Author Archive
NZDF changes story on Operation Burnham photos
Written By: - Date published: 12:57 pm, May 13th, 2017 - 10 comments
Why did the NZDF wrongly claim that there were no photographs of the mission? Intelligence analyst Dr Paul Buchanan has a suggestion.
How much information is being withheld from us?
Written By: - Date published: 9:13 am, May 13th, 2017 - 13 comments
Covering up inconvenient truths is an old pattern for this government. What percentage of their effort goes in to obfuscating and hiding the facts?
Labour’s mental health policy
Written By: - Date published: 11:03 am, May 12th, 2017 - 13 comments
Labour’s mental health policy has had a good reception, especially in contrast to National’s systematic under-funding and arrogant response to the issue.
MSD tried to shut down housing providers
Written By: - Date published: 7:04 am, May 12th, 2017 - 25 comments
An attempt to gag emergency housing providers got quickly withdrawn when Checkpoint started making enquiries. Given this government’s record, it’s not beyond the bounds of possibility that there will be further attempts to shut down bad news.
Morning Report up – Mike Hosking down
Written By: - Date published: 4:23 pm, May 11th, 2017 - 37 comments
Perhaps we the people want real news after all? Time for a change?
There is no housing problem!
Written By: - Date published: 10:25 am, May 11th, 2017 - 19 comments
But only in Nick Smith’s head. See the finally released government Housing Affordability Measure (HAM).
Nats deny women pay equity transparency
Written By: - Date published: 7:04 am, May 11th, 2017 - 44 comments
As usual National proves itself to be no friend of women. They have voted the Equal Pay Amendment Bill down because they will always choose employers over people.
Little on immigration
Written By: - Date published: 2:09 pm, May 8th, 2017 - 34 comments
A good piece by Andrew Little in The Herald, setting out Labour’s position on immigration (with policy to come).
More love for Labour’s list
Written By: - Date published: 9:12 am, May 8th, 2017 - 18 comments
Herald: “It is a fresh-looking line-up, led by MPs who have been in opposition long enough to have won their spurs and feel they are more than ready to move into the Beehive.”
Still spinning “social investment”
Written By: - Date published: 10:04 am, May 7th, 2017 - 36 comments
Directing welfare spending where it will do most good makes sense. But let’s make sure that that is what it is, not an excuse to simply cut funding, stigmatise, and target “undesireables”. National’s record does not inspire confidence, to say the very least. Then there’s the hypocrisy…
Fuck the homeless
Written By: - Date published: 7:11 am, May 6th, 2017 - 187 comments
Those compassionate conservatives of the National Party have a message for the increasing number of homeless who occupy our Brighter Future.
Bill English doesn’t get it – literally doesn’t get it – how messed up the “Brighter Future” is
Written By: - Date published: 11:30 am, May 4th, 2017 - 55 comments
“There are approximately 92,700 Kiwis aged between 15 and 24 who aren’t working, in education or training. That’s up 19 percent during National’s time in power, and Prime Minister Bill English admits he’s not sure why.” Could it be because…
The costs and benefits of having a habitable planet to live on
Written By: - Date published: 3:20 pm, May 3rd, 2017 - 24 comments
I guess any sign of sanity is to be encouraged. But. When the Nats came to power there was a framework for reducing carbon. The Nats dismantled or weakened it. Now, nine long years later, they want Yet Another Study?
StuffMe not
Written By: - Date published: 9:58 am, May 3rd, 2017 - 22 comments
As widely reported this morning, the Commerce Commission has declined the proposed merger of the country’s two biggest media companies.
Labour’s list – diversity and renewal
Written By: - Date published: 7:01 am, May 3rd, 2017 - 112 comments
Labour has delivered a list of diversity and renewal. Good to see it getting the recognition it deserves.
Protecting our biggest export income earner
Written By: - Date published: 7:03 am, May 2nd, 2017 - 51 comments
Tourism Export Council: “The National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (NPS-FM) in its current form is nothing more than a PR-stunt from Government who continue to ignore scientists and expert opinion re the state of our freshwater. The NPS-FM does not address the serious problems facing our waterways and, in fact, will make them worse.”
Jackson’s list position
Written By: - Date published: 9:37 pm, May 1st, 2017 - 24 comments
Willie Jackson accepts his (rumoured) list position without the need for an over-hyped “crisis meeting”.
Gould explains how money works to Brash
Written By: - Date published: 12:06 pm, April 30th, 2017 - 157 comments
Interesting series of articles in The Herald, where Bryan Gould schools Don Brash on how money works.
