Video: 12 Flip Flops from Mr Key

Written By: - Date published: 4:25 pm, October 17th, 2008 - 33 comments
Categories: humour, maori party, youtube - Tags:

National policy on Maori seats (2007): “The Caucus today confirmed that the Maori seats will be abolished, which we anticipate will take place around the time of settlement of historic Treaty claims,” says National Party Leader John Key.

National policy on Maori seats (Sept 2008); “National wants to scrap the Maori seats in Parliament once all historical Treaty settlements are sorted.”

National policy now: Key told the Maori Party he was prepared to drop a policy to abolish the Maori seats in Parliament. “They’ve raised it with us on numerous occasions and I’ve made it quite clear to them it’s not a bottom line for us,” he told reporters on the campaign trail in Dunedin.

And then I spotted this video on some of those other issues he has flip flopped over….

33 comments on “Video: 12 Flip Flops from Mr Key ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Ben R 1
    17 October 2008 at 4:40 pm

    I think it’s a bit of a giveaway that they aren’t that committed to it when they say they won’t do it until claims are sorted. If it was that essential why not just do it right away?

  2. Rex Widerstrom 2
    17 October 2008 at 4:45 pm

    Well when I complain about a lack of adherence to principle by almost every party on almost every issue some smug twit inevitably pops up to tell me “it’s called MMP”.

    Indeed it is. An if we’re sick and tired of ethical standards being re-written almost daily to accommodate politicians’ and their “power at any price” mindset, we need to re-examine the system.

    The only point this flip flop has in its favour is that it’s been negotiated and announced ahead of the election.

    I wish every minor party would put it’s non-negotiable policies on the table and each major party would say which they’re going to cave into before we cast a vote.

    Winston, for instance, could tell us whether the limo, the staff and the salary would be enough or whether his demands will be even more outrageous. I’m betting they would be. We already have Key’s answer, we’re still awaiting Clark’s.

  3. Tony Norriss 3
    17 October 2008 at 5:29 pm

    All this is pretty immaterial compared to other breaking news.

    Anyone listen to Larry Williams just after 5?

  4. gobsmacked 4
    17 October 2008 at 5:49 pm

    Anyone noticed how the government is brought down every time Wishart strikes? No? But … but … how can that be?

    Poor, sad Tony. Shouldn’t you be going on about Vegas or chicken porn or something?

  5. Tony Norriss 5
    17 October 2008 at 5:52 pm

    But he has a few good hits as well. John Tamihere for instance.

    I think this might be one of his good hits. If he has the documentation to substantiate half of this then it is very serious.

  6. appleboy 6
    17 October 2008 at 5:53 pm

    These right whinging trolls are pathetic – ignore every one of the 12 points without a thought… they’d still support key if he led a bunch of neo liberal maniacs bent on abolishing MMP and dragging NZ into a user pays privatised society dominated by dorks……whoops…

  7. Akldnut 7
    17 October 2008 at 5:56 pm

    Rex: re NZ 1st “We already have Key’s answer,”

    Which we know was a flip flop in itself as I posted the 2-3 days ago

    Key telling Paul Henry he can’t rule out a coalition with NZ 1st
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmtklPQn-yQ&NR=1

    Then the FLIP FLOP

    4:00AM Saturday Oct 11, 2008
    By Paula Oliver NZ Herald
    Q&A with National Party leader John Key

    Oliver Q: “You have said you will not work with Winston Peters. Does that mean no deal with New Zealand First under any circumstances’?

    John Key A: Yes!</b.
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10536831&pnum=0

  8. Tony Norriss 8
    17 October 2008 at 6:03 pm

    At least National does not give special favours to rich crooks who want to gain citizenship to New Zealand despite advice to the contrary and very serious concerns from Internal Affairs.

  9. Positive and ambitious 9
    17 October 2008 at 6:21 pm

    Key’s economic experience seems limited to being economic with the truth.

  10. Rex Widerstrom 10
    17 October 2008 at 7:18 pm

    Akldnut:

    So, like a lot of people, as Winston’s lies and dissembling became more and more obvious, Key finally got to the point where he found it unpalatable and realised that NZF cannot be trusted on anything, ever, unless too high a price is paid?

    Aside from thinking “Well, duhhhh, it took you that long?” I don’t see the problem.

    We criticise politicians all the time for their arrogance, usually rightly so. Then when they say “I’ve changed my mind” we call it “flip flopping”. So then they change their minds and don’t tell us till after an election.

    I hear the same criticism being made of Clark, so it’s not a malaise unique to the left by any means. But it’s just silly – surely we want the processes of parties working through their relationships with one another and trading off bits of our future to be as open as possible; and for us to be able to indicate ahead of time whether we find it acceptable or not?

    The alternative is closed-door post-election bauble auctions, and we’ve all seen where that leads.

