The New Zealand Government seems to be a bit bloated.

A study from New Zealand Initiative shows New Zealand has 44% more ministers, and one and a half times as many departments as similar sized Parliaments.

Researcher Max Salmon told Mike Hosking that it’s all politics, as having extra portfolios can be useful for coalition negotiations and securing allies.

He suspects that the number of departments and ministers is contributing to the productivity issues this country faces.

While Salmon doesn’t know if there’s a magic number of ministers, similar countries only have about 20 cabinet ministers total.

LISTEN ABOVE

The New Zealand Government seems to be a bit bloated. 
A study from New Zealand Initiative shows New Zealand has 44% more ministers, and one and a half times as many departments as similar sized Parliaments. 
Researcher Max Salmon told Mike Hosking that it’s all politics, as having extra portfolios can be useful for coalition negotiations and securing allies. 
He suspects that the number of departments and ministers is contributing to the productivity issues this country faces. 
While Salmon doesn’t know if there’s a magic number of ministers, similar countries only have about 20 cabinet ministers total. 
LISTEN ABOVE

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The Mike Hosking Breakfast always cuts through and delivers the best daily on Newstalk ZB.

Open your mind to the world with New Zealand’s number one breakfast radio show. Without question, as New Zealand’s number one talk host, Mike Hosking sets the day’s agenda. The sharpest voice and mind in the business, Mike drives strong opinion, delivers the best talent, and always leaves you wanting more. The Mike Hosking Breakfast always cuts through and delivers the best daily on Newstalk ZB.

Open your mind to the world with New Zealand’s number one breakfast radio show.

Without question, as New Zealand’s number one talk host, Mike Hosking sets the day’s agenda.

The sharpest voice and mind in the business, Mike drives strong opinion,...

The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Max Salmon: NZ Initiative Researcher on the study comparing the size of New Zealand's government to similar countries

Israeli politicians and Republicans are lashing out at US President Joe Biden for suspending a shipment of US bombs. 

The US President's warned he'll continue withholding shipments, if Israel proceeds with its plans to invade Rafah, admitting US weapons have been used to kill civilians.

It is the most direct move Biden has made regarding Israel.

US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking that Biden said he’s not walking away from Israel’s security, but rather Israel’s ability to wage war in Palestine.

LISTEN ABOVE

Israeli politicians and Republicans are lashing out at US President Joe Biden for suspending a shipment of US bombs.  
The US President's warned he'll continue withholding shipments, if Israel proceeds with its plans to invade Rafah, admitting US weapons have been used to kill civilians. 
It is the most direct move Biden has made regarding Israel. 
US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking that Biden said he’s not walking away from Israel’s security, but rather Israel’s ability to wage war in Palestine. 
LISTEN ABOVE

Richard Arnold: US Correspondent on Joe Biden suspending weapon supplies to Israel

Here is an insight into why bits of Wellington are not like the rest of the country.

There is pushback from Whaikaha.

Who are Whaikaha? They are the Ministry of Disabled People.  

Under the new Government, names were to be restored to English.

Why? Because very few people speak Māori and, as such, most of us had no clue as to what a lot of these renamed groupings did, or who they once were.

Waka Kotahi and Oranga Tamariki over time became possible exceptions because they got used so often, given their status in the news.

He Waka Eke Noa, I bet you still don’t have a clue as to what it means, despite the fact it was a very important document dealing with one of the great issues of the age and one of our most important sectors.

Anyway, all of this nonsense was going to stop when the new Government arrived because it was a major part of all their campaigns.

In another sign that despite the initial angst they actually have quite a bit in common, all three parties agreed that this obsession with Māori language needed to end.

Except a couple of things happened.

The main one being that it didn’t change. The Government dragged the chain, sort of like the councils who are still insisting on mass lowering of speed limits until the new law is passed.

In that sense, this Government has been taken for a ride, and that is reputational.

Now the Ministry of Disabled People is pushing back on Whaikaha. They claim they have a unique whakapapa.

And that is what is wrong with Wellington.

Given all the ministry is going through of late, is it not astonishing they have time for this sort of debate? It's almost as though they have too many people.

