Mahuta loses Local Government portfolio in Three Waters review

Public Policy / news

Nanaia Mahuta replaced by Kieran McAnulty as Local Government Minister and Andrew Little replaced by Ayesha Verrall as Health Minister

31st Jan 23, 4:07pm by Bernard Hickey

PM Chris Hipkins speaking from the Beehive Theatrette Lecturn. Photo by Lynn Grieveson for The Kaka.

New Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has named a mostly unchanged Cabinet that he said was a balance of renewal and stability, but as expected he has replaced Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta with Kieran McAnulty and said he's taking “another look” at Three Waters.

The surprises were the replacement of Andrew Little as Health Minister by Ayesha Verrall and the demotion of Peeni Henare in the Cabinet rankings, who loses Defence to Andrew Little. Phil Twyford is also gone completely as a minister. Megan Woods and Michael Wood see their roles beefed up, with Woods adding Infrastructure to her housing, building and construction portfolios, while Wood adds a new Minister for Auckland role to his Immigration and Transport portfolios.

“New Zealanders want to see the Government getting on with the job but I also want to demonstrate the depth of our talent and bring some new energy and focus to the task ahead,” Hipkins said.

“Our top team of myself, Carmel Sepuloni, Kelvin Davis, Grant Robertson and Megan Woods will provide stability, experience, and proven leadership,” he said, appearing to name his own ‘kitchen cabinet.’

“Grant Robertson will remain Minister of Finance. He has seen New Zealand households and businesses through the greatest economic shock since the Great Depression. This reshuffle gives him the time and support to apply his full focus on fighting inflation and helping New Zealand families and businesses to get by,” Hipkins said, although he confirmed last week Robertson would keep the key Finance portfolio.

“Michael Wood moves to number seven in the Cabinet ranking and becomes Minister for Auckland and an Associate Finance Minister. Having a senior Minister with a focus on the city ensures Auckland has the attention it needs. That’s going to be even more important following the events of recent days,” he said.

As expected, interim Education Minister Jan Tinetti got the role permanently. Stuart Nash was also named permanently to take the Police Ministry, which he was named to temporarily last week when Hipkins gave up his Education and Police portfolios. Henare replaces Nash as Tourism Minister.

Kieran McAnulty was elevated into Cabinet and picks up the full Local Government portfolio, having been associate minister in recent months. Nanaia Mahuta retains her role as Foreign Affairs Minister.

Ginny Andersen and Barbara Edmonds were named as ministers for the first time, with Anderson becoming Minister for the Digital Economy and Communications, Minister for Small Business, Minister for Seniors, Associate Minister of Immigration and Associate Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations. Anderson’s roles were held by Nash (Small Business) and retiring MP David Clark (Digital Economy and Communications)

Edmonds will become the Minister of Internal Affairs, Minister for Pacific Peoples, Associate Health Minister for Pacific Peoples and Associate Minister of Housing.

New Ministers outside of Cabinet included Duncan Webb (Commerce and Consumer Affairs), Willow-Jean Prime (Conservation and Youth), Rino Tirikatene (Courts, Trade and Export Growth), and Deborah Russell (Statistics and EQC).

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129 Comments

by Von Metternich | 31st Jan 23, 4:15pm 1675134923

They essentially kicked all the maori in cabinet to the curb.

Prediction/Hypothesis: They are burning this Maori constituency bridge to let the Maori party absorb the vote, who they will attempt to form coalition with in the election.

by Spike2 | 31st Jan 23, 4:37pm 1675136258

We still have Willie 'Democracy's Changed' Jackson. Promoted to the front bench.

by GV 27 | 31st Jan 23, 4:47pm 1675136859

Mahuta still has foreign affairs, so functionally no real consequences for her actions.

by Foxglove. | 31st Jan 23, 5:25pm 1675139110

It doesn’t seem right that the Agriculture & Trade portfolio is ranked only at 12th. And it’s not just the ministry or minister himself , some of those ranked higher are lightweights relative to NZ’s reliance on being a mercantile nation. Here is a classic example of internal politics, the pecking order in the hen house, taking priority over the actual importance of governmental functions, relative to industry, to the country as a whole.

by Whatwillhappen | 31st Jan 23, 5:54pm 1675140881

She doesn't like Foreign Affairs by many accounts, so it may be a punishment.

Mahuta will remain as Foreign Minister and Hipkins said she had been unable to travel in the beginning in the early days of the role and that had changed now.