    So long as Clark, Key and the rest of them have sorted out their positions and made it clear by polling day then they’re doing okay, because I’ll be amongst those criticising either of them for any surprises they pull post-election.

  11. burt 11
    17 October 2008 at 7:25 pm

    Dancer

    How about a song, something like – On the 12 days of the election the country gave to me….

  12. the sprout 12
    17 October 2008 at 7:33 pm

    Excellent Dancer

  13. milo 13
    17 October 2008 at 7:59 pm

    I don’t often agree with Rex, but I think he makes some excellent points above. The Standard contributes as much as it can to that whole atmosphere that poisons politicians ability to deliberate. But in your defence you are playing a role in a pre-existing political environment. And you don’t pretend not to be an attack blog (amongst other things).

  14. Pascal's bookie 14
    17 October 2008 at 8:24 pm

    Nah Rex. You’re a good bloke but this stuff is simply the nature of the beast. It’s actually not the Pollies fault.

    We vote for this, if we all voted for Dudley and Darleen do right then we’d have daffodil politics. But we don’t. For a good reason. We don’t trust Dudley or Darleen do right to get the job done against our political opponents.

    The idea that if only our politicians could all just be honest all the time, and reason together, then things would be better ignores the one most salient point of politics.

    There are real disagreements between people, and politics is about deciding who gets to implement their ideas. Given that people not only think that their ideas are right, and moral, but that their opponents ideas would be disastrous, then people are going to do what it takes.

    Given even a fairly narrow view of history, the system we have, WP included, is incredibly honest straightforward and violence free. “What it takes” in NZ amounts to telling a few porkies and a bit of pandering.

    The job of voters, in my view, is to try and get the pollies they agree with into power. The tricky part is working out which one’s are pandering to you and who actually agrees with you.

    Most of the moaning about it (present company excepted of course) is just a form of playing the ref’s. And that’s legitimate too.

  15. Tony Norriss 15
    17 October 2008 at 8:35 pm

    Published on the TIFG website:

    “The Government has just issued a news release confirming an investigation into immigration fraud has begun into the man at the centre of this story…we’ll have a full wrap-up in TGIF EDITION, out later tonight for subscribers”

    Looks like our noble leaders are trying to front foot it. Looks like they are very worried. Fireworks to come I think.

    Before you carry on having a go at JK, remember, “those in glass houses…”

  16. Tony Norriss 16
    17 October 2008 at 9:28 pm

    Here is the link to Barker’s full media release as reported by the NBR.

    http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/minister-reveals-immigration-investigation-36638

    MSM are very interested in this one. Get out the popcorn.

    Remember, its all about TRUST.

  17. dad4justice 17
    17 October 2008 at 9:59 pm

    Things are rather silent over here Clinton and Lyn? I wonder why?
    Labour are finished and will be lucky to get 25% of the vote. Game over girls.

    [actually, we’re just about to hit our biggest week ever, with a day to spare. Which makes me think we wouldn’t miss you, dad. So how about making some worthwhile comments or getting lost? And his name is Lynn. SP]

  18. Roflcopter 18
    17 October 2008 at 10:01 pm

    No point posting Tony, they’ve all gone off to an emergency meeting, 9th floor… didn’t you here the sirens going off?

  19. dad4justice 19
    17 October 2008 at 10:07 pm

    Red alert attention all spin doctors please stop sipping socialist champagne and head to the directors room for briefing asap. What a collection of spittle’s that would be.Yuck.I bet the pill bottles are getting emptied real quick in the smelly Level 9 psych ward.

  20. Roflcopter 20
    17 October 2008 at 10:11 pm

    Hey cool… from my house I just saw NZ’s version of Air Force 1 (you know, the one used for electionee…. oops my bad… government duties) do a u-turn and head back to the airport very quickly.

  21. dad4justice 21
    17 October 2008 at 10:16 pm

    I thought all the Labour spin doctors would fly via broomstick airways?

  22. Paul 22
    17 October 2008 at 10:43 pm

    3 posts and 3 attacks and abuse, none on the topic at hand.

    Yes folks that’s our resident right wing sanctimonious wanker Dad4J. Even if he could argue a point he wouldn’t as his filthy mind is overcome with so much hate and despise. How classy is it to come over here and gloat and spew his vile shite.

    Funny yesterday I picked him up on his lies and crap, guess what he did. He copied his post and went back to Kiwiblog moaning that I’ve been chasing him about the place, yes that’s right folks, the blogosphere equivalent of taking your ball and running back to mummy.

    Try it dad, just for once in your life – Construct a fucking argument! the topic is about Keys flip flops not your dirty little stereotypes of left wing thinking people.

    If you are any indication as to how vindictive the right can be, god help us that you never get anywhere near the corridors of power.

