THE GAME Archive

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  Health Budget predictions and alternatives - by Kevin Hague

  
  
  
  As I write this I am preparing to go into  Parliament to hear the Budget, and no doubt to see  Government Ministers crowing about “more money than ever before” spent on Health, and ‘brave new’ programmes for this and that. I only get the Budget documents once I’m actually in Parliament, and have to frantically [...] read more
  May 16, 2013 1:09 pm - 3 Comments
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  Topics announced for Youth Parliament 2013 - by Holly Walker

  
  
  
  It’s Youth Week, with events happening around the country celebrating all that it is to be young and encouraging young people to live like legends. As a part of Youth Week, Youth Affairs Minister Nikki Kaye has today made an announcement on this year’s Youth Parliament, including releasing the issues that the Youth MPs will [...] read more
  May 9, 2013 3:43 pm - No Comments
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  Introducing our Green Youth MPs - by frog

  
  
  
  Danielle Lusk – Metiria Turei Age: 16 School: Buller High School, Westport Tell us a bit about yourself: Hello there, I’m a keen adventuress, I love the outdoors, it’s pretty mean. It is my intention to become a white water kayaking guide, because who wouldn’t want to work, live and breathe the outdoors!  My main [...] read more
  May 1, 2013 9:02 am - 119 Comments
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  Pacific Parliamentary Forum - by Jan Logie

  
  
  
  Parliament has been blessed with the presence of political leaders from all around the Pacific for the last few days. We had some great debates and discussions. I just want to gloat about one – the motion to liberalise trade was voted down in favour of an amended motion in support of sustainable development. The [...] read more
  April 22, 2013 12:23 pm - 2 Comments
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  Marriage Equality: Difference of world views - by Kevin Hague

  
  
  
  The debate over Louisa Wall’s marriage equality bill has been raging for almost a year now, and I have received thousands of emails and letters, as well as having read many thousands of submissions during the Select Committee process I thought the contrast between those in favour and those opposed was striking, and have blogged [...] read more
  April 12, 2013 12:32 pm - 30 Comments
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  Will Auckland’s housing price bubble be different this time round? - by Russel Norman

  
  
  
  Maybe. Yesterday, the Reserve Bank signalled enough concern about rising house prices in Auckland that they spooked commentators with the possibility of early rises in the Official Cash Rate (OCR) and a more certain resolve to use complementary tools, like loan-to-value ratios. I have more hope following this statement that the Reserve Bank has learned [...] read more
  April 10, 2013 10:25 am - 12 Comments
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  Open letter to the Speaker re: Question Time - by Russel Norman

  
  
  
  Rt Hon David Carter Speaker of the House of Representatives Parliament Buildings Wellington 20 March 2013 Dear David After sitting through another chaotic question time I feel compelled to write this open letter to you as Speaker. I strongly urge you to revert to the set of rules that Lockwood Smith had developed over the [...] read more
  March 21, 2013 9:24 am - 12 Comments
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  National’s blind spots on tax reform - by frog

  
  
  
  This week, the Victoria University Business School hosted renowned international tax expert, Dr Alan J. Auerbach. He contrasted the work and findings of our own recent Tax Working Group with the findings of the UK Mirrlees Tax Review, and the Australian Henry Tax Review. While he saw many positive parallels with the three reviews, he [...] read more
  March 14, 2013 8:18 am - 7 Comments
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  From 100% to 5% - by Russel Norman

  
  
  
  The Government has suggested that up to 90% of shares will be owned by New Zealanders, and Treasury’s figures show that around 5% of all New Zealanders will be able to afford to buy shares. Without even thinking of the Australian share float, which will dilute Kiwi ownership, the asset sales program is about a [...] read more
  March 5, 2013 11:13 am - 385 Comments
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  Wheeler on the death of manufacturing etc. etc. - by Russel Norman

  
  
