South Island quake

Written By: - Date published: 12:30 am, November 14th, 2016 - 115 comments
Categories: christchurch earthquake, disaster - Tags:

[As of 7:50am standing down from “live” updates – plenty of coverage in the media now (RNZ was brilliant right from the start), over and out]

Felt all over the country. Hope everyone is OK – especially Christchurch.

Now turning in to a system of quakes

Reports of bad damage in Cheviot and Kaikoura. A rail bridge at ferry terminal down in Wellington. Power outages. Now sounding like widespread and significant damage. Casualties likely in Kaikoura and possible elsewhere.

BE CAREFUL ON ROADS. Sections of South Island SH1 and SH7 closed.

Beach and shore warning (original major Tsunami warning is over).

Wellington recommends avoid CBD today (all trains cancelled).

Schools from North Canterbury to Wellington are closed.

Scholarship exams today are postponed, NCEA exams proceeding where possible (and “derived grades” elsewhere) – official link.

RNZ is doing excellent work, broadcast and online:
Earthquake: What you need to know
LIVE: Tsunami threat after earthquake rocks country

Ahh – The Herald has woken up and now has plenty of useful info.

And just for kicks – bad weather is predicted through the affected regions.

Geonet.

#eqnz

https://twitter.com/NaomiArnold/status/797875676288139264

https://twitter.com/viralpoet/status/797880825710657537

https://twitter.com/RobJStewartNZ/status/797889626530664448


Update midday – Two people have died, one in Kaikoura and one in Mount Lyford.

115 comments on “South Island quake ”

  1. Lanthanide 1

    Geonet is showing a lot of phantom quakes, thanks to their new Geonet Rapid system.

    So far there seem to have been the first quake +3 aftershocks that I’ve felt, but geonet is showing upwards of a dozen, with many showing in the north island that I’m sure aren’t happening.

    • joe90 1.1

      Reported quakes in Waverly, Taupo, Taranaki and Taihape yet we’ve felt nothing here in Whanagnui.

      • Lanthanide 1.1.1

        Thanks, that confirms my theory. A 4.2M quake was shown 95km west of Auckland, which is just not credible.

        http://www.geonet.org.nz/quakes/region/newzealand/2016p858034

        GNS duty seismologist on RNZ has just said that many of these quakes are ghost quakes.

        • save nz 1.1.1.1

          Felt small tremor just after 12am in Auckland so the west Auckland Quakes recorded are credible.

          Feel for everyone affected.

          Unbelievable there were so many Quakes around the country and that one was 7.8 – stay safe.

        • Molly 1.1.1.2

          Was awake when the quake happened off the West Coast of Auckland talking with a visiting friend, and noticed the lights swinging. So that is not a recorded ghost.

          • Lanthanide 1.1.1.2.1

            It’s since been marked as Deleted by GNS because it was a ghost quake.

            You may have felt a quake around that time, but that doesn’t mean it was located where GNS pinpointed that one to.

    • Lanthanide 1.2

      I’m going back to bed.

  2. mauī 3

    There’s at least a chance Donald Trump is currently boring a tunnel underneath New Zealand just to piss people off.

  3. weka 4

    RNZ report the tsunami warning from Civil Defense, and they’re saying to take it seriously. This is an hour after the quake. How many people have gone back to bed? Are the aftershocks big enough to keep people awake? Just wondering if I should start phoning people.

    No info on what high ground means, or how soon a tidal wave might arrive.

    RNZ just said this,

    3km from coast, higher ground.

    2km from coast, onto a hill.

    • weka 4.1

      am getting cell phones going straight to answerph. Are there issues with the networks?

      • joe90 4.1.1

        Most likely volume of traffic.

      • Rosemary McDonald 4.1.2

        Natrad, RNZ doing an excellent job…have been all over this since the first quake.

        Personally, if I lived by the coast in an area under tsunami warning I’d be in a state of preparedness.

        Better safe than sorry.

        2m tsunami at Kaikoura, strange tidal movements around Wellington.

    • Lanthanide 4.2

      The tsunami warning is due to this aftershock: http://www.geonet.org.nz/quakes/region/newzealand/2016p858074

      Personally I don’t think it’ll amount to anything; it’s just not big enough. Also, a quake in water doesn’t mean a tsunami – it depends on the fault action as to whether/how the seabed is moved.

