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April 4, 2026 8:00am by Kokila Patel

General Debate 04 April 2026

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Damocles11

‘The White House is seeking roughly $1.5 trillion for defense as part of a fiscal 2027 budget request — a proposal that would boost military spending to its highest point in modern history as the Trump administration wages its war with Iran.
The blueprint released Friday would increase the government’s defense spending by more than 40% compared to last year.’
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April 4, 2026 8:12am
- imalwaysright
  
  Meanwhile more Americans are missing out on health care.
  
  Ironic that the American government are reducing the lifespan of Americans so that they can reduce the lifespan of foreigners…
  
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  April 4, 2026 10:33am
- Wandering Star
  
  “Defense” from whom? Any increase to the already gargantuan US military budget to fund the attacks on Iran at this point is just a subsidy for Tel Aviv.
  
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  April 4, 2026 10:36am
- wairarapapaul
  
  They’ll need it to fight this religious war.
  
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  April 4, 2026 10:47am
- [email protected]
  
  Poor taxpayers!
  
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  April 4, 2026 1:00pm
BarryB

Below are figures showing total oil and petroleum reserves in days of net imports of some countries
Figures are from the International Energy Agency on March 31

Netherlands ▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄469
Denmark ▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄371
Finland ▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄292
Japan ▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄208
Korea ▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄200
Sweden ▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄177
Belgium ▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄169
Switzerland ▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄165
Italy ▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄136
Greece ▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄135
U K ▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄124
Portugal ▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄121
Czech ▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄120
France ▄▄▄▄▄▄▄117
Austria ▄▄▄▄▄▄▄114
Ireland ▄▄▄▄▄▄▄110
Spain ▄▄▄▄▄▄98
Turkiye ▄▄▄▄▄▄96
New Zealand ▄▄▄▄▄88
Australia ▄▄▄49

Interesting that the two countries that have handed over control of oil reserves to commercial companies are the two least prepared to handle a shortage……
All the countries listed above except NZ & Australia have oil refineries.
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April 4, 2026 8:14am
- Handyman
  
  The reference to private company control is irrelevant.
  The main reason is that refined products have a shelf life of months while crude oil lasts forever. Storing a years’ worth of refined products means selling all refined products after a year’s storage, when they will be out of spec.
  
  Imagine the government decreed there should always be 20 days of milk supply. That means all milk sold in New Zealand would be 20 days old. The alternative is to buy local cows and have them “refine” fresh milk on demand, which is what Japan does for oil.
  New Zealand cannot justify a refinery on economic terms. But here is a suggestion:
  Pay one of the Australian refineries to store 6 months crude oil at its refinery and contract a dedicated percentage of refinery capacity to meet New Zealand’s needs.
  Sure, the annual cost will be higher, but the uplift is the price of supply insurance.
  
  A future Australian government will probably reach the same conclusion for them.
  
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  April 4, 2026 10:36am
- Gulag1917
  
  As of April 2026, Australia has two operational oil refineries, reduced from eight in 2005. These remaining sites are the Ampol Lytton refinery in Brisbane and the Viva Energy Geelong refinery in Victoria. They supply roughly 20% of Australia’s liquid fuel demand.
  
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  April 4, 2026 10:39am
- Taieri
  
  There’re still two operational oil refineries in Australia, one in Geelong, Victoria and other in Lytton, Queensland. Total capacity: 234000 bbl/day.
  
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  April 4, 2026 10:51am
- pb
  
  NZ swallowed the whole “economic miracle” BS that brought down Thatcher. Privatizing national assets was a meme pushed by rich globalists, to the detriment of peoples around the world. With the ongoing dynamic collapse of the American Empire, the rule by global law is too.
  
  Politicians will jettison Green utopian dreams and embrace energy independence, in the end, or fail on the altar of their own intransigence.
  
  We should go back to coal. It can be converted into energy. Explore the seas for gas. Go harder into solar. Yet unless forced to, our leaders wont, we are ruled by feckless managerial cowards.
  
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  April 4, 2026 11:27am
- Stu2
  
  How did they work it out?
  Is it NZ petrol+diesel+jet fuel in country?
  
  We’ve got more than that if tankers currently heading to NZ are included.
  
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  April 4, 2026 12:02pm
- SoloView
  
  @ BarryB
  Australia has 2 refineries which supply about 20% of its fuel demands.
  Both of them are being kept alive by government subsidies that start expiring in 16 months…
  
  https://petrolmate.com.au/blog/2026-02-21-two-oil-refineries-australia-fuel-dependency
  
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  April 4, 2026 2:12pm
- NeverMindTheBollocks
  
  Not a coincidence. By definition, if you have refineries then you’ll have feedstock tanks, and you can process & keep the output for yourself.
  
  When Marsden Pt was closed, we should have retained / converted the tanks for storage.
  
  It’s never made sense to me that our stock included tankers on the water, as if they could not be diverted elsewhere. Of course, tankers would never be diverted, except in time of emergency, which is the only time when you would not want them diverted.
  
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  April 4, 2026 4:06pm
- Jack5
  
  Australia still has two oil refineries. They are subsidised by the Government for strategic reasons, and can supply about a fifth of Australia’s fuel.
  
