Point of Order: Buzz from the Beehive - 31/1/25

Not only can we drive faster – our chances of hitting potholes are being reduced (thanks to a $3.9bn govt investment)

Great news flowed today from Transport Minister Chris Bishop. Fresh from enabling us to put the foot down and drive at higher speeds on several roads and highways, today Bishop said potholes are being repaired more quickly, too.

Around 98 per cent of potholes on state highways are being repaired within 24 hours of identification every month since targets were introduced, he says.

Peter Dunne: Privatising State Assets

The debate about privatising state assets has reared its head again, with calls by the ACT leader for the government to sell off more assets to help balance its books and the Prime Minister’s now typical vaguely ambiguous, non-committal response.

However, it is largely yesterday’s debate, more reminiscent of the late 1980s and early 1990s than today. At that time, there was a case for the government to divest itself of many assets and businesses that successive governments had acquired over time, only to see their performance fail to improve significantly under government ownership.

Greg Bouwer: Ashley Church - Relocating Gazans to Egypt

Over the past few days, US President Trump has repeatedly insisted that some or all of the citizens of Gaza must be relocated to other Arab states.

At first glance, this demand might seem unreasonable or absurd – but it actually has a surprising degree of historical precedent and, had history played out differently, may have allowed the world to avoid the situation which exists today.

JC: The World Needs a Donald J Trump

Certainly some of Trump’s ideas are ‘out there’. Buying Greenland, making Canada the 51st State and renaming the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America. I understand Google Maps will use the Gulf of America name. He also wants to clean out Gaza.

Meanwhile our government has announced people visiting from visa waiver countries can work remotely for their employer for up to nine months under a ‘digital nomads’ scheme and speed limits are being increased on 38 roads. Hardly in the same league is it?

Suze: Which Waka You In, Bro?

In the culture stakes, the Māori waka is streets ahead of anyone else.

Karen Chhour is frequently accused of not understanding Māori culture and last week it was more of the same when Chhour presented a bill introducing sentencing for a new category of criminals known as “young serious offenders” and opened the door for military bootcamps. Māori offenders are disproportionately represented in the youth justice system.

Ele Ludemann: Time to restart tenure review

The conversation on the possible sale of state owned assets has started again.

It has resulted in the usual cries to never from the usual suspects based on emotion not sense.

The case for the government owning any entity that competes with private enterprise is and Landcorp is a good example of one which performs poorly.

Owen Jennings: How's Your Amygdala Working?

I learnt a new word today. Amygdala n. an area of your brain responsible for emotional processing, especially fear and anxiety. It also connects emotions to memory and your senses.

According to some experts, one’s amygdala is quite influential to the point it will out compete the more logical and factual foci in the brain.

Michael Reddell: Reviewing Covid experiences and policies

I’ve spent the last week writing a fairly substantial review of a recent book (“Australia’s Pandemic Exceptionalism: How we crushed the curve but lost the race”) by a couple of Australian academic economists on Australia’s pandemic policies and experiences. For all its limitations, there isn’t anything similar in New Zealand.

What we do have is the Phase 1 report of the Covid Royal Commission which was released by the government at the end of November. You can find the full 700+ page report here. I haven’t read the full report but did read Chapter 6 on “Economic and social impacts and responses” (which starts on page 242 of the Report itself, or page 285 of the pdf). It was, frankly, a pretty disappointing read.

Andrew Moran: The Double-Edged Sword of China’s DeepSeek AI Sensation

What the heck was that? Oh, nothing. It was just an infant artificial intelligence meteorite from China named DeepSeek that wiped out more than $1 trillion in value on Wall Street. The US financial markets are taking another look at their calculations to determine if they might have forgotten to carry the one when estimating their future AI investments since the ChatGPT craze that began three years ago.

David Farrar: Of course you should be evicted for not paying rent

Stuff reports:

The tenants of two Kāinga Ora homes in Porirua have been ousted after failing to pay the rent, as the public housing landlord implements a harder line on breaches of tenancy agreements.

