Political interference at APN

Written By: - Date published: 11:39 pm, March 6th, 2008 - 38 comments
Categories: john key, Media - Tags: ,

Last night we published a tip-off saying the New Zealand Herald planned to report that its APN stable-mate the Bay Report would be correcting its story where John Key said ‘we would love to see wages drop.’

That story was published by the Herald this morning, hours before the Bay Report had even gone to print, and served only to confirm our suspicion that some serious political and/or proprietorial pressure has been brought to bear on APN’s newspapers and editorial staff.

Here we have APN’s senior management, seemingly out of the blue and without cause, forcing one of its papers to back away from a story that was politically inconvenient for the National Party.

APN has so far offered no explanation as to why the company has made such a drastic turnaround (the journalist, the editor, the publisher and the transcript all backed the story), nor do we have an explanation as to why it took two and a half months from when the story was first published to issue a correction.

This chain of events suggests some serious pressure has been brought to bear by APN, and possibly the National Party, and it’s not helped by the Dominion Post’s revelation that John Key has been ‘in communication’ with APN chief executive Martin Simons about the issue or the fact the story was broken not by APN but by Bill English in Parliament.

Furthermore, our sources inside APN tell us the decision to kill the story was not made locally, and nor was it even made by editorial staff – this one came straight from APN’s senior management. We also understand that APN has gagged its editorial staff at the Bay Report from speaking to the media.

This is simply rotten. In the interests of media freedom APN must remove the gagging order on its staff, tell the public exactly what communication has taken place between company management and the National Party, and explain why management felt it necessary to intervene in the editorial affairs of its newspapers.

This is no longer simply a story about what Key did or didn’t mean when he made that quote; it is now a serious matter of media freedom that should concern every New Zealander who has an interest in our democracy. I suspect this is not the last we’ll hear of it.

38 comments on “Political interference at APN ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Robinsod 1
    6 March 2008 at 11:55 pm

    I’ve gotta say in my time in the game (and further back than that) this level of political interference is unprecedented. The fact that a manager with no journalist experience has dictated an editorial line is dumbfounding. I’ve seen and heard of commercial interference in my time but I have never seen a stated position retracted at the behest of business management like this, especially at the directive of a political party. Ever. This is some serious shit.

  2. illuminatedtiger 2
    7 March 2008 at 12:51 am

    And the public will never find out about any of it because it will never go mainstream. Catch 22 situation really isn’t it.

  3. out of bed 3
    7 March 2008 at 12:55 am

    I’m not so sure about that IT
    I would imagine there are some very pissed off journos

  4. illuminatedtiger 4
    7 March 2008 at 12:58 am

    Absolutely, but they’re not the gatekeepers. They merely report. The editor decides.

  5. r0b 5
    7 March 2008 at 12:06 am

    Freedom of speech, and freedom of the press, are cornerstones of democracy. Last year there was a lot of talk about these issues from the Right (in the context of the EFB).

    Well, now we seem to have a real case of the freedom of the press being suppressed. The Left is speaking up about it. Each and every one of the Right should be speaking up about it too. With the same energy and anger as they spoke up last year…

  6. Rexel 6
    7 March 2008 at 4:17 am

    This National leadership is so out of touch with reality.

    How did they honestly think the public would respond to these bullyboy tactics. What kind of game are they playing. Political suicide.

    This story will now dominate the election race.

    They are history and the result in November will show them that their lieing tongues and out of touch with reality poicies are not wanted in this great country.

  7. Camryn 7
    7 March 2008 at 5:21 am

    See comment #2 from insider on the “Some Questions” thread and higherstandard’s comment on Mar 6th, 2008 at 9:36 am

    I think this whole thing in Standard’s “Faux Outrage Du Jour”. No-one else is buying it.

  8. Psycho Milt 8
    7 March 2008 at 6:54 am

    “Faux Outrage Du Jour’

    Funny, Camryn – that’s exactly what lefties said to right-wing squawking about the EFA.

  9. James Kearney 9
    7 March 2008 at 7:25 am

    No-one else is buying it.

    The story is coming up before 8 on Morning Report.

  10. higherstandard 10
    7 March 2008 at 7:54 am

    Tane are you accusing Tony Verdon of lying ?

    rOb agree Key should have ingnored the issue and laughed it off as the obvious gaff that it was, your continued intimation that their has been an abuse of political power from National I find laughable in relation to the EFA.