  23. Paul 23
    17 October 2008 at 10:49 pm

    “MSM are very interested in this one. Get out the popcorn”

    Tony – nearly 5 hours since this news broke.

    Stuff – nothing
    Herald – nothing
    ODT – nothing
    Scoop – nothing
    NBR – a story
    Kiwblog – the biggest little stiffie since the last time that dirty little bugger imagined a fantasy and wrote about it.

    If this is your definition of the MSM all over it, I’m hating to think what the Madonna story is in relation.

    hang on Stuff did do an update and at 9:35 there was an armed robbery in Auckland – bugger so close, this could have been it.

    The Herald has also updated with a report on the wellington rugby win.

    the biggest political story of the night is the silly one about “Herald online voters decide which politicians are jokers, killjoys” “Pollsters voted Act leader Rodney Hide as the politician most likely to be the best stand-up comedian”

    I’ve got the popcorn, this is going to be good…

    Does Hide do a good Billy Connely, or will he be more an Eddie Izzard (doubt it – Eddie is intelligent).

  24. ak 24
    17 October 2008 at 11:08 pm

    Tony Norris: Get out the popcorn

    Settle, Tony. Onanistic whip-ups like S59, EFA and Winniebango only work in a policy vacuum. Healthy voters already have their prospective spouses – buzz off and enjoy yourself with the latest copy of Ian’sChick in private, there’s a good chap…..

    Far more interesting is the kite-flying jostle for the RACE favourite: Dunnge Beetle and Winnie have been predictably blatant, and NACT Central is using amateurs like wee Bobbie Jones to feel-out the redneck appetite.

    But could the untrialled Nice Slipper pull off an ultimate flip-flop in the final strait if that’s what it took?

    Put money on it, punters. He’s out of Smiling Snake, by Smiling Assassin, remember. Whateverittatkes Holdings. Stable(andpiss)mate of Spinnerbros and Duncan. A top thoroughbred who shouldn’t disappoint his trainers.

    Careful, Hone. 150 years of pain now crystallised on your mana and three weeks. Softly, softly…….

  25. Rex Widerstrom 25
    17 October 2008 at 11:20 pm

    Pacal’s bookie: Thanks for the kind words 🙂 I kinda think we’re slightly talking past one another, though. Gods forbid we should get 120 Dudley Dorights as our MPs – it’d be a Parliament full of sanctimonious little twerps like Peter Dunne.

    Given that people not only think that their ideas are right, and moral, but that their opponents ideas would be disastrous, then people are going to do what it takes.

    I’m all for a battle of ideas, and a Parliament comprised of people of many ideological hues all fighting for what they believe in. In fact I’m criticising just the opposite – people who don’t really believe much at all, and will just horse trade policy to cobble together a coalition, and who’ll do it behind closed doors.

    If – to cite the example in the main post, but there’s many more – National is going to drop a significant policy like abolition of the Maori seats in order to make themselves more attractive to the Maori Party I’d prefer they’re open about it before we get to vote. Similarly Labour rejected the idea of choking our showers to a trickle yesterday. Not as important, but still nice to know what they consider non-negotiable and good on them for making it clear.

    I agree we’re getting conditioned to think like this but I also feel it’s something we should try to combat (“we” being, in this case, and very loosely, those who know a bit more than the average citizen about politics due to our sad obsession with same). Because no one has a monopoly on good ideas and by shrieking “ideological traitor!” everytime someone broadly identified as left or right dares suggest the other side may just have a point, we’re denying NZ the best possible outcomes in the name of point scoring. That, IMHO, isn’t something we should just accept as inevitable.

  26. burt 26
    17 October 2008 at 11:24 pm

    The NBR has a lovely quote from Rick Barker on investigating the fraud.

    “That may result in a prosecution and/or revocation of residency status.

    I guess it’s the immigrants fault the minister approved their application, when they knew them, when they had information about multiple identities, when they knew he had been recently deported from Australia, when there had been an Interpol arrest warrant for him.

    Let me guess, the minister was only guilty of trying to help people.

  27. gobsmacked 27
    17 October 2008 at 11:34 pm

    Breaking news:

    The Prime Minister has been forced to act, just days before the election! She has fired another Minister! Something to do with dodgy financial dealings and Chinese immigrants! It’s a disgrace! It’s time for a change!

    I’m sure you will all join me in looking forward to a wonderful new Prime Minister, and a better New Zealand …

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/534531.stm

  28. Paul 28
    18 October 2008 at 12:18 am

    Mate that is one of the funniest posts I have ever read.

    Pure genius and stunning serendipity. How did you come across that gem.

    Post of the week goes to you late friday night – do you get a set of golf balls?

    Sorry I am going to have to repost, but I’ll credit you – made my week/

  30. Anita 30
    19 October 2008 at 9:29 am

    This is kinda embarassing, but…

    The music of that damned video is now firmly stuck in my head! Does anyone know the source of the original pinball video (with music) so I can get it?