Kāinga Ora made successful applications to the Tenancy Tribunal in relation to the two properties, where outstanding rent payments added up to over $72,000.

Mike's Minute: The banks aren't reading the mood

There is little in life more nauseating than a sycophant.

These are people who do not what they believe is right, but bend to the whim, flavour, or mood of the day.

The corporate world is full of it.

Thursday January 30, 2025 

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Dave Patterson: US Iron Dome — Aspiration or Reality?

In the category of promises made and promises kept, President Donald Trump is serious about protecting the people of the United States. In December, at a Phoenix, AZ, rally, Trump announced that he would direct the Department of Defense (DOD) to begin construction of a “great ‘Iron Dome’ defense shield,” like the one Israel has fielded that has effectively prevented barrages of incoming ballistic missiles, drones, and cruise missiles from doing catastrophic damage.

Dr Eric Crampton: Growth is good - how the PM’s speech has moved the vibe

If you’re reading this in print with your morning coffee, you’re probably not among the terminally online.

For those who are among the terminally online, always hooked into what’s going on on Twitter and elsewhere, there’s probably no need to explain the vibes, or the shift in vibes.

Professor Ananish Chaudhuri: Oral submission on the Treaty Principles Bill

My name is Ananish Chaudhuri. I am Professor of Economics at the University of Auckland. My views are my own and not those of my employer.

Thank you very much for giving me an opportunity to speak this morning.

I was born in India and did my undergraduate studies there. I studied further and then taught in the United States for many years. I am a citizen of New Zealand and have called this place “home” for more than two decades. I have two daughters, 19 and 16, who were born here.

Jerry Coyne: Trying to reconcile indigenous ways of knowing with “white” ways of being in New Zealand

This article actually appeared on the Museum of New Zealand’s website, and is about as explicit an argument for the country adopting indigenous “ways of knowing” (Mātauranga Māori, or MM) as I have found. You may remember that MM is a mixture of practical knowledge, religion, superstition, morals, teleology and guidelines for living. Despite this mixture, there has been a constant battle to get MM taught as coequal with modern science, though the argument has euphemistically changed to coequal “ways of knowing.”

Centrist: Javier Milei’s Davos address on ‘wokeism’ liberty and ’the quest for privileges’

Argentina’s President Javier Milei delivered a spirited speech at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, proclaiming the rise of liberty and condemning “wokeism” as a societal cancer.

Milei credited Argentina’s remarkable economic turnaround—zero deficit, inflation control, and renewed growth—to a radical embrace of free-market principles.

John Klar: Defending Free Speech in America

The First Amendment seemed forgotten under the Biden Administration, but it’s back.

President Donald Trump let fly a flurry of executive orders in his first week as president. Among those was a reaffirmation of the US Constitution’s First Amendment prohibitions against government regulation of Americans’ liberties to speak and communicate free of government censorship. Volumes of evidence now point to blatant violations of this vital constitutional restraint by the Biden administration, including revelations by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg that the White House intensely pressured his social media platforms to regulate content. The new executive order directs government agencies to investigate these past violations as well as prohibiting future transgressions.

Graham Adams: NZ Herald struggles with how to gain readers’ trust

Manurewa Marae ‘scoop’ falls between clickbait and journalism.

Last week, NZME, the owners of the NZ Herald, announced 38 newsroom staff would be losing their jobs.

Most of those being dismissed were “production journalists”, which includes sub-editors. The Herald has undertaken culls of such employees several times over recent decades. Inevitably, the ensuing rash of grammatical and spelling mistakes in their publications, along with plain gobbledegook, means at least some of them will soon need to be rehired.

Kerre Woodham: What have we got left to sell?

You may have heard, the 80’s are making a comeback. Lookout for denim on denim, bubble skirts, and asset sales. David Seymour is stepping up his campaign to sell state assets and privatise public services.

Ele Ludemann: Toxicity here too

The world has become toxic. I realize that we’re in a crisis again, that there is so much hatred around, so much distrust, that if we don’t stop, it may get worse and worse. There may be another terrible destruction.