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  April 4, 2026 5:06pm
surfing

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/tauranga-dog-attack-victims-upset-council-wont-reveal-what-happened-to-attacker/EX5QKYGGBFAODLXNMCWMNLRJCQ/

“Tauranga dog attack victims upset council won’t reveal what happened to attacker”

Council misusing my rates money and protecting the owners of vicious dogs. Councils have an obligation to keep victims of dog attacks up to date with all the information about the other dog owner and action taken!

I’d rather have the privacy act scrapped than be used to protect crims.
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April 4, 2026 8:22am
- peterwn
  
  They should lay a ‘complaint’ with the Ombudsman. The Ombudsman could well rule that while the owner’s identity is ‘private’ information on the fate of the dog is not. The Council surely can indicate whether the dog was put down (whether by owner or council), the dog was not located, the dog was not seized or the dog is impounded pending further action.
  Another option would be to launch Disputes Tribunal proceedings against the ‘un-named’ dog’s owner for vet bills. The Court can probably require the Council to release the owner’s name despite privacy concerns (similar to motor vehicle cases).
  
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  April 4, 2026 10:59am
- greybeard
  
  It seems that the TCC has some negative issue every week: it is so dysfunctional that surely it is time for a commissioner to take over again ? Drysdale has been a disaster.
  
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  April 4, 2026 11:21am
- Paulus
  
  What else to you expect from the overbloated and over paid people in Tauranga Council.
  
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  April 4, 2026 3:15pm
artemisia

Late last year an investigation was announced by Internal Affairs into serious allegations related to Dunedin provider Te Kaika. This year Health NZ has also opened an investigation.

So how are the investigations going? Too soon of course but where are terms of reference, timeline and appointees? If public, they are not obvious (to me at least). Anyone? Taxpayers have a right to know.

Bryce Edwards did a lengthy report into allegations at below link. A lot of investigation was done by ODT, apparently excellent (paywalled).

https://pointofordernz.wordpress.com/2026/03/25/te-kaika-and-the-broken-model-of-social-service-contracting/
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April 4, 2026 8:27am
- pdm
  
  I am fairly sure that Peter Williams did a podcast or similar on it too. Possibly at the time the ODT brought it to the fore.
  
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  April 4, 2026 8:57am
- wairarapapaul
  
  Close them down and employ them directly by the ministry. Recover the dodgy spending.
  
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  April 4, 2026 11:07am
- Burtland
  
  Internal Affairs need to investigate the wider combination of health provision, maori trusts, and the charities commission – theres been known issues there for some time, 2019.
  
  “The Waitangi Tribunal, when starting their investigation into Māori health, refused to publish their findings into why this health service delivery system failed, stating it was “sensitive” (Waitangi Report 2575)” – Dr Lawrie Knight
  
  https://breakingviewsnz.blogspot.com/2022/03/dr-lawrie-knight-fact-checking-maori.html
  
  As highlighted by the recent Taxpayers Unions article, the Public Service has been captured by maori activists and become a law-unto-itself – nothing will happen
  
  https://breakingviewsnz.blogspot.com/2026/04/rhys-hurley-mbie-paying-staff-for-daily.html
  
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  April 4, 2026 11:27am
Swifty

I’ve noticed a recent trend for public sector unions to bring their politics into the workplace.

Union paraphernalia in hospitals, schools and I see even local fire appliances and fire stations adorned with union placards and messaging.

Well bugger that. Union activity is a private matter. Warn and then sack those who use our public facilities and infrastructure for the advancement of their private interests.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/whangarei-hospital-industrial-dispute-sees-stickers-deemed-a-safety-risk/EWTKW54VAJGS5A6KTMD7Y6BW6E/
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April 4, 2026 8:38am
- peterwn
  
  OK on a designated noticeboard in the staffroom or lunchroom, but such material should not be visible to the public.
  
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  April 4, 2026 11:01am
  - Graeme Hall
    
    Christchurch City Station in Kilmore Street is festooned with notices on number of days of contract negotiations, and how long since the workers had a pay rise. The staff seem to be on strike for an hour every day, except weekends. On that hour they parade about the nearest intersections in their uniforms while their mates drive around honking. Personally I think they should be locked out of the station from now on and the equipment made available to the volunteers who answer about 76% of calls.
    
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    April 4, 2026 3:10pm
- kowtow
  
  Not just the trades unions , “management” are fully on board.
  
  Look at all the “rainbow” crossings , overtly racist “art installations” etc
  
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  April 4, 2026 11:57am
- Handyman
  
  They should wear the bright uniforms all the time, They look great!
  
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  April 4, 2026 2:28pm
David George

Even Castro’s daughter hates the communists that have ruined her country:
“Alina Fernández Revuelta, the daughter of the late Cuban dictator Fidel Castro, claimed in an interview published Wednesday that Cuba should have had a regime change in the 1980s.

