The Post has ranked Ministers and senior opposition MPs. This is their ratings, not mine. Agree with some, disagree with others.

• 9/10 – Chris Bishop, Erica Stanford, Chris Hipkins
• 8/10 – Todd McClay, Winston Peters
• 7/10 – Nicola Willis, Judith Collins, Mark Mitchell, Barbara Edmonds, Ayesha Verrall
• 6.5/10 – Chloe Swarbrick
• 6/10 – Simeon Brown, Brooke van Velden, Kieran McAnulty
• 5/10 – Christoper Luxon, Paul Goldsmith, Louise Upston, Tama Potaka, Shane Jones, Casey Costello, David Seymour, Nicole McKee, Carmel Sepuloni, Ginny Andersen
• 4/10 – Shane Reti, Willie Jackson, Jan Tinetti, Peeni Henare
• 3/10 – Matt Doocey, Simon Watts, Megan Woods, Tangi Utikere, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer
• 1/10 – Willow-Jean Prime, Rawiri Waititi

I thought the ranking for Willow-Jean Prime was a bit generous.

Matthew Mullins is the new owner/operator (with his wife) of New World Pt Chevalier. I like the story of how he got there.

• Age 15, picker in the chilled and frozen distribution centre at Hornby
• Worked at New World Fendalton
• Store manager at Wellington’s Railway Metro New World
• Store manager at New World Newlands
• Purchased New World Otaki in 2021

A great story of what hard work can achieve.

Sky news reported:

AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett has faced criticism for saying the Bondi Beach terrorist attack was “not motivated by religion”.

Commissioner Barrett had stated in the aftermath of the December 14 attack that the alleged terrorists were “inspired by Islamic State”.

“These are the alleged actions of those have aligned themselves to a terrorist organisation – not a religion,” she said.

This is just bizarre nonsense, where the AFP Commissioner seems more worried about the sensibilities of adherents of the religion of the terrorists, than the victims.

It is not a binary choice between terrorist organisations and religion. Many terrorist organisations are religious in nature. For example the IRA was primarily a Catholic institution.

It would be quite legitimate to say that the terrorists had an extreme view of their religion that is rejected by the vast majority of Muslims (such as Ahmed al-Ahmed who disarmed one of the terrorists). But you can’t say that the terrorists were not motivated by religion when in fact that appeared to be their primary motivation.

Freshwater asked favourability on a variety of individuals and parties locally and globally. Its only one poll, so I would not take as determinative (they have some left figures higher than I would think is the case), but am blogging as interesting to see the relative rankings.

1. Jacinda Ardern +17%
2. King Charles III +14%
3. Labour +13%
4. Chris Hipkins +7%
5. Winston Peters +0%
6. NZ First -3%
7. Wayne Brown -4%
8. Chloe Swarbrick -5%
9. National -7%
10. Greens -9%
11. Christopher Luxon -11%
12. David Seymour -15%
13. Tory Whanau -16%
14. Greta Thunberg -17%
15. ACT -17%
16. Debbie Ngarewa-Packer -23%
17. Elon Musk -25%
18. Donald Trump -37%
19. Te Pati Maori -39%

An excellent column by Ben Kepes:

As details emerged, the familiar and uncomfortable script played out. While there will be inquiries and investigations to come, my immediate thoughts were of how such attackers must believe they are doing something righteous. Perhaps they thought that by targeting Jews in Australia, they were somehow striking a blow for Palestine, or avenging the very real trauma suffered by their kinfolk in Gaza.

Maybe they considered this was solidarity, resistance, justice. It is hard to write that without feeling a surge of anger and disbelief, but it is important to name it plainly.

Such are the typical hallmarks of attacks targeting Jews. And what leaves me incredulous is the leap of logic required to get there. The assumption that Jews everywhere are collectively responsible for the actions of the Israeli government and military is not just wrong, it is absurd. It would be laughable if it were not so dangerous.

Jews are not a hive mind. We do not vote in bloc, think in unison, or take marching orders from Jerusalem. Many of us have never even been to Israel. Some actively oppose its current government. Others hold complicated, conflicted views that do not fit neatly into slogans or social media posts.