    What both the left and right in relation to these kind of issues (not yourself to be fair) fail to see is that the election won’t be decided on this kind of cak it’s more likely to be Mr and Mrs Joe average who can no longer countenance the price of butter, cheese, milk and petrol in combination wi their mortgage rate going up.

  11. Inventory2 11
    7 March 2008 at 8:01 am

    Anyone read Audrey Young’s blog?

    http://blogs.nzherald.co.nz/blog/audrey-young/2008/3/6/corrections-retractions-and-rubbish/

    “There is a certain amount of rubbish being pedalled by the Engineering Printing and Manufacturing Union about the Herald’s involvement in the saga over whether or not John Key told the Bay Report in Northland he wanted wages to drop.

    National secretary Andrew Little is entitled to ask questions but they should be based on facts.

    Amid many questions in a press statement today headed “Has National muzzled the press?” he asks why the Herald is publishing a “correction” ahead of a Bay Report “correction” on the story.

    That is false.”

    Gee, the EPMU telling porkies? Slippery Andrew? Hmmmmmmm…….

  12. out of bed 12
    7 March 2008 at 8:13 am

    Yes but in this case you can’t quote any journalist at the the NZ Herald can you ? Because they have not exactly shown fair and balanced journalilsm in the last few months have they?

  13. higherstandard 13
    7 March 2008 at 8:15 am

    Thanks Inventory

    I think the most sensible thing I’ve read was from another blogger who commented that if you put all the medias pro left/anti right articles in one pile and all the pro right/anti left articles in another pile you’d probably have to equally sized piles of cak

  14. Robinsod 14
    7 March 2008 at 8:20 am

    It seems a bit odd that Audrey would get worked up about such a small matter. I read the EPMU release and that was a tiny part of the story. Why would she not address the real issue?

  15. TomS 15
    7 March 2008 at 8:22 am

    The biggest impact this may have is it’ll put the brakes on the media gang’s love-in with John Key and National. The one thing any gang hates is having someone challenge them on their patch.

    And if the worm turns and “slippery John” becomes entrenched in the narrative of a vengeful press corps, then get the pop corn and get ready for a fun ride.

  16. r0b 16
    7 March 2008 at 7:32 am

    No-one else is buying it.

    Funny, Camryn – that’s exactly what all the Righties said when the original “we’d love to see wages drop” story broke too. And here we are.

    If Key had simply ignored it, that story would probably have faded away. Instead he seems to have thrown his weight around, and got APN management to gag it’s own reporters. That’s pretty much the worst thing he could have done (amateur stuff) – because it turns this into a real issue of the abuse of political power, and freedom of speech.

    The coverup is always worse than the crime.

  17. Wayne 17
    7 March 2008 at 9:03 am

    Audrey sounds rattled. If you hear something swirling it’s probably the sound of her credibility going down the drain.

  18. Inventory2 18
    7 March 2008 at 9:06 am

    And that fact that Helen got stuck into the media last week about giving Key an easy run wouldn’t have anything to do with that would it TomS? And you guys accuse National of manipulating the media! How very Hollow of you!!

  19. Daveo 19
    7 March 2008 at 9:11 am

    And you guys accuse National of manipulating the media! How very Hollow of you!!

    Inventory2- you don’t seem to understand the issues here so I suggest you stop embarrassing yourself. I’m also baffled by your irrational hatred of the EPMU.

  20. out of bed 20
    7 March 2008 at 9:11 am

    And that fact that Helen got stuck into the media last week about giving Key an easy run wouldn’t have anything to do with that would it TomS?

    Quite patently no

  21. Inventory2 21
    7 March 2008 at 9:14 am

    I don’t hate the EPMU – I was actually part of a group which brought the EPMU in to a non-unionised workplace several years ago, and was a card-carrying EPMU member until I left to take up a self-employment alternative. As the Mental Health adverts say Daveo, know me before you judge me!

  22. Daveo 22
    7 March 2008 at 9:20 am

    Happy to take your word mate- I just find it strange you devote so much time to bashing them and in this case greeted Audrey Young’s outburst so uncritically.

  23. Matthew Pilott 23
    7 March 2008 at 9:23 am

    Inventory2 – Clark was very open in her comments criticising the media. She also phrased it very gently (I had the image of the kid gloves being on) if you think about it. The Herald’s spiteful and fallacious “Democracy Under Attack” being describes as mischievous mayhem or something? Come on! I bet there were a few choice adjectives she wished to use.