  
  It’s interesting to compare yesterday’s speech by Reserve Bank Governor Graeme Wheeler with Sir Paul Callaghan’s vision for a prosperous New Zealand. Wheeler describes New Zealand’s manufacturing sector as a sunset industry, in terminal decline due to globalisation, competition from low wage countries, and a shift to a service intensive economy. It’s the kind of [...] read more
  February 21, 2013 5:27 pm - 26 Comments
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  Keep Our Assets – inspired by Invercargill - by Catherine Delahunty

  
  
  
  Downtown Invercargill may not be as heavily populated as downtown Auckland, or Wellington, but I have never met such a supportive and friendly group of random strangers. read more
  February 11, 2013 10:30 am - 19 Comments
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  Liam Dann on defending the status quo - by Russel Norman

  
  
  
  Liam Dann continued his series of defending the status quo on banking and monetary policy (here and here) this week with his column on Reserve Bank policy. While I appreciate Dann’s contribution to the discussion, his failure to offer a single positive solution effectively denies the huge difficulties our productive sector is facing or the [...] read more
  February 7, 2013 10:18 am - 18 Comments
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  My prayer for the nation this Waitangi Day - by Metiria Turei

  
  
  
  How can we, as this country’s leaders, address the inequity that has grown up amongst us? How can we build a nation where we trust and look after one another- where we are our brother’s and sisters keeper – not their bitter rival? read more
  February 6, 2013 7:56 am - 39 Comments
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  Win for transparency - by Holly Walker

  
  
  
  There was a win for transparency yesterday, after the Prime Minister and Cabinet approved the introduction of regular and proactive disclosure of the management of Ministerial conflicts of interests. This decision came as a result of an investigation by the Chief Ombudsman after the Cabinet Office refused a series of OIA requests for this type [...] read more
  February 1, 2013 12:32 pm - 1 Comment
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  The bus stop theft that wasn’t - by Julie Anne Genter

  
  
  
  Last night, as I left Auckland for the first week of Parliament for the year, I did something quite foolish. I was waiting for my bus to the airport (the stop is literally right in front of my apartment building — I can look down from my bedroom window and see it), when I realised [...] read more
  January 30, 2013 1:49 pm - 4 Comments
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  We shouldn’t need to sponsor kids in NZ - by Holly Walker

  
  
  
  It’s good that Variety, KidsCan, and others have stepped in to fill the yawning chasm of child poverty that too many of our kids are falling into. But let’s take this as a challenge and demand governments that will eradicate the need for such schemes by guaranteeing the essentials for all our kids. read more
  January 29, 2013 9:42 am - 22 Comments
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  Picnic for the Planet & campaign launch! - by Holly Walker

  
  
  
  Our annual Picnic for the Planet was a great success yesterday, with great food, perfect weather, summer tunes, and an inspiring speech from co-leader Metiria Turei. Though I’d never admit it, as a staunch Wellingtonian, on days like yesterday in the beautiful Tahaki Reserve at the base of Mt Eden, I can see why people [...] read more
  January 28, 2013 2:57 pm - No Comments
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  The final word on bank profits - by frog

  
  
  
  The Report of the Finance & Expenditure Committee on the Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Statement for December 2012 is now public and contains the following gem on bank profitability late in 2012 (from page 9): Recent data released by the Reserve Bank updated information it had provided to us in November about New Zealand banks’ [...] read more
  December 21, 2012 8:35 am - 35 Comments
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  All we want for Christmas is good education leaders - by Catherine Delahunty

  
  
  
  The appointment of the very competent Peter Hughes as acting head of the Education Ministry is a welcome present for families this Christmas. But only if it heralds wider change in the Ministry and a new Minister as well. My heart bleeds for the families of Christchurch who are ending another year in uncertainty and moving [...] read more
  December 19, 2012 2:42 pm - 14 Comments
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  The Parliamentary week that was, 11 December, for Pacific communities - by Jan Logie

  
  
