be anger management counselling, perhaps community work, and the judge is leaving the possibility open for a discharge without conviction. I think everyone agrees that Mason should be given a chance to shape up before being required to ship out.

            L

  2. Rakaia George 2

    “The incident on the ramp had not been seen by witnesses at the trial. But they had told of hearing Mason afterwards, swearing and shouting at the boys.” (Quote from Stuff)

    So he’s been convicted of punching his son in the face despite the fact that nobody actually witnessed it? Yet it was an action that was wrapped up in the same charge as the ear-flick that was admitted…WTF?

    • RedLogix 2.1

      That may be bad reporting. It may be that the witnesses did not see the younger child’s initial accident on the ramp when it fell off his bike. The article you are referring to is not very clear.

      • aj 2.1.1

        I don’t think the charge of punching the kid in the face would have stood had there not been a witness.

        One TV this morning the incident was led in by a voiceover talking about Bradford’s amendment while the picture being shown on the screen was the lightest tap on a kids bum by a parent. Talk about subliminal messages here.

        • Christopher Nimmo 2.1.1.1

          If there hadn’t been witnesses – if the police hadn’t know this guy was lying to them and to the media – they would have prosecuted and offered no evidence like in most of these cases.

    • Ron 2.2

      No Rakaia – there were several witnesses. This is just bad reporting.

      It’s an example of several problems with the media response to court cases which also include the pretence that what we read in the paper is an accurate relfection of all the information available to judges and juries and the pretence that what we read in the paper is an unbiased, uninfluenced view.

      So we get discussion like the above in pubs and blogs all over the land

      My response when people ask me if I think Ellis or Baine or whoever is guilty is “How the f*** would I know – I don’t know anything about it. And guess what – neither do you”.

  3. RedLogix 3

    One of the specific clauses in the new law allows some force was for the purposes of preventing or minimising harm. The fact that his lawyer did not use this defence tells us that the ‘punch in the face’ could not be justified to protect the child.

    It is quite instructive while that the father, the defence and the media keep talking about a relatively inconsequential ‘flick on the ear’, while the actual conviction relates to a ‘punch in the face’ as seen by two witnesses. Some is in major denial here.

    • bilbo 3.1

      “One of the specific clauses in the new law allows some force was for the purposes of preventing or minimising harm. The fact that his lawyer did not use this defence tells us that the ‘punch in the face’ could not be justified to protect the child.”

      And this is the critical point !

      It should also be noted that Bradford fought tooth and nail to try and stop that amendment to her initial bill and it’s to Clark and Key’s credit that the clause went into the law.

      • Rakaia George 3.1.1

        Except that Mason’s actions (whatever they were) were clearly after the incident with the younger child and therefore for the purposes of correction or punishment – specifically not allowed under the Bradford law change.

        RL – can you reference these two witnesses? I’m confused by the contradiction between your statement and the media report I quoted above.

        Edit- ah, ok I see your reply to my post now.

      • RedLogix 3.1.2

        Bradford mainly fought against the idea of trying to introduce a definition of ‘acceptable force’ in the Bill, ie a perverse list of ‘three smacks with open hand ok, four not, or using a wooden spoon ok, a horsewhip not’ sort of thing.

        What she was obviously trying prevent was the conservative right hijacking the reform to codify assaults on children, establishing a right to use force for the purposes of correction or discipline… when really none should exist.

        And face it, the guy lost his rag and lashed out. Hell it’s happened to all of us at one time or another… but it was never right.

        • bilbo 3.1.2.1

          Piss off RL you know very well that Bradford was very quick to label anyone who was concerned about the implications of her bill as a supporter of child beating.

          • RedLogix 3.1.2.1.1

            I see Toad has confirmed what I am saying about Braford’s approach in a post below.

          • Spectator 3.1.2.1.2

            Looking at Serpico’s comment, above, I’d say Sue Bradford made a valid point.

  4. toad 4

    Eddie said: What does the physical version say?

    Ear flick father found guilty of assault [headline]

    Jury in smack-law test case accepts claim 4-year-old was punched [subhead]

    • aj 4.1

      Truth in reporting:

      Father found guilty of punching 4yr old son in face {headline}

      Found not guilty of ear-flick {subhead}

  5. forgetaboutthelastone 5

    On sunrise this morning Oliver Driver made a brief point that the ‘anti-smacking’ law was not in fact anti-smacking and went on to explain what it was actually about. Such a relief to finally hear someone in the news media say that. It is just such an obvious point.

    Its no wonder that half of New Zealand think its against the law to smack.

    • aj 5.1

      Agreed and we could start with educating that vacant space Paul Henry who either is that thick he can’t get his head around it or is just playing to the fundies.

  6. serpico 6

    Wonder if we still gold medalists at child abuse Ms Bradford?

    • Christopher Nimmo 6.1

      Why, did you want to join the team?

      I’M wondering whether you’re D4J or just some regular twisted person..

    • Spectator 6.2

      Speak for yourself. The only people I see glorifying child abuse are vermin like McCoskrie.

