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Trump and Musk: One Big Beautiful Break-up
Written By: - Date published: 8:57 pm, June 7th, 2025 - 5 comments
The world’s richest man has fallen out with the President he helped elect. Elliot Crossan asks: does this mark the beginning of the end for Trump 2.0? And might we hope for the same fate to befall the NZ Coalition Govt? January 2025. The richest man in the world walks into the White House as […]
Seeing Is Believing
Written By: - Date published: 2:05 pm, May 30th, 2025 - 9 comments
A video post, starring Christopher Luxon, Chris Hipkins, Nicola Willis and Winston Peters. Featuring Debbie Ngarewa-Packer as star prosecutor.
Which animal does Labour resemble?
Written By: - Date published: 9:55 am, May 30th, 2025 - 7 comments
In the United States Republicans have been compared to Apex Predators and Democrats to a deer in headlights. Which animal does Labour resemble and which animal should it aspire to resemble?
The Empire strikes back
Written By: - Date published: 8:38 am, May 16th, 2025 - 51 comments
National has launched an all out attack on Labour for accusing it of cutting women’s pay, even though this is precisely what it has done.
And now, the end is near …
Written By: - Date published: 7:00 pm, April 14th, 2025 - 82 comments
It looks like the three way marriage made in hell is on the rocks.
NZD Freefalls & NZ First Linked To Green Party Attack Ads
Written By: - Date published: 10:57 am, April 8th, 2025 - 3 comments
Headlines: NZD free falls, misleading Green Party attack ads linked to NZ First, making NZDF lethal, and American billionaires regret support for Trump
Winston’s war on wokeness
Written By: - Date published: 7:04 am, March 25th, 2025 - 41 comments
In what looked like an early election campaign launch Winston Peters has done his old man shaking his fist at the sky tirade against everything woke.
Is NZ as Stable as Luxon Claims?
Written By: - Date published: 8:14 pm, March 15th, 2025 - 13 comments
By pursuing cuts, selling off assets to multinationals, enabling ACT’s attacks on the Treaty and cutting back on climate commitments, Luxon is guaranteeing that NZ will not be stable for long, writes Elliot Crossan.
Another blow against decency and truth: the flourishing of evil.
Written By: - Date published: 7:30 am, March 8th, 2025 - 83 comments
I am an ordinary citizen of Aotearoa. I am deeply angered at and ashamed of the actions of Winston Peters in dismissing Phil Goff as our High Commissioner in London. It is a deplorable decision.
Luxon’s Untenable Grasp
Written By: - Date published: 4:24 pm, March 7th, 2025 - 11 comments
Last year I predicted Luxon would be replaced within the term. But by linking his credibility to Seymour’s preservative laden, scalding, burning and burnt school lunch program this week, Luxon has accelerated his political demise.
Looks like rail enabled ferries may be back
Written By: - Date published: 12:00 pm, March 1st, 2025 - 36 comments
You have to hand it to Winston and New Zealand First. On the issue of rail enabled ferries they have performed outstanding work. That good that what looked like a foregone conclusion, the dismantling of the Cook Strait Rail Link, may not happen after all.
Come Rich Foreigners – New Zealand Is For Sale
Written By: - Date published: 1:08 pm, February 24th, 2025 - 4 comments
Long signaled, all right wing parties are opening the doors for wealthy foreigners to easily acquire our significant assets and lands.
When will Luxon be rolled?
Written By: - Date published: 10:32 am, February 23rd, 2025 - 32 comments
Christopher Luxon’s time as Prime Minister appear to be numbered.
Keep on Digging
Written By: - Date published: 3:44 pm, January 30th, 2025 - 30 comments
The latest outbursts and brain farts from the great Kumara of the North…
Open to all today in Nick’s Kōrero – Shane Jones calls climate change ‘woke’ and says, ‘Send the Mexicans home’.
Most kiwis blame Willis for Ferry Fiasco
Written By: - Date published: 9:19 am, January 30th, 2025 - 9 comments
Recent polling suggests that two thirds of kiwis disagree with Nicola Willis’s decision to cancel the replacement Inter Island ferries contract.
Selling NZ off to the highest foreign bidder. Is it still NZ First?
Written By: - Date published: 10:00 pm, January 23rd, 2025 - 17 comments
For a year, Luxon and Seymour have been prepping the Overseas Investment Act to sell NZ off to wealthy foreigners. But who is running the show? Libertarian interests of course. And Winston Peters might find the money good enough to fold.
Latest opinion poll – Labour overtakes National
Written By: - Date published: 2:21 pm, January 17th, 2025 - 62 comments
That grinding noise you can hear from the Parliamentary precinct is the sound of National backbenchers sharpening their knives getting ready for a change of leadership. Because the latest Curia poll shows National has fallen behind Labour in the preferred party stakes.
Reviewing the Cook Strait Ferry fiasco
Written By: - Date published: 1:07 pm, January 16th, 2025 - 35 comments
A review of the history of the Ferries issue suggests that this could be coalition ending and career ending.
Winston’s Next Job
Written By: - Date published: 8:30 am, January 10th, 2025 - 18 comments
While he scoops up behind Minister Willis’s Cook Strait ferry disaster, he’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and our primary lead on the rise of President Trump and boy does he have a job ahead of him.