    That aside, before you compare it to Key’s manipulation of APN and the Bay Report, can you tell me exactly what has happened, what it was that forced the Bay Report to say the impression given was wrong, without saying what impression it was meant to give! Why did the Herald publish it as fact, after Bill English merely mentioned they would be doing it, unless they already knew?

  24. Inventory2 24
    7 March 2008 at 9:36 am

    Daveo – I think unions have a critical role to play in workplace rerlations, but I don’t necessarily agree with everything they do, or the manner in which they do it – in much the same way as I haven’t always agreed with the workplace practices of past (and even present!) employers, which makes working for oneself somewhat challenging!!

    I also have a good deal of respect for Andrew Little and agree with other posters that he will be an asset to Labour at some future time.

  25. Paul 25
    7 March 2008 at 9:45 am

    Wow just read the Audrey Young blog rant. Boy has she got her back up, and it’s not a good look for a journalist. You can excuse egotistical Politicians getting their back up, but not a good look for the journalist community.

    This line is interesting.

    “There wouldn’t be a journalist or news outlet in the country that has not been lobbied by politicians about a story they have taken exception to. Labour does it too.”

    So they have been at The Herald?

    And I love the way she’s turned it around to making it look like a Herald scoop.

    Then another gem;
    “The problem with this Key wages story from the start is that the transcript of what Key said appears to be contradictory.”

    She’s right there, the transcript clearly shows he said that, and the only contradiction has emanated from Key’s mouth.

    I congratulate The Standard for all of the work they are doing over this issue.

  26. gobsmacked 26
    7 March 2008 at 9:53 am

    From Radio NZ this morning:

    “A spokesperson for the National party would not reveal to Morning Report who had contacted APN, or who had been spoken to; saying there had been “enough said” on the matter.”

    Murkier and murkier.

  27. insider 27
    7 March 2008 at 10:03 am

    According to the Dom Post, Nats spoke to editorial and management staff, the clarification was drafted by the Bay News editor and agreed with the reporter and sub responsible for the original.

    On morining report Cullen said it was perfectly normal for political parties to talk to media about how stories are treated.

  28. Paul 28
    7 March 2008 at 10:09 am

    Boy are they in a tizz over at kiwiblog. You know you have their back up when the level of infantile abuse is proportional to Key’s guff.

    It’s really not for sensitive eyes.

    I didn’t know you folk were such bad people.

  29. out of bed 29
    7 March 2008 at 10:10 am

    I see Farrar at the “crapping kiwi” is using the Herald journalist Audrey Young’s Article to defend Nationals pressure on a compliant New Zealand Herald.
    This is a bit of a circular argument isn’t it
    I mean you wouldn’t expect the NZ Herald to investigate a story about
    interference in the NZ Herald by the APN would you ?

  30. gobsmacked 30
    7 March 2008 at 10:21 am

    Insider

    You misrepresent Cullen. Here’s the link:

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/latest/200803070859/3bcdf44

    There’s a very clear difference between complaining to journalists and complaining to their bosses, who then take over the journalists’ job.

  31. insider 31
    7 March 2008 at 10:30 am

    gobsmacked

    CUllen appears to have made an assumption not supported by the facts. I’m surprised you missed it as it was in the subsequent paragraph “Mr Simons also said regarding Thursday’s clarification, that it was edited by The Bay Report editor and agreed to by the journalist and subeditor involved in the original story.”

  32. insider 32
    7 March 2008 at 10:31 am

    Colin Espiner has this as the text of the clarification

    “Point of clarification.
    An article published by the Bay Report on 20 December may have left readers with the impression that National Party leader John Key wanted a drop in New Zealand wages.

    “From an examination of the transcript of the interview, and the context of the comments made by Mr Key in relation to the loss of skilled workers from New Zealand to Australia, The Bay Report now accepts that was not intended and that impression would be incorrect.

    “The newspaper acknowledges that its news report was based on part of a conversation between president of the local Kerikeri Business Association Carolyne Brooks-Quan and Mr Key.

    “Mr Key accepts the Bay Report reporter did not act with malice or intent.’

  33. Tane 33
    7 March 2008 at 10:36 am

    “it was edited by The Bay Report editor and agreed to by the journalist and subeditor involved in the original story.’

    That’s not true. Doesn’t it make you wonder, insider, the fact the Bay Report’s staff have been gagged by APN management?