Fernández, daughter of Castro and Havana socialite Natalia Revuelta, claimed that a regime change in her home country is long overdue and the regime should have ended when her father died if not earlier.”
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/fidel-castros-daughter-claims-cuban-regime-change-should-have-happened-in-the-1980s/ar-AA1ZXjdr

Venezuela, Iran and Cuba thank God for President Trump
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April 4, 2026 9:01am
- Taieri
  
  Venezuela, Iran and Cuba thank God for President Trump
  ————–
  
  For a decade, Gustavo González López oversaw Venezuela’s torture dungeons and spy networks. His secret police became a cudgel for strongman Nicolás Maduro. Opponents disappeared, protesters rounded up and González was sanctioned by the US, EU and UK.
  Now, in a bid to shore up power, the US-backed interim president Delcy Rodríguez has promoted the baby-faced 65-year-old to defence minister.
  
  https://www.ft.com/content/c52604ac-c7aa-4d59-86ba-fa164c285608?syn-25a6b1a6=1
  
  (Paywalled)
  
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  April 4, 2026 9:36am
  - David George
    
    While there hasn’t been a complete regime change in Venezuela there have been hundreds (up to 900 depending on definitions) of political prisoners released .
    Grok Summary:
    “The interim government under acting President Delcy Rodríguez (Maduro’s former vice president, installed via Supreme Court ruling on “forced absence”) has prioritized stability, economic opening (especially oil), and limited reconciliation measures while operating within a flexible interpretation of the 1999 Constitution. The U.S. (Trump administration and Secretary of State Marco Rubio) has outlined a three-phase roadmap—stabilization, economic recovery, and political transition—but has provided no firm timeline for elections or institutional reforms, emphasizing that credible democratic processes will follow initial stabilization.
    
    ” The main concrete change to date is the Law on Amnesty for Democratic Coexistence, passed unanimously by the National Assembly on February 19–20, 2026 (after a first reading on February 5). It grants broad clemency for political offenses and related crimes committed between 1999 and January 30, 2026, tied to specific events such as past protests, the 2002 coup attempt, and the disputed 2024 presidential election. The law’s stated goals are “peace, democratic coexistence, and national reconciliation.” It has facilitated the release of hundreds of political prisoners (with judicial processing required within 15 days) and allows exiles to apply via representatives, though it excludes serious crimes like homicide or corruption.”
    That’s all good. No?
    
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    April 4, 2026 2:32pm
- Gulag1917
  
  Regime change for Canada and Greenland also?
  Wonder where it is also going to end.
  
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  April 4, 2026 11:09am
- Wandering Star
  
  So if Ivanka Trump came out and said the Trump regime needs to go, regime change should happen in the US? Or Netanyahu’s kid? Or Luxon’s? Give me a break.
  
  Finding some aggrieved expat of a given country to come out and express their disapproval is not license for the US to perform yet another regime change. But this is one way the idiotic public are persuaded to get in behind these operations.
  
  The sequence of events is not “here’s an aggrieved expat and their story, so let’s do regime change” it is the opposite, which is “we want to do regime change, so let’s find some aggrieved expat to manipulate the prols.”
  
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  April 4, 2026 11:21am
Handyman

The left, especially Helen Clark, keep banging on about how New Zealand has an independent foreign policy.
The same people can’t accept that the US also has an independent foreign policy, and demand the US not take any action without the permission of the EU and the UN.
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April 4, 2026 9:08am
- AitchW
  
  It could be argued that the US is taking action against Iran before Iran launches a serious attack on the US. Or Israel. Or the UK.
  We are not party to intelligence gathered by the US.
  Had America not waited for Pearl Harbour before entering WW2 the war may well have ended a lot earlier.
  
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  April 4, 2026 10:03am
Scott

Some alarming news from the good folk at Hobsons Pledge. Paul Goldsmith has received a report about taking the references to Treaty Principles out of legislation, unless it is directly relevant. He has decided not to release the report!

Alarm bells are clanging! Does this mean the National part of the coalition has decided not to honour the coalition agreement with NZ first to remove references to the Treaty of Waitangi? Paul Goldsmith seems like a pleasant chap but he is reliably adverse to conflict and on the woke side of the party.

I defended the coalition when they decided not to go with Seymour’s treaty principles referendum. I thought, and still think, that removing references to the Treaty is a good way to go. Judges can’t make rulings on treaty principles if they are not there. So all good. I also agree with Winston that the Treaty has no ongoing principles, it was an agreement between two peoples.

But what is the coalition doing? Are they seriously not going to honour their commitments? This is disturbing.
Here are the details from the email from Hobsons Pledge:

“I do not intend to release the report at this time”.
What?! Is he serious?
Are we meant to just accept that the Government is not going to follow through on one of their key promises at the election and in coalition agreements?
I don’t think so. Not on my watch. I’m sending my own letter to Minister Goldsmith. Click here to do the same.
For a Government that campaigned on restoring democratic accountability and clarity in the law, the response in that letter is extraordinary.
At this point, questions need to be asked. No, questions need to be ANSWERED.
– Why is the report being withheld?
– What advice did the Government receive?
– And if the problem was serious enough to justify a review in the first place, why has nothing changed?
This is not a minor matter that they are backtracking on! Treaty clauses are already influencing how laws are interpreted and how decisions are made across a wide range of areas.
If the Government believes the status quo is justified, it should be prepared to show New Zealanders why. If reform is needed, it should be getting on with it.”
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April 4, 2026 9:16am
- Ghost
  
  The Independent Technical Advisory Group’s report was not intended to be released to the public, but to be confidential advice to Ministers
  
  They are due to be introduced from mid 2026
  
  ITAG Report Delivered September 2025
  Targeted Consultation Jan – April 2026
  Legislation Intro (Mid-2026) Expected May/June 2026
  
  the specific legal strategy recommended for how to rewrite these sections remains under Cabinet-in-Confidence status to protect the government’s legal position.
  