Much ado about nothing
Written By: - Date published: 8:51 am, December 21st, 2024 - 18 comments
There has been recent controversy because a District Court Judge and a renowned surgeon in a private setting chose to criticise NZ First policies.
Luxon & Willis Double Down on Ferries Debacle
Written By: - Date published: 6:46 am, December 13th, 2024 - 15 comments
Government sneakily shifts the numbers on the cancelled Kiwirail i-Rex project from $3b to $4b as Luxon and Willis defend their plan for a plan.
Economy Nose Dives
Written By: - Date published: 6:42 pm, November 28th, 2024 - 24 comments
The economy is tanking and Treasury has downgraded the forecasts again after “the government inherited finances in better shape than expected” in January. So who is Nicola Willis blaming, and Winston Peters too?
Luxon Promotes Wealthy & Foreign Interests
Written By: - Date published: 6:28 pm, October 30th, 2024 - 12 comments
Chris Luxon continues to talk up privatisation and wealthy foreign interests from the Middle East and elsewhere. Privatisation and PPP models have been shown to cost a country – but he and ACT and NZ First seem set on their course to sell NZ assets.
Twelve months of this Government
Written By: - Date published: 10:33 am, October 14th, 2024 - 49 comments
This Government was elected 12 months ago. And I don’t think any of us could have appreciated how bad it would have been.
Ferry ferry quite contrary
Written By: - Date published: 8:22 am, September 26th, 2024 - 24 comments
There appears to be an impasse in the Coalition’s ranks with Act and National not wanting rail enabled replacement ferries but Winston Peters demanding that they be rail enabled.
Towards the abyss
Written By: - Date published: 12:34 pm, September 10th, 2024 - 37 comments
Yesterday it was confirmed that Act’s Treaty Principles Bill had been approved by Cabinet for drafting and introduction into Parliament in November this year. Get ready for the circus to start.
Shane Jones is obsessed with communists
Written By: - Date published: 1:50 pm, September 4th, 2024 - 20 comments
Shane Jones has been getting into the news recently after his comment that High Court Judge Cheryl Gwyn was a communist made at a private meeting was revealed in the media. He has been called out by Judith Collins and Winston Peters but surprisingly not by Christopher Luxon.
We should have kept the power company shares
Written By: - Date published: 8:19 am, August 9th, 2024 - 29 comments
Shane Jones, went onto radio yesterday and pledged a solution to high power prices. What are his chances and why are we in this mess?
Winston Peters – lazy hypocrite on ferries
Written By: - Date published: 11:33 am, July 11th, 2024 - 15 comments
My ire was raised this morning when I read a pile of PR drivel from acting PM Winston Peters about the Interislander. If he wanted to be useful looking at “critical part of our infrastructure” – then there are number of better things he could usefully do – rather than chasing headlines.
Celebrating the ending of a policy that no longer exists
Written By: - Date published: 9:22 am, May 15th, 2024 - 31 comments
As part of its coalition agreement NZ First is wanting to end a policy that has already ended. And the Government is struggling to work out what to do.
The first Ministerial scalp?
Written By: - Date published: 10:34 am, April 14th, 2024 - 27 comments
Already we have what looks like an odds on favourite for the first Ministerial scalp.
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- Careful what you wish for.
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- Gordon Campbell On Sacrificing Worker Rights On The Altar Of Commerce
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2 days ago - The West should still look towards peeling Russia away from China
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- Dismantling the state
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- Chris Luxon’s Turbocharged Comms Disasters
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- Mammoth Money Heist
Last year, Health Minister Shane Reti and Prime Minister Chris Luxon visited Auckland’s Ormiston private hospital to talk up privatisation.Everything was up for grabs, Luxon said - “schools, health, hospitals, roads, 3 Waters investment”1. The Prime Minister also inferred he was talking to finance related companies, echoing Former NZ Health ...2 days ago - Tuesday 17 June
The Government is considering cutting sick leave entitlements for part-time workers. Brooke van Velden has introduced a new bill which legislate changes to personal grievances, the 30-day rule and the ability of workers to test their employment status in court. NZEI is considering legal action against the government’s decision to ...2 days ago - Radical employment bill threatens every NZ worker
The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi is urging all political parties to vote against Brooke van Velden’s new Employment Relations Amendment Bill, as it will severely undermine workers’ rights. “This new Bill will legislate many of the attacks on workers’ rights signalled by Brooke van Velden, ...2 days ago
- Update: On RNZ and Ruth Hill
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- Short and Silly
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- Today in dysfunctional government
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- 41 questions
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After the federal elections of 2022 and 2025, a certain supposed truth is taking root in Australian political discourse—namely, that discussion of potential conflict involving China is politically disadvantageous, because it is likely to have ...3 days ago
- Wish Giver
For paid subscribers - Van Velden steers WorkSafe toward a softer touch has an interesting revelation about Brooke Van Velden’s Worksafe reforms.Not only is the Minister transforming Worksafe from enforcement to a soft ‘advisor’ mandate, she “wants to see more prosecutions of workers” and “reduce the obligations on directors.”Think about ...3 days ago - Read About It
You've got the words to change a nationBut you're biting your tongueYou've spent a lifetime stuck in silenceAfraid you'll say something wrongIf no one ever hears it, how we gonna learn your song?Songwriters: Emily Sande / Benjamin Kohn / Iain James / Peter Kelleher / Stephen Manderson / Thomas Barnes.Morena, ...3 days ago - Mapping India-Pakistan military power
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- The Life and Death of Alex
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Hi,In light of today’s piece about Alex, it’s important to share some places where support can be found.To prevent further loss of life, we need to help families support trans young people, ensure medical and social services are equipped to understand and respond to their needs, and resource community organisations ...3 days ago - Gordon Campbell On The West’s War Against Iran
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- 2025 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #24
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- Ruth Richardson Is Wrong on NZ Super
4 days ago
- Assassination of Democratic Lawmakers in America Predictable
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The New Zealand Prime Minister, a Mr Christopher Luxon, pleads with the world to take him seriously. ...4 days ago - Why the Regulatory Standards Bill is dangerous to New Zealand’s democracy
There’s a post still coming about farming and our future that spans oceans and centuries, but I’m sending something else today because time is of the essence. So: first some memories, and then some words from Sir Geoffrey Palmer about Seymour’s goddam bill.Before I share with you something written by ...4 days ago - Fact brief – Was 1934 the hottest year in the global record?
Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Was 1934 the hottest year in the global record? 1934 was a particularly hot year in the contiguous United States, but not globally ...5 days ago
- A Successful Loss to Worstfish [Chess Nonsense]
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Yes, that subject again/still. Today, three main points: the comments by the Minister, including claims that she didn’t know why Orr had resigned the latest set of Quigley comments given to Newsroom’s Jonathan Milne, and (largely for the record) restating events around MPC appointments that are minimised by Milne ...5 days ago
- No Kings
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- On Complicity
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- Pre-emptive or preventative?
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- Goebbels’ favourite bird
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- The Bewildering World of Christopher Luxon – Back on Track…
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Shane Jones is an outdated fossil of a minister. Born in 1959, his model of how our economy and society should look is stuck sometime in the late 70's: a dirty, fossil-fuel powered, racist, sexist, homophobic shitstain of a country which most of us never experienced, and most of those ...7 days ago
- Skeptical Science New Research for Week #24 2025
Open access notables A Rapid Deterioration of the Transmissive Atmospheric Radiative Regime in the Western Arctic, Bertossa & L’Ecuyer, Geophysical Research Letters: The tendency for the atmosphere to reside in one of two radiative states (“transmissive” or “opaque”) is unique to the high latitudes. This phenomenon makes the Arctic climate ...7 days ago
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- The Climate Catastrophe
Dr Robert Howell UN Secretary General: We are sleepwalking to climate catastrophe. In facing this wake up call, Dr Howell will describe the lessons to be learned from Wesfamers; the work of the External Reporting Board; the National Climate Change Risk Assessment for New Zealanders; and the Dasgupta Review.Dr Robert Howell ...7 days ago
- Taiwan has 12 diplomatic partners left. Who’ll drop it next?
Beneath Taiwan’s high-profile fight for global recognition lies a parallel contest in capitals scattered across the Caribbean and the Pacific. This is Beijing’s relentless campaign to isolate Taiwan diplomatically—country by country—until Taipei is left with ...7 days ago
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There is no depression in New ZealandThere are no sheep on our farmsThere is no depression in New ZealandWe can all keep perfectly calmPerfectly calm…Songwriters: Donald Bain Mcglashan / Richard Paul Von Sturmer.The National Party and farmers go together like Vogels and Vegemite - a classic Kiwi combo, based on ...7 days ago
- Release: Govt overreach removes power from local councils
Ministers will now be able to override the decisions of councils and locally elected officials. ...24 hours ago - ECE funding review must centre tamariki
The Government’s review of Early Childhood Education funding, announced today, is a clear and appalling reflection of its priorities, with a ministerial group being directed to balance “quality and affordability for services”. ...2 days ago - ERA changes hurt workers, pander to big business
The Green Party says proposed changes to the Employment Relations Act announced today by the Government will further undermine workers’ rights while pandering to big business. ...2 days ago
- Release: Govt Bill strips vital job protections from workers
The Employer Relations Amendment Bill will make work even less secure for Kiwis. ...2 days ago
- Release: Government is full of it on homelessness
The Government continues to deny its policies are contributing to homelessness in New Zealand, despite being told they are. ...2 days ago
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The Government’s directive to give private hospitals 10-year outsourcing contracts to perform elective surgeries is yet another step down the path of privatisation in our healthcare system. ...2 days ago
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Te Pāti Māori is calling out the Government’s proposed changes to sick leave entitlements as a cruel step backwards that punishes low-income, part-time, single parents and essential workers. We staunchly support the concerns raised by PSA National Secretary, Fleur Fitzsimons, that this move will disproportionately harm wāhine, who are most ...3 days ago
- Greens show Willis’ fiscal straight-jacket is junk, validate case for strong public investment
The Green Party has released its fiscal strategy, demonstrating how we can and must invest in the real-world needs of our country, planet and people. ...3 days ago
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The Green Party is calling on the Prime Minister to stand up for workers’ rights for once and rule out reducing sick leave entitlements. ...3 days ago
