Bankers – run the joint.
Bankers – reap the benefits.
Bankers – resist reform and change..
Bankers – win by doing nothing..
Bankers – lie about money and power.
You could substitute “bankers” for “financial institutions” or “corporations”; essentially then, “capitalists”.
How much weight do you place in the claims made in the trailer Ad? It highlights a situation I wasn’t even aware of. 300 bogus companies floating on US stock exchanges? If so, I’d imagine it’s too big to be Triads or consortium of crook bankers, surely the Chinese govt would need to be in on it. Trump will spew….wouldn’t he need to know about it?
Same producers as: Enron – The smartest guys in the room. They seemed to do a pretty good job of dissecting that scam.
Chinese private commercial debt is one of the biggest economic risks still standing for 2018, and would thoroughly shake our own Australian-domiciled banks – and our own ridiculously exposed debt markets – if it deflated quickly.
I don’t view that as a strong possibility because the political economy of China has been shown to be highly responsive. But the risk is still there.
Good to be skeptical about straight anti-Chinese propaganda like this, and I will be waiting for the journals to review the film in depth.
I don’t view that as a strong possibility because the political economy of China has been shown to be highly responsive.
Their politicians do step in fairly quickly to prevent their economy collapsing. They force their currency down against the US$ to improve exports, they print money as needed and generally maintain excessive subsidies.
If that commercial debt is looking to cause problems for the Chinese economy you can be assured that the Chinese government will simply write it off and keep the economy going.
A whole lot of stuff that the rest of the world can make itself. Hell, most of what they make was developed and produced in other countries first. The industry in those other countries disappearing as China produced the same stuff for those other countries.
This would not be happening if China wasn’t manipulating the market for their own benefit in what can only be called mercantilism.
This beggar-thy-neighbour policy is encouraged by the greed of the capitalists in those other countries because they’re doing ok by impoverishing the rest of their country.
The Chinese have a philosophical connection to long-term planning. While we’re jerking along in 3 year bite size pieces they think in generations. I think this has much to do with their fiscal stability.
OK re: the movie trailer. China has so much legitimate financial leverage over the US I struggle to find the reasoning behind running adjacent blatant scams.
> You can figure the shape of power with these few questions:
> – who really runs this town?
> – who benefits right now?
> – who really resists?
> – who needs to do the least to win?
> – Why are they lying?
> Now, name them.
It doesn’t seem like anybody here knows the answers to your questions – do you?
Go right ahead.
Nothing defamatory, but it’s a good exercise to plot a constellation.
Back in the day, Bruce Jesson did a map of New Zealand companies in the 1970s and showed which board Chairs and members were related which other boards.
Who really runs this town?
A group who seem to think we want to increase our rates to build a weird bunch of Sydney Opera House like structures.
Who benefits?
No-one – even the architect should be ashamed.
Who resists?
It’s a flaccid town – exhausted by debt and decades of misgovernance.
Who needs to do the least to win?
The usual suspects.
Lobbyists.
They may not wield ultimate power but they do have inordinate influence on the pollies.
How likely is this mob to reform lobbying?
Highly unlikely as the pollies benefit from lobbying.
Transparent lobbying register for EVERY contact with a lobbyist.
Edit: ahhh, after rereading, I see you meant local rather than national politics.
A bit quick to leap on my hobby horse.
I’m going to refer to a small provincial town we once lived in. I am unsure whether it applies to the village I live in now and rather think it doesn’t altogether.
* Farmers/ property/business owners – the bigger the portfolio the more power – they stacked the council too.
* They benefit.
* Very few – they also own your job and your house.
* Them; they simply need to maintain the status quo.
* They lie because it’s what they do. They even believe some of their lies. If they didn’t lie, if everyone knew and cared how the 1% and the 20% operate, the system would break down.
In that town 1 man owned upwards of 50 rental houses plus several business premises. A couple of real estate agents own much the same numbers of properties between them. Funny that. They’re also town councillors. Funny that too.
As a known Labour supporter I couldn’t get a job locally for love or money despite my excellent references and experience and I was told it was because of my politics … “our clients wouldn’t like it’.
You are progressive and live in a small town and make this views known, you are in serious jeopardy for as long as you live there. Your history tells me a long, hard and pessimistic story.
It’s not hard to remember that we have been living for 9 years under a government and under all local governments except Auckland and Dunedin and a few others in which it is almost illegal to express progressive thought with your actual name attached – or else you will be hunted down.