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  April 4, 2026 9:41am
  - RoboRob
    
    Where did you that from? I have tried searches for that and never found anything that specific. Is this newly published or do you have insider info?
    
    Last time I checked about a month ago the ministers page on the process hadn’t been updated since mid last year. Also there was nothing on it about the report being private, but that does make sense. There were no timelines either.
    
    Anyway that’s good news.
    
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    April 4, 2026 9:47am
  - RoboRob
    
    Oh , since you are up with the play on this stuff Ghost, will introduction in June 2026 be enough time to get it passed before parliament goes into recess prior to the election?
    
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    April 4, 2026 10:12am
    - Nikola Donatello
      
      I know that you did not ask me but I can answer. It would only be possible to pass the amendments with a shortened legislation process. If they use a conventional select committee process it will not be possible.
      
      They have mucked about on this for two years. Depressing but so predictable.
      
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      April 4, 2026 12:04pm
    - Ra Henare
      
      The Nats are playing games.
      They seem to have no intention of removing references.
      They agreed to get Coalition talks over the line.
      They will now trumpet that they abided by the agreement by introducing the legislation.
      
      Reminds me of the US negotiations with Iran the weekend before the bombing. Where Iran had agreed to many US demands including the Uraniuam question.
      
      ie say one thing, do another.
      Thanks Nats, you lost my vote.
      
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      April 4, 2026 2:01pm
- pdm
  
  Scott – there is no doubt in my mind that PM Luxon has switched from wanting to get rid of Treaty References etc to almost being an advocate for Co Governance.
  
  He does not say it in words apart from his 2025 Waitangi Day speech where he implied the Treaty was a Partnership about 8 times. His actions or more aptly inaction speak loud and clear these days though.
  
  He also has two very eager `little helpers’ in Ministers Potaka and as you suggest in your post Goldsmith.
  
  The problem is exacerbated by the fact the NZFirst and Winston Peters will only do what is best for Peters and he obviously does not see any mileage in pushing the issue other than getting rid of the Maori Seats.
  
  Just look at what is happening in Councils throughout the country – Co Governance of Water is going full bore.
  
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  April 4, 2026 9:48am
  - Scott
    
    pdm – thanks for your considered comments. I’m not sure about Luxon’s position? He is like every other National Prime minister and doesn’t want to scare the horses. So he’s not going to be bold but Winston is conservative and believes in NZ and does want to get rid of the Maori seats and does believe in getting rid of references to the Treaty. He has said the Treaty contains no principles.
    
    Goldsmith in my mind is generally on the woke side of the ledger.
    
    Regarding the councils. That’s on them. For many NZers cogovernance and biculturalism is something of a religion. They don’t have an actual religion so this is their way of saying, “I am a good person”. But the spread of cogovernance is a council decision. That’s why we need better people in local govt. I don’t blame central govt for that.
    
    I would like Winston or Shane Jones or someone to report back on what is happening with getting references to the Treaty of Waitangi out of the legislation? We need to know before the next election.
    
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    April 4, 2026 10:24am
  - imalwaysright
    
    Seymour told the Platform that they have dealt with co governance in Councils by telling the Councils co governance “isn’t compulsory “.
    
    Stanford has told school boards that they “don’t have to abide by the principles of the treaty” (my paraphrases).
    
    Policy seems to be tacit approval/encouragement.
    
    The Government are taking us for fools.
    
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    April 4, 2026 11:01am
  - Nikola Donatello
    
    I totally agree. Some councils are now operating co governance on all matters relating to resource management.
    
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    April 4, 2026 12:06pm
    - pdm
      
      Hastings DC said they were operating under 2022 legislation when they imposed Co Governance on Water Done Well on Wednesday of Thursday.
      
      How can that be?
      
      Simon Watts is an embarrassment as Local Government Minister.
      
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      April 4, 2026 12:15pm
- Yvette
  
  Scott, I advocate that Government by regulation just re-state that Government and all its services be secular as claimed.
  I am aware this may not rest well with your own interests, but Christianity has more or less disappeared already from Government’s needs, and Sharia Law or much of (the religious aspects of) Maori Tikanga should replace them – that steam from Matariki ground ovens does not rise thousands of light years distance to the star cluster, and that te Mana o te Wai can not give spirituality to water which all New Zealanders need to maintain life but are not given the legalised close affinity recognition than Maori have with water.
  
  As you says Scott, “If the Government believes the status quo is justified, it should be prepared to show New Zealanders why. If reform is needed, it should be getting on with it.”
  And on that we might make our decision to vote ACT or not (as they are unlikely to coalish with Labour.
  