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Te Pāti Māori Co-leader and MP for Waiariki, Rawiri Waititi, has slammed the Rotorua Lakes Council’s treatment of homeless whānau as “inhumane and disgraceful,” following the forced police removal of people sleeping outside the Salvation Army on Amohia Street yesterday. “Our most vulnerable whānau were woken by police, trespassed like ...7 days ago
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The Green Party says the Government’s newly announced Biodiversity Credit scheme is a tiny positive that doesn’t undo the biodiversity harm caused by the Luxon Government. ...7 days ago
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A new report, ‘Outcomes for tamariki and rangatahi Māori and their whānau in the oranga tamariki system 2023/24,’ has confirmed that Oranga Tamariki is severely failing our most vulnerable Māori youth. ...1 week ago
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Today’s damning report on Oranga Tamariki shows Māori children are being left with little chance of success, or even survival, after their experiences in the state care system, and Minister for Children Karen Chhour is making it worse. ...1 week ago
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Last week, world-leading climate scientists called out the Government’s approach to agricultural emissions. This week, climate lawyers have sued the Government because its Emissions Reductions Plans do not add up. ...1 week ago
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Parliament today took an important step to improve women’s safety with the Government moving closer to Labour’s position on how stalking should be defined in law. ...1 week ago
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Te Pāti Māori condemns the Israeli navy’s armed interception of the Madleen, a civilian aid vessel carrying food, medical supplies, and international activists to Gaza, including Greta Thunberg. Communications of the Madleen have been cut, and there is no knowing if the crew are safe and unharmed. This is the ...1 week ago
- Greens call for safe passage of Madleen and Government to sanction Israel
The Green Party is calling for the safe passage of the Madleen, a civilian aid vessel on course to Gaza, following the Freedom Flotilla being seized by the Israeli Military and urging the New Zealand Government to sanction Israel for its illegal occupation of Palestine. ...1 week ago
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The 2025 NBR Rich List makes immediately obvious the need for a fair tax system, says the Green Party. ...1 week ago
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Thanks to a successful community-led campaign backed by Labour, Lower North Island locals are today celebrating the toll-free opening of Te Ahu a Turanga – Manawatū Tararua Highway. ...1 week ago
- Govt parent boost changes prioritise rich over poor
The Green Party is calling out the Government’s parent boost changes that benefit a wealthier minority while doing nothing to help reunite thousands of migrant families. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Timid tariff response fails New Zealanders
The Government is failing New Zealanders by ‘being comfortable’ with a 10 percent tariff on all goods going into the US. ...2 weeks ago
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The Green Party condemns the unprecedented decision to suspend Te Pāti Māori co-leaders Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi for 21 days, and MP for Hauraki-Waikato Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke for 7 days. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Reserve Bank predicts more job losses
The Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Statement predicts a sluggish economy with higher inflation and more job losses. ...2 weeks ago
- Luxon must end climate denial speculation
The Greens welcome the open letter from world-leading climate scientists to the Prime Minister, urging his Government to abandon any plan to water down climate targets. ...2 weeks ago
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Good Morning. It is a pleasure to be in Jakarta again today. Indonesia is an absolute priority for the New Zealand government, which is why we have now visited here four times since re-taking office as New Zealand Foreign Minister in late 2023. Indonesia is one of New Zealand’s oldest friends ...6 days ago - Foreign Minister visit strengthens ties with Indonesia
Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ visit to Indonesia today has secured tangible progress in New Zealand’s relationship with Southeast Asia’s most populous nation. “Indonesia is an indispensable partner for New Zealand,” Mr Peters says. “Demonstrating our commitment to the relationship, this is our fourth visit to Indonesia in the past 18 ...6 days ago
- Joint Statement: By the Foreign Ministers of the Republic of Indonesia and New Zealand at the 12th J...