  7. toad 7

    bilbo said: It should also be noted that Bradford fought tooth and nail to try and stop that amendment to her initial bill…

    She did not. That amendment was suggested at Select Committee and had Bradford’s full support. The amendment that she fought “tooth and nail” to stop coming in (and succeeded in stopping it) was one that would have purported to quantified a level of force as acceptable for the purpose of “correction”.

  8. Jono 8

    I knew Sue Bradford’s daughter Katie at high school. Great kid, no doubt a result of good parenting. Unless you can show anything different Serpico, why not just STFU 🙂

  9. Tom Semmens 9

    *Sigh* serpico/D4J is off the meds. Again.

    • felix 9.1

      He’s following the same m.o. but he doesn’t seem to have Dad’s flair for visually descriptive language, nor his occasionally clever word-plays or his sense of rhythm and meter.

      Maybe we have a copycat troll.

  10. The Voice of Reason 10

    C’mon Serpico, it’s a bit early in the morning for that kind of ranting. The angrier you get, the less sense you make.

    This was not a test case of anything. The guy was convicted for punching his kid in the face. That was against the law prior to the S59 change anyway. He had his day in court and a jury found him guilty. Not the police, not the judge, not the Chch Press, not you, not me, but 12 citizens who got to hear all the evidence.

    They also found that two charges were not proven, so it wasn’t like they had it in for him. The judge has indicated that an anger management course is the likely punishment, which seems a humane and beneficial outcome to me.

    • serpico 10.1

      Did Trevor Mallard have to do a anger management course after his wee incident in parliament?

  11. jarbury 11

    This is a great case for why the s59 repeal was SO IMPORTANT. While this guy would have been charged even if the repeal hadn’t occurred, he may well have got away with this before.

    That’s right, he might well have got away with punching his 4 year old kid in the face.

    Thank god we changed the law.

    • serpico 11.1

      Indeed jarbury a victory for the nanny state at the expense of parental boundaries.
      Well done sisterhood, who would be a dad in this gender bias cuntry?
      God loves gender balance.

      • exbrethren 11.1.1

        Anyone that doesn’t need to hit someone smaller than them.

      • Pat 11.1.2

        God knows I can’t stand Bradford, Serpico, but you cannot defend a father who punches a young child in the face. Take two asprin and have a lie down.

        • serpico 11.1.2.1

          Unlike the Labour party pill poppers, I don’t do drugs.

          • aj 11.1.2.1.1

            Serpico – easy question, yes or no answer. Do you defend a father who punches his 4yr old son in the face. In public.

            Yes or No please.

  12. Pat 12

    Any thoughts on what penalty/sanction should be applied?

    If he is on a low income already, any fine just hurts the family. Jail time is too extreme so I think best penalty would be an anger management and parenting courses, plus some community service.

  13. harry 13

    “who would be a dad in this gender bias cuntry”

    I hope not you but unfortunately I think I hope wrong

  14. jarbury 14

    Serpico, I am a Dad and feel sick at the prospect of anyone punching my 5 year old daughter in the face.

    Any thoughts on what penalty/sanction should be applied?

    I would agree with the anger management sanction. The biggest penalty has surely been the conviction itself and all the media hooplah that has surrounded it.

  15. serpico 15

    Oh well jarbury as I know Jimmy and his children all I can say is well done sick and sinister system, because the kids will be badly affected by parent depression. Just imagine wee Johnny giving them shit in the school yard. Well done you brainless sick bastards! The judiciary breeds resentment.Sue Bradford is not a fit and proper person.

  16. Maynard J 16

    This is impossible to prove, but I would like to point out that this case may never have gone to trial without the repeal of S59.

    • serpico 16.1

      Utter rubbish.

      • jarbury 16.1.1

        So you’re saying that it’s not the fault of the s59 repeal that he got convicted then? Geez what are you saying????

        • serpico 16.1.1.1

          All I am saying is that police and crown law would not have sought a conviction if a mother was in the firing line. Case dismissed. No further comment.

          Captcha = Bent System

    • Don’t think so Maynard J.

      Section 59 previously stated “[e]very parent of a child … is justified in using force by way of correction towards the child, if the force used is reasonable in the circumstances.”

      I don’t know how a punch in the face for a 5 year old could ever be described as “reasonable in the circumstances”.

      The funny thing about this debate is that the wingnuts have been stretching to try and find a case where an “innocent” parent goes to jail for smacking their kids.

      The law was never going to work that way. If you check the Police website there have been a miniscule number of cases that are now caught that were not caught before.

      The important point behind the change is the principle that children should not be the subject of force.

      • Maynard J 16.2.1

        As said – impossible to prove. But police have said that they would not bother with some cases because of S59. No idea whether this was one of them but if they though first up that it was just a flick, then doubtful they would have looked further.

  17. jarbury 17

    So the s59 repeal has nothing to do with your point then serpico?

    Glad to have cleared that up.