      Right, now I’m *really* going to bed.

    • mauī 4.3

      Newstalk zb just said the kaikoura tsunami station recorded a swell up to 1 metre. Civil Defence has put out a warning.

  4. Rosemary McDonald 5

    Felt strong enough to wake us up here west of Hamilton.

    Scary part was the water in the full underground tanks sloshing around for a good five minutes once the shaking stopped.

    111 system down throughout the country.

    Be safe everyone.

  5. weka 6

    Reports of damage coming in. A rail bridge for loading at one of the ferry ports (Picton? Welly?) has collapsed. Burst pipes. Glass damage. Cracked roads (Kaikoura?)

  6. Poission 7

    Radio nz reporting rail bridge at interislander collapsed at wellington

  7. Ovid 8

    RNZ is doing amazing work. Didn’t feel any shakes in Dunedin.

    • Invisible Axe 8.1

      We did in South Dunedin, went for at least a minute, possibly near 2 minutes, just went on & on, was a mild rumble rolling earthquake, I have felt 100s in my lifetime but this was one of the weirdest. Tomahawk & Brighton all evacuated, but not us in South D.

  8. Lanthanide 9

    Now the EQC merry go round will be starting back up again.

    Presumably this’ll kill the tax cuts, I believe the government has to pay for the first $1.5b in damages before the reinsurance kicks in

    • Depends how big the residential bill is. If it’s relatively small it might simply come out of the NDF. (which you pay indirectly for by buying private insurance) All the damage to commercial buildings and property is covered by private insurance, not by EQC, so the Wellington CBD and similar damage won’t be covered.

      If it’s large enough to empty out the National Disaster Fund again (and I think it’s still pretty empty at the moment compared to the billions it had before the Christchurch events…) then yeah, the government would probably have to top up EQC, at which stage, goodbye surplus once again.

  9. weka 10

    Tsunami warning now extended to east coast of NI (RNZ).

    • weka 10.1

      Civil Defence says people on the east coast of both the North and South Island should move to higher ground immediately, as a tsunami was generated by a 6.6 magnitude earthquake at midnight.

      It describes it as possibly destructive.

      Civil defence says the first wave has arrived in the North Eastern Coast of the South Island and may hit the North Island shortly.

      It says the first wave may not be the largest and and waves may continue for several hours.

      It says people in all eastern coastal areas should stay out of the water, and off beaches, and listen to the radio or TV for updates.

      Meanwhile, the police have confirmed the 111 system is now back up and running.

      Live updates on RNZ http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/318002/live-tsunami-threat-after-earthquake-rocks-country

  10. Lanthanide 11

    Original quake has been upgraded to 7.5 magnitude

  11. Ovid 12

    The Wellington buoy is starting to see some activity. And Christchurch, for that matter.

    http://images.geonet.org.nz/tsunami/plots/latest/detide.png

  12. weka 13

    WREMO ‏@WREMOinfo 11m11 minutes ago
    This is complex series of quakes on land and sea making it difficult to assess. We’ll keep you posted as info comes in #eqnz

  13. mauī 14

    From listening to the radio tsunami sirens at New Brighton and some in Wellington went off about 2 hours after the initial quake. That seems way too late for people to react if it is life threatening. Both areas are experiencing heavy traffic as well as people get away. Also upgrading the magnitude from a 6.6 to 7.5 hours after the quake is not great for communicating the seriousness of the quake.

  14. Manuka AOR 15

    They’re evacuating people in Dunedin apparently – CV – Let us know when/ if you’re okay? Report said they’re driving around with loudspeakers to get people out.

    (I slept through this one.)

  15. Manuka AOR 16

    Outside, dogs are howling in the distance – some are barking, some are howling like wolves – weird sound that I have rarely heard. All the other animals and birds are silent.

  16. Manuka AOR 18

    Here are the Tsunami Evacuation Zones, with maps:
    http://www.getprepared.org.nz/tsunami-zone-maps

    Includes parts of Wellington City, Lower Hutt, Porirua, Wairarapa, Kapiti

  17. Cinny 19

    Last night was terrifying, was like the quake wouldn’t stop, woke us all up, huddled under beds waiting for it to stop. Kids ended up sleeping with me, listening to the wireless while the aftershocks carried on. We are in Motueka, was waiting for the house to fall down around us, really scary.