    From the same story:

    Reporter Greg Robertson has been instructed not to talk about the issue and Mike Regan did not return calls by Radio New Zealand.

  34. gobsmacked 34
    7 March 2008 at 10:39 am

    Insider

    Let’s get real here. The timeline:

    1) National contacts editor – no action taken.

    2) National contacts editor’s boss (and now doesn’t want to talk about this – see my post above).

    3) Boss tells editor to take action.

    4) Editor now takes action.

    There’s a clear difference between an editorial decision reached independently, and a response to pressure from above.

    “Agreed to …” is weasel wording. Most of us “agree” to do what we’re told by the boss. Got no choice.

  35. insider 35
    7 March 2008 at 12:40 pm

    Tane

    Gagging? Not really. Standard practice in any modern organisation is to have designated spokespeople on a controversial issue. Those are usually senior people not junior. Government is one of the major ‘gaggers’ in that sense. You and I may not like it but it is not exceptional behaviour. (as an aside I always find it ironic that the media demand answers of organisations and pillory them when they refuse to comply, yet often when same media come under the spotlight they often run for cover and refuse to engage. Who said life was fair?)

    gobsmacked

    No disagreement on 1, 2 & 4. The debate is over 3 and the motivation.

    I’ve always said Key made the statment concerned. I also believe it was an example of poor reporting because the context of the story left me as a reader confused as to what was being said, the reporter did not recognise the contradictions and follow them up, and did not show good news judgement in choosing his story angle. I think the editor was right to assert it was a true reflection of what was said but wrong to not recognise the inherent contradiction and question the way the story was written. I think the publishers were right to recognise those issues and discuss them with the editor, as it is about professional standards.

  36. Pablo 36
    7 March 2008 at 12:43 pm

    “From an examination of the transcript of the interview, and the context of the comments made by Mr Key in relation to the loss of skilled workers from New Zealand to Australia, The Bay Report now accepts that was not intended and that impression would be incorrect.”

    Yeah, but the article merely quotes Key as having said those words, from memory it doesn’t make any analysis of them. It even goes further so you have the quote in context of the full para.

    Any “impression” has been created after the fact by politicians, journalists and bloggers. Readers make their own minds up. If he’d just put it to bed properly at the time this would have blown over as the kiwiblog righties here have been hoping for weeks.

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    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 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
    2 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
    2 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
    2 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
    2 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
    2 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
    2 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
    2 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
    2 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
    2 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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 ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 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
    4 days ago

  • More road
    We have been on the road in England, squeezing down narrow lanes, flying up the M6, loving hedgerows and villages and cathedrals, liking the 21st century less.There have been moments when it’s felt like a movie trope. The pub in Exford, lovely seventeenth century bar, almost more dogs than people, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Seeing the Aurora Australis
    There’s a solar-storm on at the moment, and since the South Island is having a day and night with clear skies, that means Aurorae. I have just got back from a midnight visit to Tunnel Beach – southwards-looking over the Sea, and without the light pollution. Quite a few others ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    5 days ago

  • Welcome to the current welfare mess
    Michael Bassett writes – I’m not sure that it’s much comfort to anyone to know that the post-Covid surge in violent crimes, gang activity, ram raids, random shootings, thuggery and stabbings is occurring in other countries as well as New Zealand. These days, wagging school, out-of-control welfare and ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • A shovel-ready autopsy
    Oliver Hartwich writes –  Cast your mind back to mid-December. A new Prime Minister had just been sworn in, the new Government started its 100-day programme, and Christmas was only days away.Amid all the haste, a report landed that would have deserved our attention.I am talking about the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Why we almost blacked out and how to fix it
    TL;DR: An unseasonally early icy blast at the same time as some long-overdue maintenance almost caused Aotearoa-NZ’s electricity system to black out this week. That’s because a quadropoly of gentailers1 have prioritised paying dividends from their rising profits and adding debt over investing in 1.5 GigaWatts of new wind farms ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • What Is Instagram Trying To Sell Us?
    Hi,Before we crack into today’s Webworm, I wanted to acknowledge the fact that Israel is pushing into Rafah. Over 100,000 Palestinians are now attempting to flee the one place that was deemed “safe”.Trouble is, the place they’re fleeing to is already destroyed. Total annihilation is the end goal here.“Israel is ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago

  • Precious Little Excitement: Warner Brothers, Peter Jackson, and Gollum
    Back in February 2023, I made the cardinal mistake of getting my hopes up. Warner Brothers declared that fresh Middle-earth movies were in the works: https://phuulishfellow.wordpress.com/2023/02/24/it-never-rains-but-it-pours-warner-brothers-and-impending-tolkien-adaptations/ My assumption, based on which rights were available, and what had already been done, was that this was a stab at either the Angmar ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    6 days ago

  • Do We Need a Population Census?
    ‘It has been said that figures rule the world. Maybe. I am quite sure that it is figures which show us whether it is being ruled well or badly.’ GoetheI was struck at a recent conference on equity for the elderly, how many presenters implicitly relied upon Statistics New Zealand. ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    6 days ago

  • No, the govt will not be cutting back on every budget – and the Defence vote is among those to be ...
    Buzz from the Beehive Reporting on defence spending late last year, RNZ said the coalition government will have to make some tough calls this term to help the force address staff shortages and ageing infrastructure. “These are huge, huge amounts of government spending. It’s a significant proportion of the government’s ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • The Treasury and productivity
    Late last week The Treasury released a new 40 page report on “The productivity slowdown: implications for the Treasury’s forecasts and projections” (productivity forecasts and projections that is, rather than any possible fiscal implications – the latter will, I guess, be articulated in the Budget documents). In short, if (as it has) ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • The Controller and Auditor-General’s role
    Peter Dunne writes –  I am always wary when I hear that the Controller and Auditor-General has commented on or made recommendations to the government about an issue of public policy that does not relate strictly to public expenditure. According to the legislation, the role of the Controller ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • More harm than good
    How Labour’s and National’s failure to move beyond neoliberalism has brought NZ to the brink of economic and cultural chaos   Chris Trotter writes –  TO START LOSING, so soon after you won, requires a special kind of political incompetence. At the heart of this Coalition ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Real reason Waitangi Tribunal could not summons Chhour
    And why did the Crown not challenge the Tribunal’s jurisdiction?   Gary Judd writes –  Retired District Court Judge, David Harvey, has posted on his A Halflings View Substack an excellent summary of Justice Isacs’ judgment declining to uphold the witness summons issued by the Waitangi Tribunal ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Losing confidence in the integrity of NZ elections
    Bryce Edwards writes – Do you believe New Zealand runs its general elections fairly and competently? As a voter, can you be confident that the votes on your ballot will be counted towards the final result?As a political scientist, I’ve been asked these questions many times and ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Macklemore's Pro-Palestinian Protest.
    Macklemore isn’t someone I’d usually think about. Sure I liked his big hit from a few years back, everybody did it was catchy and cool with some memorable lines. But if I was going to think of artists who might speak out on political matters or world events, he wouldn’t ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days 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
    2 hours 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
    3 hours 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
    4 hours 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
    5 hours 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
    10 hours 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
    15 hours 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    2 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
    2 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
    2 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
    2 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
    2 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
    2 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
    2 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
    2 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    4 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
    6 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
    6 days 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
    6 days 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
    6 days 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

  • Smarter lunch programme feeds more, costs less
    Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government will be delivering a more efficient Healthy School Lunches Programme, saving taxpayers approximately $107 million a year compared to how Labour funded it, by embracing innovation and commercial expertise. “We are delivering on our commitment to treat taxpayers’ money ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Report provides insights into marine recovery
    New research on the impacts of extreme weather on coastal marine habitats in Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay will help fishery managers plan for and respond to any future events, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. A report released today on research by Niwa on behalf of Fisheries New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • NZ to send political delegation to the Pacific
    Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will lead a broad political delegation on a five-stop Pacific tour next week to strengthen New Zealand’s engagement with the region.   The delegation will visit Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and Tuvalu.    “New Zealand has deep and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Low gas production threatens energy security
    There has been a material decline in gas production according to figures released today by the Gas Industry Co.  Figures released by the Gas Industry Company show that there was a 12.5 per cent reduction in gas production during 2023, and a 27.8 per cent reduction in gas production in the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Defence industry talent, commitment recognised
    Defence Minister Judith Collins tonight announced the recipients of the Minister of Defence Awards of Excellence for Industry, saying they all contribute to New Zealanders’ security and wellbeing. “Congratulations to this year’s recipients, whose innovative products and services play a critical role in the delivery of New Zealand’s defence capabilities, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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