Those are the words of Tova Friedman, who was taken to Auschwitz when she was five and liberated when she was six.

She is right – there is so much toxicity, so much hatred, so much distrust and if we don’t stop it, it will get worse.

JC: NZME = New Zealand Muddled Entity

The Media Insider in the Weekend Herald focused on TV One’s 6pm news, asking if it was in for a shakeup, followed by a piece on the financial plight of NZME. Shayne Currie was talking about the plight of the media overall. The article was quite an eye opener. As one who spent many years in the media I was left scratching my head.

It would appear these people can’t see the wood for the trees. They are either ignoring, don’t realise or are deliberately in denial as to the main reason for their financial predicament. Certain things like the obvious loss of audience in some areas were mentioned but the usual excuses were trotted out, such as increasing competition. All the more reason, then, to address the root cause of the loss of audience and/or readership.

Mike's Minute: The Govt need to move on foreign buyers this year

The good people at OneRoof were hinting at it the other day.

They were reacting to what I know to be a bit of a buzz within the real estate community that the Government are going to move on foreign buyers this year.

I talk to a lot of agents. They range from telling me it's on, to those who hope it's on, to those who want it to be on but aren't holding their breath.

Wednesday January 29, 2025 

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Sam Karnick: Trump’s Colorblind Agenda

The biggest story of the past week was, of course, Donald Trump’s return to the White House and his quick action on numerous policy fronts through a flurry of sweeping executive orders and other initiatives.

Trump implemented reforms all across the federal government in just one week, taking an even bolder course than he did upon assuming office in 2017. Trump’s first week of work this time was nothing less than the start of an organized and comprehensive effort to reform the federal government to reflect and promote traditional American values.

NZCPR Newsletter: Feature Article - A New Era Begins

The Inauguration of Donald J Trump as the 47^th President of the United States marked the beginning of a new era for the country – and for the world.

If he gets his agenda right, America will return to being a global leader.

Professor Richard Shaw: David Seymour says Kiwis are too squeamish about privatisation.....

David Seymour says Kiwis are too squeamish about privatisation – history shows why they lost the appetite

State asset sales have been a political dividing line in New Zealand for decades now, and it seems voters are again being asked to decide which side they’re on.

In his state-of-the-nation speech last week, ACT Party leader David Seymour advised New Zealanders to “get past their squeamishness about privatisation” and ask themselves:

Ross Meurant: Performance Paramount in the Jungle

I applaud the Operational Deployments, undertaken by the NZ Police, since Richard Chambers was appointed to the position of Commissioner of Police.

Across the front-line, breakers of the law, who somehow avoided police intervention during the rule of Commissioner Coster, are now regularly being brought before the Courts.

Ian Bradford: Instant action from a President who seems to know the truth about climate change

Donald Trump has just been inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States.  This is his second term and he has wasted no time in signing off a number of executive orders.  An executive order is a directive from the president that manages operations of the Federal Government. It has the force of law and does not require any action by congress. 

We will just look at a few that involve climate.

Clive Bibby: Fairies at the Bottom of the Garden

Life is tough here on the ranch where the decisions that will affect the future lifestyles of all kiwis are made. But, it could be much worse.

You only have to look at the Middle East where generations of Arabs and Jews are still fighting over scraps of land that both believe are their birthright.

Ele Ludemann: Bring back Brash?

Six years with a Labour government showed very clearly that more spending isn’t always better spending.

It’s a lesson the Reserve Bank doesn’t appear to have learned:

DTNZ: Californians collecting signatures for secession from the US

State officials have authorised a campaign dubbed “Calexit” for a possible vote in 2028.

Activists in California are seeking to put the state’s possible independence from the US to a ballot.

Kerre Woodham: We need to get better faster

Well, I might have been swanning about on holiday for an unseemly amount of time but the Government was back at work. You have already discussed, I have no doubt the PM's reshuffle of the cabinet, specifically Dr Reti losing Health to Simeon Brown in a bid to see change happening, change happening better, and there has been much chat about getting the country moving again.