  18. serpico 18

    jarbury – the s59 repeal and all the media frenzy was a pathetic attempt at trying to address appalling child abuse statistics.
    It failed much like the Labour government at the election.

    • aj 18.1

      Funny – only failed Labour. Did not fail National who also supported the amendment.

  19. Pat 19

    To look at the wider s59 issue:

    The law has been in force over 12 months and there has been only one conviction, for a father punching his son in the face.

    On one hand, the s59 opponents were wrong because the law change has not led to a wholesale arrest of parents carrying out normal parental discipline of their children.

    On the other hand, only one conviction shows s59 has not led to a reduction in parental abuse of children. One would have thought that police could have used the law against more abusive parents than a ratio of 1 conviction in 1 year.

    • Pat: How do quantify abuse that didn’t happen? I’d be interested to know.

      • Pat 19.1.1

        Abuse of children is going on all the time. Agreed?

        I thought one of main the reasons for Bradfords bill was so it would reduce “smacking” as a defense and lead to more convictions of abusive parents. I also thought this was why police supported the bill. Fair enough, but where are the convictions?

        • Maynard J 19.1.1.1

          Not sure why this is considered a test case. I assume that between then & now there have been many other convictions for child abuse. Remember this is not about a bill, but an amendment to one; there is no ‘new law’ for police to police.

          Note also that there were wildly divergent claims to the actual use of S59 prior to repeal. Anywhere from 14 in many many years, to dozens a year; I have no idea where the truth is in that matter. S59 also being a reason many cases never went to court, according to police. So: very hard to gauge the effect, since no one can agree or at least statistically measure what the repeal was meant to change!

          No baseline, no measurable effect..

        • Ron 19.1.1.2

          The main reason for the Section 59 Ammendment was to remove the defense of “reasonable force” that parents were using to get off charges of beating their children. It also offered the same protection to children from violence as is offered to adults.

          Before that change this man could very well have not been convisted if he could have shown that his punch was reasonable in the circumstances. That’s what was happening and now it can’t.

          The police don’t need to “use the law” of the amendment to arrest child abusers – they could and still do arrest them anyway.

          The rhetoric about the ammenment reducing child abuse came from the opposition not Sue Bradford or the supporters. While she and many others believe that a society that opposees violence must SHOW it opposes violence by protecting everyone and that philosphy is part of the process to reduce violence across – it was the opposition to the ammendment that kept saying “this won’t reduce child abuse”.

        • The Voice of Reason 19.1.1.3

          Wrong, Pat. The intent was stop parents abusing their children, not to get more convictions. It was about making people think about how best to discipline kids without use of force. It appears to me to have significantly helped in that area already just because of the extensive debate.

          Even parents who think S59 went too far or just plain misunderstood it as ‘anti smacking’ have had to think about the alternatives to physical force. It’s a start, it’s a good thing and it ain’t going away.

    • aj 19.2

      ” One would have thought that police could have used the law against more abusive parents than a ratio of 1 conviction in 1 year”

      Or, the amendment to the law has resulted in such a change of parental attitude and response that only one parent has been caught blatantly stepping over the line

      • bilbo 19.2.1

        Yeah right.. haven’t you caught up with any of the sickening child abuse cases over the last six months.

        • Spectator 19.2.1.1

          What about all the sickening child abuse cases where Section 59 was used as a defence, then? I’m surprised you don’t remember the so-called “Timaru Lady” case. That defence is no longer available, and therefore scumbags who abuse children can’t escape justice. That is a good thing.

          • bilbo 19.2.1.1.1

            “………..therefore scumbags who abuse children can’t escape justice. ”

            Does the name Kahui ring any bells ?

          • Spectator 19.2.1.1.2

            Not much a law (or a jury) can do if the Police send the wrong person to court.

            I’d be all in favour of the Police and CYFS being given more teeth and being more pro-active in protecting vulnerable children.

        • aj 19.2.1.2

          ah yes, I have, I agree, the law has caught up with any vicous assaults that have been brought before the courts and this guys actions were only slightly less sickening. Any parent/human who thinks punching a small child in the face is acceptable behaviour needs counselling. Do you think punching in the face is ok, perhaps one punch is ok, 10 is not? where will you draw the line please.

          • bilbo 19.2.1.2.1

            “Do you think punching in the face is ok, perhaps one punch is ok, 10 is not? ”

            Um no why do you think I believe that ?

            I also not sure what you’re comparing this case with – I’d suggest if it was as simple and clear cut as the defendant punching his child in the face it would not have taken the jury nine hours of deliberation.

          • aj 19.2.1.2.2

            I’m trying to determine if you rate this case as sickening child abuse, and if not, where do you set your standard.

            and……

            1 minute to decide ‘guilty on the punching charge’
            8hr 59min deciding on the others.

            Equally as valid as your proposition

          • bilbo 19.2.1.2.3

            “I’m trying to determine if you rate this case as sickening child abuse”

            No – having seen the kids, mother and father on the box it doesn’t appear to be ‘sickening child abuse’

  20. gobsmacked 20

    The jury spent eight hours considering their verdict.