The majority of Jews I know are deeply saddened by what has happened in Gaza over the past years. They grieve for Palestinian civilians caught in cycles of violence they did not choose. They grieve in much the same way they grieve for civilians killed in Ukraine, in Sudan, in Syria, in places that rarely trend on X for more than a day.

Some activists seem to only care about one conflict. In 2025, the estimated dead in other conflicts are:

1. Ukraine 75,000
2. Sudan 50,000
3. Islamist insurgencies in Africa 20,000
4. Myanmar 15,000
5. Somalia 10,000
6. Mexico 10.000
7. Congo 9.000
8. Ethiopia 6,000

And yet, somehow, Jews are expected to answer for a war fought by a state many do not live in, and a government many did not vote for. It is a standard applied to no other group. We do not hold random Russians responsible for Putin, or random Americans for every drone strike. We understand, intuitively, that states and people are not the same thing. Except, apparently, when Jews are involved.

Exactly.

In April there was an outcry over the FBI charging Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan with obstruction of justice over her letting someone wanted by ICE leave by a different door in her courtroom.

At the time it was seen as an authoritarian move, without precedent.

However it is newsworthy that Judge Dugan has been found guilty by a jury. The charges against here were substantiated, and it seems she did indeed go out of her way to frustrate federal agents from doing their job. In summary she:

• Lied to agents that their administrative warrant wasn’t sufficient, and that they needed a judicial warrant
• Told them to go see the Chief Judge, to get them out of the way
• Sped the case through, to allow the defendant to leave quickly and by a different door
• Told her court reporter she knew she had done wrong, and that she could get in trouble for it

There are many bad things the Trump Administration has done. But this prosecution wasn’t one of them.

The Taxpayers’ Union released:

The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal that the Department of Conservation’s “Always Be Naturing” campaign, which will cost $2.07 million, is projected to bring in revenue and savings of $16.4 million through private-sector partnerships, donations, and value-in-kind support over the campaigns three year timeframe. …

“Too often government agencies just spend on glossy ads with no measurable return. In this case, DOC has unlocked millions in private-sector support, resources and expertise that would otherwise never have materialised.”

“The lesson for other ministries is clear that private sector partnerships work. Instead of asking for bigger budgets, agencies should be focused on how to attract private investment and deliver real value.”

This is indeed a great example of a pubic-private partnership. May we see more of them.

I was around 10 years old when I went to an athletics meeting at Cooks Gardens in Wanganui. The purpose was to see two of my heroes race – John Walker and Rod Dixon. Armed with a sparking new autograph book I entered the stadium and saw two seven foot tall men walking up the hill near me. The ground shook with each step and the air around them sparked with electricity. Trembling, I made my way to them and stuck the book and pen in front of John Walker. He looked down and thundered; “What do you say boy?”. A very small “please” was all I could mutter. I then made my way to Rod Dixon, whose whole face smiled (including the GREAT moustache). He signed his name – patted me on the back – and had a fan for life.

I became enamored with athletics in 1974 when two remarkable races occurred at the Commonwealth Games in Christchurch. In the opening track event Dick Tayler won in spectacular style in a time that still ranks as the 7^th fasted 10,000m time by a NZ male. Then, in the 1500m for men the great Tanzanian, Filbert Bayi, won (in world record time) after being chased by John Walker (2^nd) and Rod Dixon (4^th).

I was 8 years old in 1974 and slow to realise that wonderful things had happened in NZ distance running prior to my awakening. USA’s Jesse Owens was, rightfully, the most celebrated athlete of Hitler’s 1936 Berlin Olympics. However, we should be forever proud of Jack Lovelock wining the 1500m – as commentated by Harold Abrahams of Chariots of Fire fame.

During the late 1940s and 1950s Arthur Lydiard experimented on himself to test the endurance running theories that he had developed. He transformed himself from a smoking, drinking, casual athlete in his thirties to being a multiple national title winner and 1950s Empire Games Marathon Runner. He is remembered as one of the world’s great athletics coaches and was even credited by two incredible Dutch swimmers at the Sydney Olympics for influencing their programmes. He was responsible for coaching up to 15 Olympic gold medals across multiple nations – but especially for mentoring 21 year old Peter Snell (800m) and Murray Halberg (5000m) to Rome Olympic Gold medals one hour apart – as well as Barry Magee earning a bronze in the marathon.