His Excellency Sugiono, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, and Rt Hon Winston Peters, Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand, convened the 12th meeting of the Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) on 13th June 2025 in Jakarta, Indonesia. The Ministers welcomed meeting in person, underscoring the importance ...6 days ago
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At least four new rapidly deployable relocatable inpatient units will be rolled out across the country to ensure hospitals can continue delivering care to patients while major infrastructure projects are underway, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. “These new inpatient units – part of the Government’s $1 billion Budget 2025 investment ...6 days ago
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The Government is tackling talent shortages in manufacturing and boosting New Zealand’s economic recovery by fast-tracking residency for skilled tradespeople. “We know how important skilled workers are to the resilience of the manufacturing sector. When we don’t have enough people to fill these roles, productivity slows, business growth stalls and the ...6 days ago
- High Court Associate Judge appointed
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Liz Gellert as an Associate Judge of the High Court. Associate Judge Gellert graduated from the University of Auckland in 2003 with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and a Bachelor of Arts. She was a law clerk with David Williams KC before ...6 days ago
- $33 million into more classrooms for Central North Island Schools
The Government is delivering 32 more safe, warm and dry classrooms and a major school redevelopment for Kiwi kids living in the Central North Island. “As communities continue to grow, we remain committed to future-proofing our education system so parents have certainty about where to send their child to school. ...6 days ago
- Supercharging residential solar power generation
The Government is expanding the permitted voltage range for electricity networks, so Kiwis with solar panels can send more power back to the grid. Changes are being made to clarify that a building consent is not needed to install rooftop solar panels on existing buildings. Councils will be required to ...6 days ago
- Successful childhood immunisation programme delivering results
A successful programme to help Māori health providers lift childhood immunisation rates will be renewed, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. "The Immunising our Tamariki programme, originally launched in 2023 by Hon Dr Shane Reti, invested $50 million in Māori health providers to deliver targeted, community-based immunisation outreach. It aims to ...6 days ago
- Stronger forestry ties with India driving export growth
Forestry, Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay, today announced at the Fieldays Forestry Hub, both inbound and outbound forestry trade missions with India this year, aimed at strengthening trade links, deepening industry ties, and unlocking greater value for both countries’ forestry and wood processing sectors. “India is one of the ...6 days ago
- Judicial Conduct Panel to inquire into Judge’s conduct
A Judicial Conduct Panel will inquire into and report on the alleged conduct of acting District Court Judge Ema Aitken, Acting Attorney-General Paul Goldsmith says. “Judge Aitken’s alleged conduct at the Northern Club on 22 November 2024 was the subject of a preliminary examination by the Judicial Conduct Commissioner. “The ...6 days ago
- Prime Minister to visit China and Europe
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will travel to China and Europe next week. He will be joined in Shanghai and Beijing with a delegation of senior New Zealand business leaders. “China is New Zealand’s largest trading partner and a vital part of our economic story,” Mr Luxon says. The visit will focus on ...6 days ago
- Backing New Zealand’s native forest champions
Forestry Minister Todd McClay today congratulated the winners of the inaugural Growing Native Forests Champions Awards for driving real progress in native forest establishment and land use innovation. “This is what good land management looks like — native forests that support both the environment and the rural economy,” Mr McClay ...7 days ago
- Operation Gallant Phoenix deployment extended
New Zealand has extended its commitment the Operation Gallant Phoenix multinational intelligence mission in Jordan, the Government announced today. The deployment of up to 10 New Zealand Defence Force and Police personnel has been extended for two years until June 2027. “This operation is essential to our commitment to a ...7 days ago
- New and improved radiology services for Auckland City Hospital
Health Minister Simeon Brown has today announced funding for the first stage of a major project to upgrade and expand interventional radiology services at Auckland City Hospital. “This project will significantly improve access to radiology services for patients across Auckland and beyond,” Mr Brown says. “A $41.2 million investment will ...7 days ago
- Wool carpets for state houses a win-win
The return of wool carpets to state homes has been welcomed by Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis and Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson. State housing agency Kāinga Ora announced today that from next month, a new supplier agreement will deliver woollen carpets for the fit-out of new state homes. “The ...7 days ago
- Government backs voluntary nature credits
The Government is supporting the expansion of a voluntary credits nature market through the running of pilot projects across New Zealand. Establishing a market that is durable, measurable and transparent will help farmers, landowners, iwi, and conservation groups unlock new income streams for looking after nature on their land, Associate ...7 days ago
- New Zealand food and fibre exports on track to break new records
Farmers, growers, foresters, fishers and primary processors are driving New Zealand’s economic recovery with export revenue on track to surpass $60 billion for the first time, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced today at Fieldays. “The latest Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries (SOPI) report forecasts export earnings of ...1 week ago
- New Zealand hits digital economy milestone
A key milestone in the push for a more connected digital economy has been reached, with over one million businesses now registered with a New Zealand Business Number (NZBN), Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Chris Penk says. “The NZBN is a simple idea with a big impact. It gives each ...1 week ago
- Double-digit growth for aquaculture exports
New Zealand’s aquaculture sector has experienced double-digit growth in export revenue over the past year, sending a clear signal that more is to come from the enormously promising sector, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The forecast export results were released today as part of the latest Situation and ...1 week ago
- Elective boost delivers over 9,500 additional procedures so far
More than 9,500 additional procedures have now been delivered as part of the Government’s elective boost, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. “This is what putting patients first looks like. We are focused on increasing delivery of elective treatments – across both public and private hospitals – to reduce wait times ...1 week ago
- Foreign Minister strengthens relationship with Italy