  
  Parliament has been very busy trying to pass quite a few pieces of relatively uncontentious legislation over the last couple of weeks. Select committees have also been very busy. Wednesday 12th December was the last day that the House sat for the year, which means the various parties made their adjournment speeches. Greens Co-leader Metiria [...] read more
  December 17, 2012 4:33 pm - No Comments
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  Make your voice count on International Human Rights Day - by Jan Logie

  
  
  
  Today is International Human Rights Day, a day when we can all celebrate our human rights but also make our voices count for those who’s rights are under attack across the world. In ten different libraries across Auckland City today, Amnesty International organised Write For Rights events for people to write letters in support of [...] read more
  December 10, 2012 4:52 pm - No Comments
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  Is it all in their heads? - by Jan Logie

  
  
  
  After hearing around 100 submissions over 4 days on the latest welfare reform bill (see my summary of the first day of hearings here), some pretty strong themes have developed. The most obvious theme is opposition. Quite overwhelming opposition. For many reasons. I hope this is a sign that increasing unemployment is helping people realise [...] read more
  December 6, 2012 5:13 pm - 26 Comments
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  JT does the time warp, again - by Kevin Hague

  
  
  
  The John Tamihere Horror Show has returned and is not so much about a jump to the left or a step to the right, but a giant leap backward into some weird chauvinistic 1960s time warp where “no fat chicks” or gays are allowed. For that he’s been called a charming rogue, who represents the [...] read more
  December 5, 2012 12:44 pm - 5 Comments
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  “As predictable as a Tui billboard ad…..” Mr Groser’s characterisation of his climate change policy - by Kennedy Graham

  
  
  
  The 18th UN annual climate change conference commenced on Monday.  I’ll be attending the 2nd week, and will blog from there about its dynamics and outcome. Meanwhile the Key Government, with breath-taking timing, has taken two decisions in the run-up to Doha, both resulting, intentionally or otherwise, in seriously weakening New Zealand’s climate change credentials [...] read more
  November 28, 2012 10:45 am - 40 Comments
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  Pacific representation in NZ politics - by Jan Logie

  
  
  
  Last week was a very sad week for Pacific Peoples’ representation in Aotearoa-New Zealand. The Pacific Peoples Advisory Panel in the Auckland Council presented to Council and raised again issues of their continuance. Pacific communities want a discussion on how to best represent their views in the council structure and what resources are needed to [...] read more
  November 26, 2012 3:55 pm - No Comments
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  Alcohol lobby again highlights need for greater transparency - by Holly Walker

  
  
  
  It seems almost every week there is a new example of why we need greater transparency about political lobbying. This time it’s the influence of the alcohol lobby on the Government’s decision not to tackle RTDs in the Alcohol Reform Bill. read more
  November 26, 2012 3:37 pm - 3 Comments
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  Waiting (forever) for official information… - by Holly Walker

  
  
  
  I suspect the officials advised the Minister much the same, which is why he’s so reluctant to release the advice read more
  November 22, 2012 3:32 pm - 7 Comments
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  The Parliamentary week that was, 13-15 Nov, for Pacific communities - by Jan Logie

  
  
  
  This week, Parliament was preoccupied with a few Bills that didn’t really make the headlines and many more questions about unemployment. Sky City The Greens had another Member’s Bill in the House this week; to ensure money that had been stolen and used in casinos was returned to the people it was stolen from. Massey [...] read more
  November 20, 2012 4:30 pm - No Comments
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  Student allowance cuts – making a bad policy even worse - by Holly Walker

  
  
  
  Postgrads, if you thought you were ok for student allowance next year because your course already started, think again… At the time of the Budget in May, Tertiary Education Minister Steven Joyce announced that postgraduate students would no longer be eligible for a student allowance. In itself, this policy is short-sighted, flies in the face [...] read more
  November 19, 2012 3:03 pm - 19 Comments
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  Another deal shows importance of transparency - by Holly Walker

  
  