It is an interesting point that people are more vulnerable politically when dependent on private landlord supplied housing. Unless of course there is more security to tenants.
Little wonder the term property owning democracy is of longstanding.
The same issue may develop with the social media profile being used by employers to screen potential employees for being too free-thinking/whistle-blowers.
It is an interesting point that people are more vulnerable politically when dependent on private landlord supplied housing.
But not surprising when you think about it. It’s just another abuse of power that comes with capitalism and probably the worst aspect of it. It allows the rich to control everyone else through the fear of not having a job.
Of course, that’s what’s behind National’s ongoing attacks on beneficiaries. Power over everyone else for the capitalists.
Capital, and access to finance, is a dominant factor in every town. This can be divided between the established and new. The established will want favour (irrigation projects and lack of regulation of waterway purity – New Zealand), and most towns are seeking fresh capital, renewal/growth in their economy.
Those of the business community benefit.
Community activists who place value on other things.
Those who are established in office, or in their wealth.
They do not always need to lie, and for the most part the lie is inherent in the idea that growth is essential for the town to be successful and growth can only occur by not getting in the way of business.
Capital, and access to finance, is a dominant factor in every town.
And the government could provide that with 0% interest. Do that and the councils would only have to take into account availability of workers and sustainability.
Rule out irrigation and look to high tech development instead. It would be in the countries interest for the government to fund the development and building of some IC fabrication plants. Tie then into a couple of universities for ongoing development and maintenance. Just like the US did in fact.
For a small place like NZ it really needs to be coordinated across the country along with supply chains both internal and offshore.
Auckland : A small clique, it’s a series of fiefdoms of one faction versus every other faction. They do what they want, and every now and again someone will add their name to it. Most of the time, it’s people like you AD and lprent who desperately trying stop the stupid, that is the major by-production of this chaos.
Those with money benefit, because that is the system we have.
The media – killing any voice which opposes the liberal economic dominance.
Working people – just stop! (win for socialism that is 🙂 )
The media – they have a economic system to up hold.
Same graft here in HB and in Napier the realestate industry control the City Council planning; – and are buying up everywhere, and bulldozing what they want now.
I dunno. Auckland is arguably a clique, but it’s the very opposite of small. Urban Auckland has a population of over 1.5 million, out of an estimated 4.8 million kiwis. That’s pretty close to a third of the country living in Auckland alone. When you add Wellington and Christchurch to that, we easily have a straight up majority of New Zealanders living in our largest cities.
The interests of the (other) regions are valid, but let’s not pretend that Auckland is ascendant with no challenger- Wellington gets its own share of the power, and Christchurch eats its own share of the national debate with local issues, not that I think anyone would disagree that they deserve the attention still. (ironically, local Wellington issues are largely ignored in national politics. Good luck discussing public transport to the southern suburbs on National tv, but we frequently talk about issues in as much depth regarding Auckland, Christchurch, or the regions)
Auckland has its own underclasses, its own issues, its own problems, even if certain debates within Auckland, like transport, sometimes sway the conversation on national politics, that is again because they are a large clique. When you think of an elite Aucklander, you are likely thinking of someone on a large salary that lives in central Auckland, not necessarily a pacific person living in southern Auckland who can’t get a job.
The absolute bonkers thing about the effective set-up we have is that although those with extremely large amounts of money absolutely do enjoy a megaphone, they still largely don’t get listened to if they’d like to talk about things that disrupt the paradigm of them getting more money. Gareth Morgan is a rich guy, for instance, but look what happened to TOP after taking on a very similar policy platform to the Greens: it’s languishing in electoral failure, its deputy doesn’t want to step up and be leader, and it has no viable electorate candidate to push it into parliament. The thing about being an elite is that you can’t actually buy your way all the way into it- if you start upsetting things you’re out of favour in a matter of months.
As for the media- I think it’s really worth distinguishing between the highly-paid presenters, especially when they don’t actually challenge anything much like on TV, and the staff that support them doing the actual hard work for at best a middle-class salary. Again, those at the core of the industry are absolutely insufferable, but there are great individuals there doing real work that actually helps people, especially if you look at more alternative media like RNZ, where even the presenters are actually great people even if you disagree with them.
In some smaller towns it’s very easy to see who pulls the strings.