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has concluded a constructive visit to Italy, marking 75 years of diplomatic relations. Mr Peters and Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani met in Rome overnight and confirmed the strength of the bilateral relationship that New Zealand and Italy share. “New Zealand and Italy are long-standing ...1 week ago
- Partnership approach to FMD signed and sealed
A new agreement between the Government and key livestock industry groups marks a major milestone in New Zealand’s readiness for a potential foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak, Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard announced today. “The Foot and Mouth Disease Operational Agreement confirms how Government and industry will jointly prepare for, ...1 week ago
- Public consultation begins on legal aid review
Public consultation begins today aimed at improving the legal aid scheme for those who cannot afford advice and representation, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “We have a duty to ensure all New Zealanders have access to justice by means of a fair and open process. “To do so, we need ...1 week ago
- Solar on Farms: Unlocking farm cost savings
Energy Minister Simon Watts has announced the Government’s new Solar on Farms initiative, which will support farmers in taking the next step towards installing solar and battery systems, helping them reduce energy costs, increase on-farm resilience, and allow farmers to gain greater control over their power use, leading to increased ...1 week ago
- New Zealand Grass-Fed certification to take on global competitors
New Zealand is raising its game on the global stage with a new Grass-Fed certification scheme to help our red meat and dairy producers go head-to-head with competitors in premium international markets, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced today at Fieldays. “International consumers are increasingly willing ...1 week ago
- Innovative pasture project to drive farmgate returns
The Government is backing a $17 million partnership with farmers to boost productivity, profitability, and sustainability by identifying the most resilient, high-performing pastures for New Zealand conditions, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced today at Fieldays. Minister McClay confirmed the Government will invest $8.269 million in the Resilient Pastures project through ...1 week ago
- Radiology backlog cleared at Taranaki Base Hospital
Health Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the clearance of a significant radiology backlog at Taranaki Base Hospital, calling it a practical outcome that puts patients first. “In March, more than 6,000 x-ray reports were sitting unprocessed at Taranaki Base Hospital. That was causing unacceptable delays for patients needing diagnosis and ...1 week ago
- Saying yes to more housing
City-shaping changes are coming to New Zealand’s largest city, ensuring that Auckland can fully harness the economic growth benefits of the new City Rail Link, RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Auckland Minister Simeon Brown say. The Resource Management (Consenting and Other System Changes) Amendment Bill (the Bill) has been ...1 week ago
- Primary Sector-Government partnership to boost rural health and resilience
The Government is stepping up support for rural New Zealand with a $4 million Rural Wellbeing Fund to expand investment in community-based initiatives, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced today at Fieldays. “The establishment of this fund is a result of advocacy by Federated Farmers Chair, Wayne Langford, who ...1 week ago
- Applications open for $30 million Coastal Shipping Resilience Fund
Applications have opened for a $30 million fund for projects that will enhance the resilience of New Zealand’s coastal shipping connections and help boost economic growth, Associate Transport Minister James Meager has announced. The Coastal Shipping Resilience Fund was established through the Government Policy Statement on land transport. Funding will ...1 week ago
- Foreign Minister focuses on Pacific resilience during visit to France
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has taken part in two major international events in Nice, France this week, focused on Pacific resilience, prosperity and security. The sixth Pacific-France Summit, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, took place in Nice overnight. “The Summit brought together Pacific countries for discussions with France on ...1 week ago
- NZ places travel ban on extremist Israeli politicians
New Zealand has joined Australia, Canada, the UK and Norway in placing travel bans on two extremist Israeli politicians, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. The bans will prevent Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir from travelling to New Zealand. “Our action today is not against ...1 week ago
- 6th Pacific-France Summit – Intervention by New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs
6th Pacific-France Summit Intervention by New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rt Hon Winston Peters Nice, France, Tuesday 10 June 2025 Thank you, President Macron, for convening this meeting today, the sixth Pacific-France Summit. We were privileged to have also been at the second Pacific-France Summit, during the Presidency of ...1 week ago
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Tēnā koutou katoa. Thank you for the warm welcome. It is my pleasure to welcome you all to MEETINGS 2025. First, I would like to acknowledge Mayor Wayne Brown attending MEETINGS 2025 today and a special acknowledgment to Ngāti Whatua Orakei for their pōwhiri and welcome. I would also like ...1 week ago
- More funding to grow international tourism
The Government is increasing funding for attracting overseas visitors and investing in tourism infrastructure as part of its new Tourism Growth Roadmap, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says. “We’re investing $35 million to deliver the first stage of the Roadmap, which sets out the Government’s plan to double the ...1 week ago
- Major changes to proposed anti-stalking law
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is welcoming changes to toughen up the proposed anti-stalking law, including being triggered after two specified acts within 24 months. “This change better recognises patterns in stalking behaviour and time that can pass between incidents. For example, stalking that occurs around anniversaries would not be covered ...1 week ago
- Speech: APAC energy capital assembly, Singapore
I am delighted to be here in Singapore once again, to speak to you in my capacity as New Zealand’s Minister for Resources and Associate Minister for Energy. If you haven’t heard of me before today, I’m proud to declare myself the champion of New Zealand’s petroleum and minerals sector. ...1 week ago
- Speech to the Law Association 2025
Thank you all for the invitation to speak with you this morning. I have been looking forward to this opportunity. May is a busy month for the Government, and it is always a relief to have the Budget delivered. Today, I would like to speak about what I see as ...1 week ago
- Government backing rural resilience and wellbeing
The government is boosting support for rural resilience and wellbeing announced by Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey and Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson. “We’re backing Rural Support Trusts by committing $3 million over the next four years, to help improve rural communities’ access to primary mental health services and specialist ...1 week ago
- Help Me Hera: How do I repair my relationship with a politically aggressive cousin?