A legacy of poisoned water
Written By: - Date published: 7:01 am, April 28th, 2017 - 66 comments
We won’t be able to say that we didn’t have ample warning, with a another detailed and damning report on water quality out yesterday. Does National really want to be remembered for allowing the poisoning of our water?
Immigration debate – Peters goes full racist
Written By: - Date published: 7:03 am, April 27th, 2017 - 357 comments
Yesterday Winston Peters chucked a gallon of petrol onto the smouldering immigration debate.
The case for higher wages
Written By: - Date published: 7:01 am, April 26th, 2017 - 31 comments
In the warm afterglow of the huge wage increase for health care workers the case for addressing NZ’s creaking low-wage economy is getting some recognition (along with the effect of immigration on wages).
Parata fleeing education mess
Written By: - Date published: 12:30 pm, April 24th, 2017 - 37 comments
Parata can believe whatever brings her comfort of course, but the fact is that this National government has made, as usual, a mess of education.
The NZDF’s transparent fig leaf
Written By: - Date published: 7:23 am, April 23rd, 2017 - 18 comments
According to David Fisher (Herald) the NZDF never investigated allegations of civilian deaths at the time of Operation Burnham. They received only a summary of the whitewash ISAF report. They refuse to look further. This is the behaviour of an organisation with plenty to hide. Hager and Stephenson have facts, the NZDF are hiding behind a transparent fig leaf of deliberate ignorance.
Housing affordability data suppressed?
Written By: - Date published: 7:02 am, April 22nd, 2017 - 83 comments
Bill English would have you believe that there is no housing crisis. He desperately needs you to believe it until after the next election. Is Nick Smith deliberately suppressing housing data?
March for Science
Written By: - Date published: 12:12 am, April 21st, 2017 - 100 comments
“We, the people, march for science and knowledge to be reaffirmed as fundamental to the democratic decision making that supports society in Aotearoa New Zealand.
We add our voices to the chorus supporting US and international scientists who oppose recent political events that damage and undermine science and its use in the public interest.”
Mental health needs vs. cuts
Written By: - Date published: 7:01 am, April 20th, 2017 - 25 comments
The People’s Mental Health Review report puts the deterioration of our mental health system firmly in the spotlight. Despite a 60 per cent increase in demand since 2007/08 National has been slashing funding. Lives are at risk.
Brownlee determined that Christchurch should suffer too
Written By: - Date published: 2:45 pm, April 19th, 2017 - 25 comments
Christchurch rebuilt must suffer the same central traffic madness as Auckland. Thus decrees Gerry Brownlee, as short-sighted, bullying, and ignorant as ever.
Immigration in election year
Written By: - Date published: 7:02 am, April 19th, 2017 - 38 comments
National is about to execute a flip flop on immigration, not for any constructive reason, but to try and head off Winston Peters’ big issue.
May seeks UK snap election
Written By: - Date published: 10:43 pm, April 18th, 2017 - 142 comments
Theresa May is seeking a snap election on 8 June.
National’s economic report card fail
Written By: - Date published: 2:52 pm, April 18th, 2017 - 18 comments
Though artificially boosted by high immigration and disaster rebuilds, the NZ economy is in the doldrums, and National are a failure even by their own goals and targets. I predict that National will soon abolish all targets, and that this will be “a sign of our success”.
Thank you health care workers
Written By: - Date published: 9:50 am, April 18th, 2017 - 30 comments
This is a huge victory for health care workers, and for women. It is also a huge victory for “resurgent unions”. Will it alarm the private sector? I certainly hope so!