Go to Wanaka and the name Allan Dippie crop up quite quickly. He and Bob Robertson – who has since died – where they are/were the major property developers there and had a special status with the District Council. Look at a town that is doubling in size as all these new subdivisions are bulldozed into shape.
My take is on the Karikari Peninsula, a finger of land in the Far North. About half of it is retained by Ngati Kahu (a branch of Nga Puhi). They trace their occupancy back to Kupe landing at the mouth of the Taipa River. A large portion is a Land Corp farm. This is earmarked to be returned to Nga Puhi in their treaty settlement. The Carrington Resort is on a large piece of coastal land, golf course, working vineyard/winery, 100’s of stagnant subdivided sections. A few farmers with smaller holdings and about 300 sections with dwellings on them: 40% permanents, 60% holiday houses.
Outside of the crazy 3 weeks we’re in the midst of it’s a sleepy, nothing much changes, beautiful beach laden backwater.
About 2 years ago the resort was purchased by the 2nd largest real estate company on the Chinese stock exchange: Shanghai Cred. They drew up plans to build about 600 villas on their property and developed a plan to sell golfing package tours to blossoming Chinese incomes.
No probs with the government and the OIO. No probs with the Far North Council. They’ve encountered a mega hurdle with Ngati Kahu. The 2 parties have been in negotiations for about 2 years. It’s very unclear whether we are going to see strings of tour buses running out the Peninsula or not.
1. I think the 2 Ngati Kahu hapu have the most power on Karikari Peninsula. The council and local businesses can be lobbied, persuaded. As can Ngati Kahu but they’re a much tougher sell. They’re not swayed by flash in the pan profits or another 3 years in office. They’re pondering, ‘What would Kupe have us do?’
2. The hapu benefit right now. They retain their home pretty much as it has been for 700 years. They are having blankets and beads dangled en masse. There are benefits in their letting Shanghai Cred proceed with their plans.
3. Collectively I feel the majority of Ngati Kahu are against it. They fear change that can’t be reversed that alters their way of life forever.
4. I think Ngati Kahu have to do the least to win. They can stand firm with “No” or negotiate an outcome that outweighs a “No” position.
5. I don’t think they’re lying. They’re on a search for clarity and truth. The Chinese company stand to gain the most from gilding the lily. There are few jobs in the region, Shanghai Cred are pumping up the creation of many jobs. Personally, I find it easy to imagine Ngati Kahu filling min wage jobs, under a layer of whip cracking Chinese middle management.
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The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, and Mema Paremata mō Tāmaki-Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, will travel to the Gold Coast to strengthen ties with Māori in Australia next week (15-21 April). The visit, in the lead-up to the 9th Australian National Kapa haka Festival, will be an opportunity for both ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure. The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say. “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff. “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says. “Every day, ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges. “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Asia Pacific Report A Pacific civil society alliance has condemned French neocolonial policies in Kanaky New Caledonia, saying Paris is set on “maintaining the status quo” and denying the indigenous Kanak people their inalienable right to self-determination. The Pacific Regional Non-Governmental Organisations (PRNGOs) Alliance, representing some 15 groups, said in ...
Koi Tū New Zealand cannot sit back and see the collapse of its Fourth Estate, the director of Koi Tū: The Centre for Informed Futures, Sir Peter Gluckman, says in the foreword of a paper published today. The paper, “If not journalists, then who?” paints a picture of an industry ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Foreign investment proposals with implications for Australia’s strategic or economic security will face tougher scrutiny, under a policy overhaul to be announced by Treasurer Jim Chalmers on Wednesday. At the same time, the government ...
A Waitangi Tribunal inquiry report has warned government that a repeal of Section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act could cause harm to children in care. ...
The Treasury has published today three new papers covering government consumption multipliers, automatic stabilisers and the impacts of global shocks on New Zealand’s economy. ...
Asia Pacific Report The Pacific state of Hawai’i’s House of Representatives has joined the state’s Senate in calling for a ceasefire in Israel’s war on Gaza, becoming the first state to pass such a resolution, reports Hawaii News Now. In March, the Senate passed a ceasefire resolution with a 24–1 ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christopher Ferrie, A/Prof, UTS Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Research and ARC DECRA Fellow, University of Technology Sydney PsiQuantum The Australian government has announced a pledge of approximately A$940 million (US$617 million) to PsiQuantum, a quantum computing start-up company based in Silicon Valley. Half ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hunter Bennett, Lecturer in Exercise Science, University of South Australia Cameron Prins/Shutterstock If you spend a lot of time exploring fitness content online, you might have come across the concept of heart rate zones. Heart rate zone training has become more ...