We used to be so close, but their blunt communication style keeps hurting my feelings. Want Hera’s help? Email your problem to helpme@thespinoff.co.nz Dear Hera, I have a cousin I was very close to as a kid through our mid-20s, but recently we have drifted apart and it has become ...1 hour ago - Betrayal Of Women Over Pay Equity Laid Bare In Budget Poll – Time To Reverse Decision
"The Government decided to scrap pay equity for women to pay for tax cuts for business in this year’s budget - New Zealanders are seeing that plain and simple and they don’t like it," said Fleur Fitzsimons National Secretary Public Service Association ...1 hour ago - Jaws at 50: how a single movie changed our perception of white sharks forever
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Long, Strategic Professor in Palaeontology, Flinders University Shane Myers Photography/Shutterstock It’s been 50 years since Steven Spielberg’s movie Jaws first cast a terrifying shadow across our screens. At a low point during production, Spielberg worried he’d only ever be ...2 hours ago - Robot eyes are power hungry. What if we gave them tools inspired by the human brain?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adam D Hines, Research Fellow, Centre for Robotics, Queensland University of Technology A hexapod robot navigating outdoors. Adam Hines Robots are increasingly becoming a part of our lives – from warehouse automation to robotic vacuum cleaners. And just like humans, robots need ...2 hours ago
- Winter viruses can trigger a heart attack or stroke, our study shows. It’s another good reason to ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tu Nguyen, PhD Candidate, Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute Irina Shatilova/Shutterstock Winter is here, along with cold days and the inevitable seasonal surge in respiratory viruses. But it’s not only the sniffles we need to ...2 hours ago
- School playgrounds are one of the main locations for bullying. How can they be set up to stop it?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brendon Hyndman, Associate Dean (Academic), Faculty of Arts and Education, Charles Sturt University Dan Kenyon/ Getty Images Children spend thousands of hours in playgrounds at school. A lot of this time does not have the same levels of teacher preparation ...2 hours ago
- Would you cheat on your tax? It’s a risky move, the tax office knows a lot about you
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robert B Whait, Senior Lecturer in Taxation Law, University of South Australia Soon, more than 15 million Australians should be lodging a tax return with the Australian Taxation Office in the hope of receiving at least a small refund. About 60% of ...2 hours ago
- Companies are betting on AI to help lift productivity. Workers need to be part of the process
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Llewellyn Spink, AI Corporate Governance Lead, Human Technology Institute, University of Technology Sydney The Conversation, CC BY-NC Australia’s productivity is flatlining, posting the worst vitals we’ve seen in 60 years. Politicians and chief executives are prescribing artificial intelligence (AI) like it’s ...2 hours ago
- Is Sabrina Carpenter’s Man’s Best Friend album cover satire or self-degradation? A psychology ex...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Katrina Muller-Townsend, Lecturer in Psychology, Edith Cowan University Island Records Sabrina Carpenter’s Man’s Best Friend album cover has fans divided. Carpenter poses on all fours, her glossy blond hair grasped by a male figure cropped from the frame. Her wide-eyed ...2 hours ago
- New Zealand halts Cook Islands funding in stoush over China
The announcement comes as Prime Minister Christopher Luxon visits China and prepares to meet Xi Jinping. ...2 hours ago - Government looking at making lifejackets compulsory
It comes after findings a mother and her young son would have had better chances of surviving a capsizing, if they been wearing them. ...2 hours ago
- Media attention, political pressure credited with solving cardiac surgery waitlist at Waikato Hospit...
Cardiac Society of New Zealand chairperson says the waitlist had reduced from 110 to 10 patients. ...3 hours ago
- Kicked out for coming out: more than half of LGBTIQ+ flatmates face discrimination for their identit...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brodie Fraser, Senior Research Fellow, He Kāinga Oranga Housing and Health Research Programme, University of Otago Sangar Akreyi/Getty Images People who belong to the LGBTIQ+ community say flatting is fraught with difficulties that go well beyond learning new routines and sharing ...3 hours ago
- Tracing the Drax family’s millions – a story of British landed gentry, slavery and sugar plantat...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paul Lashmar, Reader in Journalism, City St George’s, University of London ‘Planting the sugar-cane’: vast fortunes were made from the trades in both sugar and human slaves in the Americas. Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Photographs and Prints Division, The ...3 hours ago
- Nineteen Eighty-Four might have been inspired by George Orwell’s fear of drowning
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nathan Waddell, Associate Professor in Twentieth-Century Literature, University of Birmingham George Orwell had a traumatic relationship with the sea. In August 1947, while he was writing Nineteen Eighty-Four (1949) on the island of Jura in the Scottish Hebrides, he went on a ...3 hours ago
- What happens when aid is cut to a large refugee camp? Kenyan study paints a bleak picture
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Olivier Sterck, Associate professor, University of Oxford Humanitarian needs are rising around the world. At the same time, major donors such as the US and the UK are pulling back support, placing increasing strain on already overstretched aid systems. Global humanitarian ...3 hours ago
- Grok’s ‘white genocide’ responses show how generative AI can be weaponized
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Foulds, Associate Professor of Information Systems, University of Maryland, Baltimore County Someone altered the AI chatbot Grok to make it insert text about a debunked conspiracy theory in unrelated responses. Cheng Xin/Getty Images The AI chatbot Grok spent one day in ...3 hours ago
- Census scrapped as Stats NZ eyes cheaper data future