It is also convenient as Hipkins can now send Mahuta overseas on a long mission of peace, thus keeping her out of the country while three waters gets reformed.

by GV 27 | 31st Jan 23, 7:00pm 1675144808

Either she behaved unethically as a Minister and shouldn't be one, or she didn't.

by Nzdan | 31st Jan 23, 4:54pm 1675137253

Let's not focus on race. He's kicked to the curb the Labour party layabouts.

by Matt_B | 31st Jan 23, 5:04pm 1675137843

but then replaced with other Labour party layabouts

by Gummy Bear Hero | 31st Jan 23, 6:27pm 1675142869

... because most of them are snouts in the trough layabouts ...

by Wrong John | 31st Jan 23, 4:23pm 1675135392

The 'Jacinda's gone' relief will not last long. They should rebrand themselves as the Incompetence Party.

by Passerby | 31st Jan 23, 6:33pm 1675143203

I thought oh chance for labour now but to see Mr “river of filth” being promoted and they too as a minister for Auckland that oh just changed to no!

by Black and White | 31st Jan 23, 9:52pm 1675155154

Not what the polls are saying.

Watch National fall apart like they have some many times over the last 9 years.

Luxon is a joke would be better with Nicola W

by Waikatohome | 31st Jan 23, 10:58pm 1675159088

Or Erica Stanford. If National ditch Luxon, Muller and Collins and the other Christian right winger Trump/Liz Truss fans they may look almost electable.

by nktokyo | 31st Jan 23, 4:25pm 1675135507

This will lead to a surge in popularity for Labour. People will forget quite quickly that it's the same group who foisted the policy on them in the first place.

by Mr Frank | 31st Jan 23, 4:34pm 1675136044

Don't you worry, National with their war chest will be reminding the population of the ineptness in the run up to the election.

by Final Account | 31st Jan 23, 4:43pm 1675136622

Toy chest you mean, unless they stick to their (cork) guns, National is going to be in for a fight here.

by dumbthoughts | 31st Jan 23, 5:14pm 1675138457

No chance, National is like the boxer shelling up in the corner refusing to throw a punch. Doesn't matter how much power you've got in your fists if you never swing them.

by Rhumline | 31st Jan 23, 7:50pm 1675147832

Ummm... until I see a policy from the silver-spooned Luxon, they are probably the worst alternate gubnent I can think of. Smug pricks don't equal good governance. At least these misfits have some values!

by kiwikidsnz | 31st Jan 23, 8:35pm 1675150509

Such as... ?

Speaking of smug p***ks, how about the most racist Govt in the 50 years I've been voting.

by Pa1nter | 31st Jan 23, 9:28pm 1675153709

Even more than the government that ordered Dawn Raids?

by Te Kooti | 1st Feb 23, 9:22am 1675196573

Touche

by kiwikidsnz | 1st Feb 23, 9:42am 1675197774

Absolutely. While the dawn raids were clearly racist targeting of Pasifika ignoring the majority of overstayers from the UK & South Africa the undeniable fact is that they all were suspected (many guilty) of breaking NZ laws.

There is a big difference between that & wilfully undermining & changing NZs fundamental democracy with no mandate.

by Black and White | 31st Jan 23, 9:53pm 1675155233

Money don't win elections

by David Murray1 | 31st Jan 23, 4:36pm 1675136166

Unlikely to do that. Still got problem-children pushing deeply unpopular policies.

by Pa1nter | 31st Jan 23, 5:57pm 1675141054

It would seem like they read the room coming into an election year, identified some of their most poisonous and contentious decisions, and have moved to discard them.

There's potentially also a new game plan but that'll be saved for the budget id guess.

by Waikatohome | 31st Jan 23, 7:37pm 1675147053

Yes all change and refresh from Labour. Whereas Luxon promotes failed ex leaders Collins and Muller and scares off the centrist swing voters. Will National ever learn?

by Foxglove. | 31st Jan 23, 4:34pm 1675136067

Some sympathy for Andrew Little. Ill suited to being Health Minister and taking over a badly troubled portfolio he nevertheless soldiered on, burdened in a no win situation. Could at least have given him the foreign minister role to get away from it all but perhaps Hipkins thinks having Mahuta often out of the country will be even more beneficial. The seniority levels of the Maori caucus have been markedly challenged in this reshuffle mostly by who hasn’t been upgraded. Don’t believe they will take that lightly. More discord on the horizon methinks.

by Cheetahlegs66 | 31st Jan 23, 5:03pm 1675137794

Little was way outside his depth in health. At the Nth Island GP conference the lead plenary speaker highlighted 4 issues facing primary care. Ageing work force, dependence on foreign Drs, burn out and worsening financial reward (Aus was used as a benchmark). Little took the podium and read from a pre-prepared speech which addressed nothing that his predecessor had raised. The audience were underwhelmed.

by Te Kooti | 31st Jan 23, 5:08pm 1675138106

He's a colossal tool but gets a pass cos he's white.

by Cheetahlegs66 | 31st Jan 23, 5:14pm 1675138468

If he was Brown do you think he’d be higher in the rankings?