SPECIAL REPORT:By Eugene Doyle He is the most popular Palestinian leader alive today — and yet few people in the West even know his name. Absolutely no one in Gaza or the West Bank does not know him. That difference speaks volumes about who dominates the media narrative that ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Will McCallum, PhD Candidate – School of Communication and Creative Arts, Deakin University Earlier this year, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton accused Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of not supporting Operation Sovereign Borders – the military-led border security operation that has “closed Australia’s borders ...
By Melyne Baroi in Port Moresby A Papua New Guinea MP, Peter Isoaimo, who had been ousted by the National Court in an alleged bribery case, has been reinstated by the Supreme Court on appeal. A three-member Supreme Court bench found that the National Court had erred in finding that ...
Publisher Chris Holdaway reflects on the unique project of collecting the work of the late, terrific poet Schaeffer Lemalu. One of the nice things you can do as a truly independent publisher is to make the books that writers want to make, whatever they happen to be. That’s how I’ve ...
Those profiled in the stamp series served on overseas deployments from 1995 onwards, and all have been awarded theNew Zealand Operational Service Medal. ...
Last night’s dismal poll result for the coalition government shows the limits of trying to govern as an opposition, argues Joel MacManus. There’s a quote from the American political activist Barbara Deming: “Vengeance is not the point; change is. But the trouble is that in most people’s minds, the thought ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Shireen Morris, Associate Professor and Director of the Radical Centre Reform Lab at Macquarie University Law School, Macquarie University Leonid Andronov/Shutterstock Foreign interference in Australian democracy poses a growing risk to our national sovereignty. It refers to coercive, corrupt or ...
A defendant charged by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has pleaded guilty to four charges of obtaining by deception in relation to a mortgage fraud scheme. Sentencing has been scheduled for 14 August 2024. ...
What to say when pesky journalists ask gotcha questions like ‘can you name a single book you’ve ever read?’ and ‘did you read it, or did you just see the movie?’This week, Act Party arts spokesperson Todd Stephenson foolishly agreed to an interview with Newsroom’s Steve Braunias regarding his ...
Explainer - What will a ban on cellphones in schools achieve? Can students use them during lunch breaks? And what happens if you need to contact your child? ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jodi Rowley, Curator, Amphibian & Reptile Conservation Biology, Australian Museum, UNSW Sydney Jodi Rowley, CC BY-NC-ND In winter 2021, Australia’s frogs started dropping dead. People began posting images of dead frogs on social media. Unable to travel to investigate the deaths ...
In the year ended March 2024, 0.4 percent of home transfers were to people who didn’t hold New Zealand citizenship or a resident visa, according to figures released by Stats NZ today. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Wasay Majid, Research Assistant , University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau New Zealand’s accommodation supplement scheme is facing scrutiny, with Social Development Minister Louise Upston recently saying “there is merit in considering whether the current settings are fair and sustainable long-term”. The ...
By Koroi Hawkins, RNZ Pacific editor The first prime ministerial candidate has been announced in Solomon Islands and it is not Manasseh Sogavare. The man of the hour is Jeremiah Manele, the MP for Hograno/Kia/Havulei constituency in Isabel Province, who served as minister of foreign affairs in the last government. ...
Protesting the removal of bins by leaving piles of your dog’s shit for others to deal with doesn’t make you a hero – it’s precious and entitled behaviour. You haven’t truly lived until you’ve stood on the shoreline of Auckland’s Cheltenham beach, desperately trying to scoop increasingly liquid dog shit ...
Analysis - Christopher Luxon will be alert to the factors driving the dire polling, but won't be waving the white flag just yet, RNZ political editor Jo Moir writes. ...
Writer, teacher and academic Vincent O’Sullivan died on Sunday 28 April. Here we gather tributes from friends, colleagues, and students who remember his extraordinary contributions. I went down to the garage tonight. There was a bird shrieking out in the bush, in the dark, maybe a kākā. Miraculously, through the ...