(Kristine Bartlett, photo Herald Mark Mitchell)
- A flagpole, a failed space, and a confused history of white fragility
Wellington’s Flagstaff Hill has a strange, dark history…. or does it? Max Rashbrooke uncovers the truth about a historical myth. I pass it almost every day, yet never see it used. The flagpole, placed on a grassy hill above Wellington’s CBD, surrounded by trees and houses, and accessible only by ...2 weeks ago - A series of alternative, equally ambitious, transport options for WellingtonYou want to build a giant underground tunnel? Dream a little bigger. On Monday, news broke that the government is investigating the prospect of a mega-tunnel, running from Wellington’s The Terrace to Kilbirnie, designed to reduce the car load on State Highway 1 and speed trips up by an astounding ...2 weeks ago
- Beyond the DoC job cuts: ‘The worst is yet to come’
Losing staff is just the beginning of a coming storm for the Department of Conservation, environmental groups warn The post Beyond the DoC job cuts: ‘The worst is yet to come’ appeared first on Newsroom. ...2 weeks ago - ‘Reverse uplift’ foster parents still waiting to hear from OTThe foster couple at the centre of a Newsroom video investigation ordered removed from our website by the High Court are hopeful a Court of Appeal ruling means they finally hear back from Oranga Tamariki, who have been giving the couple the “silent treatment”. “We’re still in limbo. Our lives ...2 weeks ago
- Environment Court shuts down Pākiri sand mining appealThe court found the ‘clear benefits’ of continuing to take sand from Pākiri didn’t outweigh environmental concerns The post Environment Court shuts down Pākiri sand mining appeal appeared first on Newsroom. ...2 weeks ago
- Revealed: A cost-benefit analysis for Wellington’s long tunnelDoes the capital really need a really long tunnel? Quite possibly, reckons Simeon Brown. Here’s how the transport minister might* have decided a project once rejected because it was eye-wateringly expensive was worth another look. Transport minister Simeon Brown has asked Waka Kotahi officials to investigate building a long tunnel ...2 weeks ago
- More WorkSafe Cuts Will Put Workers’ Health And Safety At Risk
Moves by WorkSafe to start planning for further job cuts risks making New Zealand workplaces less safe, and New Zealand’s already poor worker safety record even worse, the PSA says. In November 2023 WorkSafe disestablished 113 roles , putting ...2 weeks ago - New Paper On A Framework For Assessing The Economic And Fiscal Impacts Of Climate ChangeMore fully understanding the impacts of climate change to New Zealand is a critical step in evaluating the potential threats or opportunities posed to New Zealanders’ living standards. ...2 weeks ago
- Pet Refuge Charitable Trust Welcoming Introduction Of Pet BondsPet Refuge hopes the introduction of Pet Bonds will lead to more families finding safe homes for themselves and their pets after fleeing family violence. The government has today announced it will make changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to make ...2 weeks ago
- Charges Laid Against Fraudulent Immigration Agent In ThailandCharges have been laid against two visa agents in Thailand after Immigration New Zealand identified they were providing fake documents for visitor visa applicants. ...2 weeks ago
- What does a uni student with two part-time jobs eat?An interview with a student and food Instagrammer about eating as a first-time flatter and the importance of Auckland University mainstay Munchy Mart. This is an excerpt from our weekly food newsletter, The Boil Up. “All I ever really want to know is how other people are making it through life ...2 weeks ago
- Finding Neutral: Estimates Of New Zealand’s Nominal Neutral Interest RateDue to New Zealanders’ high inflation expectations, the Official Cash Rate (OCR) would currently need to be about 3.9 percent to neither tap the brakes nor push on the accelerator of the economy, the Reserve Bank’s new Bulletin article shows. ...2 weeks ago
- International Migration: February 2024International migration statistics give the latest outcomes-based measure of migration, which includes estimates of migrants entering or leaving New Zealand. Key facts Annual migration Provisional estimates for the February 2024 year compared with the February ...2 weeks ago
- Owner Of Liquidated Auckland Restaurant Ordered To Pay Former Chef Almost $100,000The former owner of an Auckland restaurant business has been heavily sanctioned by the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) for multiple breaches of minimum employment standards even though the business is no longer trading and was liquidated in 2022. ...2 weeks ago
- Disability Support Zero For Three In Government Priority ListsSupport for disabled New Zealanders is yet to appear on a government action point list, missing from November’s 100 day plan, the 2 April 36 point plan or the nine government 2030 targets released on 8 April. “The government has set out its priorities ...2 weeks ago
- Briscoes’ new ‘retro’ collection looks awfully familiarRemakes are never as good as the originals, and that goes for plates too. There are many joys to op shopping, but for myself and a whole host of others it’s the discovery of something totally unexpected. A branded item mistakenly snuck onto the $1 rack, or a book you’ve ...2 weeks ago