I agree he is a tool. Possibly the only thing we’ve ever agreed on. There is hope for you Te Kooti. Come to the light (right 😉).

by Te Kooti | 31st Jan 23, 5:32pm 1675139533

I'm actually not a lefty at all.... Of course I don't care what the colour of his skin is, but the general tone of these comments is white good, Maori bad and that's total BS. I'm actually no fan of Mahuta, but I'm also able to unbundle her as a person and her being Maori. It's a shame more can't.

by DD62 | 31st Jan 23, 5:50pm 1675140628

I agree with you totally. The problem is that Mahuta always puts Maori 1st, every one else last!

by Foxglove. | 31st Jan 23, 6:06pm 1675141608

Go then to the next level, within that, what whanau is 1st, everyone else last?

by Te Kooti | 31st Jan 23, 6:18pm 1675142302

DD62, If you think that pakeha within their network don't put themselves first you are naive. Old boys, golf club, family friends etc etc. Mahuta certainly does not speak for all Maori and if you think that you should not be commenting. Maori have a spectrum of political and philisophical views no different to pakeha. The issue is that so few Maori make it to Mahuta's level there are little to no role models. She may not be ideal, but at least other Maori women know it can be done.

by Pa1nter | 31st Jan 23, 6:22pm 1675142528

If you think that pakeha within their network don't put themselves first you are naive.

*Looks at societies' winners for the last 150-odd years*

Hey buddy, it's all merit.

by Kate | 31st Jan 23, 7:57pm 1675148255

Dr Shane Reti and his elevation within the National caucus is never the subject of such vitriol. It really just comes down to Māori on the political left = bad; Māori on the political right = good. With ignorant 'friends' like that, it's no wonder there are so few Māori on the political right.

by Te Kooti | 1st Feb 23, 9:27am 1675196839

Correct Kate. Winston Peters rose to king maker because he largely abandoned his culture, he had to adopt pakeha culture completely and even turn his back on Maori at times - and that's his right if he chooses. That was the way it was for my grandmother and fathers generation, but no longer.

by Casual Observer | 1st Feb 23, 10:16am 1675199796

Winston Peters is not just Maori, he also has other ethnicities within his DNA. Why is it, if a person with Maori DNA is seen to 'abandon' his/her culture, by other Maori, if they choose one of their other cultures to live by/be known by. I know several kiwis with Maori DNA (some within my family) who choose NZ European as their ethnicity.

by Te Kooti | 1st Feb 23, 10:58am 1675202332

You are being pedantic, the point was he had to visually abandon his maori culture to get to power and I stated that was his right. As for "Maori DNA", I really don't know what that is, that's not how Maori think about it or define themselves. You immediately identify yourself as not being Maori by referring to it in that way.

by Jethro | 1st Feb 23, 11:47am 1675205225

DNA NZ - Just NZ customers of MyHeritage but shows what a varied DNA mixture we are. See MyHeritage source

"The percentages represent the portion of MyHeritage DNA users in New Zealand who have that ethnicity.

English                                            57.7%

Scandinavian                                  45.3%

North and West European              27.4%

Irish, Scottish, and Welsh               18%

Iberian                                            15.6%

East European                           14.6%

Polynesian                                       8.8%

Italian                                               7.1%

Balkan                                             7%

Baltic                                               5.3%

Greek and South Italian                  4.9%

Finnish                                      4.7%

Ashkenazi Jewish                         2.8%

West Asian                                     2.7%

South Asian                                    2%

Chinese and Vietnamese       2%

North African                                  1.9%

Filipino, Indonesian and Malay      1.2%

Mesoamerican and Andean           1%

Nigerian                                1%

Papuan                                          0.2%

Melanesian                                    0.2%"

by DD62 | 2nd Feb 23, 6:16pm 1675314986

Haven"t had a chance to reply until now. You have certainly read a lot into my statement! Unfortunately you have totally missed the point!

by David Murray1 | 31st Jan 23, 4:34pm 1675136079

Still got problem children pushing Local Government, Co Governance, and 3 Waters.

by Rhumline | 31st Jan 23, 7:25pm 1675146350

Wait till you see what's important and what's been "mandated" by outside forces like the UN and others.

by huttman | 31st Jan 23, 4:36pm 1675136202

The surprises were the replacement of Andrew Little as Health Minister by Ayesha Verrall and the demotion of Peeni Henare in the Cabinet rankings, who loses Defence to Andrew Little. Phil Twyford is also gone completely as a minister

Andrew Little simply had enough in charge Health where he had nothing but overwhelming health worker shortages. He did nothing to solve the problem, and will not solve any problems there.

Phil Twyford, flat failure as ministers. where is the kiwi build at by the way?

by Foxglove. | 31st Jan 23, 5:42pm 1675140158

Sort of got the feel about it, of a weary & disgruntled company of actors assembling to play MacBeth on the Titanic and shuffling cards to decide the cast.

by Cheetahlegs66 | 31st Jan 23, 4:44pm 1675136641

So long Mahuta. You lied, have probable conflicts of interest and advanced Three Waters against the wishes of a majority of NZers. Ardern lacked the guts to rein you in but Hipkins removal of your role was a first step whilst not alienating the Maori caucus.