JC: The Left’s Glass Is Empty

The left have predictably poured their half-empty glass of cold water on plans for growth – at least on Christopher Luxon’s plans for growth. They don’t like his vision yet fail to articulate one of their own. If they did it would no doubt mirror the one espoused by ‘Rachel from Accounts’ in the United Kingdom, that is: tax the bejesus out of everybody, especially those whose votes you are unlikely to get, and spend like drunken sailors. That is the mantra of the left and the extent of their economic policy.

Mike's Minute: Trump is fantastic. Nuts, but fantastically nuts

We have to talk about Donald Trump.

He is fantastic.

What I like about what he has done so far is none of it’s a surprise. He actually does what he said he would do.

Tuesday January 28, 2025 

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Point of Order: Buzz from the Beehive - 28/1/25

Simeon Brown steps out as Minister of Health

Your PoO monitors of ministerial doings have noted that, since we last reported, Simeon Brown has stepped out to deliver his first media statement as Minister of Health.

The PM and his refreshed Cabinet team have been …

DTNZ: Wellington bus lane camera nets $221K+ in fines in just over a month

A new fixed bus lane camera on Riddiford Street, near Wellington Regional Hospital, issued 1,475 tickets totaling $221,250 in fines between December 9 and January 17, significantly outpacing nearby Adelaide Road’s $26,250 in fines.

Professor Elizabeth Rata: Oral Presentation to the Parliamentary Justice Committee on the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill

What is the best title given to any New Zealand legislation? My money is on the 1877 Education Act – 'An Act to make Further Provision for the Education of the People of New Zealand' – the People of New Zealand. So as early as the 1870s there's the commitment to a united people who belong to, and benefit from, the nation 'New Zealand'. Nearly 150 years later that commitment is under serious threat from those who would replace liberal democracy with tribal sovereignty and, by doing so, create a racialised society – apartheid.

Richard Eldred: Police Officers Told Not to Say “Black Sheep” or “Blacklisted” Over Racism Fears

Police officers have been told to avoid terms like “black sheep” and learn about “white fragility” in a Diversity, Equality and Inclusion reference guide at three constabularies. The Telegraph has the story.

A nine-page document, seen by the Telegraph, was published online in 2023 in a diversity, equality and inclusion reference guide for staff at Bedfordshire Police and Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire constabularies.

DTNZ: Charter schools turn away students amid high demand

Several charter schools are experiencing overwhelming demand even before their official openings, with some turning away students due to limited capacity.

Tipene, the first Māori boarding school in 100 years, received four times the number of applications for its initial intake and increased its roll to 42 students.

Kelli Ballard: US Saw a Quarter Million Births by Illegal Migrants in 2023

And the cost to America’s taxpayers was staggering.

When those in America illegally have babies, who should bear the burden? The question of birthright citizenship is a hot button issue, with persuading arguments on both sides of the dispute. While it might be easy, on the surface, to agree that anyone born here should be a citizen, there are other matters to consider. That may seem silly, until you read the preliminary report from the Center for Immigration Studies that shows a quarter million babies were born to illegal migrants in 2023 alone – and it cost the American taxpayers billions.

Sir Bob Jones: The coming insurance crisis

The catastrophic California fires will hit every New Zealander in the pocket. That’s because all insurances world-wide, are pooled.

That’s hardly surprising after all if you’re in the insurance business your first and most important client and thus initial step as an insurance company, is to insure yourself.

Mark Angelides: Trump Lays Down the Law for Columbia

Columbia made a big show of refusing to accept flights from the United States returning illegal migrants. President Gustavo Petro on Sunday, January 26, made a series of public X posts in which he insisted the deportations were a non-starter until President Trump found a way to do it that treated the repatriated with the “dignity that a human being deserves.” Trump was far from amused and immediately put the full power of the executive to work. From tariffs to sanctions, Surprise, surprise, it worked. By Sunday afternoon – just a couple of hours after Trump’s response – President Petro sent his presidential plane to pick up the deported individuals in Honduras.

Dr Michael Johnston: Wither the University?