More was to follow in 1964 with Snell gold medals in the 800m and 1500m,  and John Davies finishing third in the 1500m. On the women’s side Marise Chamberlain won the bronze medal in the 800m. In 1968 Mike Ryan won a bronze in the marathon and then in 1972 21 year old Rod Dixon burst onto the world running scene with a bronze medal in the 1500m.

Lydiard did not coach all of these athletes but was no doubt influential. In the early 2000s, while doing some post-graduate work I got to spend a day with Arthur Lydiard to talk through a range of things. He remained deeply knowledgeable and inspirational. When I got home I put on my running shoes and headed out around One Tree Hill – where he had trained so many athletes. His international influence is incredible to the extent that, when the great USA coach – Bill Bowewman – was with him in NZ Bowerman asked his plan on one day and Lydiard said that he was taking a group for a “jog”. The term became synonymous with a world-wide revolution.

New Zealand is a small place. My son’s coach, and my close friend, Jack Ralston, was a Lydiard runner. Through that connection my son got to spend a weekend in Texas with Sir Peter Snell and his wife Miki. At Jack Ralston’s funeral in 2012 Rod Dixon was the main speaker. Rod and I have been friends since then.

Jack used to tell a wonderful story that, when he was a teenager running with the Lydiard group, it was early season and they did the 22 mile “Waitarura”. Jack caught up to Snell in Titirangi and Snell told him to ask Lydiard to get someone to pick him up. Jack arrived at Lydiard’s home and converyed the message. Lydiard asked Jack how he got there. Jack responded … “on my legs”. Lydiard said … “well Snell can do the same.” When Snell finally arrived he expressed his displessure with Jack!

From his 1972 bronze at Munich Dixon became something of the “almost man”. He was fourth in the Bayi Walker 1500m in 1974. When Walker powered home for a gold medal in the 1500m at the Montreal Olympics in 1976 (after setting a world mile record the year before) – Rod Dixon and Dick Quax chose the 5000m. Quax was favoured to win but Lasse Viren of Finland claimed his fourth Olympic Gold (backed by Lydiard) and Dixon was 4^th. In the 1978 Commonwealth Games Dixon was favoured to win the 5000m but his specialised shoes were stolen before the final and, on a borrowed pair, he claimed fourth. No NZ runner could compete at the 1980 Olympics in Moscow due to a boycott and Dixon did not go to the 1982 Commonwealth Games (although he was third in the World Cross Country championships).

1983 was when the “almost man” became the legend as Rod Dixon won the New York City Marathon in the most remarkable manner after trailing by over two minutes with 10km to go. It was a fitting achievement for a man who had also dominated 10km road running through the USA for a number of years.

Lorrainne Moller was, similarly, a part of a superb and high achieving group of NZ women runners through the period at Commonwealth, Olympic and international road running and Marathoning. Anne Audain was a triple Olympian, gold and silver medalist at Commonwealth Games level and a world 5000m record holder. At her peak Audain was also dominant in road running in the USA. Alison Roe in 1981 won both the Boston and NYC Marathons.

Like Walker, Dixon and Audain, Lorrain Moller represented NZ in the 1974 Commonwealth Games – at a time when women were not allowed to run more than 800m. She represented NZ at four Olympic in the Marathon with a bronze in Barcelona in 1992. She also won two track bronze medals at the 1982 Commonwealth Games and a silver in the Marathon at the 1986 Commonwealth Games. Of the marathon majors she won Boston in 1984. She was also a world marathon champion and world record holder.

Both Lorraine Moller and Rod Dixon have given plenty back to their sport and in other charity work. Lorraine has also consistently promoted the work and heritage of Arthur Lydiard. Rod Dixon’s Kids Marathon is a wonder success in the USA – and recently in Nelson. At North Harbour Stadium on February 19^th this year we will begin a 7 week Kids Marathon event and have other weekly races for older school children and adults (would love any particpation and support).

