Kiwiblog

Kiwiblog is the personal blog created by David Farrar, launched in July 2003 after he became hooked on reading various blogs. Before starting his blog, he was actively involved in Usenet Internet newsgroups since 1996. On Kiwiblog, David shares his thoughts on a wide range of topics, primarily focusing on politics, along with insights into technology and the Internet. The blog also serves as a platform for his friends to stay updated on his life, featuring personal stories, travel photos, restaurant experiences, theater or movie reviews, and anything else he wishes to share. The blog attracts about half a million pageviews each month. David typically publishes three to five posts daily, generating over 500 comments on busy days. There are more than 10,000 registered users who actively comment on the blog.

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MPs suspended | Kiwiblog

23 hours ago | kiwiblog.co.nz | David Farrar

The Privileges Committee has recommended the following consequences for the MPs who disrupted the House, beingRawiri Waititi 21 days suspensionDebbie Ngarewa-Packer 21 days suspensionHana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke 7 days suspensionPeeni Henare apology (previously decided)These are all sensible recommendations, fitting the circumstances for each MP. The most important thing to understand is this is not punishing MPs for doing a haka. Hakas are often done in the House. I have been there for them.
Greens propose more welfare, more tax

1 day ago | kiwiblog.co.nz | David Farrar

The 2025 Green Budget includes the following:Increase welfare payments by 26% to young unemployed persons to $395 a weekPay $395 a week to studentsA wealth taxA death taxA tax rate of 39% on income over $120,000 (which with GST will mean you effectively will have half of every dollar over $120,000 going to the government)A new top tax rate of 45%Increase company tax by 5%So basically taxing NZ families, dead people and companies more, in order to give more money to people not working.
Brooke hits back

1 day ago | kiwiblog.co.nz | David Farrar

It is a very rare occurrence for an MP to use the c word in the House, but when female Ministers have had the c word used against them in a column by a Stuff journalist, it is very appropriate. Like this:Like Loading...
An appalling decision by Treasury

1 day ago | kiwiblog.co.nz | David Farrar

Treasury has banned from the Budget lockup numerous organisations that have been attending for many years. These include the Taxpayers’ Union, the CTU, Business NZ and the NZ Initiative. This is the exact opposite of transparent and accountable government. It means that all these organisations will not be able to read, analyse and respond to the Budget until several hours after it has been released. In a fast moving media cycle, this makes a difference.
Poor diddums | Kiwiblog

1 day ago | kiwiblog.co.nz | David Farrar

The Herald reports:On Tuesday, the Herald was sent an email signed by “24 anonymous” EGGS students. In the correspondence, the students raise a list of grievances, including the increase next year from five daily periods to six, 30-minute lunch breaks and allegedly banning students from wearing thermals under their uniforms. The email claims the school is trying to work students in to the ground. Oh how terrible, a school that makes students work hard.
The silence of the feminists

1 day ago | kiwiblog.co.nz | David Farrar

In the days since a senior Stuff journalist published an article calling female Ministers the c word, I’ve been counting how many staunchly feminist Labour and Green MPs have come out and said something along the lines of “We totally oppose the Government’s changes to pay equity laws but condemn the use of the c word against female Ministers. Such gendered abuse has no place in our public discourse”.
Much ado about nothing

1 day ago | kiwiblog.co.nz | David Farrar

Radio NZ reports:Booze industry lobbyists have been granted input into the development of alcohol policies, including how to deal with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. This is framed to seem like something bad, but all it means is that the very industry being regulated gets consulted on regulations that affect them. They don’t get any special access. They simply are one of many stakeholders.
Guest Post: Keep calm and carry on speaking

2 days ago | kiwiblog.co.nz | David Farrar

As commemorations of the 80th anniversary of V.E. Day occur this week, it is worth remembering not only the 46 million lives that were lost, but also how close fascism came to permanently erasing liberal democracy in Europe. Until recently, the West found this commemoration of the end of WWII a comforting reminder that our forebears secured an unrivalled period of prosperity and peace. Liberal democracies for a good two generations have lived off the afterglow of that victory.
Albo vs ex-Green MP

2 days ago | kiwiblog.co.nz | David Farrar

MSN reports:Albo attacking the Greens will just make him more popular. It is interesting that in Australia the Labor Party seems to detest the Greens, while in NZ they are much more closely aligned. Like this:Like Loading...
How can you do a tariff on films?

2 days ago | kiwiblog.co.nz | David Farrar

The assertion that some films are now produced in countries such as New Zealand is a national security threat to the United States is, ummm, somewhat over stated. Now the world would be a better place if different countries and cities did not compete with each other to offer rebates on film production. But no one can afford to unilaterally “disarm” so to speak.