Bernard Hickey
@bernardchickey.bsky.social
Podcaster and newsletter writer about housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa. Free and paid versions here: https://open.substack.com/pub/thekaka?r=akd4&utm_medium=ios
Here’s my Early Bird post for paying subscribers online only: US warns NZ not to 'accept globalised migration narrative'; Govt to dissolve regional councils; MFAT allowing imports of refined Russian oil; NZ backtracks on fossil fuel phaseout at COP30 #nzpol thekaka.substack.com/p/wednesdays...
Wednesday's Early Bird: US warns NZ of migration 'risk'
US warns NZ not to 'accept globalised migration narrative'; Govt to dissolve regional councils; MFAT allowing imports of refined Russian oil; NZ backtracks on fossil fuel phaseout at COP30
thekaka.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Here’s my Early Bird post for paying subscribers online only: US warns NZ not to 'accept globalised migration narrative'; Govt to dissolve regional councils; MFAT allowing imports of refined Russian oil; NZ backtracks on fossil fuel phaseout at COP30 #nzpol thekaka.substack.com/p/wednesdays...
Why are our Government, banks, media companies et al still doing business with this company?
No other way to put it other than an absolute clusterfuck | Court Filings Allege Meta Downplayed Risks to Children and Misled the Public time.com/7336204/meta...
7 Allegations Against Meta in Newly Unsealed Filings
Court filings allege Meta tolerated sex trafficking, hid harms to teens, and prioritized growth over user safety for years.
time.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:25 AM
Why are our Government, banks, media companies et al still doing business with this company?
Reposted by Bernard Hickey
Thank me.
My @smh @theage cartoon.
My @smh @theage cartoon.
November 24, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Thank me.
My @smh @theage cartoon.
My @smh @theage cartoon.
Reposted by Bernard Hickey
The Government is set to abolish regional councils later today, The Post understands.
www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/3608...
www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/3608...
End of regional councils tipped in local government reforms
It is understood reforms to be announced today will mean the dissolving of regional councils, and the first steps could be within this current three-year council term.
www.thepost.co.nz
November 24, 2025 at 9:02 PM
The Government is set to abolish regional councils later today, The Post understands.
www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/3608...
www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/3608...
A captured Government.
Fossil fuel companies were given confidential drafts of legislation during their (successful) two-year campaign to weaken oil and gas regulation and overturn the offshore exploration ban - new reporting from me via the OIA
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
How the oil and gas industry helped rewrite New Zealand’s drilling rules
A paper trail shows just how far ministers went to accommodate the oil and gas industry's wishlist.
www.rnz.co.nz
November 24, 2025 at 8:41 PM
A captured Government.
Reposted by Bernard Hickey
It is understood reforms to be announced today will mean the dissolving of regional councils, and the first steps could be within this current three-year council term.
End of regional councils tipped in local government reforms
It is understood reforms to be announced today will mean the dissolving of regional councils, and the first steps could be within this current three-year council term.
dlvr.it
November 24, 2025 at 8:28 PM
It is understood reforms to be announced today will mean the dissolving of regional councils, and the first steps could be within this current three-year council term.
Reposted by Bernard Hickey
The Cook Islands allowed over a hundred shadow fleet tankers trafficking sanctioned Russian and Iranian oil. A Big Read from me looking at the curious case of Maritime Cook Islands with an investigation employing big data analysis and fieldwork in Raro. www.nzherald.co.nz/business/com...
The dark fleet hiding in our own backyard: How the Cook Islands sold its flag to Moscow and Tehran
SPECIAL INVESTIGATION: How shadow fleets made the Cook Islands flag inconvienent.
www.nzherald.co.nz
November 24, 2025 at 5:48 PM
The Cook Islands allowed over a hundred shadow fleet tankers trafficking sanctioned Russian and Iranian oil. A Big Read from me looking at the curious case of Maritime Cook Islands with an investigation employing big data analysis and fieldwork in Raro. www.nzherald.co.nz/business/com...
Reposted by Bernard Hickey
New: Christopher Luxon said in 2023 he would ‘draw the line at’ using AI video ads, but after National published two AI videos in the past month, his office now says that only applied to fakes of real people.
newsroom.co.nz/2025/11/25/n...
newsroom.co.nz/2025/11/25/n...
National deletes AI video of police seizing gang patches
Christopher Luxon said in 2023 he would 'draw the line at' using AI video ads, but his office now says that only applied to fakes of real people.
newsroom.co.nz
November 24, 2025 at 8:37 PM
New: Christopher Luxon said in 2023 he would ‘draw the line at’ using AI video ads, but after National published two AI videos in the past month, his office now says that only applied to fakes of real people.
newsroom.co.nz/2025/11/25/n...
newsroom.co.nz/2025/11/25/n...
This is not very polite about monetary policy.
India has a big inflation problem. It's too low and a major policy shit is overdue
What India Can Do About Its Low Inflation Problem
India’s economy, so often touted for potential to supplant China as a global engine, is having a hard time getting its arms around inflation. Not that it's too high, but because the pace of price increases is worryingly low. Fixing this will require more than the standard prescription — simply cutting interest rates. The promise of an aggressive and sustained easing is needed, one that brings its own share of challenges.
bloom.bg
November 24, 2025 at 8:32 PM
This is not very polite about monetary policy.
Reposted by Bernard Hickey
Reposted by Bernard Hickey
My cartoon in today's www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/3608...
Lumberjack Luxon taking and giving in many fell swoops...
Kererū is not happy...
#NzPol #Luxon #Caricature #Cartoon
Lumberjack Luxon taking and giving in many fell swoops...
Kererū is not happy...