- Councils funding is a disaster. Are city deals the answer?Local councils think city and regional deals could solve New Zealand’s broken infrastructure funding. But how would it work? The vibes in New Zealand’s councils are bad. Local Government New Zealand’s combined sector conference at Shed 6 in Wellington felt like a moment in time, when everyone in the room ...2 weeks ago
- PM eyes new export markets on week-long Southeast Asian tourAs Winston Peters returns from yet another foreign tour, his boss has jetted off to visit the leaders of Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. PM ...2 weeks ago
- Staring down the ‘silent epidemic’ of myopia in childrenShortsightedness in kids is skyrocketing overseas. Is New Zealand next? “Hey bro, are you blind now?” jokes a student, slapping his friend on the back. “Yeah bro, did you not know I’m blind?” his friend replies. Both are eating cereal in the whānau room of Kia Aroha College, a school ...2 weeks ago
- Flashing your lights to warn other drivers of a speed camera – is it legal?The legal and moral debate around New Zealand’s best unofficial road rule. If you’ve ever driven outside of a city centre, you’ll surely have seen it – the friendly flash of the headlights from an oncoming car. Most of the time it’s to let you know your headlights aren’t on ...2 weeks ago
- New Zealand Strengthens Military Alliance With USNew Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins visited the United States this week for talks to further integrate New Zealand into the expanding US-led military alliance in the Indo-Pacific region. ...2 weeks ago
- ‘One hell of a shock’: Why not everyone wants flowers from David LomasAlex Casey chats to David Lomas about the art of finding needles in haystacks. There are around 100 people scattered all over the world who are members of a very unique and exclusive club. All of them, at some point over the last 16 years, have had a knock on ...2 weeks ago
- Folkloric magic for all ages: The Grimmelings by Rachael King, reviewedCourtney Johnston reviews a novel of ‘deliciously judged suspense’ that will get you and your kids through the school holidays. In an assured opening chapter, Rachael King opens up the world of her first novel in 12 years, the middle-grade fantasy adventure The Grimmelings: “The same evening Josh Underhill went ...2 weeks ago
- The Sunday Essay: On code switching and finding my voiceFor some people, I sound too Malaysian. For others, not Malaysian enough. The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand. I am in the heart of Kuala Lumpur at a bustling food hall, ordering a plate of char kuey teow for $3. I have just ...2 weeks ago
- A complete list of things I only know about because of The OfficeA spider is an arachnid, not an insect… and 48 other fun and obscure facts, names, places and phrases. In my late teens and early 20s one of my defining personality traits was simply “The Office”. I watched it on repeat, memorised large chunks of the script and recited quotes ...2 weeks ago
- NEW POLL: Kiwis want Nicola Willis to hold firm on tax reliefA new Taxpayers’ Union – Curia poll has revealed that 53% of New Zealanders believe that the Government should continue to deliver the tax relief that was promised by the National Party during the election campaign. 29% of respondents thought that ...2 weeks ago
- Government Spending Cuts Force DIA To Contract Out Critical Legal WorkCommercial work undertaken by a Department of Internal Affairs’ legal team will be fully outsourced to private law firms under proposed job cuts to meet the Government’s drive for spending cuts. "How does fattening the profits of law firms make sense ...2 weeks ago
- Public Submissions Open On Te Korowai O Wainuiārua Claims Settlement BillThis bill seeks to give effect to certain matters contained in the deed of settlement signed on 29 July 2023 by the Crown and Te Korowai o Wainuiārua. ...2 weeks ago
- EDS Calls For Fast-track Approvals Bill To Be Abandoned In Submission To Select CommitteeThe Environmental Defence Society (EDS) has filed its final substantive submission on the Fast-track Approvals Bill. ...2 weeks ago
- Manawatū Tenants Union Condemns Proposed Residential Tenancies Act AmendmentsThe Manawatū Tenants Union has expressed deep concern over the proposed amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act put forward by Housing Minister Chris Bishop. The changes, aimed at revitalising the rental property market, have raised significant ...2 weeks ago
- Annual Food Price Inflation Slows To 0.7 PercentFood prices increased 0.7 percent in the 12 months to March 2024, the smallest increase since April 2021, according to figures released by Stats NZ today. The 0.7 percent increase followed a 2.1 percent increase in the 12 months to February 2024, and is ...2 weeks ago
- Public Submissions Open On The Te Pire Whakatupua Mō Te Kāhui Tupua/Taranaki Maunga Collective Red...The Māori Affairs Committee is calling for public submissions on the Te Pire Whakatupua mō Te Kāhui Tupua/Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Bill. This bill would give effect to certain matters contained in Te Ruruku Pūtakerongo/the Taranaki Maunga ...2 weeks ago
- Master Plumbers Support Government Plans To Cut Red TapeMaster Plumbers was pleased to hear how the Government is focused on making it quicker and easier to build. Speaking at the NZ Plumbing Conference in Wellington today, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk said the Government wants to remove ...2 weeks ago