    As this is about seven hours, fifty-nine minutes and fifty-nine seconds longer than the Bradford-bashers on talkback have ever thought about anything, I’ll go with the jury.

  21. The Herald is no longer a credible source of any news where there is a political element to it. They can handle car crashes and house fires…..but not much else.

    They aren’t completely without integrity, but what integrity they do possess isn’t reliable or predictable in the event. The “ear-flick dad” story is an example. They are distorting the facts (again) to push their political agenda…and doing it on the front page in news copy.

    Bad and wrong.

    We have in the past week alone seen them distort (Ear-flick dad), gloss over (Auckland Dictatorship), and bury (Auckland dictatorship) a variety of stories.

    Every now and again I highlight on my own blog one of these examples of what can only really be described as propaganda or perhaps poor judgement. But most of them I just shake my head and give quiet thanks I didn’t give them any of my money on the day concerned.

    • Brian 21.1

      Well said Steve
      Headline should have read. Headline should have read.
      “Father punches four-year old in face! GUILTY!”
      But no money in the truth.

  22. gingercrush 22

    Ooh great its “Bash the Newspaper Day”. Sure the media can be horrible at times. But political blogs in New Zealand could not survive without them. Look at all the posts made here. Nearly all of them contain links to media sites. As for accusations of bias. We have nothing of what Great Britain, the United States or even what Australia has. I know the left thinks the media is bias against them. But the right tend to think media is against them as well.

    • Gingercrush: It’s best if we stick to the facts. I note you don’t address the examples of bias in detail. Hard to refute reality.

      As for the Right saying the media is biased against them….I’m sure they have a good giggle at how clever they are in saying such things. Then their media buddies can say: “Both sides don’t like us, so we must be doing something right.”

      This is why I prefer to stick to specific examples. The evidence of bias . and who it hurts – is quite plain.

      The entire S59 issue is an example of media bias from start to finish. There is no other way to explain why and how so many have such a grossly distorted view of what the old law said and what the new law says….and what it means. The media has failed to communicate the reality there. Such a failure, consistent over time – and failed again on the front page today – is bias pure and simple and they richly deserve being “bashed” for it.

      Do you have any examples of consistent editorial bias against the Right in the Herald? Please demonstrate a consistent pattern over time and across years. Easy to do from the left perspective……but I would think the Right would be scraping to come up with anything.

  23. jarbury 23

    I don’t think Redbaiter epitomises the mainstream right gingercrush 😉 If he does, you guys should be really really worried.

    I imagine “Editing the Herald” will have a field day with this one.

  24. gingercrush 24

    You assume to be factual do you Withers?

    Just listen to Withers for he is factual. Sounds wrong somehow. I dont see S.59 as being inherently left or right. Therefore I don’t consider it to be evidence.

    Jarbury it isn’t just Redbaiter. Redbaiter thinks National is socialist scum. There isn’t much help for him. There i though an underlying thought by many on the right who see the media as being against them.

    I happen to think our media seeks too much sensational stuff and doesn’t provide enough evidence. If there is bias in our media (outside Talkback) that is where its at. To merely smear media as being in the pockets of ring-wingers is simply stupid.

    • felix 24.1

      Totally disingenuous of you gc. You know very well that the right wingers of NZ worked hard to make the repeal of S.59 a battle between the “loony nanny-state-pc-gone-mad” left and the “sensible none-of-the-state’s-business-stop-telling-me-what-to-do” right. The herald with the best of them

      Never happened in gc’s world, nothing to see here.

  25. serpico 25

    Redbaiter can see the bigger picture at work.
    Flick that socialist media and put on something real that is positive for children.
    Are dreams still free in New Zealand? Dream police everywhere. Smack that naughty boy now Sue.

  26. Thomas Beagle 26

    Why use “Ear-flick father” in the headline? I’d say that they used that headline because that’s the detail that the case is associated with in the public mind.

    Although I think they could have done better with a headline along the lines of “Face-punch not an ‘ear-flick'” or similar.

  27. serpico 27

    Hardly a face punch. No medical evidence was presented at trial. Doh Thom!

  28. Westminster 28

    I cannot believe idiots are still trying to hold this guy up as some sort of folk hero for braving the “feminazis” and still indulging in a bit of the old fashioned smack to correct his wayward boys. For fuck sake, the kids were under 5 years old. And he punched on of them in the face. No need to second guess the evidence and witnesses. The Court did that for you and found him guilty of punching a child under 5 in the face. Jesus weeps. This guy richly deserves our opprobrium not just because he punched a child under five in the face but because he thought that was sufficiently OK that he was willing to be made into the poster boy of loving correction or whatever McCroskie and fellow kooks described it. I end by just restating that a Court of Law one that heard all the evidence and deliberated for hours on the subject found this man guilty of punching a child under five in the face. Wow. Serpico, I know you’re trolling. But seriously fuck off for a while and search your soul. Do you really want to be defending this scumbag?