    Our place and the houses surrounding are on bore water, the water coming out of the tap this morning is brown. Bottled water for us today.

    Thinking of all kiwis, stay safe and please check on your neighbours, especially the elderly, whom may be scared after last night and need some reassurance, even if there is no damage in your area. Maybe while checking on the neighbours, let them know if anything like that happens again you will be there for them. I worry about the oldies, especially those living alone.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/86416547/cheviot-earthquake-what-you-need-to-know

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/86416880/cheviot-earthquake-tracing-the-source-of-the-quake

    • Draco T Bastard 19.1

      Our place and the houses surrounding are on bore water, the water coming out of the tap this morning is brown. Bottled water for us today.

      Looks like rain today and over the next week for you so set up some sort of catchment system and you should be right.

      • Cinny 19.1.1

        Good thinking, thanks.

        Just sent the kids around the oldies in the houses next door with some bottled water incase they need a cuppa.

  18. lprent 20

    Had a peaceful sleep in Auckland. Just woke up to read about it on bbc world. Feels kind of weird.

    r0b: Good work getting this post up. Are your folks OK.

  19. Lanthanide 21

    It seems like it was much worse in Wellington than it was Christchurch. GNS say it was a complex event, with an initial 7m event, followed by a 100s quake consistent with a 7.9m – USGS has had it pegged at 7.8m since it struck.

    GNS are investigating the length of the rupture, and think that it may have extended up into cooks straight.

  20. swordfish 22

    Hope everyone’s OK. We’re just about to head to Heathrow for return to Wellington after 2 months in the UK.

    Freaking Hell !!!

  21. Ad 23

    WEll done Rob excellent work and appreciate your vigilance.

  22. Carolyn_nth 24

    Hope all are OK.

    Woke a little while ago and checked my email. An email from a friend in the UK just had a subject line saying it sounds awful & asks if I’m OK. Moved it to junk mail folder as I hadn’t emailed her that I had any problems.

    Then checked the news. Retrieved the email from junk folder.

    • dukeofurl 24.1

      Movin emails like that to junk folder may mean the sender will get all emails automatically to junk. Junk folder can work differently to other folders ( depends on software you are using)

  23. Cinny 25

    TVNZ appear to have rather comprehensive coverage this morning. Crikey there are some massive slips covering the coastal highway in Kaikoura, heaps of aftershocks.

    Experts saying it was a ‘complex’ quake.

    https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/live-stream-breakfast-q15155

    • greywarshark 25.1

      Hope all are coping. Thanks Rob for setting up post. Amazing shot of the cliff tumble down at Kaikoura. Thanks for getting the image and thanks for putting it up. It will be the example of the damage to the countryside that we have received. Comment by Radionz reporter that it was lucky not in daytime Wellington as much glass on the ground. Just a shard would slice and dice you.

      There was some pseudo on Radionz rabbiting on this morning as if he had something worthwhile to say. Actually he did and he said people to help each other, and wanted us to behave as if society exists! Right on John, that’s what we must do, pity it didn’t include you and your robber mates. (Jto look responsible and then only oke about a bum signwriter who painted business sign over car yard – Used Johns from Honest Car). This is how NZ is to be under National, coping with our own disasters, while the richies drop in bits of aid and then only when supplicated and then distance themselves to their places of retreat which only they know.

      Kia kaha Pike River women. I hope you on your brave and lonely vigil and your supporters are all right. And keep warm the climate change weather syndrome is bringing more rain than we can handle. Watch out that you don’t get blocked in by slips. It may be wise to sojourn in a safe place for a short time, regroup and plan further action,.

      • Manuka AOR 25.1.1

        Kia kaha Pike River women. I hope you on your brave and lonely vigil and your supporters are all right.

        Yes, the thoughts of many are with you.

      • Wayne 25.1.2

        greywarshark,

        In the circumstances your comment is too political.

        From direct experience, the whole of government rallies around in an event like this. The Civil Defence HQ in the basement of the Beehive will be in full operation. All of the resources of the state will be mobilised, and contractors with heavy machinery will be getting stuck in.