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  April 4, 2026 10:02am
- DimChappie
  
  Hobson’s Pledge is wrong on this; yes the report is finished and Goldsmith won’t release it but but, the work on removing/editing the treaty clauses is proceeding, just not as fast as we would like.
  
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  April 4, 2026 1:24pm
I remember when

The Pope:
“He does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war but rejects them saying even though you make many prayers I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood.”

So, I guess there has been a lot of wasted prayers throughout history.
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April 4, 2026 9:16am
- David George
  
  And the lion will lay down with the lamb?
  Perhaps he has some advise for the Christians being slaughtered in Africa that doesn’t include their total demise,
  
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  April 4, 2026 10:27am
- Scott
  
  I remember, not sure what the pope is saying there? The problem of war for Christian nations has exercised minds over the years. Generally that’s where we talk about a “just war”.
  
  However if the pope is saying that no one waging war can expect to have their prayers heard by God, that’s a big statement. And out of step with theologians of the ages.
  
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  April 4, 2026 10:29am
- Don Beckett
  
  I wonder what he thinks of the Israelites when they took over the land of Canaan?
  Or King David when he fought the wars against his foes?
  Or the Crusades – the Christian defensive wars against the ongoing invasions by Islam?
  I wonder which psalm he is quoting?
  
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  April 4, 2026 10:44am
  - virtualmark
    
    Maybe the Pope also reads the New Testament?
    
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    April 4, 2026 11:13am
  - David George
    
    Does the Pope even understand the Bible?
    
    “Although the Bible, especially the New Testament, is suffused with a love of peace, it is not easy to find a strictly pacifist text within it. Indeed, the Pope’s chosen chapter of Isaiah is not about war. In it, the prophet is castigating the “vain oblations” of Sodom and Gomorrah – the burnt offerings of rams, bullocks and goats. The blood he is talking about is that of “fed beasts” not of the human victims of war.”
    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/04/03/what-pope-really-means-condemns-wage-war-iran/
    
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    April 4, 2026 2:39pm
    - NeverMindTheBollocks
      
      Accusing the Pope of not understanding the Bible?
      
      Brave words, David! Remember, no one expects the Spanish Inquisition.
      
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      April 5, 2026 1:02pm
Cassandra

Headline on RNZ news: “Debbie Ngarewa-Packer says the fuel crisis is causing anxiety among Māori communities.”

This sums up Maori seats, Maori separatism and race relations in NZ. We’re all affected. Rich Maoris and Maori MPs much less than working class Maoris and New Zealanders of ALL other races.

It is time this racist rubbish was stopped. Doing away with Maori parliamentary seats would be the best start.
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April 4, 2026 9:18am
- Boy Geoff
  
  But this is the perfect opportunity out of crisis moment for Te Pati Maori to decolonize Aotearoa’s energy infrastructure and progress the nation into an era of Maori-led renewable energy!
  
  Well that’s what the party’s manifesto says, unless Debbie hasn’t read it…
  
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  April 4, 2026 9:40am
- Yvette
  
  Cassandra, I indeed thought Ngarewa-Packer’s observations were quite reasonable and didn’t amount to a complaint requiring special treatment as that sort of headline “Debbie Ngarewa-Packer says the fuel crisis is causing anxiety among Māori communities” usually signal : à la Peter and the Wolf …
  
  Ngarewa-Packer said whānau in the region should begin their rationing fuel on their own.
  
  “We should be applying our own manāki, our own rangatiratanga and mana motuhake in how we do this.
  
  “I’m seeing it already, our kura and our sports are using vans to pick up everyone. I’m seeing some of our local iwi are now set up ability to work in different pods and offices within their own communities so they don’t need to travel. I’m seeing thinking and planning being done to be able to identify vulnerable people, including our kaumātua, to be able to get their groceries and things.
  
  “That’s really easing in and understanding it and starting that community thinking. When you live collectively and you think collectively, you plan differently. I don’t think the government is doing that.”
  
  Of course if their position eventually all turns to custard and they claim the need for special attention, they can then be asked What went wrong, Why were your reasonable measures not followed, Is the voice which claims to represent Maori not listened to?
  
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  April 4, 2026 9:45am
  - Cassandra
    
    She’s not asking for a Maori-only fuel allowance – that would be outrageous but certainly not out of character – but the tenor of her approach is, as always, only about Māoris. Always Maoris. It is racism.
    
    Anyone banging on about the plight of white people would, rightly, be criticised. The Maori Party approach is divisive, racist and totally unacceptable.
    
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    April 4, 2026 9:57am
    - Yvette
      
      Cassandra, the comment above was not to deny that the Maori Party deals with only what their name alludes to, that their name is their aim as the Greens used to be, but that for once Debbie Ngarewa-Packer says something reasonable.
      Of course, otherwise, I think Maori should be treated as normal New Zealanders, as the victim stance should never does anyone any good, that it is mental dissonance for the élite Maori to be one end of the news and their downtrodden tail at the other end.
      During covid, beyond the questioning of the efficacy of the vaccine – when it was readied while millions of French, Italians and others with intergenerational family living arrangement were dying – the vaccine should have been released here and the whole population just told it may lessen severity of the disease, or avoid death, come and get it – not we will spend millions to seek out your rural retreats, where the only threat to health will be born by us as we come to give you your shots.
      