- Women Bearing Brunt Of Job Cuts At Tertiary Education CommissionTertiary Education Commission (TEC) staff were told yesterday (April 10) by their Chief Executive that the organisation is cutting 28 roles including administration and clerical roles like Executive Assistants, Administrators, Executive Officers ...2 weeks ago
- NEW POLL: New Zealanders Oppose Taxpayer-funded Bailouts For Private Media CompaniesLabour voters were the only demographic in support of media bailouts (+7% net support), while those aged under 40 were split evenly. A majority or plurality in every other demographic opposed taxpayer-funded media bailouts. ...2 weeks ago
- Minister Of Finance Admits To New Borrowing NeedAt Finance and Expenditure Committee today the Minister of Finance admitted that the Government will have to borrow to make ends meet in the forthcoming Budget. ...2 weeks ago
- Hidden Long COVID Crisis Deepens In New ZealandInitially, with strict border controls and lockdowns imposed by the Jacinda Ardern-led Labour Party government, New Zealand was largely successful keeping the pandemic at bay. ...2 weeks ago
- Improved Privacy, Security In Wellington Service Centre UpgradeThe Ministry of Social Development’s Work and Income Service Centre at Wellington will close for renovations for four weeks from 5pm Thursday 2 May 2024. MSD Regional Commissioner Gagau Annandale-Stone says plans are in place to ensure clients are ...2 weeks ago
- Prominent American Journalist And Author To Tour New Zealand Universities With Free Speech UnionProminent American journalist and author Jonathan Rauch will visit New Zealand with the Free Speech Union next month to discuss the importance of academic freedom, says Jonathan Ayling, Chief Executive of the Free Speech Union. ...2 weeks ago
- Household Saving Remains Positive For Third Consecutive QuarterNew Zealand household saving was $424 million in the December 2023 quarter as household net disposable income exceeded spending for the third consecutive quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today. Household net disposable income increased ...2 weeks ago
- April 10 Is A Dramatic Day In New Zealand’s HistoryOn April 10, 1919, the preliminary results of a referendum showed that New Zealanders had narrowly voted for prohibition by a majority of around 13,000 votes. However, when the votes of soldiers still overseas after World War I were later added in, ...2 weeks ago
- DOC Job Cuts Will Have Long-term Consequences For NatureForest & Bird is warning of long-term consequences for nature and the economy following today’s announcement of 131 proposed jobs losses at DOC. This comes on top of proposed redundancies in other government organisations that have roles to ...2 weeks ago
- TVNZ’s Consultation Process Legally Challenged By E TūE tū has filed a claim with the Employment Relations Authority against TVNZ, as the company did not follow their consultation requirements that are guaranteed for workers in their collective agreement. The filing comes as TVNZ makes formal announcements ...2 weeks ago
- Sexual Orientation Should Be Protected Under Hate Speech LawsTe Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission addressed whether New Zealand’s hate speech law is discriminatory, in court yesterday. The Court of Appeal heard the case brought by Russell Hoban, who is seeking a declaration from the Court that ...2 weeks ago
- Govt Forces DOC To Shed 130 Jobs Despite Fragile State Of Natural EnvironmentThe reckless nature of the Government’s cost cutting drive has again been exposed with DOC forced to make big cuts at a time when it is struggling to protect the conservation estate - the jewel in our tourism crown. DOC told staff today the Government had ...2 weeks ago
- Greenpeace Slams Government’s Fast-track Advisory Panel AnnouncementGreenpeace says that today's announcement of a fast-track advisory group with no discernible environmental expertise adds insult to injury and shows just how little regard the Luxon Government has for the environment. The coalition Government claims ...2 weeks ago
- Sky-high Interest Rates Show Kiwi Families Need Government To Show Some Fiscal ResponsibilityResponding to the Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s decision to hold the Official Cash Rate (OCR) at 5.5%, Taxpayers’ Union Policy and Public Affairs Manager, James Ross, said: “High interest rates stifle growth and punish Kiwi families. They’re ...2 weeks ago
- OCR 5.50% – Official Cash Rate Remains UnchangedThe Monetary Policy Committee today agreed to leave the Official Cash Rate (OCR) at 5.50 percent. ...2 weeks ago
- Government Must Clamp Down Harder On Managerial Class With Public Service CutsResponding to concerns from public servants that managers seem to be ‘immune’ from staffing cuts, Taxpayers’ Union Spokesman, Alex Murphy, said: "The whole point of the Government's spending cuts was to axe the back-office bureaucracy and ...2 weeks ago
- Dwelling And Household Estimates: March 2024 Quarter – Information ReleaseDwelling and household estimates are used for many purposes including planning, policy formation, business decisions, and as 'bottom lines' in the calculation of market coverage rates. Key facts At 31 March 2024, the estimated number of: ...2 weeks ago
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