        There will be a massive effort put into opening the roads and rail links, and supporting people in need.

        All sorts of people will be putting in long hours, from the PM, key Ministers, departmental heads through to the privates in the NZ Army or the drivers of heavy machinery and Red Cross workers delivering meals.

        New Zealand is pretty capable in dealing with these events, and our capability has improved as a result of the earthquakes in Christchurch.

        • pat 25.1.2.1

          “New Zealand is pretty capable in dealing with these events, and our capability has improved as a result of the earthquakes in Christchurch.”

          now that we’ve come to an arrangement with the reinsurers…..lets hope EQC/EQR have learned the lesson of 10,000 plus re (and in many cases re) repairs 6 years on.

        • greywarshark 25.1.2.2

          @Wayne
          Everything in life is political (of or relating to the government or public affairs of a country) – that is off google. But when the private life of the people suffers from government interfering, as in most of the time with street cameras or phone tapping or infiltrating to monitor someone’s life or demanding private details from anybody connected to the person, then I claim that everything is up for grabs by gummint.

          My comment was particularly sharp when talking about Jonkey – it wasn’t a comment critiquing all the aid that goes in when under the spotlight. But I said This is how NZ is to be under National, coping with our own disasters, while the richies drop in bits of aid and then only when supplicated and then distance themselves to their places of retreat which only they know.

          That comment still stands. The aid is in the process of being dropped in at present. Then the Budget will start to resonate and balanced against that will be the preparation for next year’s election. Then the fine political tuning will really come into play.

        • mauī 25.1.2.3

          Perfect time to make the tough calls and can the uneconomic roads of national significance don’t you reckon? Get back to repairing the road (SH1) and rail links that our economy actually depends on.

          • Wayne 25.1.2.3.1

            I am pretty sure that the repairs will be focussed on reinforcing this link. In practical terms it is a road of national significance.

            This event also reinforces why Transmission Gully is going ahead. To give the capital more resilience on the main access. Probably something similar is required for the vulnerable links near Kaikoura. No doubt quite an engineering challenge to design a practical alternative.

            • One Anonymous Bloke 25.1.2.3.1.1

              …not to mention the issue of finding a National Party donor to enrich in the process.

            • mauī 25.1.2.3.1.2

              Last I heard Transmission gully had 20 or so bridge crossings (some quite large) and looking at some of the elevation changes its going to have its own trouble with slips. If a big one hits money is going to have to be split between fixing the now 3 routes into-out of Wellington. That doesnt seem rational, building surplus infrastructure that doesn’t fix your access problem and stretches what’s left in the kitty even more so.

        • One Anonymous Bloke 25.1.2.4

          The solution is to defund mental health services to pay for more roads. The market will provide, and when it doesn’t you can deny the problem far more easily.

  24. Hope everyone is safe.

    Still aftrshocks. Not too bad in the bay but Kaikoura I’m feeling for you and the other close spots. Fbook helped straight after the shaking my post of holy shit helped me. Kids slept through but not us. Bit nervey I have to say. Got text from US from someone just stopping fbook because of fears of youknowwho. we are connected. Stay safe.

  25. Lanthanide 27

    Insurance premiums will be rising further. Also I think there may be some insurance company bailouts – Tower was already not in the best shape thanks to Christchurch.

    • millsy 27.1

      The CHC earthquakes were probably the reason the government decided to quietly forget about opening ACC up to competition from private insurers.

  26. Cinny 28

    All schools are closed for the day in Motueka, Riwaka, Richmond, not sure about other areas in Tasman.

    • marty mars 28.1

      Pretty sure all closed here in the bay – sons one is anyway

      Wonder how murch and springs iare going

      • Cinny 28.1.1

        Lets hope EQC can get around all the schools today so they can open tomorrow

        Heard that it’s all schools from North Canterbury up to Welly, that’s loads of schools. Hope parents are coping re work etc.

        Edit… just had another aftershock.. on Geonet, turns out wasn’t an aftershock, rather a quake centred in St Arnaud

  27. ttd 30

    SO did the traffic from Lyall Bay leaving [because of the tsunami warning] pass the traffic heading to catch the early flights as the airport remained open? WTF

  28. Enough is Enough 31

    Raglan has no water

    • dukeofurl 31.1

      How can you even drink it – Its Graded E /D by Waikato Regional Council
      E for the distribution system and D for the source.
      Do you not have roof tanks ?