  31. Ari 31
    20 October 2008 at 10:50 am

    Hey Dancer- can we PLEASE stop using the Right’s favourite term of “flip-flopping?” What’s worrying about Key’s change of stance is not that he changed at all, it’s that he can’t back up the change with any principles.

  32. Dancer 32
    20 October 2008 at 2:17 pm

    Hey Anita I think the music/video is an old Sesame St clip? And is flip-flop really a right wing phrase? I think of it as a sympton of changability (which isn’t a bad thing in itself) but that when you have a host of them you do have to start asking yourself what the core principles are – and if they’ve changed once, what’s to stop them changing back (KiwiSaver springs to mind as an eg of that!)

  33. Lampie 33
    20 October 2008 at 4:49 pm

    At least National does not give special favours to rich crooks who want to gain citizenship to New Zealand despite advice to the contrary and very serious concerns from Internal Affairs.

    so what is a $5000 donation then to the NATs??? Pansy Wrong

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    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago

  • Fucking useless
    Yesterday de facto Prime Minister David Seymour announced that his glove puppet government would be re-introducing charter schools, throwing $150 million at his pet quacks, donors and cronies and introducing an entire new government agency to oversee them (the existing Education Review Office, which actually knows how to review schools, ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago

  • Setting things straight.
    Seeing that, in order to discredit the figures and achieve moral superiority while attempting to deflect attention away from the military assault on Rafa, Israel supporters in NZ have seized on reports that casualty numbers in Gaza may be inflated … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    2 days ago

  • Far too light a sentence
    David Farrar writes – Newstalk ZB report: The man responsible for a horror hit and run in central Wellington last year was on a suspended licence and was so drunk he later asked police, “Did I kill someone?” Jason Tuitama injured two women when he ran a red ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Unwinding Labour’s Agenda
    Muriel Newman writes –  Former US President Ronald Reagan once said, “Freedom is a fragile thing and it’s never more than one generation away from extinction. It is not ours by way of inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation.” The fight for ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Sequel to “Real reason Waitangi Tribunal could not summons Chhour”
    Why Courts should have said Waitangi Tribunal could not summons Karen Chhour Gary Judd writes – In the High Court, Justice Isacs declined to uphold the witness summons issued by the Waitangi Tribunal to compel Minister for Children, Karen Chhour, to appear before it to be ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • The Govt’s Fast-Track is being demolished by submissions to Parliament
    Bryce Edwards writes –  The number of voices raising concerns about the Government’s Fast-Track Approvals Bill is rapidly growing. This is especially apparent now that Parliament’s select committee is listening to submissions from the public to evaluate the proposed legislation. Twenty-seven thousand submissions have been made to Parliament ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • A generation is leaving at a rate of one A320-load per day
    An average of 166 New Zealand citizens left the country every day during the March quarter, up 54% from a year ago.Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The economy and housing market is sinking into a longer recession through the winter after a slump in business and consumer confidence in ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • NZUP RORS back to life
    The government has made it abundantly clear they’re addicted to the smell of new asphalt. On Tuesday they introduced a new term to the country’s roading lexicon, the Roads of Regional Significance (RoRS), a little brother for the Roads of National (Party) Significance (RoNS). Driving ahead with Roads of Regional ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    2 days ago

  • School Is Out.
    School is outAnd I walk the empty hallwaysI walk aloneAlone as alwaysThere's so many lucky penniesLying on the floorBut where the hell are all the lucky peopleI can't see them any moreYesterday morning, I’d just sent out my newsletter on Tama Potaka, and I was struggling to make the coffee. ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago

  • How Are You Doing?
    Hi,I wanted to check in and ask how you’re doing.This is perhaps a selfish act, of attempting to find others feeling a similar way to me — that is to say, a little hopeless at the moment.Misery loves company, that sort of deal.Some context.I wish I could say I got ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    3 days ago

  • The Rings of Power: Season Two Teaser Trailer
    I have hitherto been fairly quiet on the new season of Rings of Power, on the basis that the underwhelming first season did not exactly build excitement – and the rumours were fairly daft. The only real thing of substance to come out has been that they have re-cast Adar ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    3 days ago