Now grow a set and have a clean out acknowledging that Robertson and Orr are directly responsible for the worsening inequity in NZ.

by Yvil | 31st Jan 23, 4:54pm 1675137257

IMO, Hipkins seems to be doing all the right moves (I'm quite surprised I'm actually saying that)

by Rhumline | 31st Jan 23, 7:53pm 1675147991

Yvil.. this is the second time I've agreed with you! Am I ripe for turning?

by Yvil | 31st Jan 23, 8:17pm 1675149447

Third time, I believe, maybe I'm turning? Or we're converging?

by Hemi Ti Wire | 31st Jan 23, 5:00pm 1675137611

If parliment was a private company where KPIs were used to measure performance and wages based on results then Most of them would be sacked and broke!!!!!!.

👎👎👎👎👎👎🤪👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎

by Noncents | 31st Jan 23, 5:04pm 1675137847

I believe it is called voting.

People should take the blinkers off and actually look at what the MPs and parties they vote for actually do.

by Advisor | 31st Jan 23, 8:20pm 1675149609

The government has a monopoly in the NZ market, no competition from state. Those who don't like it here have been taking their taxes to the neighbouring government(s) for decades.

by Noncents | 31st Jan 23, 5:00pm 1675137653

I look forward to a new "Minister for Not Auckland" to more adequately represent the 66% of people that don't live in Auckland.

In fact, I think we could improve on that even more. We should have a representative for every electorate, we could call them Electorate MPs. They could do then do a previously overlooked job and represent their electorate in Parliament, instead of simply being party patsies.

by nktokyo | 31st Jan 23, 5:03pm 1675137808

You're talking noncents

by Silvi | 31st Jan 23, 5:12pm 1675138370

We have moved to Auckland from once being farmers in Central Otago. OK on the outskirts in the Norwest. Right now we are encountering Watercare releasing water from further up. I am regularly, with my non slip gummies, checking the height of the water on 'ther side of the culvert.

When you get a mayor more worried about his tennis game, perhaps having someone who has a look at the urban design,[ they should check with my irrigator husband just saying,] and someone who doesn't just look at the macro but the micro part of living in a big city. We need more open spaces!

by pacifica | 31st Jan 23, 8:41pm 1675150915

Your first problem is you moved to the Norwest (as you put it) That is like saying you chose to move to the worst serviced area and poorest neighbourhood. You get the worst service access and the poorest council maintenance while AT are actively trying to make the roads and public transport in the area worse than 30 decades previously. The SHAs are an object lesson in how to screw up developments with poor city planning. Many of the homes out that way needed to supply their own water, their own waste management and rubbish collection, they have no footpaths or drainage infrastructure that function as they should (yet they pay rates for the same level of service as if they were central city) and as a bonus the public transport to much of the area was scrapped and made worse. Adding 10000 houses to that mix was as sensible as expecting the council to look up from the office parties in central Auckland long enough to care about the cleaners wages and housing. Even South Auckland has much better public transport access and neighbourhood infrastructure.

by JimboJones | 31st Jan 23, 6:54pm 1675144441

Wasn’t there a minister of regional development? I think they have now axed that as it was an NZF thing. And remember all the regional payouts NZF did for no real reason? About time Auckland had some representation, the small town policies forced upon it by Wellington have been pretty harmful.

by Silvi | 31st Jan 23, 5:13pm 1675138427

I am disappointed Mahutu retains Foreign Minister Portfolio. During her role I for one have seen no real engagement with other nations.

I ask Chris Hipkins is that not important?

by chebbo | 31st Jan 23, 5:11pm 1675138304

I think she sent an angry letter to Putin once.

by Silvi | 31st Jan 23, 5:13pm 1675138399

Oh wow!

by Cheetahlegs66 | 31st Jan 23, 5:22pm 1675138931

I’d bet a $100 she couldn’t name 3 Russian cities, define a Bolshevik or tell us what happened in June’41. And she is our foreign minister? At least Peters (self serving arrogant prick) was professional and informed.

by Yvil | 31st Jan 23, 5:34pm 1675139667

Yes, but her face is a beautiful representation of NZ, to the rest of the world.

by Cheetahlegs66 | 31st Jan 23, 5:53pm 1675140816

I agree with you but that is racist and unbecoming. We need to acknowledge people are different and express their cultures in unique ways. My repulsion is facial tattooes full stop. Question-does being anti-circumcision make me anti-Semitic? I’m against female genital mutilation FGM which carries no legal sanction in Somalia. Can I be anti-FGM and not ‘racist?’

by HouseMouse | 31st Jan 23, 6:57pm 1675144639

I think being anti- moko is pretty small minded, if not racist. It’s a cultural expression. It doesn’t hurt anyone, other than the person who chooses to get it done. I like it - but really it’s not relevant whether I like it or not. That’s the point.