  29. Chch_chiquita 32

    It was strong enough to wake us up here in Christchurch. Well, not all of us. One teenage boy woke up this morning at about 8am and had a puzzled look on his face when he realized the drama he missed during the night. But he was always like that through all the quakes. But with the other one it will take another round of recovery 🙁
    We are tired. So, so tired and it doesn’t look like there will be an end to it.
    Our thoughts with the people and families of those who died and are in the centre of it. Hard time is ahead of them.

  30. Manuka AOR 33

    Someone was on Radio Live 5 mins ago saying that it was just after another quake that Pike River happened, and that all mines should be closed now until the main aftershocks are over and they are sure that all is safe.

    • Lanthanide 33.1

      The pike river disaster had nothing to do with the quakes, and everything to do with the lax safety environment at the mine, and management pushing for profits ahead of everything else. The mine was also poorly designed and didn’t have a proper alternative escape route.

      In the weeks before the disaster, miners had been covering up the gas sensors, because every time I’ve went off they had to stop production and exit the mine, which took about 2 hours before production could resume.

      • Manuka AOR 33.1.1

        Yes, nevertheless Pike River happened one month to the day following a major aftershock of that 2010 Canterbury Quake.

        How safe are the other mines? If they’re not 100%, it might be a good time to stop and check and do upgrades.

        • Cinny 33.1.1.1

          if they are checking the schools surely they will be checking the mines as well, surely it would be part of their OSH policy. Regardless of whether or not Pike was earthquake related.

          • Manuka AOR 33.1.1.1.1

            Well I hope so, but unless I see confirmation of that somewhere, I wouldn’t rely on it.

        • dukeofurl 33.1.1.2

          The thing to keep in mind is that in general underground things like tunnels or mines behave differently to those structures above ground.

          eg Lyttleton tunnels were completely undamaged in spite of being very close to the Feb earthquake epicentre ( Heathcote valley), where the ground g was the massively high.

  31. dukeofurl 34

    With the ‘supermoon’ tonight , I expect we will be hearing TOO much from Ken Ring in the next few days

  32. Lanthanide 35

    Been visiting enough pages with “hanmer springs” on them, that Google is now showing me ads for the thermal pools there. A bit ironic.

  33. weka 36

    Anyone got an official time for how long the first quake was? Probably the longest one I’ve been in.

  34. weka 37

    Stuff are reporting that two people died 🙁 I Can’t get their site to load properly, but this is apparently the link,

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/86416304/live-north-canterbury-quake

  35. adam 38

    Is it me or just saying the 111 system fail is ‘deeply worrying’ more than a bit of a b.s response from the P.M. He the guy that smiles and says everything is alright all the time, then another systemic failure on his watch, and the media let him get away with ‘deeply worrying’.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/earthquakes/news/article.cfm?c_id=184&objectid=11747731

    Oh wait is that too political, too soon, can’t ask hard questions at this time, and our media never bloody will. So next time more people will die, because this lot wreak, and no one is stopping them.

    • dukeofurl 38.1

      Your link doesnt give any info about the ‘111 problem’. Whats your point there.

      • adam 38.1.1

        That Key is getting a free pass on systemic failure once again.

        I thought that was clear, maybe we read a different piece?

        • gsays 38.1.1.1

          I recall a similar scenario re pike river.
          An Aussie journo got dissed by.the local scribes for questiong the wisdom of having the local bobby leading the ‘rescue team’.

          Too sensitive my backside!

  36. dukeofurl 39

    Kaikoura will have to be evacuated , theres a sealed inland road, but that of course will be damaged and takes you to the Waiau area which will be damaged too.
    But theres really no choice.

    No power, no food, no water in the Kaikoura area. Coast roads wont be opened for 9-18 months, such as the scale of damage. Cant even get in to look at damage till quakes calm down as its too dangerous to remove the landslips.