  • At a glance – What ended the Little ice Age?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • Talking Reo with the PM
    “The thing is,” Chris Luxon says, leaning forward to make his point, “this has always been my thing.”“This goes all the way back to the first multinational I worked for. I was saying exactly the same thing back then. The name of our business needs to be more clear; people ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • Waitangi Tribunal’s authority in Chhour case is upheld – but bill’s introduction to Parliament...
    Buzz from the Beehive It’s been a momentous few days for Children’s Minister Karen Chhour.  The Court of Appeal has overturned a High Court decision which blocked a summons order from the Waitangi Tribunal for her. And today she has announced the Government is putting children first by introducing to ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • Australia jails another whistleblower
    In 2014 former Australian army lawyer David McBride leaked classified military documents about Australian war crimes to the ABC. Dubbed "The Afghan Files", the documents led to an explosive report on Australian war crimes, the disbanding of an entire SAS unit, and multiple ongoing prosecutions. The journalist who wrote the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • Some “scrutiny”!
    Back in February I blogged about another secret OIA "consultation" by the Ministry of Justice. This one was on Aotearoa's commitment in its Open Government Partnership Action Plan to "strengthen scrutiny of Official Information Act exemption clauses in legislation" (AKA secrecy clauses). Their consultation paper on the issue focused on ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • TVNZ is loss-making, serves no public service due to bias, and should be liquidated
    Rob MacCulloch writes –  According to the respected Pew Research Centre, “In seven of eight [European] countries surveyed, the most trusted news outlet asked about is the public news organization in each country”. For example, “in Sweden, an overwhelming majority (90%) say they trust the public broadcaster SVT”. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • The conflicted Covid Chair
    David Farrar writes –  Kata MacNamara reports:    Details of Tony Blakely’s involvement in the New Zealand Government’s response to the pandemic raise serious questions about the work of the Covid-19 Royal Commission of Inquiry over which he presides. It has long been clear that Blakely, a ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Attacking the smartest and most resilient people in the room is never a good idea
    Chris Trotter writes – Are you a Brahmin or a Merchant? Or, are you merely one of those whose lives are profoundly influenced by the decisions of Brahmins and Merchants? Those are the questions that are currently shaping the politics of New Zealand and the entire West. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • A fortune-telling failure, surely, if the tarot cards can’t see a bulldozer coming
    RNZ reports –  It’s supposed to be a haven of healing and spiritual awakening but residents of the Kawai Purapura community say they’ve been hurt and deceived. It’s the successor to the former Centrepoint commune, and has been on the bush block opposite Albany shopping centre since 2008. It ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • The climate battleground heats up
    TL;DR : Here’s the top six items climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, as selected by Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer. Usually we have a video chat to go with this wrap, but were unable to do one this week. We’ll be back next week.Several reports ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Bernard’ s Dawn Chorus & Pick ‘n’ Mix for Tuesday, May 14
    The Transport Minister has set a hard 'fiscal envelope' of $6.54 billion for transport capital spending. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The economy is settling into a state of suspended animation as the Government’s funding freezes and job cuts chill confidence and combine with stubbornly high interest rates to ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on why anti-Zionism is not anti-Semitic
    To be precise, the term “anti- Zionism” refers to (a) criticism of the political movement that created a modern Jewish state on the historical land of Israel, and to (b)the subjugation of Palestinians by the Israeli state. By contrast, the term “anti-Semitism” means bigotry and racism directed at Jewish people, ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    3 days ago

  • Climate change is making hurricanes more destructive
    This is a re-post from the Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler Because hurricanes are one of the big-ticket weather disasters that humanity has to face, climate misinformers spend a lot of effort muddying the waters on whether climate change is making hurricanes more damaging. With the official start to the hurricane ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • Wayne Brown’s PT Plan
    Yesterday the Mayor released what he calls his “plan to save public transport” which is part of his final proposal for the Council’s Long Term Plan (LTP). This comes following consultation on the draft version that occurred in March which showed, once again, that people want more done on transport, especially ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    3 days ago

  • Potaka's Private Universe.
    And it's a pleasure that I have knownAnd it's a treasure that I have gainedAotearoa’s coalition government is fragile. It’s held together by the obsequious sycophancy of Christopher Luxon, who willingly contorts his party into the fringe positions of his junior coalition partners and is unwilling to contradict them. The ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • Our slow regional councils
    The Select Committee hearing submissions on the fast-track consenting legislation is starting to become a beat-up of regional councils. The inflexibility and slow workings of the Councils were prominent in two submissions yesterday. One, from the Coromandel Marine Farmers Association, simply said that the Waikato Regional Council’s planning decisions were ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago

  • Ministers are not above the law after all
    Back in April, the High Court surprised everyone by ruling that Ministers are above the law, at least as far as the Waitangi Tribunal is concerned. The reason for this ruling was "comity" - the idea that the different branches of government shouldn't interfere with each other's functions. Which makes ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago

  • NZTA takes the wheel after govt gives it the road map for regional roads (and puts a speed governor ...
    Buzz from the Beehive  Tolling was mentioned when Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced the government was re-introducing the Roads of National Significance (RoNS) programme, with 15 “crucial” projects to support economic growth and regional development across New Zealand. All RoNS would be four-laned, grade-separated highways, and all funding, financing, and ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • Change in Catalonia?
    or the past 14 years, ever since the Spanish government cheated on an autonomy deal, Catalonia has reliably given pro-independence parties a majority of seats in their regional parliament. But now that seems to be over. Catalans went to the polls yesterday, and stripped the Catalan parties of their majority. ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago

  • Having an enrolment date is not depriving anyone of a vote
    David Farrar writes –  Radio NZ report: Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins said the Electoral Commission should make sure the system ran smoothly and “taking away the right of thousands of people to vote” was not the answer. “Thousands of people enroled and voted on the day. If ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Perhaps house prices don’t always go up
    Don Brash writes –  There was a rather revealing headline in the Herald on Sunday today (12 May). It read “One in 8 Auckland homes on market were bought during boom, may now sell for loss”. The first line of text noted that “New data shows one in ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Can’t read, can’t write, can’t comprehend – and won’t think…?
    Mike Grimshaw writes –  At a time when universities are understandably nervous regarding the establishment of the University Advisory Group (UAG) and the Science System Advisory Group (SSAG) it may seem strange – or even fool-hardy – to state that there are long-standing issues in the tertiary sector ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Time for some perspective
    Lindsay Mitchell writes –  A lack of perspective can make something quite large or important seem small or irrelevant. Against a backdrop of high-profile, negative statistics it is easy to overlook the positive. For instance, the fact that 64 percent of Maori are employed is rarely reported. For ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Will NZ Herald’s ‘poor journalism’ cost lives?
    Earlier this year, the Herald ran a series of articles amounting to a sustained campaign against raised pedestrian crossings, by reporter Bernard Orsman. A key part of that campaign concerned the raised crossings being installed as part of the Pt Chevalier to Westmere project, with at least 10 articles over ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    4 days ago

  • The Kaka’s diary for the week to May 19 and beyond
    TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to May 19 include:PM Christopher Luxon is expected to hold his weekly post-cabinet news conference at 4:00pm on Monday.Parliament is not sitting this week. It resumes next week for a two-week sitting session up to and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • Webworm Popup Photos!
    Hi,Thanks to all the beautiful Worms who came to the LA Webworm popup on Saturday.It was a way to celebrate the online store we launched last week — and it was super special.As I talk about a lot, I really value our community here — and it was a BLAST ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    5 days ago

  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #19
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, May 5, 2024 thru Sat, May 11, 2024. (Unfortunate) Story of the week "Grief that stops at despair is an ending that I and many others, most notably ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • The Gods Must Be Woke.
    Last night the largest solar storm in decades resulted in Aurorae being seen across Aotearoa, causing many to ask why?Why was the sky pink? What was all this stuff about the power grid? Have we, as so many have wondered since the election, reached the end of days?I had a ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • DJ Fred Again – Assurance report received
    "On the 27th of March, I sought assurances from the Chief Executive, Department of Internal Affairs, that the Department’s correct processes and policies had been followed in regards to a passport application which received media attention,” says Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden.  “I raised my concerns after being ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 hours ago

  • District Court Judges appointed
    Attorney-General Judith Collins has announced the appointment of three new District Court Judges, to replace Judges who have recently retired. Peter James Davey of Auckland has been appointed a District Court Judge with a jury jurisdiction to be based at Whangarei. Mr Davey initially started work as a law clerk/solicitor with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 hours ago

  • Unions should put learning ahead of ideology
    Associate Education Minister David Seymour is calling on the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) to put ideology to the side and focus on students’ learning, in reaction to the union holding paid teacher meetings across New Zealand about charter schools.     “The PPTA is disrupting schools up and down the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 hours ago

  • Craig Stobo appointed as chair of FMA
    Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly today announced the appointment of Craig Stobo as the new chair of the Financial Markets Authority (FMA). Mr Stobo takes over from Mark Todd, whose term expired at the end of April. Mr Stobo’s appointment is for a five-year term. “The FMA plays ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 hours ago

  • Budget 2024 invests in lifeguards and coastguard
    Surf Life Saving New Zealand and Coastguard New Zealand will continue to be able to keep people safe in, on, and around the water following a funding boost of $63.644 million over four years, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Transport Minister Matt Doocey say. “Heading to the beach for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    9 hours ago