How should politicians respond if public hospitals decided to stop treating injuries and illnesses? A version of this scenario is playing out in higher education across the English-speaking world.

Universities have two core missions. One is to produce and test knowledge. The other is to teach students to think using the methods of rigorous disciplines like science and history. Both require environments in which ideas can be freely expressed and contested.

Monday January 27, 2025 

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Geoff Parker: National in decline

Has Prime Minister Christopher Luxon just signed the National Party’s death warrant?

According to our unreliable, biased media: “The Prime Minister says he will refuse any demand from the Act Party for a referendum on the Treaty Principles Bill after the next election – even if he needs Act to form a Government.”

With the present mood of the country calling for a referendum on the Treaty Principles Bill (TPB) and Luxon’s utterances above, I now predict a huge swing to David Seymour and ACT, it could be a swing so large that National will no longer be the go to party for sending the looney lefties to the opposition benches, in fact with National’s current pro-Maori ideology they may as well join the lefties.

Fiona Mackenzie: Submission on the Department of Conservation’s Discussion Document

17th January 2025

By email to landlegislation@doc.govt.nz

Feedback on the Department of Conservation’s Discussion Document:
Modernising Conservation Land Management Nov 2024
(for a planned Conservation Amendment Bill to be passed by 2026)

https://www.doc.govt.nz/get-involved/have-your-say/all-consultations/2024-consultations/proposals-to-modernise-the-conservation-system/

Damien Grant: National are squandering an opportunity to reshape our faltering economy

It was a friendly crowd; corralled by the energetic Simon Bridges into the Great Room at the Cordis Hotel to hear from Dear Leader; Christopher Luxon. Business owners, executives, professionals and the magnificently attired Michelle Boag had chipped in a few bob to hear his State of the Nation speech.

What did we learn?

Dr Michael Bassett: Reforming the Waitangi Tribunal

So loud are the squeals from the likes of Debbie Ngarewa-Packer against the new appointments to the Waitangi Tribunal that I can only assume that Minister Tama Potaka has got things right. And that the new members are likely to shake the organisation into some sort of compliance with its mission that was set out in legislation fifty years ago. Decades of misbehaviour since the Tribunal was established in 1975 where a series of leaders have allowed the organisation to become a state-funded plaything for Maori radicals will hopefully come to an end. With luck, the minister will go a step further and trim the Tribunal’s legislation so that it doesn’t slip back into the manifold sins of recent years.

Dan Brunskill: The Coalition Government promises an economic growth plan within weeks.....

The Coalition Government promises an economic growth plan within weeks, but can it deliver results?

It is awkward for a Government, elected to get the economy back on track, to have spent its first full year in office watching output shrink almost $2 billion in inflation adjusted prices.

2024 was a year of recession by any definition of the word, although a more useful definition would show the New Zealand economy has been in a recession since September 2022.

Olivia Pierson: Trump 2.0

I can’t get over the acute difference between Trump’s 2017 inauguration and what has just taken place in DC this week. To see a president, such as he is, so welcomed with full fanfare and proper respect was nothing but a high. This almost super-human man has been through hell in order to save the republic of his birth, and this time America gave him all his well-earned dues.

Dave Patterson: Are Aircraft Carriers Too Vulnerable to Be Useful?

Every so often, someone will present a case disparaging the value of the US Navy’s aircraft carriers. These attempts to persuade military leaders of more effective ways to project sea power generally pick up on some new weapon or threat to justify deep-sixing the backbone of the US force presence – the modern nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. So it is with economist Mr. Philip Pilkington’s National Interest article “Why Aircraft Carriers Are Becoming Obsolete.”

Dr Oliver Hartwich: A pessimist’s reasons to be optimistic in 2025

When Newsroom’s editor Jonathan Milne invited me to write one of two special pieces for the summer break, I faced quite the conundrum. My options were to review a work of non-fiction or write a column about hope and optimism for 2025.

I initially misread Jonathan’s request to review a work of fiction, which scared the hell of me because I have not read a novel for at least two decades. Fiction is just not me.