Genital mutilation, by comparison, is a horrid procedure forced on people with no choice in the matter, and part of a nasty culture repressing womens rights.

by Cheetahlegs66 | 31st Jan 23, 7:03pm 1675144983

Good point-voluntarily undertaken vs forced upon.

by Yvil | 31st Jan 23, 8:15pm 1675149324

I concede my comment about appearance is very on the edge, it's not however racist, I would say the same if Mahuta was white, black or yellow. Coming from Europe, I understand that some countries place emphasis on presentation, and being a foreign minister, you represent, visually, your country, and other first world countries will think worse of NZ because of our foreign minister's presentation, no matter what skin colour he/she has.

by pacifica | 31st Jan 23, 9:49pm 1675154966

by pacifica | 31st Jan 23, 10:05pm 1675155949

Sadly in other cultures facial tattoos are highly offensive and it would be racist not to recognize that. However one would hope that other trade delegates can get past their own cultural practices to appreciate other cultures also.. But that is a catch 22. Do we honor our culture more than the host country and trade partners culture... In this we have to walk the line and hope that facial tattoos become more accepted to other cultures through generations of births and deaths. We force our appreciation of them onto their culture. Hoping some way in the middle there will be less bias against those with them... It is tricky though because our major trade partners are pretty much steeped in many millennia of cultural practices that would be harder to shift and why as the smaller party we often defer to their practices in meetings somewhat, unless they are here for a tourist junket to the islands and see us as entertainment.

We probably have more of a problem in that she is a women in which many countries have very strict rules against females traveling and performing work, and religious obligations (thankfully not major trade partners though so we can avoid those countries). Likewise a catch 22. Do we honor our culture more than the host country and trade partners culture... In this we have to walk the line and hope that women become more valued to other cultures through generations of births and deaths. We force our appreciation of equal rights onto their culture. Sadly though we can only do this in a very limited way for the major MPs & PM. The workers and expats all face the same conformity to the host country with women going so far as being forced to marry coworkers or anyone else so they can travel and work there with limited access to work and extra conditions placed on them when they do so (like not being able to report to managers equally etc).

by Belle | 1st Feb 23, 6:38am 1675186736

Perhaps it would help if we liked her and were proud of her. However she seems very unpopular here. If she cant engage and be liked by her own population, how could she possibly succeed in her job overseas? No matter how we felt about Winnies politics, we liked seeing him on the world stage.

by Pa1nter | 1st Feb 23, 6:44am 1675187087

The people that don't like her seem to hold a level of vocal contempt that amplifies how unpopular she seems. I'm sure most people are mostly indifferent.

by Foxglove. | 1st Feb 23, 7:51am 1675191100

She is of both strong voice and personality. That can be seen as being strident, overbearing particularly if one’s contemporaries are weak in comparison which I suggest was the case with Ardern and others in cabinet. The old expression of having to much rope to play with comes to mind. Tariana Turia was strong too and with it she was refreshingly straightforward. Personally, although I didn’t agree with the message all the time, I came to admire her advocacy and respect her integrity. To see where Mahuta has got it wrong you only have to compare it to where Tarania Turia got it right.

by Rhumline | 31st Jan 23, 7:29pm 1675146562

I agree with you, it is a fantastic point of difference between men-in-suits and what makes this country a special (and hopefully a more egailtarian) space as we challenge the crap that future generations will inherit.

by IT GUY | 31st Jan 23, 6:55pm 1675144553

Winstone is an educated and smart guy..... but i think he should stay out of politics after the original 2017 debacle.

by HouseMouse | 31st Jan 23, 5:17pm 1675138627

McAnulty is a good bugga

by Noncents | 31st Jan 23, 5:25pm 1675139106

if by "good bugga" you mean scummy, lying, scheming, dropkick that shouldn't be left alone to look after the rubbish in a bin. Then I wholeheartedly agree.

by HouseMouse | 31st Jan 23, 5:44pm 1675140284

Lol, always good to hear other views! What’s the basis for that? He’s always come across well from my point of view, pragmatic and balanced

by Nzdan | 31st Jan 23, 5:59pm 1675141179

I'd be interested to hear too. I suspect however it's just the usual throw a bunch of baseless adjectives out there because it's not their favourite political party.

by Noncents | 31st Jan 23, 6:35pm 1675143319

Not at all based on Party. Some people just present as dodgy and I trust my gut instincts.

From the various media intereactions I have seen, heard and read. I believe his attitude, demeanour, and general body language give me cause for concern.