As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a burnt-out corporate escapee explains how she gets by ‘working as little as possible’. Want to be part of The Cost of Being? Fill out the questionnaire here.Gender: Female Age: 31 Ethnicity: Pākehā Role: Contractor in ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Timothy Schmidt, Professor of Chemistry, UNSW Sydney Albert Russ / Shutterstock The icebreaker of many a barbeque conversation is something like “what do you do for a crust?” “I teach chemistry at university,” is what we usually reply. Then silence. Our ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Asher Flynn, Associate Professor of Criminology, Monash University Shutterstock Sexual harassment is often considered to be a person-to-person act, but new research shows Australians are also experiencing and perpetrating workplace harassment in large numbers through technology. Our latest study shows one ...
A petition signed by more than 16,500 people, demanding the government take stronger action to halt the genocide of Palestinians by the State of Israel, is being presented to the House of Representatives today by Hon Phil Twyford. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Burnett, Honorary Associate Professor, ANU College of Law, Australian National University jenmartin/Shutterstock April has been a bad month for the Australian environment. The Great Barrier Reef was hit, yet again, by intense coral bleaching. And Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek delayed ...
Winston Peters might not give a ‘rat’s derriere’ about last night’s poll, but it revealed the unusual absence of a honeymoon period and little payoff for the government’s action plan approach, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marco de Jong, Lecturer, Law School, Auckland University of Technology Getty Images Details released by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet under the Official Information Act reveal New Zealand officials have been considering involvement in AUKUS from the outset. ...
The government's treatment of Māori raised eyebrows, with countries saying New Zealand needed to do more to reduce health, education and justice inequities. ...
The age of criminal responsibility was one of numerous human rights issues raised during Aotearoa New Zealand’s UPR. Other key themes were racism and discrimination, the disproportionate representation of Māori in prison, and to uphold the UN Declaration ...
In a sitdown interview ahead of his final day at Parliament this week, the former Green Party co-leader tells RNZ about his lowest point during 2017's rough election campaign. ...
Is the fringe radio station really in a financial crisis, or is it just running a hyped-up donation drive? Fringe internet radio station Reality Check Radio was launched by the anti-vaccine mandates group Voices for Freedom in March 2023. For the next year, it undertook probably the most aggressive promotional ...
Above the Fold: On Monday, the biggest Māori screen production company faced down the biggest funder of Māori content at the High Court. It was an incredibly tense moment – then, just as quickly, it resolved. Duncan Greive breaks down a strange day in the screen sector.Yesterday morning, Māori ...
He won everything and he earned a knighthood and he was a senior literary figure to the point that he was a living monument to himself until his death in the weekend at 86, but there was something about Vincent O’Sullivan that flew under the radar, that was independent and ...
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It’s a ride that’s lasted almost 30 years for mother and daughter BMX riders Nancy and Toni James, and the next stop is the World Championships in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Almost 27 years ago, Nancy and her husband Gerrard took their oldest child, Daniel, to the Waitākere BMX Club. ...
When it comes to talking about the Government’s controversial fast-track consenting process, political scientist Richard Shaw refers to the famous Chinese sci-fi novel Three-Body Problem, while RNZ’s In Depth journalist Farah Hancock talks about zombie projects. Shaw is referring to the three-party coalition Government and how the proposed legislation is ...
Opinion: The debate over single gender versus co-educational schooling has long been controversial. I went to a co-ed school and was inspired by a remarkable woman who was my maths teacher, and because of her deep knowledge and passion for the subject, I knew that maths was definitely an option ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rick Sarre, Emeritus Professor of Law and Criminal Justice, University of South Australia The rate of women killed by their partners in Australia grew by 28% from 2021–22 to 2022–23, according to new statistics released today by the Australian Institute of Criminology ...
Ministry of Disabled People employees were promised a permanent role, but were told to start packing three weeks before their fixed term contract finished, says a former employee. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Blakers, Professor of Engineering, Australian National University Clean Energy Council / Neoen As Australia’s rapid renewable energy rollout continues, so too does debate over land use. Nationals Leader David Littleproud, for example, claimed regional areas had reached “saturation point” and ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brendan C. Walsh, Sessional Academic, The University of Queensland Arrest for witchcraft (1866) by John PettieNGV, CC BY-NC In recent decades, governments the world over have increasingly taken action to address the dark history of witch-hunting. In western Europe, memorials to ...