  
  This week we’ve had another reminder of the importance of transparency about lobbying activity. On Wednesday in the House, Winston Peters forced Immigration Minister Nathan Guy to come clean about an agreement between the Government and a Chinese airline to allow frequent flyers to skip normal border checks when coming into NZ. It’s since come [...] read more
  November 16, 2012 3:36 pm - 8 Comments
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  The Parliamentary week that was, 6-8 Nov, for Pacific communities - by Jan Logie

  
  
  
  Parliament was preoccupied by two major pieces of news last week, the unemployment figures and concerns about Housing. It also passed the Climate Change legislation (as previously discussed in this blog post series) and failed to pass Labour MP Darien Fenton’s Bill to stop libraries from charging for borrowing and internet use. Unemployment During Question [...] read more
  November 15, 2012 11:30 am - 1 Comment
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  100 years of the public service - by Denise Roche

  
  
  
  Today marks the 100th anniversary of the Public Service Act of 1912. This act established New Zealand’s public service, changing the model from one in which Ministers treated Ministries as their own personal fiefdoms and pay varied widely between Ministries. Today, the public service performs a wide range of vital roles helping to keep our [...] read more
  November 7, 2012 4:15 pm - 9 Comments
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  Climate change and New Zealand – Mr Groser leads us to the promised land… - by Kennedy Graham

  
  
  
  Two months ago, international scientists reported that the Polar ice-cap had melted far faster than the IPCC anticipated, about 80% since 1980.  It might have its first ice-free day about 2015 (half a century ahead of expectations) and be completely ice-free around 2030-35. This was described as ‘terrifying news’ by the leading scientist, since it [...] read more
  November 7, 2012 1:47 pm - 18 Comments
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  Wilkinson resignation only symbolic - by Kevin Hague

  
  
  
  On Monday, in light of the Royal Commission report into Pike River, Kate Wilkinson resigned as Minister responsible for the Department of Labour. This was the right decision, given that Pike River was the most serious industrial disaster in the last fifty years, and it happened on her watch. What’s interesting is that she has [...] read more
  November 7, 2012 10:19 am - 5 Comments
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  MMP changes belong to the people, not parties - by Holly Walker

  
  
  
  The final report of the MMP review was released yesterday after a robust public consultation process. Parliament now needs to respect this process and implement recommendations that will strengthen our electoral system in the long term. read more
  November 6, 2012 8:55 pm - 5 Comments
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  Remembering Rod: Seven years on - by frog

  
  
  
  Today’s the seven-year anniversary of the death of our beloved first male co-leader, Rod Donald. For those who didn’t know him, Rod was passionate about fair elections and worked long hours to secure electoral reform here in New Zealand in the early 1990s. Our current voting system – MMP – has been described by former [...] read more
  November 6, 2012 11:18 am - 3 Comments
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  Snapper example makes case for lobbying transparency - by Holly Walker

  
  
  
  New information on the National Government’s involvement in helping a company to get a contract in Auckland’s integrated ticketing shows why we need a transparent lobbying disclosure regime. read more
  November 5, 2012 10:56 am - 33 Comments
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  The parliamentary week that was, 23-25 Oct, for Pacific communities - by Jan Logie

  
  
  
  Parliament was preoccupied by two major pieces of law last week, alcohol law reform and climate change. Climate change We can no longer debate whether Climate change is real or man-made, the science is unchallengeable and the signs increasingly visible. Pacific countries know this, because they are at the front line of Climate change. Some [...] read more
  October 29, 2012 4:29 pm - 3 Comments
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  This week on the lobbying bill - by Holly Walker

  
  
  
  The Lobbying Disclosure Bill has been in the media again this week as submissions continued at select committee. One of the recurring questions raised by submitters was why New Zealand needs a disclosure regime, given that we already have a relatively transparent system. While this may be true in comparison to places like the UK [...] read more
  October 26, 2012 3:50 pm - 12 Comments
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  First day of lobbying submissions - by Holly Walker

  
  
  
  Submissions started today on the Lobbying Disclosure Bill, and the biggest news was Labour’s decision to withdraw the proposed exemption for unions and NGOs. read more
  October 17, 2012 7:51 pm - 6 Comments