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      April 4, 2026 10:54am
    - DimChappie
      
      I suspect Maori will get prioritised for fuel if we have to start rationing. Racist and unfair, but just watch.
      
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      April 4, 2026 1:27pm
- sungsamning
  
  And all the racist legislation, and departments.
  
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  April 4, 2026 1:47pm
- Paulus
  
  How could it be stopped when Anarchy is now found all over New Zealand, particularly in the Public Service, and of course Maori.
  I expect some strange results with the incoming election as many people have declared as to what they both want now, and expect.
  They will get neither, but that will be after the election.
  
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  April 4, 2026 3:20pm
Jack5

Veteran reporter Fran O’Sullivan in the Herald today trumpets support for the proposed free trade agreement.

Fran, you ruin your reputation.

This FTA is about opening the NZ door to India’s vast number of young graduates — up to 5,000 young Indians a year for New Zealand. This while our country has something like 15 per cent unemployment among our young people.

India’s flooded with unemployed graduates. From India’s point of view the NZ deal won’t open the door for more than a handful, and they will likely want to go through NZ’s visa-free back door to Australia. (Research over the Tasman shows that already around half of NZ-born people seeking Australian citizenship were born outside New Zealand.)

Perhaps India sees the NZ FTA as opening a new way to open doors for Indian emigration.

The NZ-FTA offers next to nothing for our key export, dairying. There’s mention of infant formula, but our dairy leader, Fonterra just quit its consumer businesses.

The deal would lead to more Indian vegetables and fruit coming in to compete with NZ growers and producers. Note the flood already of peaches from China, apricots from South Africa, while NZ manufacturing by Heinz and Wattie’s and McCain’s dies, wiping hundreds of jobs and taking away markets for NZ growers.

Winston Peters and NZ First oppose the deal. National is pushing it and ACT backs it. To get through it needs the support of Labour.

Perhaps Prime Minister Luxon and Trade Minister McClay think that if the India-NZ agreement is ratified and becomes unpopular, Labour can be blamed.

It’s not just Aunt Fran who’s misleading us on this FTA. The link below is to a web page on the proposed agreement at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

It trumpets the benefits, but doesn’t mention opening entry to thousands and thousands of young Indians.

The biased MFAT shamefully tries to sell the deal:

https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/trade/free-trade-agreements/free-trade-agreements-concluded-but-not-in-force/new-zealand-india-free-trade-agreement/key-outcomes
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April 4, 2026 9:22am
- Damocles11
  
  I expect you will get a lot of downticks from National party supporters for this post. There’s a lot of people in the establishment making an awful lot of money out of the immigration influx. It supports the all-powerful property industry & it keeps wages and salaries lower than they otherwise would be.
  
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  April 4, 2026 11:00am
- Scott
  
  Jack 5,thanks for a very illuminating post. I think the NZ govt should encourage NZ businesses to operate in NZ. Unfortunately National appears to be going full globalist and if Watties shuts their factories and it all comes from overseas they are just not concerned?
  
  Also I agree regarding unemployment for young NZers. It’s a real worry and even Paddy Gower has been reporting on it lately.
  
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  April 4, 2026 11:17am
- Jack5
  
  Edit: Research over the Tasman shows that already around half of ~~NZ-born~~ NZ-visa-entry people seeking Australian citizenship were born outside New Zealand.
  
  Sorry!
  
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  April 4, 2026 11:32am
David Garrett

Doing away with Maori parliamentary seats would be the best start.

Never going to happen mate…that chance was lost back in 2008 when it was both Nat and ACT policy to get rid of them. Instead Key got in bed with the Maori Party.
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April 4, 2026 9:33am
- Cassandra
  
  “All that necessary for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing”.
  
  13 3
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  April 4, 2026 9:58am
  - David Garrett
    
    Cass: How exactly is that comment relevant now? You need to accept that we are stuck forever with the racist Maori seats. 2008 is dead and gone – and with it the best and last chance to get rid of them.
    
    8 8
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    April 4, 2026 10:18am
    - Cassandra
      
      If you’re correct – and you usually are – that’s a great pity. I’d like to think that NZ might be grownup enough to change things.
      
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      April 4, 2026 12:09pm
- Steve Todd
  
  Wrong yet again, David, as I pointed out to you at least twice last year – see, for example, https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2025/10/rip_jim_bolger.html/comment-page-1#comment-3773525.
  
  The last chance to get rid of the Māori seats was when the Electoral Act 1993 was being drafted, but instead, they were effectively entrenched – see section 268(1)(c), here: https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1993/87/en/latest/#DLM310495.
  
  To reiterate, ACT’s policy in 2008 was to abolish the Māori seats; National’s policy was to do so after the 2014 election, provided all Treaty settlements had been finalised (which is still not the case today). In other words, there was no possibility of the seats being abolished (by a 75% vote of MPs) during the 2008-2011 term.
  
  The only way to abolish the Māori seats, then and now, was/is by way of a binding referendum, the likelihood of which is just as remote as ever.
  