By Mark Rabago, RNZ Pacific Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas correspondent The US Department of Justice is being urged to condemn and cease its reliance on the “Insular Cases” — a series of US Supreme Court opinions on US territories, which have been labelled racist. Senate Judiciary Committee chair Dick ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kara Dadswell, Senior Lecturer in Psychology, Victoria University Ask your son or daughter, niece, or nephew to draw you a picture of a sport coach. They will most probably draw a man. Why? Our latest research published in the Psychology of Sport ...
Bob.
Bankers – run the joint.
Bankers – reap the benefits.
Bankers – resist reform and change..
Bankers – win by doing nothing..
Bankers – lie about money and power.
You could substitute “bankers” for “financial institutions” or “corporations”; essentially then, “capitalists”.
If that is your view you will enjoy this one coming up:
How much weight do you place in the claims made in the trailer Ad? It highlights a situation I wasn’t even aware of. 300 bogus companies floating on US stock exchanges? If so, I’d imagine it’s too big to be Triads or consortium of crook bankers, surely the Chinese govt would need to be in on it. Trump will spew….wouldn’t he need to know about it?
Same producers as: Enron – The smartest guys in the room. They seemed to do a pretty good job of dissecting that scam.
Chinese private commercial debt is one of the biggest economic risks still standing for 2018, and would thoroughly shake our own Australian-domiciled banks – and our own ridiculously exposed debt markets – if it deflated quickly.
I don’t view that as a strong possibility because the political economy of China has been shown to be highly responsive. But the risk is still there.
Good to be skeptical about straight anti-Chinese propaganda like this, and I will be waiting for the journals to review the film in depth.
Their politicians do step in fairly quickly to prevent their economy collapsing. They force their currency down against the US$ to improve exports, they print money as needed and generally maintain excessive subsidies.
If that commercial debt is looking to cause problems for the Chinese economy you can be assured that the Chinese government will simply write it off and keep the economy going.
Yeah, but the engine room is making and selling a whole lot of stuff the world wants to buy. It’s a seething orgy of capitalism Draco!
A whole lot of stuff that the rest of the world can make itself. Hell, most of what they make was developed and produced in other countries first. The industry in those other countries disappearing as China produced the same stuff for those other countries.
This would not be happening if China wasn’t manipulating the market for their own benefit in what can only be called mercantilism.
This beggar-thy-neighbour policy is encouraged by the greed of the capitalists in those other countries because they’re doing ok by impoverishing the rest of their country.
The Chinese have a philosophical connection to long-term planning. While we’re jerking along in 3 year bite size pieces they think in generations. I think this has much to do with their fiscal stability.
OK re: the movie trailer. China has so much legitimate financial leverage over the US I struggle to find the reasoning behind running adjacent blatant scams.
I agree somewhat with Bill.
The question is how do countries and individuals wean themselves off debt which so many are addicted to as if it’s crack cocaine.
Bill, that is why they questioned the changes Robertson brought in.
They have to consider employment issues along with “financial stability”
Great to see the OIA turning down ANZ’s sale of UDC. Would have been just another name for derivatives, as they divided it up to sell the debt.
Bankers must spend their days trying to rort the system.
Correct, and they do.
Take a read about this poor bugger over in West Australia, but it also can happen here in NZ.
They are an evil lot.
https://thewest.com.au/news/wa/massive-bill-leaves-kondinin-farmer-with-just-3-ng-b88697688z
> You can figure the shape of power with these few questions:
> – who really runs this town?
> – who benefits right now?
> – who really resists?
> – who needs to do the least to win?
> – Why are they lying?
> Now, name them.
It doesn’t seem like anybody here knows the answers to your questions – do you?
A.
Agree bit of a sad effort so far.
I’ll stick my own thoughts down at the end of the day once I’ve got to Hawkes Bay.
Go ahead. Give it a go.
I could try and answer the questions re the Standard website, if that would be helpful?
A.
Go right ahead.
Nothing defamatory, but it’s a good exercise to plot a constellation.
Back in the day, Bruce Jesson did a map of New Zealand companies in the 1970s and showed which board Chairs and members were related which other boards.
It was tidy.
I was hoping people would actually answer the questions, about their own town.
Give it a go.
Ahh yes, I’m partly responsible for the detour, sorry.
On a national scale, I end up with 3 score of faceless silver foxes nattering over expensive Scotch in hand-cut crystal glasses.
I’ll scale it down and think about the power plays going down on the Peninsula as I mow.
Who really runs this town?