  • New Zealand and Tuvalu reaffirm close relationship
    New Zealand and Tuvalu have reaffirmed their close relationship, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says.  “New Zealand is committed to working with Tuvalu on a shared vision of resilience, prosperity and security, in close concert with Australia,” says Mr Peters, who last visited Tuvalu in 2019.  “It is my pleasure ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • New Zealand calls for calm, constructive dialogue in New Caledonia
    New Zealand is gravely concerned about the situation in New Caledonia, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.  “The escalating situation and violent protests in Nouméa are of serious concern across the Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says.  “The immediate priority must be for all sides to take steps to de-escalate the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • New Zealand welcomes Samoa Head of State
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon met today with Samoa’s O le Ao o le Malo, Afioga Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II, who is making a State Visit to New Zealand. “His Highness and I reflected on our two countries’ extensive community links, with Samoan–New Zealanders contributing to all areas of our national ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Island Direct eligible for SuperGold Card funding
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has announced that he has approved Waiheke Island ferry operator Island Direct to be eligible for SuperGold Card funding, paving the way for a commercial agreement to bring the operator into the scheme. “Island Direct started operating in November 2023, offering an additional option for people ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Further sanctions against Russia
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters today announced further sanctions on 28 individuals and 14 entities providing military and strategic support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.  “Russia is directly supported by its military-industrial complex in its illegal aggression against Ukraine, attacking its sovereignty and territorial integrity. New Zealand condemns all entities and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • One year on from Loafers Lodge
    A year on from the tragedy at Loafers Lodge, the Government is working hard to improve building fire safety, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “I want to share my sincere condolences with the families and friends of the victims on the anniversary of the tragic fire at Loafers ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Pre-Budget speech to Auckland Business Chamber
    Ka nui te mihi kia koutou. Kia ora and good afternoon, everyone. Thank you so much for having me here in the lead up to my Government’s first Budget. Before I get started can I acknowledge: Simon Bridges – Auckland Business Chamber CEO. Steve Jurkovich – Kiwibank CEO. Kids born ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • New Zealand and Vanuatu to deepen collaboration
    New Zealand and Vanuatu will enhance collaboration on issues of mutual interest, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “It is important to return to Port Vila this week with a broad, high-level political delegation which demonstrates our deep commitment to New Zealand’s relationship with Vanuatu,” Mr Peters says.    “This ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Penk travels to Peru for trade meetings
    Minister for Land Information, Chris Penk will travel to Peru this week to represent New Zealand at a meeting of trade ministers from the Asia-Pacific region on behalf of Trade Minister Todd McClay. The annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade meeting will be held on 17-18 May ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Minister attends global education conferences
    Minister of Education Erica Stanford will head to the United Kingdom this week to participate in the 22nd Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers (CCEM) and the 2024 Education World Forum (EWF). “I am looking forward to sharing this Government’s education priorities, such as introducing a knowledge-rich curriculum, implementing an evidence-based ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Education Minister thanks outgoing NZQA Chair
    Minister of Education Erica Stanford has today thanked outgoing New Zealand Qualifications Authority Chair, Hon Tracey Martin. “Tracey Martin tendered her resignation late last month in order to take up a new role,” Ms Stanford says. Ms Martin will relinquish the role of Chair on 10 May and current Deputy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Joint statement of Christopher Luxon and Emmanuel Macron: Launch of the Christchurch Call Foundation
    New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and President Emmanuel Macron of France today announced a new non-governmental organisation, the Christchurch Call Foundation, to coordinate the Christchurch Call’s work to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online.   This change gives effect to the outcomes of the November 2023 Call Leaders’ Summit, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Panel announced for review into disability services
    Distinguished public servant and former diplomat Sir Maarten Wevers will lead the independent review into the disability support services administered by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. The review was announced by Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston a fortnight ago to examine what could be done to strengthen the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Minister welcomes Police gang unit
    Today’s announcement by Police Commissioner Andrew Coster of a National Gang Unit and district Gang Disruption Units will help deliver on the coalition Government’s pledge to restore law and order and crack down on criminal gangs, Police Minister Mark Mitchell says. “The National Gang Unit and Gang Disruption Units will ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • New Zealand expresses regret at North Korea’s aggressive rhetoric
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today expressed regret at North Korea’s aggressive rhetoric towards New Zealand and its international partners.  “New Zealand proudly stands with the international community in upholding the rules-based order through its monitoring and surveillance deployments, which it has been regularly doing alongside partners since 2018,” Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • New Chief of Defence Force appointed
    Air Vice-Marshal Tony Davies MNZM is the new Chief of Defence Force, Defence Minister Judith Collins announced today. The Chief of Defence Force commands the Navy, Army and Air Force and is the principal military advisor to the Defence Minister and other Ministers with relevant portfolio responsibilities in the defence ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Government puts children first by repealing 7AA
    Legislation to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act has been introduced to Parliament. The Bill’s introduction reaffirms the Coalition Government’s commitment to the safety of children in care, says Minister for Children, Karen Chhour. “While section 7AA was introduced with good intentions, it creates a conflict for Oranga ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Defence Minister to meet counterparts in UK, Italy