  29. Chris G 29

    It is interesting to note that there has been only one righty on here defending the ‘Child Face Puncher’ and its some deranged fathers coalition guy.

    Gingercrush came on but just changed the topic.

    Neither of you adressed the fact that the media Continue to sensational it as an ‘ear-flicking dad’ rather than what he actually is.

    • gingercrush 29.1

      Because when the argument people are making is that by using such a headline and taking a sensational position on Section 59, that makes them somehow pro-National Party. I don’t get that. Its a stupid point and its the point I was making. And for all the bashing of the media in New Zealand. This blog couldn’t survive without that media.

      As for the smacking debate. If he punched the boy in the face that is assult. Just because I am on the right of politics doesn’t mean I defend violence.

  30. Ron 30

    …and you know what? An ear-flick? WTF is that all about, anyway? What is his son – a dog?
    Even animal trainers know that inflicting pain doesn’t work as a way of getting the desired response. He should be convicted for being a dork.

  31. Lex 31

    Smacking/spanking/bashing/hitting/lashing out/beating (same thing, different names) is simply the quickest, easiest, laziest, most mindless and cowardly way to assert power and control over someone (usually physically weaker than the beater), when not given your own way. The small, dishonourable, churlish, self-centred, weak and thoughtless bully’s answer to everything.

    Violence studies 101.