Based on all of this I was not surprised by the claims made about him by Sharma, and they strike me as more likely to be true than false.

by JimboJones | 31st Jan 23, 6:55pm 1675144532

Your instincts tell you Luxon is a good honest guy? Or anyone from the National party?

by IT GUY | 31st Jan 23, 7:15pm 1675145703

How honest was 5 house Helon about lots of stuff?

by Noncents | 31st Jan 23, 7:15pm 1675145733

Nope, I believe if you review all my posts you will find I am very critical of him, and numerous other MPs across all parties. Example: https://www.interest.co.nz/public-policy/113373/judith-collins-demotes-…

by Noncents | 24th Nov 21, 10:00pm

Convenient that it pops up now.

Guess ol' chrissy boy is the no 1 contender now.

He is as toxic as Collins, so I guess even more votes for the ACT chumps.

Ultimately the lure of being an MP attracts a specific type of person. Who (in my view) tend to hold morals/ethics that I would consider dubious at best. The Party system we operate under, tends to favour and further encourage these personality traits.

Although I believe in policies first and foremost. The reality is that you need to have the right people to a) design those policies, and b) action those policies. So ultimately you need to vote on the people. It is why I seldom vote unless there is a Referendum.

by Rhumline | 31st Jan 23, 7:31pm 1675146668

Noncents, your responses are sounding like a bot... are you a real person? Note that if you say yes I will probably discount this as pre-programmed!

by Noncents | 31st Jan 23, 7:38pm 1675147080

yes

by yeahnah | 31st Jan 23, 5:25pm 1675139149

If he rescinds co-governance policies, removes the Maori Health Authority, removes the 'history revisionist' ti tiriti framework for allocation $100M of public broadcasting funds

https://d3r9t6niqlb7tz.cloudfront.net/media/documents/2022_03_Irirangi_…

,reviews the history curriculum in schools, bins the media merger and bins 3 waters then we might be making some progress. Otherwise its just rearranging the deck chairs.

Worst case scenario is a Labour+Green+Te Pati coalition at the end of the year. That will test Hipkins 'centrist' ambitions.

by Rhumline | 31st Jan 23, 8:00pm 1675148439

Umm... why remove the Maori Health Authority? I agree that the current structure doesn't seem to align with the objectives of dealing with the underlying issues (mostly because the bulk of funding still sits within the mainstream) and there are a few bullshit artists that have been promoted above their pay grade.

But isn't it time we started taking risks? The alternative is increasing anger and dehumanisation?

I'm a softie with a rental portfolio, but I'm not alone in thinking that small sacrifices are needed to set a new path!

by kiwikidsnz | 31st Jan 23, 8:30pm 1675150256

Why...because people are no different under the skin

by yeahnah | 1st Feb 23, 3:28pm 1675218507

Maori Health Authority is an unnecessary duplicate bureaucracy created to appease a Maori racial separatist element in the Labour party. To state that the current health system is racially biased against Maori is absurd. There are many factors that impact Maori health including environment and genetic. Asian NZ'ers have a longer average life expectancy than Europeans. Does this imply that the health system favours Asians??

Different health strategies are required for different ethnic groups based on their cultural, social environments and genetic predispositions, but that doesn't mean that we need a separate institution for them. Should we create a Pacific peoples health authority, Asian, Caucasian and African health authorities, or should we just create our own form of apartheid?

by Firstclass | 31st Jan 23, 6:06pm 1675141584

Marketing at work.

Just because the flashlight moved from Cindy to Chris, remember that this is the same party without any deep skills.

I am still waiting for an announcement to reverse back on 3 waters, and start addressing serious cracks in the economy.

The facts are sadly that the track record of this Labour party is far from good, and a seating rearrangement does not improve the skill set of the party.

by Rhumline | 31st Jan 23, 7:34pm 1675146876

Your reply suggests that National have "deep skills". No objective proof of this...more likely drawn from the same shallow proffessional politics that has bedevilled us since Ruth Richardson. The issue has become one of balancing equity and economic issues, which both parties seem determined to set aside in an election year.

by AndrewRiddell5886 | 31st Jan 23, 6:00pm 1675141259

Such a racist tone in the majority of these comments. Disgusting.

by Pa1nter | 31st Jan 23, 6:19pm 1675142350

I always enjoy how there's a massive overlap between "complaining about how woke everything is" and "I'm a victim of race based politics"

by Foxglove. | 31st Jan 23, 8:06pm 1675148795

Oh that’s just a praetorian guard foot soldier that’s just “woken” up that the Empress has fled town and the dreaded Hun is at the gates!

by Cheetahlegs66 | 31st Jan 23, 6:20pm 1675142419

Which one? Single one out? NZ now has a culture where if you disagree with a pro-Maori position you are racist. I have the upmost respect for Pita Sharples and some policies advanced by Turiana Turia (sp) but can’t abide Rawiri, Willie or Nanaia.

by Pa1nter | 31st Jan 23, 6:33pm 1675143217

The sad thing is though, if you let someone wanting to disagree with Maori politics talk long enough, eventually they end up saying something pretty racist. Well, 9 times out of 10 anyway.