#NzPol #Luxon #Caricature #Cartoon
November 24, 2025 at 7:26 PM
My cartoon in today's www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/3608...
Lumberjack Luxon taking and giving in many fell swoops...
Kererū is not happy...
#NzPol #Luxon #Caricature #Cartoon
Lumberjack Luxon taking and giving in many fell swoops...
Kererū is not happy...
#NzPol #Luxon #Caricature #Cartoon
Reposted by Bernard Hickey
Reposted by Bernard Hickey
In today’s HeraldOnSunday #nzpolitics
November 22, 2025 at 5:34 PM
In today’s HeraldOnSunday #nzpolitics
Reposted by Bernard Hickey
Hoo boy. We are all in such trouble.
It's also vastly easier and cheaper for media outlets to produce culture war content than policy stuff.
With policy, you have to find actual experts that are available and willing, then pray they're good entertaining communicators.
On culture shit, you start with a talking head and work backwards.
With policy, you have to find actual experts that are available and willing, then pray they're good entertaining communicators.
On culture shit, you start with a talking head and work backwards.
This chart (which applies even more to social media than it did to TV) lives in my head rent free.
Social media enveloping traditional media means everything and everyone is now competing in the entertainment market. Boring stuff like policy that affects millions of lives doesn’t stand a chance.
Social media enveloping traditional media means everything and everyone is now competing in the entertainment market. Boring stuff like policy that affects millions of lives doesn’t stand a chance.
November 23, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Hoo boy. We are all in such trouble.
In my Chorus podcast/email newsletter today…PM's first election policy designed to look like Australian-type KiwiSaver bonus, but actually costs Government nothing & disguises further real cuts; Social Housing policy also disguises real cuts #nzpol
thekaka.substack.com/p/mondays-ch...
thekaka.substack.com/p/mondays-ch...
Monday's Chorus: Performative politics on KiwiSaver & social housing
PM's first election policy designed to look like Australian-type KiwiSaver bonus, but actually costs Government nothing & disguises further real cuts; Social Housing policy also disguises real cuts
thekaka.substack.com
November 23, 2025 at 9:22 PM
In my Chorus podcast/email newsletter today…PM's first election policy designed to look like Australian-type KiwiSaver bonus, but actually costs Government nothing & disguises further real cuts; Social Housing policy also disguises real cuts #nzpol
thekaka.substack.com/p/mondays-ch...
thekaka.substack.com/p/mondays-ch...
Here’s my ‘Early Bird’ post this morning only online for full paying subscribers: Average MP owns $3m of property; PM promises higher KiwiSaver contribution, but no extra cost; Councillors want regressive rates change; COP30 a dud deal #nzpol
Monday's Early Bird: MPs own $379m of property
This morning's Picks n' Mixes: Average MP owns $3m of property; PM promises higher KiwiSaver contribution, but no extra cost; Councillors want regressive rates change; COP30 a dud deal
thekaka.substack.com
November 23, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Here’s my ‘Early Bird’ post this morning only online for full paying subscribers: Average MP owns $3m of property; PM promises higher KiwiSaver contribution, but no extra cost; Councillors want regressive rates change; COP30 a dud deal #nzpol
Reposted by Bernard Hickey
November 20, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Reposted by Bernard Hickey
This timeline…
*LEAVITT: TRUMP DOES NOT WANT TO EXECUTE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS
November 20, 2025 at 8:58 PM
This timeline…
Reposted by Bernard Hickey
Rep. Rashida Tlaib as part of her Economic Dignity for All agenda has introduced a new version of her BOOST Act which is now a Universal Basic Income of $250/mo paired with a new 2.5% tax on incomes over $30k to function as a phaseout. That means everyone under $150k would see a net boost in income.
November 20, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Rep. Rashida Tlaib as part of her Economic Dignity for All agenda has introduced a new version of her BOOST Act which is now a Universal Basic Income of $250/mo paired with a new 2.5% tax on incomes over $30k to function as a phaseout. That means everyone under $150k would see a net boost in income.
Reposted by Bernard Hickey
Here’s the edited version of our audio podcast of last night’s weekly Hoon webinar with Peter Bale, Cathrine Dyer, Robert Patman and Kirsten Corson. #nzpol thekaka.substack.com/p/the-weekly...
The Weekly Hoon: Mr Bone Saw, Ford Rangers & ATACMS
Bernard Hickey & Peter Bale chat about the week's news in politics, geopolitics, climate & the economy with regular guests Cathrine Dyer & Robert Patman, and special guest Kirsten Corson
thekaka.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Here’s the edited version of our audio podcast of last night’s weekly Hoon webinar with Peter Bale, Cathrine Dyer, Robert Patman and Kirsten Corson. #nzpol thekaka.substack.com/p/the-weekly...
Here for paying subscribers in full only online, my Early Bird news summary: Andrea Vance reports Mark Mitchell's office was sent emails with allegations about Jevon McSkimming; NZ Police eye Pike River charge & more #nzpol
thekaka.substack.com/p/fridays-ea...
thekaka.substack.com/p/fridays-ea...
Friday's Early Bird: Mitchell's office told of McSkimming allegations
This morning's Picks n' Mixes of news, analysis & commentary + cartoons: Andrea Vance reports Mark Mitchell's office was sent emails with allegations about McSkimming; Police eye Pike River charge
thekaka.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Here for paying subscribers in full only online, my Early Bird news summary: Andrea Vance reports Mark Mitchell's office was sent emails with allegations about Jevon McSkimming; NZ Police eye Pike River charge & more #nzpol
thekaka.substack.com/p/fridays-ea...
thekaka.substack.com/p/fridays-ea...