A ministry's job, the public services job, is to work for the Government of the day. The Government of the day are very clear on this particular matter.

What is it about the public service that makes them think they are there to tell us what's right and how we are wrong?

Do you think, given they behave that way, they might just be shooting themselves in the foot a bit when it comes to wider sympathy for their job retention plight?

Here is an insight into why bits of Wellington are not like the rest of the country. 
There is pushback from Whaikaha. 
Who are Whaikaha? They are the Ministry of Disabled People.   
Under the new Government, names were to be restored to English. 
Why? Because very few people speak Māori and, as such, most of us had no clue as to what a lot of these renamed groupings did, or who they once were. 
Waka Kotahi and Oranga Tamariki over time became possible exceptions because they got used so often, given their status in the news. 
He Waka Eke Noa, I bet you still don’t have a clue as to what it means, despite the fact it was a very important document dealing with one of the great issues of the age and one of our most important sectors. 
Anyway, all of this nonsense was going to stop when the new Government arrived because it was a major part of all their campaigns. 
In another sign that despite the initial angst they actually have quite a bit in common, all three parties agreed that this obsession with Māori language needed to end. 
Except a couple of things happened. 
The main one being that it didn’t change. The Government dragged the chain, sort of like the councils who are still insisting on mass lowering of speed limits until the new law is passed. 
In that sense, this Government has been taken for a ride, and that is reputational. 
Now the Ministry of Disabled People is pushing back on Whaikaha. They claim they have a unique whakapapa. 
And that is what is wrong with Wellington. 
Given all the ministry is going through of late, is it not astonishing they have time for this sort of debate? It's almost as though they have too many people. 
A ministry's job, the public services job, is to work for the Government of the day. The Government of the day are very clear on this particular matter. 
What is it about the public service that makes them think they are there to tell us what's right and how we are wrong? 
Do you think, given they behave that way, they might just be shooting themselves in the foot a bit when it comes to wider sympathy for their job retention plight?

Mike's Minute: Wellington needs to get out of its own way

At the end of each week, Mike Hosking takes you through the big-ticket items and lets you know what he makes of it all.



Jamie Arbuckle: 4/10

For failing to read the room.



Julie Anne Genter: 3/10

For being that angry about bikes.



The Greens: 2/10

For hiding two of their MP's while they stall, obfuscate and generally play for time over behaviour that most of us find exceedingly abnormal.



Carmel Sepuloni: 3/10

For thinking being an MP gives you plenty of time to be on reality TV.



Reality TV: 3/10

For thinking Carmel Sepuloni is someone anyone would want to watch on an island.



Gas: 2/10

The industry warning is the most stark and tangible yet as to the parlous and dangerous state the previous Government has left this country in.



Rugby: 6/10

The ratings are up. Welcome news in a troubled sport.



The Warriors: 4/10

A troubled team in need of welcome news.



LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW

At the end of each week, Mike Hosking takes you through the big-ticket items and lets you know what he makes of it all. 
 
Jamie Arbuckle: 4/10 
For failing to read the room. 
 
Julie Anne Genter: 3/10 
For being that angry about bikes. 
 
The Greens: 2/10 
For hiding two of their MP's while they stall, obfuscate and generally play for time over behaviour that most of us find exceedingly abnormal. 
 
<a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/carmel-sepuloni-believed-to-be-contestant-on-new-season-of-celebrity-treasure-island/">Carmel Sepuloni: 3/1</a>0 
For thinking being an MP gives you plenty of time to be on reality TV. 
 
Reality TV: 3/10 
For thinking Carmel Sepuloni is someone anyone would want to watch on an island. 
 
<a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/shane-jones-resources-minister-on-the-countrys-low-gas-production-and-reliance-on-coal/">Gas: 2/10 </a>
The industry warning is the most stark and tangible yet as to the parlous and dangerous state the previous Government has left this country in. 
 
Rugby: 6/10 
The ratings are up. Welcome news in a troubled sport. 
 
The Warriors: 4/10 
A troubled team in need of welcome news. 
 
LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW

Max Salmon: NZ Initiative Researcher on the study comparing the size of New Zealand's government to similar countries

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