Most less prejudiced types are usually pretty indifferent to the subject, so conversations are a bit of a magnet for interesting sorts.

by Noncents | 31st Jan 23, 6:43pm 1675143783

Goes both ways. Inherently everyone has some level of personal bias and hatred. Let anyone speak long enough and you will see it.

Any race based party should rightfully attract calls of racism. Afterall their raison d'etre is based solely around racism (the belief that different races possess distinct characteristics, abilities, or qualities, especially so as to distinguish them as inferior or superior to one another)

by JimboJones | 31st Jan 23, 7:21pm 1675146066

Surely a “race based” party could just be trying to keep their culture alive and prosperous, that doesn’t mean they think they are superior. Mainstream governments have tried to make Māori adopt European culture for generations with the Don Brash mantra that we are all one country and everyone should adopt the predominant (white) culture.

by Pa1nter | 31st Jan 23, 7:27pm 1675146447

Afterall their raison d'etre is based solely around racism

I don't think we subscribe to the same definition of racism. There's identifying with a race, and then there's being racist.

by Noncents | 31st Jan 23, 8:43pm 1675150992

There's identifying with a race, and then there's being racist.

Very true. There is no doubt there was significant historic racism towards Maori, and that this has been to the detriment of Maori today, but two wrongs do not make a right.

Saying I was Maori as a kid was shameful, not knowing my own culture now is equally shameful. Seeing my kids grow up without either of these issues fills me with pride, and has been accomplished without denigrating others.

Preferential treatment due to race (even if it is to try and rectify past wrongs) is divisive and only breeds a superiority/inferiority complex for those impacted.

by Pa1nter | 31st Jan 23, 9:31pm 1675153918

but two wrongs do not make a right.

I'm not sure how comparable the "wrongs" are.

by Noncents | 31st Jan 23, 10:13pm 1675156417

All wrongs start small.

by Pa1nter | 31st Jan 23, 11:08pm 1675159681

You're assuming restorative and inclusive policy centred around Maori will eventuate into something equivalent to what happened to Maori post colonisation, but to non-Maori.

That'd be like denying an assault victim self defence lessons in case they beat up their attacker one day.

by Noncents | 31st Jan 23, 11:58pm 1675162684

Not at all. I am assuming that eventually one Iwi or even Hapu will try and claim superiority over the others.

Why would Maori culture be any different to the current Old Boys club that exists in Pakeha culture?

by Pa1nter | 1st Feb 23, 6:14am 1675185253

One culture held a large percentage of the world to ransom at gunpoint, stole a bunch of their stuff, and displaced the existing societies. The other is extremely unlikely to get that same opportunity.

I'm struggling to find equivalency here.

by Belle | 1st Feb 23, 6:54am 1675187645

And that has happened forever, everywhere. Why on earth did everyone come here? Because life wasnt easy or fair where they came from. My kids have maori, scots and english and maybe some spanish (if the rumour is correct...bad great nana) We have to move on from race. My kids arent interested in race. They are interested in people. They want to see hard working people contributing to society. They have no interest whatsoever in their heritage. Anglo, Pacifica or European. They just dont give a shit. They are making up their own, they are kiwis. A bit of this, a bit of that.

by yeahnah | 1st Feb 23, 3:39pm 1675219140

Holding people at gunpoint, stealing their stuff, enslaving and displacing them. Do the words "Musket Wars" mean anything to you?

by Jethro | 31st Jan 23, 6:42pm 1675143762

Newton's third law of motion states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Of course there are wobbles until a steady state is restored. Visualise Newtons balls.

by waymad | 31st Jan 23, 8:50pm 1675151449

Ew, no, they're well decayed.

by Gummy Bear Hero | 31st Jan 23, 6:39pm 1675143548

... it's convenient & totally lazy to shut down any debate by saying " racist " just because many people want one nation , operating under one set of rules ... with equality for all ... exactly as Don Brash said many years ago ...

by JimboJones | 31st Jan 23, 7:20pm 1675146004

What language should that one country speak - English by any chance? What culture should that one country be aligned to - European by any chance?

Would you be happy if the one set of rules were made mainly by Māori aligning to their culture: no land ownership, no speaking English in schools, signs all in Te Reo, no Christmas holidays, etc. That would be fine by you as long as it’s the same for everyone?

by Kate | 31st Jan 23, 8:25pm 1675149927

..."equality for all" - I don't think that's anyone's aspiration.