It was a great privilege for my generation to grow up admiring and being inspired by these remarkable people. Nick Willis, Kimberly Smith and others carried the baton forward and current young people have brilliant athletes such a NZ’s first World Track Champion, Geordie Beamish, our fastest ever woman over 1500m, Maia Ramsden, the world’s youngest ever sub 4-minute miler, Sam Ruthe and double Olympian Sam Tanner. Add to that sprinter Zoe Hobbs, Olympic Gold Medalist in the High Jump, Hamish Kerr, and wonderful Shot Putters Tom Walsh, Maddi Wesche, Lisa Adams and Jacko Gill, pole vaulters Eliza McCartney and Olivia McTaggart – and it is clear that there is plenty for 10 year old NZers today to be as inspired as I was at Cooks Gardens in the 1970s.

[email protected]

The Taxpayers’ Union points out:

A new Taxpayers’ Union briefing paper, Robbing Peter to Pay Paul’s Doctor: Why Tax Indexing Makes More Sense, shows the tax system is quietly making cost-of-living pressures worse through “bracket creep”, pushing workers into higher tax bands simply because of inflation — the Christmas Grinch pinching a little extra from Kiwi pay packets. 

Taxpayers’ Union Policy Analyst, Austin Ellingham-Banks, said:  

“Bracket creep has already seen the average Kiwi lose $238 since the income tax brackets were adjusted in 2024 simply because tax brackets haven’t kept pace with inflation. The loss is set to grow year after year if nothing changes.” 

“That $238 alone is enough to pay for four GP visits a year at average district prices, which exceeds the three visits Labour’s Medicard would offer. The difference is that indexation lets families decide how to use their own money, rather than funneling relief through a single, government-designed scheme that only applies if you happen to need a doctor.” 

“Indexing tax brackets is simple, fiscally responsible, and universal. It stops future inflation-driven tax hikes, avoids pushing unnecessary demand onto already stretched GP clinics, and gives households flexibility as costs rise.  

I am a strong proponent of indexing tax brackets to inflation. We index welfare payments to inflation so people on welfare keep their real income the same. We should do the same for people not on welfare.

Rob Reiner and his wife did not pass away. They were stabbed to death by (allegedly) their troubled son. It had nothing to do with politics or Trump. Rather than say nothing, Trump effectively gloats over the brutal stabbing of one of his critics.

But this is how the US President thinks one should respond. It is a useful reminder that while Trump can have some good policies, he is fundamentally a vile human being.

Sir Tim Shadbolt has died aged 78. He was an iconic New Zealand – probably more well known than 90% of MPs.

He was elected Mayor 11 times – twice for Waitemata City and nine times for Invercargill.

He also has stood for Mayor of Auckland twice, Dunedin once and MP for Selwyn once.

As I have reported on, he should have retired before his final term. But he should be remembered for all the good he did for Invercargill. He really put it on the map, and was such a champion for it.

Shane Jones announced:

The first major mining project, Waihi North, has gained consent today to expand operations until 2043 through the Fast-track process, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Resources Minister Shane Jones say.

“Oceana Gold’s Waihi North mining project is a nationally significant investment that will deliver substantial economic benefits for the Waikato region and New Zealand,” Mr Bishop says. …

Mr Jones says the project is expected to generate $5.2 billion in additional silver and gold exports over its 18-year life – around $286 million per year.

“That annual figure is equivalent to 64 per cent of New Zealand’s wool exports and 14 per cent of wine exports. It is a substantial boost to New Zealand’s exports.

“The Waihi North Project will support around 800 jobs in Hauraki District and beyond over its 18-year life, and these well-paid jobs will inject millions into the regional economy while boosting export earnings for the country.”

Mr Bishops says the expert panel concluded that over the life of the project, Crown revenue including corporate tax, PAYE and royalties, will deliver a net present value of $422 million.

More exports, more jobs and more tax. A win-win-win. And this is in an area where mining is already occurring.

The Reserve Bank announced:

“Following the completion of the review commissioned by the Board in March, we are pleased to announce modernised capital rules that will support an efficient and resilient financial system,” said Rodger Finlay, Chair of the RBNZ Board.

“We recalibrated our risk appetite to have regard to our new Financial Policy Remit, and to reflect important developments since 2019, including the introduction of the Depositor Compensation Scheme, and more intensive supervision, enforcement, and resolution approaches. This led us to ease common equity requirements across the system by around $5 billion compared to current levels, while still remaining confident in our system resilience.”