    • dukeofurl 39.1

      A bit hasty there. Main Power the local lines company says :
      Following this morning’s 7.5 magnitude earthquake, power has now been restored to the greater part of the MainPower electricity distribution network, including Hanmer Springs and some parts of the Kaikoura township.
      Areas still without power include Culverden and Cheviot (approximately 1,200 homes).

  37. dv 40

    Any one know how they are plan to feed the patients in Dunedin hospital?

    • weka 40.1

      were they trucking that food down? I guess they will have to fly it for now. Is the rail line screwed too?

      • dv 40.1.1

        Don’t know I sort of remember they were trucking to frozen food down.

        Found it

        Meals on wheels will be made in Auckland and trucked to Dunedin and Invercargill under a proposal to outsource hospital food services, the Compass Group confirmed yesterday.
        https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/frozen-meals-sent-auckland

        . Flying will stuff the profits.

        • weka 40.1.1.1

          A positive from the quake then.

          If the rail is out too, it won’t just be the hospital food though, there will be lots of changes to food distribution in the SI. I guess they can ship to Lyttleton and Port Chalmers.

          • dukeofurl 40.1.1.1.1

            Roads from Nelson south are open.
            Theres an inland route from Blenheim south , that goes near Hamner Springs and Waiau, but the damage around there should be more quickly fixed than the coastal route ( up to 18 months or more)

            Virtually no coastal shipping anymore, so dont count on that.

            • Rosemary McDonald 40.1.1.1.1.1

              “Virtually no coastal shipping anymore, so dont count on that.”

              A clever company, like say, a company that has both trucks and ferries, might like to consider loading at Wellington and unloading at Lyttleton for a while. Reverse would apply.