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    The amount of paint needed to paint a car depends on a number of factors, including the size of the car, the number of coats you plan to apply, and the type of paint you are using. In general, you will need between 1 and 2 gallons of paint for ...
    2 hours ago
  • Can You Jump a Car in the Rain? Safety Precautions and Essential Steps
    Jump-starting a car is a common task that can be performed even in adverse weather conditions like rain. However, safety precautions and proper techniques are crucial to avoid potential hazards. This comprehensive guide will provide detailed instructions on how to safely jump a car in the rain, ensuring both your ...
    2 hours ago
  • Can taxpayers be confident PIJF cash was spent wisely?
    Graham Adams writes about the $55m media fund — When Patrick Gower was asked by Mike Hosking last week what he would say to the many Newstalk ZB callers who allege the Labour government bribed media with $55 million of taxpayers’ money via the Public Interest Journalism Fund — and ...
    Point of OrderBy gadams1000
    8 hours ago
  • EGU2024 – An intense week of joining sessions virtually
    Note: this blog post has been put together over the course of the week I followed the happenings at the conference virtually. Should recordings of the Great Debates and possibly Union Symposia mentioned below, be released sometime after the conference ends, I'll include links to the ones I participated in. ...
    10 hours ago
  • Submission on “Fast Track Approvals Bill”
    The following was my submission made on the “Fast Track Approvals Bill”. This potential law will give three Ministers unchecked powers, un-paralled since the days of Robert Muldoon’s “Think Big” projects.The submission is written a bit tongue-in-cheek. But it’s irreverent because the FTAB is in itself not worthy of respect. ...
    Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy
    11 hours ago
  • The Case for a Universal Family Benefit
    One Could Reduce Child Poverty At No Fiscal CostFollowing the Richardson/Shipley 1990 ‘redesign of the welfare state’ – which eliminated the universal Family Benefit and doubled the rate of child poverty – various income supplements for families have been added, the best known being ‘Working for Families’, introduced in 2005. ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    12 hours ago
  • A who’s who of New Zealand’s dodgiest companies
    Submissions on National's corrupt Muldoonist fast-track law are due today (have you submitted?), and just hours before they close, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop has been forced to release the list of companies he invited to apply. I've spent the last hour going through it in an epic thread of bleats, ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    14 hours ago
  • On Lee’s watch, Economic Development seems to be stuck on scoring points from promoting sporting e...
    Buzz from the Beehive A few days ago, Point of Order suggested the media must be musing “on why Melissa is mute”. Our article reported that people working in the beleaguered media industry have cause to yearn for a minister as busy as Melissa Lee’s ministerial colleagues and we drew ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    15 hours ago
  • New Zealand has never been closed for business
    1. What was The Curse of Jim Bolger?a. Winston Peters b. Soon after shaking his hand, world leaders would mysteriously lose office or shuffle off this mortal coilc. Could never shake off the Mother of All Budgetsd. Dandruff2. True or false? The Chairman of a Kiwi export business has asked the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    16 hours ago
  • Stop the panic – we’ve been here before
    Jack Vowles writes – New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    18 hours ago
  • Melissa Lee and the media: ending the quest
    Chris Trotter writes –  MELISSA LEE should be deprived of her ministerial warrant. Her handling – or non-handling – of the crisis engulfing the New Zealand news media has been woeful. The fate of New Zealand’s two linear television networks, a question which the Minister of Broadcasting, Communications ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    20 hours ago
  • The Hoon around the week to April 19
    TL;DR: The podcast above features co-hosts and , along with regular guests Robert Patman on Gaza and AUKUS II, and on climate change.The six things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    20 hours ago
  • The ‘Humpty Dumpty’ end result of dismantling our environmental protections
    Policymakers rarely wish to make plain or visible their desire to dismantle environmental policy, least of all to the young. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s the top five news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above between Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    20 hours ago
  • Nicola's Salad Days.
    I like to keep an eye on what’s happening in places like the UK, the US, and over the ditch with our good mates the Aussies. Let’s call them AUKUS, for want of a better collective term. More on that in a bit.It used to be, not long ago, that ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    21 hours ago
  • Study sees climate change baking in 19% lower global income by 2050
    TL;DR: The global economy will be one fifth smaller than it would have otherwise been in 2050 as a result of climate damage, according to a new study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and published in the journal Nature. (See more detail and analysis below, and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    22 hours ago
  • Weekly Roundup 19-April-2024
    It’s Friday again. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week on Greater Auckland On Tuesday Matt covered at the government looking into a long tunnel for Wellington. On Wednesday we ran a post from Oscar Simms on some lessons from Texas. AT’s ...
    23 hours ago
  • Jack Vowles: Stop the panic – we’ve been here before
    New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’.  The data is from February this ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    1 day ago
  • Clearing up confusion (or trying to)
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters is understood to be planning a major speech within the next fortnight to clear up the confusion over whether or not New Zealand might join the AUKUS submarine project. So far, there have been conflicting signals from the Government. RNZ reported the Prime Minister yesterday in ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 day ago
  • How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log iPhone Without Computer
    How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log on iPhone Without a Computer: A StepbyStep Guide Losing your iPhone call history can be frustrating, especially when you need to find a specific number or recall an important conversation. But before you panic, know that there are ways to retrieve deleted call logs on your iPhone, even without a computer. This guide will explore various methods, ranging from simple checks to utilizing iCloud backups and thirdparty applications. So, lets dive in and recover those lost calls! 1. Check Recently Deleted Folder: Apple understands that accidental deletions happen. Thats why they introduced the Recently Deleted folder for various apps, including the Phone app. This folder acts as a safety net, storing deleted call logs for up to 30 days before permanently erasing them. Heres how to check it: Open the Phone app on your iPhone. Tap on the Recents tab at the bottom. Scroll to the top and tap on Edit. Select Show Recently Deleted. Browse the list to find the call logs you want to recover. Tap on the desired call log and choose Recover to restore it to your call history. 2. Restore from iCloud Backup: If you regularly back up your iPhone to iCloud, you might be able to retrieve your deleted call log from a previous backup. However, keep in mind that this process will restore your entire phone to the state it was in at the time of the backup, potentially erasing any data added since then. Heres how to restore from an iCloud backup: Go to Settings > General > Reset. Choose Erase All Content and Settings. Follow the onscreen instructions. Your iPhone will restart and show the initial setup screen. Choose Restore from iCloud Backup during the setup process. Select the relevant backup that contains your deleted call log. Wait for the restoration process to complete. 3. Explore ThirdParty Apps (with Caution): ...