The package announced today includes reduced requirements for common equity, more granular risk weights, simplification of capital instruments, and greater alignment of instruments for the ‘big four’ banks with Australian settings. The final package further refines risk weights consulted on in August.

The previous requirements were somewhere between overly conservative and punitive. They were greater than other jurisdictions. The tension is:

Capital requirements are a foundational part of our prudential framework. Our rules specify the minimum percentage of a deposit taker’s funding that must come from its owners. Capital requirements that are too low risk deposit takers being unable to absorb unexpected losses when they arise and therefore failing – which may impose a direct fiscal cost on New Zealand taxpayers, as well as reducing the long-run prosperity and well-being of New Zealanders. Conversely, capital requirements that are too high can reduce credit availability and increase costs unnecessarily.

So this will allow more lending, at a lower cost.

Melissa Lee has put a bill into the ballot to make some good reforms to the Harmful Digital Communications Act. The ACT has provided relief to many people who have suffered online harm, but has also been weaponised to stop legitimate criticism.

They key changes proposed are:

• Interim orders are only to be made if they are necessary to prevent or reduce ongoing harm to the applicant
• Interim orders without notice must only be made in extraordinary circumstances where ongoing or imminent harm to the applicant is severe
• Provides that digital communications that are in the public interest or made for a lawful purpose are not offences
• Political commentary is given a higher level of protection
• Final orders can’t be made on a without notice basis

These seem eminently sensible, and I hope if the bill is drawn all parties support it.

The health system is slowly turning around, with key indicators improving. Still a long way to go, but the latest data on mental health targets is encouraging. Over the last year we have seen:

• Mental health and addiction-related stays in ED <6hrs from 63.5% to 66.8%
• Accessing specialist mental health and addiction services seen within three weeks of referral from 80.4% to 82.2%
• Accessing primary mental health and addiction services  within one week from 80.8% to 83.4%
• 349 more mental health and addiction professionals trained
• Mental health and addiction ringfenced investment allocated to prevention and early intervention up from 23.9% target to 24.4%

The overall health system targets have mainly improved since the year to June 2024.

• Cancer treatment within 31 days from 83.5% to 86.8%
• 24 month immunisation rate from 76.5% to 82.6%
• Seen in ED within six hours from 71.2% down to 68.9%
• Specialist appt within four months from 61.5% to 65.9%
• Elective treatment within four months from 61.4% to 65.9%

So the ED waiting time is the only one not improved, and has to be the major focus going forward.

For those interested this was the record under Labour:

• Cancer treatment within 31 days from 88.6% to 83.5%, down 5.1 percentage points
• 24 month immunisation rate from 91.9% to 76.5%, down 15.4 percentage points
• Seen in ED within six hours from 89.5% down to 71.2%, down 18.3 percentage points
• Specialist appt within four months from 97.8% to 61.5%, down 36.3 percentage points
• Elective treatment within four months from 95.1% to 61.4%, down 33.7 percentage points

Labour’s legacy was a disaster.

In Nepal, young social media users highlighted displays of wealth by families of government officials. The Govt tried to ban social media, and protests occurred resulting in the fall of their communist Prime Minister.

In Bulgaria, the Government announced tax hikes to fund the pay of high-ranking officials, government administration and security institutions, and protests brought that Government down within weeks.

And the Iranian regime is tottering over massive nationwide protests as a result of a cost of living crisis fuelled by high inflation and tax increases.

Centrist Publishing has released:

Centrist Publishing says it is prepared to respond to dozens of formal complaints following its television campaign forJacinda: The Untold Stories during the Graham Norton show on TVNZ 2, Friday night.

The advertisements — which promote the book’s bestseller status under the tagline “The Real Story”, and reference discussion around a potential UN role and a US$20 million philanthropic gift from Melinda Gates — aired multiple times during Ardern’s interview with Graham Norton on TVNZ 2, and again later in the evening.

That’s very funny that they advertised the book, during hew Graham Norton interview.

Incidentally the book has been on the NZ best seller lists for the last four weeks, yet I’ve yet to see a single review of it in legacy media.