The government has announced a major overhaul of population data collection, but experts say the new approach carries serious risks, writes Catherine McGregor in today’s extract from The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. See ya, census After nearly 175 years, New Zealand’s national census ...3 hours ago
- Lack of people standing for Auckland’s next local body election worries officials
An electoral officer says if an area has no candidates an extraordinary vacancy will be created. ...4 hours ago
- Auckland Council says 100,000 new homes built after planning rule book came into force
The number of homes constructed rose from 10,200 in 2018 to a record 18,100 in 2023. ...4 hours ago
- Confusion as NZ becomes midpoint on China route to South America
China Eastern Airlines and Auckland Airport have announced the much-discussed Southern Link to South America will open by the end of the year, with the NZ Government helping with a new electronic transit authority in place of pricey visas. The Government backs the Southern Link as part of its effort ...4 hours ago - Ministry of Education spends thousands hunting leaks to RNZ
The Education Ministry is spending about $20,000 on its hunt for the sources of multiple leaks to RNZ. ...4 hours ago
- ‘New security service’ for Parliament would have more powers
Parliament's security guards will receive training later this year to prepare for potential additional powers. ...4 hours ago
- Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on blitz of promotional events in Shanghai
The PM's three-day trip to China comes at a time of increased rivalry between the superpower and the United States. ...4 hours ago
- New research finds over half of LGBTQI+ flatters experience housing discrimination
New research shows that flatting is a ‘site of vulnerability’ for queer people, and recommends policy change. “I was kicked out of a house when coming out as trans to my flatmates and asking they use my preferred name and pronouns.” “[I was] asked to leave a flat when someone ...5 hours ago
- Slashed Matariki funding threatens to leave communities in the dark
Government funding for Matariki events was cut by nearly half this year. With some festivals now cancelled or scaled back, Liam Rātana investigates what’s been lost – and what’s still happening. Just four years after Matariki became a public holiday, the future of our public celebrations is looking less certain. ...5 hours ago
- The Greens have broken dramatically with the James Shaw era
The party’s new fiscal strategy hones in on a ‘fundamental asymmetry’ in how we think about public investment – and envisages government borrowing at roughly three times the level backed by the former co-leader. Back in the mists of time, in the dim and distant past – in the year ...5 hours ago
- Exporters hope to escape China beef restrictions
The Prime Minister is once again spreading the word that New Zealand is open for business, while beef exporters wait to see whether they’ll be hit with any restrictions on the products they send to China. In December last year, China’s Ministry of Commerce launched an investigation into imported beef, ...5 hours ago
- Daily crossword, Thursday 19 June
The post Daily crossword, Thursday 19 June appeared first on Newsroom. ...5 hours ago
- No political party has a handle on long-term growth
Comment: There is no clear political consensus that sustainable economic growth is necessary or any clear strategy about how to achieve it The post No political party has a handle on long-term growth appeared first on Newsroom. ...5 hours ago
- Newsroom daily quiz, Thursday 19 June
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- The thinking way to win a war
It was supposed to be over by now, a three-day (at the most) blitz by Russia on its many-times smaller neighbour, an ego-boosting win for Vladimir Putin. But the war is now in its fourth year, with Russia occupying just under a fifth of Ukraine, and some out-of-the-box thinking from ...5 hours ago
- ‘Reports of concern’ rose 60 percent after Govt cut child safety contracts
Children’s Minister Karen Chhour is defending higher reporting of possible harm against children in the months after her cost-cutting directives led to Oranga Tamariki dropping community agencies. The 11th-hour withdrawal of contracts a year ago, with only hours of notice over Matariki weekend, left the agencies having to try to ...5 hours ago
- Incorrect claims overstate Regulatory Standards Bill’s effects
The Regulatory Standards Bill does not allow companies to sue govt for policies that affect their profits The post Incorrect claims overstate Regulatory Standards Bill’s effects appeared first on Newsroom. ...5 hours ago
- Cosmetic brands expect sales boom as China drops animal testing requirement
New scheme for cosmetics producers will break down trade barriers created by a mismatch in animal-testing regulation The post Cosmetic brands expect sales boom as China drops animal testing requirement appeared first on Newsroom. ...5 hours ago
- Book of the Week: Women and chickens first
There’s an interesting cultural trend in this country where city dwellers yearn for country life. A place where your neighbour is acres away, you can have animals of all shapes and sizes, you can return to the rural life of your ancestors and you can cuddle up and be cosy. ...5 hours ago
- An Ombudsman who wants to coach, not just referee
The new watchdow Chief Ombudsman doesn’t want stiffer penalties for agencies who break the law The post An Ombudsman who wants to coach, not just referee appeared first on Newsroom. ...5 hours ago
- How school multiplies inequalities in maths
Analysis: The headline of an article in pre-eminent science journal Nature says it all: ‘Rapid emergence of a maths gender gap in first grade.’ The study makes for disturbing reading. Based on longitudinal data from schoolchildren in France it reports that boys and girls begin their schooling on an equal ...5 hours ago
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images While the world’s media is largely focused on conflict in the Middle East, the focus for many Australians remains at home, with the government preparing the long task ahead ...11 hours ago
- Police Minister blames Labour government for police recruit exemptions
Police Minister's office says the use of discretion over recruits who had not passed a literacy test was introduced in 2018 under the Labour government. ...13 hours ago
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