    1 day ago
  • How to Factory Reset iPhone without Computer: A Comprehensive Guide to Restoring your Device
    Life throws curveballs, and sometimes, those curveballs necessitate wiping your iPhone clean and starting anew. Whether you’re facing persistent software glitches, preparing to sell your device, or simply wanting a fresh start, knowing how to factory reset iPhone without a computer is a valuable skill. While using a computer with ...
    1 day ago
  • How to Call Someone on a Computer: A Guide to Voice and Video Communication in the Digital Age
    Gone are the days when communication was limited to landline phones and physical proximity. Today, computers have become powerful tools for connecting with people across the globe through voice and video calls. But with a plethora of applications and methods available, how to call someone on a computer might seem ...
    1 day ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #16 2024
    Open access notables Glacial isostatic adjustment reduces past and future Arctic subsea permafrost, Creel et al., Nature Communications: Sea-level rise submerges terrestrial permafrost in the Arctic, turning it into subsea permafrost. Subsea permafrost underlies ~ 1.8 million km2 of Arctic continental shelf, with thicknesses in places exceeding 700 m. Sea-level variations over glacial-interglacial cycles control ...
    1 day ago
  • Where on a Computer is the Operating System Generally Stored? Delving into the Digital Home of your ...
    The operating system (OS) is the heart and soul of a computer, orchestrating every action and interaction between hardware and software. But have you ever wondered where on a computer is the operating system generally stored? The answer lies in the intricate dance between hardware and software components, particularly within ...
    1 day ago
  • How Many Watts Does a Laptop Use? Understanding Power Consumption and Efficiency
    Laptops have become essential tools for work, entertainment, and communication, offering portability and functionality. However, with rising energy costs and growing environmental concerns, understanding a laptop’s power consumption is more important than ever. So, how many watts does a laptop use? The answer, unfortunately, isn’t straightforward. It depends on several ...
    1 day ago
  • How to Screen Record on a Dell Laptop A Guide to Capturing Your Screen with Ease
    Screen recording has become an essential tool for various purposes, such as creating tutorials, capturing gameplay footage, recording online meetings, or sharing information with others. Fortunately, Dell laptops offer several built-in and external options for screen recording, catering to different needs and preferences. This guide will explore various methods on ...
    1 day ago
  • How Much Does it Cost to Fix a Laptop Screen? Navigating Repair Options and Costs
    A cracked or damaged laptop screen can be a frustrating experience, impacting productivity and enjoyment. Fortunately, laptop screen repair is a common service offered by various repair shops and technicians. However, the cost of fixing a laptop screen can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article delves into the ...
    1 day ago
  • How Long Do Gaming Laptops Last? Demystifying Lifespan and Maximizing Longevity
    Gaming laptops represent a significant investment for passionate gamers, offering portability and powerful performance for immersive gaming experiences. However, a common concern among potential buyers is their lifespan. Unlike desktop PCs, which allow for easier component upgrades, gaming laptops have inherent limitations due to their compact and integrated design. This ...
    1 day ago
  • Climate Change: Turning the tide
    The annual inventory report of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions has been released, showing that gross emissions have dropped for the third year in a row, to 78.4 million tons: All-told gross emissions have decreased by over 6 million tons since the Zero Carbon Act was passed in 2019. ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago
  • How to Unlock Your Computer A Comprehensive Guide to Regaining Access
    Experiencing a locked computer can be frustrating, especially when you need access to your files and applications urgently. The methods to unlock your computer will vary depending on the specific situation and the type of lock you encounter. This guide will explore various scenarios and provide step-by-step instructions on how ...
    2 days ago
  • Faxing from Your Computer A Modern Guide to Sending Documents Digitally
    While the world has largely transitioned to digital communication, faxing still holds relevance in certain industries and situations. Fortunately, gone are the days of bulky fax machines and dedicated phone lines. Today, you can easily send and receive faxes directly from your computer, offering a convenient and efficient way to ...
    2 days ago
  • Protecting Your Home Computer A Guide to Cyber Awareness
    In our increasingly digital world, home computers have become essential tools for work, communication, entertainment, and more. However, this increased reliance on technology also exposes us to various cyber threats. Understanding these threats and taking proactive steps to protect your home computer is crucial for safeguarding your personal information, finances, ...
    2 days ago
  • Server-Based Computing Powering the Modern Digital Landscape
    In the ever-evolving world of technology, server-based computing has emerged as a cornerstone of modern digital infrastructure. This article delves into the concept of server-based computing, exploring its various forms, benefits, challenges, and its impact on the way we work and interact with technology. Understanding Server-Based Computing: At its core, ...
    2 days ago
  • Vroom vroom go the big red trucks
    The absolute brass neck of this guy.We want more medical doctors, not more spin doctors, Luxon was saying a couple of weeks ago, and now we’re told the guy has seven salaried adults on TikTok duty. Sorry, doing social media. The absolute brass neck of it. The irony that the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Jones finds $410,000 to help the government muscle in on a spat project
    Buzz from the Beehive Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones relishes spatting and eagerly takes issue with environmentalists who criticise his enthusiasm for resource development. He relishes helping the fishing industry too. And so today, while the media are making much of the latest culling in the public service to ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago
  • Again, hate crimes are not necessarily terrorism.
    Having written, taught and worked for the US government on issues involving unconventional warfare and terrorism for 30-odd years, two things irritate me the most when the subject is discussed in public. The first is the Johnny-come-lately academics-turned-media commentators who … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    2 days ago
  • Despair – construction consenting edition
    Eric Crampton writes – Kainga Ora is the government’s house building agency. It’s been building a lot of social housing. Kainga Ora has its own (but independent) consenting authority, Consentium. It’s a neat idea. Rather than have to deal with building consents across each different territorial authority, Kainga Ora ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Coalition promises – will the Govt keep the commitment to keep Kiwis equal before the law?
    Muriel Newman writes – The Coalition Government says it is moving with speed to deliver campaign promises and reverse the damage done by Labour. One of their key commitments is to “defend the principle that New Zealanders are equal before the law.” To achieve this, they have pledged they “will not advance ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • An impermanent public service is a guarantee of very little else but failure