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    You can be all negative about these charter schools if you want, but I’m here to accentuate the positive. You can get all worked up, if you want to, by the contradiction of Luxon saying We’re going to make sure that every school in the country is teaching exactly the same ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago
  • This Unreasonable Government.
    Losing The Room: One can only speculate about what has persuaded the Coalition Government that it will pay no electoral price for unreasonably pushing ahead with policies that are so clearly against the national interest. They seem quite oblivious to the risk that by doing so they will convince an increasing ...
    1 day ago
  • Supreme Court weighs in on name suppression
    Name suppression decisions can be tough sometimes. No matter your views on free speech, you have to be hard-hearted not to be torn by the tug of the competing arguments. I think you can feel the Supreme Court wrestling with that in M v The King. The case for ...
    1 day ago
  • Is This A “Merchants” Government?
    The Merchants of Menace: The Coalition Government has convinced itself that the Brahmins’ emollient functions have become much too irksome and expensive. Those who see themselves as the best hope of rebuilding New Zealand’s ailing capitalist system, appear to have convinced themselves that a little bit of blunt trauma is what their mollycoddled ...
    1 day ago
  • This is what corruption looks like
    When National first proposed its Muldoonist "fast-track" law, they were warned that it would inevitably lead to corruption. And that is exactly what has happened, with Resources Minister Shane Jones taking secret meetings with potential applicants: On Tuesday, in a Newsroom story, questions were raised about a dinner Jones ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago
  • Take that, Vladimir – and be warned: we have plenty more sanctions (at least, we hope so) in our ...
    Buzz from the Beehive One day – hopefully – we will push that Russian rascal, Vladimir Putin, beyond breaking point.  Perhaps it will happen today, when he learns that Foreign Minister Winston Peters is again tightening the thumbscrews. Peters announced further sanctions, this time on 28 individuals and 14 entities ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago
  • More Harm Than Good.
    How Labour’s and National’s failure to move beyond neoliberalism has brought New Zealand to the brink of economic and cultural chaos.TO START LOSING, so soon after you won, requires a special kind of political incompetence. At the heart of this Coalition Government’s failure to retain, and build upon, the public ...
    1 day ago
  • The Ombudsman fails again
    In 2020, the Operation Burnham inquiry reported back, finding that NZDF had lied to Ministers and the New Zealand public about its actions in Afghanistan. The inquiry saw a large number of documents declassified and released, which raised another problem: whether they had also lied to the Ombudsman in his ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago
  • No Time To Think: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    Members of Parliament don’t work for us, they represent us, an entirely different thing. As with so much that has turned out badly, the re-organising of MPs’ responsibilities began with the Fourth Labour Government. That’s when they began to be treated like employees – public servants – whose diaries had ...
    1 day ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Lobbying for Waikato’s Medical School causing problems for the Govt
    It’s becoming a classic case study for why lobbying deals with politicians need greater scrutiny. Former National Minister Steven Joyce runs a lobbying company with a major client – the University of Waikato. The University desperately wants $300m+ of taxpayer funding to establish a third medical school in New Zealand, ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    1 day ago
  • Picking Sides.
    Time To Choose: Like it or not, the Kiwis are either going into AUKUS’s  “Pillar 2” – or they are going to China.HAD ZHENG HE’S FLEET sailed east, not west, in the early Fifteenth Century, how different our world would be. There is little reason to suppose that the sea-going junks ...
    1 day ago
  • Universities offer course in self-serving cowardice
    Henry Ergas writes –  When in Randall Jarrell’s Pictures from an Institution, a college president is accused of being a hypocrite, the novel’s narrator retorts that the description is grossly unfair. After all, the man is still far from the stage of moral development at which the charge ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • The teacher trainee challenge
    David Farrar writes –  Radio NZ reports: The Education Review Office says too many new teachers feel poorly prepared for their jobs. In a report published on Monday, the review office said 60 percent of the principals it interviewed said their new teachers were not ready. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • Words and (in)actions
    New Zealand’s economic performance and the PM’s vision   Michael Reddell writes –  When I wrote yesterday morning’s post, highlighting how poorly both New Zealand and its Anglo peer countries have been doing in respect of productivity in recent times (ie, in the case of New ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • What do you hope for/fear from the budget?
    Hi all,Firstly - thank you! You guys are awesome. The response I’ve received to last night’s mail has been quite overwhelming. It’s a ghastly day outside, but there are no clouds in here.In case you didn’t read my email and are wondering what on earth I’m talking about you can ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on ACT’s charter schools experiment
    If there was still any doubt as to who is actually running this government – and it isn’t the buffoon from Botany – then this week’s announcement of a huge spend up on charter schools has settled the matter. While jobs and public services continue to be cut in the ...
    1 day ago
  • Drought fuels wildfire concerns as Canada braces for another intense summer
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Gaye Taylor As widespread drought raises expectations for a repeat of last year’s ferocious wildfire season, response teams across Canada are grappling with the rapidly changing face of fire in a warming climate. No longer quenched by winter, nor quelled by the ...
    1 day ago
  • Bernard’s Dawn Chorus and pick ‘n’ mix for Thursday, May 16
    Half of Christchurch City Holdings Ltd’s directors and its chair resigned en masse last night in protest at Christchurch City Council’s demand to front-load dividends File Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The chair of Christchurch City Council’s investment company and four of its independent directors resigned in protest last ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Controversial proposal could threaten coalition
    The University of Waikato has reworded an advertisement that begins the tender process for its new $300 million-plus medical school even though the Government still needs to approve it. However, even the reworded ad contains an architect’s visualisations of what the school might look like. ACT leader David Seymour told ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago
  • Of Rings of Power Annatar, Dramatic Irony, and Disguises
    As a follow-up to the Rings of Power trailer discussion, I thought I needed to add something. There has been some online mockery about the use of the same actor for both the Halbrand and Annatar incarnations of Sauron. The reasoning is that Halbrand with a shave and a new ...
    2 days ago
  • The future of Nick's Kōrero.
    This isn’t quite as dramatic as the title might suggest. I’m not going anywhere, but there is something I wanted to talk to you about.Let’s start with a typical day.Most days I send out a newsletter in the morning. If I’ve written a lot the previous evening it might be ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • The PM promises tax relief in the Budget – but will it be enough to satisfy the Taxpayers’ Union...
    Buzz from the Beehive The promise of tax relief loomed large in his considerations when  the PM delivered a pre-Budget speech to the Auckland Business Chamber. The job back in Wellington is getting government spending back under control, he said, bandying figures which show that in per capita terms, the ...
    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 ...
    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 ...
    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 ...
    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, ...
    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 ...
    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 ...
    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 ...
    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
    4 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
    4 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 ...
    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
    1 hour 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
    5 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
    6 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
    6 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
    8 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
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