    Defence Minister Judith Collins will this week travel to the UK and Italy to meet with her defence counterparts, and to attend Battles of Cassino commemorations. “I am humbled to be able to represent the New Zealand Government in Italy at the commemorations for the 80th anniversary of what was ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Charter schools to lift educational outcomes
    The upcoming Budget will include funding for up to 50 charter schools to help lift declining educational performance, Associate Education Minister David Seymour announced today. $153 million in new funding will be provided over four years to establish and operate up to 15 new charter schools and convert 35 state ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • COVID-19 Inquiry terms of reference consultation results received
    “The results of the public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has now been received, with results indicating over 13,000 submissions were made from members of the public,” Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says. “We heard feedback about the extended lockdowns in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • The Pacific family of nations – the changing security outlook
    Foreign Minister, Defence Minister, other Members of Parliament Acting Chief of Defence Force, Secretary of Defence Distinguished Guests  Defence and Diplomatic Colleagues  Ladies and Gentlemen,  Good afternoon, tēna koutou, apinun tru    It’s a pleasure to be back in Port Moresby today, and to speak here at the Kumul Leadership ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • NZ and Papua New Guinea to work more closely together
    Health, infrastructure, renewable energy, and stability are among the themes of the current visit to Papua New Guinea by a New Zealand political delegation, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Papua New Guinea carries serious weight in the Pacific, and New Zealand deeply values our relationship with it,” Mr Peters ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Driving ahead with Roads of Regional Significance
    The coalition Government is launching Roads of Regional Significance to sit alongside Roads of National Significance as part of its plan to deliver priority roading projects across the country, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “The Roads of National Significance (RoNS) built by the previous National Government are some of New Zealand’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • New Zealand congratulates new Solomon Islands government
    A high-level New Zealand political delegation in Honiara today congratulated the new Government of Solomon Islands, led by Jeremiah Manele, on taking office.    “We are privileged to meet the new Prime Minister and members of his Cabinet during his government’s first ten days in office,” Deputy Prime Minister and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • New Zealand supports UN Palestine resolution
    New Zealand voted in favour of a resolution broadening Palestine’s participation at the United Nations General Assembly overnight, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The resolution enhances the rights of Palestine to participate in the work of the UN General Assembly while stopping short of admitting Palestine as a full ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Speech to the 2024 Infrastructure Symposium
    Introduction Good morning. It’s a great privilege to be here at the 2024 Infrastructure Symposium. I was extremely happy when the Prime Minister asked me to be his Minister for Infrastructure. It is one of the great barriers holding the New Zealand economy back from achieving its potential. Building high ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • $571 million for Defence pay and projects
    Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced the upcoming Budget will include new funding of $571 million for Defence Force pay and projects. “Our servicemen and women do New Zealand proud throughout the world and this funding will help ensure we retain their services and expertise as we navigate an increasingly ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Climate change – mitigating the risks and costs
    New Zealand’s ability to cope with climate change will be strengthened as part of the Government’s focus to build resilience as we rebuild the economy, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “An enduring and long-term approach is needed to provide New Zealanders and the economy with certainty as the climate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Getting new job seekers on the pathway to work
    Jobseeker beneficiaries who have work obligations must now meet with MSD within two weeks of their benefit starting to determine their next step towards finding a job, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “A key part of the coalition Government’s plan to have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Accelerating Social Investment
    A new standalone Social Investment Agency will power-up the social investment approach, driving positive change for our most vulnerable New Zealanders, Social Investment Minister Nicola Willis says.  “Despite the Government currently investing more than $70 billion every year into social services, we are not seeing the outcomes we want for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Getting Back on Track
    Check against delivery Good morning. It is a pleasure to be with you to outline the Coalition Government’s approach to our first Budget. Thank you Mark Skelly, President of the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, together with  your Board and team, for hosting me.   I’d like to acknowledge His Worship ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • NZ – European Union ties more critical than ever
    Your Excellency Ambassador Meredith,   Members of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassadors from European Union Member States,   Ministerial colleagues, Members of Parliament, and other distinguished guests, Thank you everyone for joining us.   Ladies and gentlemen -    In diplomacy, we often speak of ‘close’ and ‘long-standing’ relations.   ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Therapeutic Products Act to be repealed
    The Therapeutic Products Act (TPA) will be repealed this year so that a better regime can be put in place to provide New Zealanders safe and timely access to medicines, medical devices and health products, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello announced today. “The medicines and products we are talking about ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Decisions on Wellington City Council’s District Plan
    The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop, today released his decision on twenty recommendations referred to him by the Wellington City Council relating to its Intensification Planning Instrument, after the Council rejected those recommendations of the Independent Hearings Panel and made alternative recommendations. “Wellington notified its District Plan on ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Rape Awareness Week: Government committed to action on sexual violence
    Rape Awareness Week (6-10 May) is an important opportunity to acknowledge the continued effort required by government and communities to ensure that all New Zealanders can live free from violence, say Ministers Karen Chhour and Louise Upston.  “With 1 in 3 women and 1 in 8 men experiencing sexual violence ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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