A group who seem to think we want to increase our rates to build a weird bunch of Sydney Opera House like structures.
Who benefits?
No-one – even the architect should be ashamed.
Who resists?
It’s a flaccid town – exhausted by debt and decades of misgovernance.
Who needs to do the least to win?
The usual suspects.
Lobbyists.
They may not wield ultimate power but they do have inordinate influence on the pollies.
How likely is this mob to reform lobbying?
Highly unlikely as the pollies benefit from lobbying.
Transparent lobbying register for EVERY contact with a lobbyist.
Edit: ahhh, after rereading, I see you meant local rather than national politics.
A bit quick to leap on my hobby horse.
Don’t mind – Wellington-based NZ lobbyists have a part to play in the running of that town.
I’m going to refer to a small provincial town we once lived in. I am unsure whether it applies to the village I live in now and rather think it doesn’t altogether.
* Farmers/ property/business owners – the bigger the portfolio the more power – they stacked the council too.
* They benefit.
* Very few – they also own your job and your house.
* Them; they simply need to maintain the status quo.
* They lie because it’s what they do. They even believe some of their lies. If they didn’t lie, if everyone knew and cared how the 1% and the 20% operate, the system would break down.
In that town 1 man owned upwards of 50 rental houses plus several business premises. A couple of real estate agents own much the same numbers of properties between them. Funny that. They’re also town councillors. Funny that too.
As a known Labour supporter I couldn’t get a job locally for love or money despite my excellent references and experience and I was told it was because of my politics … “our clients wouldn’t like it’.
Good work GoodShepherd.
You are progressive and live in a small town and make this views known, you are in serious jeopardy for as long as you live there. Your history tells me a long, hard and pessimistic story.
It’s not hard to remember that we have been living for 9 years under a government and under all local governments except Auckland and Dunedin and a few others in which it is almost illegal to express progressive thought with your actual name attached – or else you will be hunted down.
It is an interesting point that people are more vulnerable politically when dependent on private landlord supplied housing. Unless of course there is more security to tenants.
Little wonder the term property owning democracy is of longstanding.
The same issue may develop with the social media profile being used by employers to screen potential employees for being too free-thinking/whistle-blowers.
But not surprising when you think about it. It’s just another abuse of power that comes with capitalism and probably the worst aspect of it. It allows the rich to control everyone else through the fear of not having a job.
Of course, that’s what’s behind National’s ongoing attacks on beneficiaries. Power over everyone else for the capitalists.
Capital, and access to finance, is a dominant factor in every town. This can be divided between the established and new. The established will want favour (irrigation projects and lack of regulation of waterway purity – New Zealand), and most towns are seeking fresh capital, renewal/growth in their economy.
Those of the business community benefit.
Community activists who place value on other things.
Those who are established in office, or in their wealth.
They do not always need to lie, and for the most part the lie is inherent in the idea that growth is essential for the town to be successful and growth can only occur by not getting in the way of business.
And the government could provide that with 0% interest. Do that and the councils would only have to take into account availability of workers and sustainability.
Rule out irrigation and look to high tech development instead. It would be in the countries interest for the government to fund the development and building of some IC fabrication plants. Tie then into a couple of universities for ongoing development and maintenance. Just like the US did in fact.
For a small place like NZ it really needs to be coordinated across the country along with supply chains both internal and offshore.
Auckland : A small clique, it’s a series of fiefdoms of one faction versus every other faction. They do what they want, and every now and again someone will add their name to it. Most of the time, it’s people like you AD and lprent who desperately trying stop the stupid, that is the major by-production of this chaos.
Those with money benefit, because that is the system we have.
The media – killing any voice which opposes the liberal economic dominance.
Working people – just stop! (win for socialism that is 🙂 )
The media – they have a economic system to up hold.
“The media – killing any voice which opposes the liberal economic dominance.“
Spot on.
Look how many of the media are on the list.
Richardson is my vote.
A truly obnoxious person.
True words Adam,
Same graft here in HB and in Napier the realestate industry control the City Council planning; – and are buying up everywhere, and bulldozing what they want now.
So real estate is soaring, like Auckland did.
So we are all screwed again here too.
I dunno. Auckland is arguably a clique, but it’s the very opposite of small. Urban Auckland has a population of over 1.5 million, out of an estimated 4.8 million kiwis. That’s pretty close to a third of the country living in Auckland alone. When you add Wellington and Christchurch to that, we easily have a straight up majority of New Zealanders living in our largest cities.