    Chris Trotter writes –  The absence of anything resembling a fightback from the public servants currently losing their jobs is interesting. State-sector workers’ collective fatalism in the face of Coalition cutbacks indicates a surprisingly broad acceptance of impermanence in the workplace. Fifty years ago, lay-offs in the thousands ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • What happens after the war – Mariupol
    Mariupol, on the Azov Sea coast, was one of the first cities to suffer almost complete destruction after the start of the Ukraine War started in late February 2022. We remember the scenes of absolute destruction of the houses and city structures. The deaths of innocent civilians – many of ...
    2 days ago
  • Babies and benefits – no good news
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – Ten years ago, I wrote the following in a Listener column: Every year around one in five new-born babies will be reliant on their caregivers benefit by Christmas. This pattern has persisted from at least 1993. For Maori the number jumps to over one in three.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Should the RBNZ be looking through climate inflation?
    Climate change is expected to generate more and more extreme events, delivering a sort of structural shock to inflation that central banks will have to react to as if they were short-term cyclical issues. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours, as of 9:16 am on Thursday, April 18 are:Housing: Tauranga residents living in boats, vans RNZ Checkpoint Louise TernouthHousing: Waikato councillor says wastewater plant issues could hold up Sleepyhead building a massive company town Waikato Times Stephen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the public sector carnage, and misogyny as terrorism
    It’s a simple deal. We pay taxes in order to finance the social services we want and need. The carnage now occurring across the public sector though, is breaking that contract. Over 3,000 jobs have been lost so far. Many are in crucial areas like Education where the impact of ...
    2 days ago
  • Meeting the Master Baiters
    Hi,A friend had their 40th over the weekend and decided to theme it after Curb Your Enthusiasm fashion icon Susie Greene. Captured in my tiny kitchen before I left the house, I ending up evoking a mix of old lesbian and Hillary Clinton — both unintentional.Me vs Hillary ClintonIf you’re ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • How extreme was the Earth's temperature in 2023
    This is a re-post from Andrew Dessler at the Climate Brink blog In 2023, the Earth reached temperature levels unprecedented in modern times. Given that, it’s reasonable to ask: What’s going on? There’s been lots of discussions by scientists about whether this is just the normal progression of global warming or if something ...
    2 days ago
  • Backbone, revisited
    The schools are on holiday and the sun is shining in the seaside village and all day long I have been seeing bunches of bikes; Mums, Dads, teens and toddlers chattering, laughing, happy, having a bloody great time together. Cheers, AT, for the bits of lane you’ve added lately around the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Ministers are not above the law
    Today in our National-led authoritarian nightmare: Shane Jones thinks Ministers should be above the law: New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of over-stepping its mandate by subpoenaing a minister for its urgent hearing on the Oranga Tamariki claim. The tribunal is looking into the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • What’s the outfit you can hear going down the gurgler? Probably it’s David Parker’s Oceans Sec...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point  of Order first heard of the Oceans Secretariat in June 2021, when David Parker (remember him?) announced a multi-agency approach to protecting New Zealand’s marine ecosystems and fisheries. Parker (holding the Environment, and Oceans and Fisheries portfolios) broke the news at the annual Forest & ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Bryce Edwards writes  – Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Matt Doocey doubles down on trans “healthcare”
    Citizen Science writes –  Last week saw two significant developments in the debate over the treatment of trans-identifying children and young people – the release in Britain of the final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review into gender healthcare, and here in New Zealand, the news that the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • A TikTok Prime Minister.
    One night while sleeping in my bed I had a beautiful dreamThat all the people of the world got together on the same wavelengthAnd began helping one anotherNow in this dream, universal love was the theme of the dayPeace and understanding and it happened this wayAfter such an eventful day ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Texas Lessons
    This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    3 days ago
  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links at 6:06 am
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours as of 6:06 am on Wednesday, April 17 are:Must read: Secrecy shrouds which projects might be fast-tracked RNZ Farah HancockScoop: Revealed: Luxon has seven staffers working on social media content - partly paid for by taxpayer Newshub ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Fighting poverty on the holiday highway
    Turning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago
  • Bernard's six-stack of substacks at 6:26 pm
    Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • At a glance – Is the science settled?
    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 ...
    4 days ago
  • Apposite Quotations.
    How Long Is Long Enough? Gaza under Israeli bombardment, July 2014. This posting is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...
    4 days ago
  • What’s a life worth now?
    You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • Howling at the Moon
    Karl du Fresne writes –  There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Newshub is Dead.
    I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Seymour is chuffed about cutting early-learning red tape – but we hear, too, that Jones has loose...
    Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago
  • Was Hawkesby entirely wrong?
    David Farrar  writes –  The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • PRC shadow looms as the Solomons head for election
    PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time. A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Climate Change: Criminal ecocide
    We are in the middle of a climate crisis. Last year was (again) the hottest year on record. NOAA has just announced another global coral bleaching event. Floods are threatening UK food security. So naturally, Shane Jones wants to make it easier to mine coal: Resources Minister Shane Jones ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Is saving one minute of a politician's time worth nearly $1 billion?
    Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Long Tunnel or Long Con?
    Yesterday it was revealed that Transport Minister had asked Waka Kotahi to look at the options for a long tunnel through Wellington. 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 ...
    4 days ago
  • Smoke And Mirrors.
    You're a fraud, and you know itBut it's too good to throw it all awayAnyone would do the sameYou've got 'em goingAnd you're careful not to show itSometimes you even fool yourself a bitIt's like magicBut it's always been a smoke and mirrors gameAnyone would do the sameForty six billion ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days 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
    14 hours 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
    16 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
    17 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
    18 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
    18 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
    18 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
    21 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
    1 day 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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 ...
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    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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

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