Point of Order: Buzz from the Beehive - 13/11/24

A sorry state of affairs: offence was given – or was it taken? – thanks to PM’s failure to foresee the effect of his choice of words

“Never apologise, never explain” (according to one source consulted by Point of Order scribes) was the infamous dictum of former Bank of England governor Montagu Norman and epitomised the British take on central bank communication.

But maybe not. An article in the New Yorker said “Never apologize, never explain” is often attributed to the nineteenth-century Oxford scholar Benjamin Jowett, who supposedly added, “Get it over with and let them howl.”

Point of Order: Buzz from the Beehive - 14/5/24

Waitangi Tribunal’s authority in Chhour case is upheld – but bill’s introduction to Parliament gazumps the ruling

It’s been a momentous few days for Children’s Minister Karen Chhour. The Court of Appeal has overturned a High Court decision which blocked a summons order from the Waitangi Tribunal for her. And today she has announced the Government is putting children first by introducing to Parliament legislation to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act.

Point of Order: Buzz from the Beehive - 25/4/24

Maori Party (with “disgust”) draws attention to Chhour’s race after the High Court rules on Waitangi Tribunal’s summons

A statement from Children’s Minister Karen Chhour – yet to be posted on the Government’s official website – arrived in Point of Order’s email in-tray last night.

It welcomes the High Court ruling on whether the Waitangi Tribunal can demand she appear before it.