The interests of the (other) regions are valid, but let’s not pretend that Auckland is ascendant with no challenger- Wellington gets its own share of the power, and Christchurch eats its own share of the national debate with local issues, not that I think anyone would disagree that they deserve the attention still. (ironically, local Wellington issues are largely ignored in national politics. Good luck discussing public transport to the southern suburbs on National tv, but we frequently talk about issues in as much depth regarding Auckland, Christchurch, or the regions)
Auckland has its own underclasses, its own issues, its own problems, even if certain debates within Auckland, like transport, sometimes sway the conversation on national politics, that is again because they are a large clique. When you think of an elite Aucklander, you are likely thinking of someone on a large salary that lives in central Auckland, not necessarily a pacific person living in southern Auckland who can’t get a job.
The absolute bonkers thing about the effective set-up we have is that although those with extremely large amounts of money absolutely do enjoy a megaphone, they still largely don’t get listened to if they’d like to talk about things that disrupt the paradigm of them getting more money. Gareth Morgan is a rich guy, for instance, but look what happened to TOP after taking on a very similar policy platform to the Greens: it’s languishing in electoral failure, its deputy doesn’t want to step up and be leader, and it has no viable electorate candidate to push it into parliament. The thing about being an elite is that you can’t actually buy your way all the way into it- if you start upsetting things you’re out of favour in a matter of months.
As for the media- I think it’s really worth distinguishing between the highly-paid presenters, especially when they don’t actually challenge anything much like on TV, and the staff that support them doing the actual hard work for at best a middle-class salary. Again, those at the core of the industry are absolutely insufferable, but there are great individuals there doing real work that actually helps people, especially if you look at more alternative media like RNZ, where even the presenters are actually great people even if you disagree with them.
In some smaller towns it’s very easy to see who pulls the strings.
Go to Wanaka and the name Allan Dippie crop up quite quickly. He and Bob Robertson – who has since died – where they are/were the major property developers there and had a special status with the District Council. Look at a town that is doubling in size as all these new subdivisions are bulldozed into shape.
My take is on the Karikari Peninsula, a finger of land in the Far North. About half of it is retained by Ngati Kahu (a branch of Nga Puhi). They trace their occupancy back to Kupe landing at the mouth of the Taipa River. A large portion is a Land Corp farm. This is earmarked to be returned to Nga Puhi in their treaty settlement. The Carrington Resort is on a large piece of coastal land, golf course, working vineyard/winery, 100’s of stagnant subdivided sections. A few farmers with smaller holdings and about 300 sections with dwellings on them: 40% permanents, 60% holiday houses.
Outside of the crazy 3 weeks we’re in the midst of it’s a sleepy, nothing much changes, beautiful beach laden backwater.
About 2 years ago the resort was purchased by the 2nd largest real estate company on the Chinese stock exchange: Shanghai Cred. They drew up plans to build about 600 villas on their property and developed a plan to sell golfing package tours to blossoming Chinese incomes.
No probs with the government and the OIO. No probs with the Far North Council. They’ve encountered a mega hurdle with Ngati Kahu. The 2 parties have been in negotiations for about 2 years. It’s very unclear whether we are going to see strings of tour buses running out the Peninsula or not.
1. I think the 2 Ngati Kahu hapu have the most power on Karikari Peninsula. The council and local businesses can be lobbied, persuaded. As can Ngati Kahu but they’re a much tougher sell. They’re not swayed by flash in the pan profits or another 3 years in office. They’re pondering, ‘What would Kupe have us do?’
2. The hapu benefit right now. They retain their home pretty much as it has been for 700 years. They are having blankets and beads dangled en masse. There are benefits in their letting Shanghai Cred proceed with their plans.
3. Collectively I feel the majority of Ngati Kahu are against it. They fear change that can’t be reversed that alters their way of life forever.
4. I think Ngati Kahu have to do the least to win. They can stand firm with “No” or negotiate an outcome that outweighs a “No” position.
5. I don’t think they’re lying. They’re on a search for clarity and truth. The Chinese company stand to gain the most from gilding the lily. There are few jobs in the region, Shanghai Cred are pumping up the creation of many jobs. Personally, I find it easy to imagine Ngati Kahu filling min wage jobs, under a layer of whip cracking Chinese middle management.