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  April 4, 2026 12:08pm
  - pdm
    
    It only needs 51% not 75%
    
    So it will all hinge on the major party (National) if the current Coalition is re-elected.
    
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    April 4, 2026 12:20pm
    - Steve Todd
      
      Not so. MPs cannot abolish the Māori seats on a 51% vote without also amending section 268(1)(c) on a 75% vote. That is why the Māori seats are effectively entrenched.
      
      (No government would ever de-entrench any or all of the provisions of section 268 on a 51% vote. A subsequent government would likely vote to reinstate the Māori seats – and re-intrench the current provisions of section 268 – on a 51% vote, in a tit-for-tat action, thereby rendering the current section 268(2)(a) meaningless.)
      
      In essence, the Māori seats can only be abolished (with section 268(1)(c) consequently being amended), by a binding referendum, which, in my view, is very unlikely to take place anytime soon.
      
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      April 4, 2026 12:50pm
  - David Garrett
    
    Steve T: Were you in parliament in 2008? I was, but perhaps you did so little i didn’t notice you.
    
    We – the ACT caucus – got legal advice from an impeccable source during the 2008 campaign. That advice was and remains: 1) the Maori seats were never entrenched, and thus 2) they could be removed by a parliamentary vote of 50% plus one.
    
    So please don’t bother to “point out” your theory again. I have no doubt that Prof Philip Joseph is a more reliable source of advice than you.
    
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    April 4, 2026 12:37pm
    - David Garrett
      
      …but just to be sure, I have just checked your link: s.268 (1) (c) is totally silent on the Maori seats; it refers only general seats not the Maori ones.
      
      Section 35 – which is referenced tht that sub-section – also has nothing to do with the Maori seats.
      
      9 7
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      April 4, 2026 12:49pm
      - David Garrett
        
        “Drink deep or taste not the perian spring” ‘ or more simply, “a little knowledge is dangerous ”
        
        Or perhaps you don’t understand the difference between general seats and the Maori ones? Different animals dear boy; Different rules
        
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        April 4, 2026 1:14pm
    - Steve Todd
      
      David: Firstly, let me be clear: I decide (subject to Moderator approval) what I post on Kiwiblog, not you.
      
      Section 35 defines “General electoral district”, which you cannot have without also having “Māori electoral districts” (which are based on the Māori electoral population). Therefore, MPs cannot abolish the Māori seats on a 51% vote without also amending the definition of “General electoral district” (by a 75% vote of MPs), by at least removing the words “other than a Māori electoral district”, because there will no longer be such districts.
      
      In addition, the term “General electoral population” in section 3(1) would have to be amended (by a 75% vote of MPs) to remove the words “with the exception of the Māori electoral population”, because there will no longer be such a population. (In both cases, the word “General” would also be redundant.)
      
      Once the Māori seats are abolished, there would need to be a complete boundary review, whereby the now defunct Māori electoral population and the General electoral population would be merged.
      
      So, MPs abolishing the Māori seats on a 51% vote would have no practical effect, because there is no 75% majority to make the necessary consequential amendment to section 268(1)(c).
      
      See also my reply to pdm. I stand by my interpretation until I am shown to be wrong.
      
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      April 4, 2026 1:56pm
      - David Garrett
        
        Would you like Philip Joseph’s number? An expert on electoral law like you would know who he is, right?
        
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        April 4, 2026 2:16pm
      - Steve Todd
        
        @David Garrett @ 2:16PM
        
        Your mockery and sarcasm have become tiresome, David.
        
        Yes, I am very aware of Professor Joseph. You are free to put my interpretation to him if you like. In fact, I urge you to do so.
        
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        April 4, 2026 2:31pm
      - David Garrett
        
        Steve T: Just to be clear – I am surprised it is necessary – I have no control over what you post, and nor would I want to. Make a fool of yourself as much as you like old boy.
        
        Philip’s number is: 021 309 225…tell him I urged you to call him. I’m sure he will be fascinated with your opinion.
        
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        April 4, 2026 2:47pm
      - David Garrett
        
        Once again – you also are becoming “tiresome” – you don’t seem to understand the difference between general seats to which s.268 – an entrenched section – refers and the Maori seats.
        
        “drink deep…” etc.
        
        4 4
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        April 4, 2026 2:53pm
      - Steve Todd
        
        @David Garrett @ 2:47PM
        
        David, I will not be cold-calling Professor Joseph. I have no guarantee he would take my call – given I’m a complete nobody, why would he? Besides, I am happy to continue to post my opinions here, and if someone disagrees with me, they can put up a response telling me why. Also, I’m surprised the Moderators have not yet removed his number. I put up a number once and it was promptly removed.
        
        I very much understand the difference between the General electoral districts, as constituted in section 35, and the Māori electoral districts, as constituted in section 45. I can’t work out why you think I don’t.
        
        If MPs, on a 51% vote, were to abolish the Māori seats, then section 268(1)(c) would need to be consequentially amended, in view, if only to remove reference to General electoral population, because there would no longer be such a population. That would require a 75% vote of MPs. If my interpretation is wrong, so be it.
        
        As is always the case on Kiwiblog, no-one ever changes anyone else’s mind, so I’m going to leave it at that.
        