Equity for all, sure. And it is social justice and equity (the US refers to it as "liberty and justice) for all, that Māori politicians (when advocating for their people) seek. My experience of Māori who seek to lead, be they in the political or social spheres, are not by culture or spirituality, insular or parochial. If one follows tikanga with a true spirit, manaakitanga is embedded in practice.

by kiwikidsnz | 31st Jan 23, 8:37pm 1675150659

Equity = equal outcomes, irrespective of individual ability, effort & life choices.

That's not justice.

by Kate | 31st Jan 23, 9:02pm 1675152178

Wrong.

by Noncents | 1st Feb 23, 12:18am 1675163882

Why is that wrong?

by Kate | 1st Feb 23, 9:22am 1675196553

An equitable society is a just society. Not sure why the poster said "that's not justice".

by Noncents | 1st Feb 23, 1:49pm 1675212575

It is unjust to hold people back/deny them access to basic needs, which is exactly what preferential treatment of any kind does. Letting someone jump the queue no matter how "just" it may seem, means someone further back misses out.

None of the proposals solve inequity, they only move it to a different cohort.

by pacifica | 31st Jan 23, 9:36pm 1675154184

No that is not what equity means. If you were born with deformed legs you should not be denied education, housing, employment and income solely because you had deformed legs that does not define your worth or life value. In fact often those who experience poverty are more likely to reduce it for others in their efforts and work so as a society they have more to give back to the populace. Think doctors versus investment bankers or scientists versus council managers or small business innovators versus sports celebrities. Equity in terms of allowing everyone the opportunity to human rights such as education, access to housing etc. When you are denied those things as disabled often are then the outcome is predetermined as those without education and income often are denied living equitably within the community (they are more often denied access to work to the be productive).

Equity actually is to allow everyone the opportunity to access their community, education, housing and work. Without those things work is not possible. Working is actually an advantage (in access) to many as they would literally would love to be able to do that but are denied the income, access and means to do so. So many seem to think not working is an advantage but when it comes to equitable living ability it is the reverse; you are lucky to be able to work not the reverse of being denied the ability work, denied access to the community, denied the income and denied the achievements work promotes. Being able to work is an advantage over those who are physically literally denied those things and therefore suffer in destitution only to die early from preventable disease and lack of access to medical care in NZ (as most tend to do).

by kiwikidsnz | 1st Feb 23, 8:10am 1675192238

No one is debating equality of opportunity for disability support.

Kate's "equity" reference was race based. My reference is colorblind.

by Kate | 1st Feb 23, 9:25am 1675196718

Equity is colourblind. What does that mean?

Do you believe there is no racial discrimination in our society?

I'm confused.

by HouseMouse | 31st Jan 23, 6:55pm 1675144546

I agree. Or if not directly racist, certainly bigoted and suggestive of racism.

by whakahokia mai | 31st Jan 23, 6:18pm 1675142337

Pleased to see Mahuta lose the Local Government portfolio. A poor communicator unfortunately which has not helped in the whole 3 Waters debate. Leads with her chin. Looks slightly more suited to Foreign Affairs. Shame really. Shows the dearth of Maori talent in the labour caucus. That Kiri Allan leaves the rest for dead. Great lady.

by Gummy Bear Hero | 31st Jan 23, 6:42pm 1675143741

Kiri Allan is very good , a real hoot of a personality ... sadly for Mahuta & Jackson , they give the appearance of extreme untrustworthiness & incompetence ...

by Foxglove. | 31st Jan 23, 7:29pm 1675146544

Didn’t happen but didn’t stop me wondering though, about the likely reaction and resultant countenance of President Trump if/when New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Mahuta was ushered in to meet with him?

by JimboJones | 31st Jan 23, 7:41pm 1675147294

That would be brilliant!

by Whatwillhappen | 1st Feb 23, 7:43am 1675190610

Kiri Allan bullies her officials. Something she'll need to change if she wants the big job one day.

by Squishy | 31st Jan 23, 8:17pm 1675149472

Kieran McAnulty is probably good pick to rehabilitate Three Waters.

by Kate | 31st Jan 23, 8:37pm 1675150677

I hope so. I think Nanaia faced a lot of difficulties that, very similar to Ardern was unjustified, and in many ways irreconcilable.

Many people are of a nature that they don't really elicit strong first impressions. They can easily build relationships over time.

But those who elicit strong first impressions, where those impressions are initially negative, are treated unjustly over time.

Those who rely on 'gut instinct' over objectivity often never come round from their strong first impression..

by IT GUY | 31st Jan 23, 8:56pm 1675151816

I sincerely hope Chippy keeps all the stupid policies that have lost labour 20% support since the last election.... don't cut one of them please, be brave with you agenda.

by waymad | 31st Jan 23, 8:54pm 1675151696

It assumes that 3W is rehabilitatable....or is it 5W?

by Chris-M | 31st Jan 23, 10:43pm 1675158230

I don't envy Ayesha Verrall's challenge. She has about 5 months to stop the hospital system collapsing.