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        April 4, 2026 4:17pm
      - Steve Todd
        
        Correction: “…, in my view, … [.]”
        
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        April 4, 2026 4:30pm
NeverMindTheBollocks

Yesterday, I commented on Pete Hesgeth’s firing of the chief of staff of the US Army, observing that it’s the 10th similar decision by Hesgeth & that this is banana republic territory.

The incoming appointee, General Christopher LaNeve, has had three promotions under Hesgeth. Previously, LaNeve was a senior military assistant to Hegseth who “is completely trusted by Secretary Hegseth to carry out the vision of this administration without fault”.

Not exactly a neutral appointment of the best qualified candidate, then. Makes perfect sense as a politician to have yes-men on board when you instruct the the military to carry out illegal operations such as, I don’t know, snatch or bomb the leaders of foreign countries.

http://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clye2e85dwjo
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April 4, 2026 9:39am
- RichardX
  
  Little wonder Hegseth thought it was treasonous to remind Officers of their obligations to obey only lawful orders.
  
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  April 4, 2026 9:58am
- Cassandra
  
  LaNeve may well be the next CoA but for now he’s acting. Former Vice.
  
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  April 4, 2026 10:00am
- pb
  
  With the two downed fighter jets and two downed helicopters overnight, the spin doctors might have bitten off more than they can chew. Changing a few cheer leaders in America isn’t going to change the terrain of Persia, nor that America is fighting a proxy war against China and Russia. The US Ukraine war coming back to bite them.
  
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  April 4, 2026 11:34am
- Burtland
  
  I dont think you can believe anything the BBC says anymore about America – they cant even report the facts in a balanced manner – theyre riddled with TDS
  
  BBC – “Iranians wonderful – Americans evil” – Lyse Douce – BBC’s Chief International Correspondent and senior presenter
  
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  April 4, 2026 11:59am
- Swifty
  
  To be fair, Churchill did similarly – let go those who weren’t up to the job and brought in men with the will and determination to take it to the Axis.
  
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  April 4, 2026 1:43pm
- Charlotte Wells
  
  To quote “this is banana republic territory”. What nonsense.
  
  The US has a history going back at least as far as Lincoln of firing military leaders for reason.
  
  Truman sacked McArthur and Obama fired 3. Was that also bananna republic stuff?
  
  As for your slight about illegal orders, that too is TDS in the open.
  
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  April 4, 2026 2:00pm
- Handyman
  
  The US has a system of political appointments and the ability to hire and fire at will. Each cabinet member has a power akin to the NZ PM to choose his/her people in cabinet and as PM advisors.
  Across the US government there are 4,000 – 5,000 people who are pure political appointments who arrive/depart after each election.
  Trump, in his first term did not have enough people ready to go, so kept most of Obama’s “holdovers” who worked to undermine everything Trump did.
  
  Slightly related, there is story about Sam Goldwyn. He declared he did not want YES men on his staff. He said “he wanted men who say what they think, even if it costs them their job”.
  
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  April 4, 2026 2:51pm
Gulag1917

An oil refinery could be reestablished in three years if the bureaucrats gave the green light.
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April 4, 2026 11:05am
imalwaysright

Further to the Chief of the NZ Army telling the Waitangi Tribunal that our army is a tribe of the Maori god of war, and transcends politics , she went on to tell them that it is also a function of our army to “combat disinformation” !!

Wondering if she has taken literally Aderns speech where she declared words to be weapons ?

Is Rose King a political activist ?

Does she believe the answer to someone’s speech is an armed military response?

Is this an internal coup against our army?
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April 4, 2026 11:17am
Swifty

Given the polls, this is one of the most worrying developments in this election year – a very senior Labour figure talking so openly and glibly about suppressing the speech of his political opponents.

https://x.com/theredbaiter/status/2039943611421536472?s=46

And, being Willie Jackson, it is of course delivered in his usual freezing works smoko room style, no reasoned arguments, no discussion of relevant principles, no discussion of trade offs and of course the compulsory, for him, shouting down of his questioner.

It’s just the pits. Our politics have become a joke. Here we have the potential for the sweeping away of our speech freedoms just on a whim. Just because Willie Jackson doesn’t like what some people are saying.

What an appalling mess.
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April 4, 2026 12:40pm
Maggy Wassilieff

An ethical MP

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/591499/hana-rawhiti-maipi-clarke-skips-imf-event-in-washington-dc-cites-price-of-fuel
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April 4, 2026 1:17pm
- NeverMindTheBollocks
  
  Maybe. Maybe she just doesn’t want to go to Donald Trump’s America.
  
  I’ll give her the benefit of the doubt for now, but it would be foolish to overlook the fact that Rawhiti is a member of TPM.
  
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  April 4, 2026 4:14pm
- NeverMindTheBollocks
  
  Interesting to note that climate change was not advanced as a reason for not attending the Washington jamboree.
  
  What’s a few bucks extra on a tank of petrol, compared to the existential threat posed by global boiling?
  
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  April 4, 2026 5:28pm
- greybeard
  
  Or maybe cunning…
  
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  April 4, 2026 6:16pm
  - AitchW
    
    Or just lazy.
    
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    April 4, 2026 8:29pm

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