Author Archive
The NZ Herald – advancing Auckland backwards
Written By: - Date published: 10:52 am, May 1st, 2013 - 32 comments
To the Herald the Fourth Estate must be a greenfield development on the outer margins of Auckland: a Dickensian space, hiding the poor from the upper middle-classes. The Herald lacks critical balance & equal weighting for diverse views: it scaremongers about the Akl Unitary Plan & undermines public transport.
Networks of influence: (dis)Advantage NZ
Written By: - Date published: 9:33 am, April 30th, 2013 - 21 comments
An Advantage New Zealand conference at SkyCity is the centre of major PR for John Key-backed, big oil exploration in NZ. While promoting and backing each others’ destructive profiteering, and endangering NZ’s environment, they are nurturing their networks of influence over expensive dinners and on the golf course.
It’s not us: it’s the big banks
Written By: - Date published: 10:01 am, April 29th, 2013 - 31 comments
MSM articles show the big Aussie banks are making record profits, Kiwis can save, and Adam Smith worshiping think tanks are not to be trusted. Cunliffe & Norman said it a while back – NAct policies and government spending cuts are not the answer.
Reminder: Day of Action Sat 27 April
Written By: - Date published: 11:00 am, April 27th, 2013 - 123 comments
Aotearoa is Not for Sale is counting down to the National Day of Action this Saturday 27 April. Now is the time to support NZ (People) Power & say there are alternatives. Get your banners & placards ready, polish up your chants and slogans, and get ready to make some noise. [Update: added poster][Updated posting time to move it to the top today] Update – AKL photos]
Meanwhile: US, intellectual property, GCSB
Written By: - Date published: 11:29 am, April 26th, 2013 - 18 comments
In his meetings with Ian Fletcher, Key’s main aims and activities are hidden in plain sight. They connect with US-led initiatives around digital copyright, intellectual property and commerce. Recently there have been some worrying developments in the bigger picture: GCSB, ACTA, TPPA, SOPA, CISPA.
‘That politician got amnesia again’
Written By: - Date published: 9:30 am, April 26th, 2013 - 21 comments
Today’s anonymous Dominion Post editorial points to the beginning of John Key’s fall from grace. It centres on Key’s personal qualities, continues to support the MSM’s support of personality politics, glosses over the serious issues masked by Key’s (alleged) amnesia, and uses a false equivalence with Helen Clark.
Two videos & a documentary
Written By: - Date published: 12:09 pm, April 25th, 2013 - 6 comments
A Jackson PR video promoting NZ scenery as a beautiful backdrop for the Hobbit & tourism; a Campbell Live video on a Dannevirke protest against Big Oil exploiting their area; an anti-fracking Canadian team filming in NZ.
“He Toki Huna New Zealand In Afghanistan” – Maori TV
Written By: - Date published: 8:49 am, April 25th, 2013 - 34 comments
Last night Maori TV screened an excellent documentary of, by and about excellent Kiwi journalism: He Toki Huna New Zealand in Afghanistan (by Kay Ellmers and Annie Goldson). Now available for viewing on Maori TV’s website. Must see viewing.
Fletcher-Key meetings: networks of influence
Written By: - Date published: 8:23 am, April 24th, 2013 - 90 comments
There were a number of meetings between Key and Ian Fletcher prior to Fletcher’s appointment as GCSB boss. Key tried to cover up his cronyism, and preoccupation with undemocratic shifts in the government’s control of the GCSB, and its focus on intellectual property & commerce.
Homes for all (1945)
Written By: - Date published: 7:42 pm, April 23rd, 2013 - 13 comments
The film, Housing in New Zealand (1945) on youtube, shows how the Public Works Department built state houses for all who needed them. The authorities seemed Brit-defined, supply of resources & land seemed unlimited. But can we fulfill 21st century needs with similar political will?!
MRP share offer suspended til tomorrow
Written By: - Date published: 5:19 pm, April 22nd, 2013 - 36 comments
The government announced about an hour ago, that it has suspended the share offer for Mighty River Power until tomorrow, while it devises a supplementary disclosure in the light of the Labour-Green NZ Power policy.
National Day of Action vs Asset Sales: Sat 27 April
Written By: - Date published: 12:31 pm, April 22nd, 2013 - 18 comments
Aotearoa is Not for Sale is counting down to the National Day of Action this Saturday 27 April. Some people have explained why they will be joining the Day of Action on Saturday. Why do you support action against asset sales? What are the alternatives? [Updated: details of actions around NZ]
Space and density: Auckland Unitary Plan
Written By: - Date published: 10:15 am, April 22nd, 2013 - 8 comments
The draft Auckland Unitary Plan is massive and complex. The Auckland Transport Blog helps in untangling issues around intensification vs sprawl. The government & some right wing councillors want sprawl & to delay implementation. The Akl Council website has some cool videos visualising the planned developments. And social housing?
The “socialist” vs capitalist PR war: NZ Power
Written By: - Date published: 8:19 am, April 21st, 2013 - 123 comments
The Key government and its allies are playing the “red scare” gambit, the Greens get to the heart of the reason for NZ Power, Parker goes Third Way, while Bernard Hickey and Matt McCarten weigh in to support the (alleged) “socialist” NZ Power policy. Bomber Bradbury adds some words of caution. [updated title]
Do the lights ever go out on Planet Key?
Written By: - Date published: 8:19 pm, April 19th, 2013 - 33 comments
John Key says that the Labour-Green Power policy is “barking mad” and will take people back to the power cuts of the 1970s. Another John Key brainfade, or just being “clueless”? I look at power cuts and fuel poverty since the 1990s.
The buck stops with the directors: Pike River
Written By: - Date published: 11:00 am, April 19th, 2013 - 9 comments
Pike River found guilty of breaches of health and safety, leading to the death of of 29 miners. The CTU is calling for law changes to make company directors responsible for their company’s negligence. And the NZ MSM coverage of the catastrophe immediately after it happened?
The disconnected: the future of the left?
Written By: - Date published: 12:30 pm, April 18th, 2013 - 42 comments
The current direction of Key’s government, and the challenging circumstances of the 21st century create a need for urgent attention to the form of a new left politics; one that embraces the working class, trade union solidarity, gender, diversity & the emerging “precariat”.
Marriage equality: living with prejudice
Written By: - Date published: 10:00 am, April 17th, 2013 - 117 comments
The marriage equality law will pass it’s final reading in the House tonight. It is a measure of how things have changed. The passing of the law will not bring an end to all prejudices, inequalities and debilitating practices. But, today is a day for celebrating. [Update: Louisa Wall’s speech added.]
The Greens, electricity & sustainability
Written By: - Date published: 2:15 pm, April 16th, 2013 - 48 comments
The Greens and Labour are planning a joint announcement on their policies on power prices. Both parties want to bring down costs of electricity. The policies of the two parties will also have some differences. How will it mesh with Green Party policies on sustainability?
GCSB changes – outrageous anti-democratic
Written By: - Date published: 6:13 pm, April 15th, 2013 - 42 comments
Key has announced changes to the GCSB roles that will include assisting business and the police in spying against Kiwis. it is anti-democratic, and will increase lack of accountability of the intelligence and crime fighting services.
Seeking a wormald to the truth
Written By: - Date published: 1:47 pm, April 15th, 2013 - 33 comments
Dotcom has promised some significant revelations from this week’s court proceedings. This morning his lawyer focused on Grant Wormald, the role of the police Special Tactics Group, and the truth. Is the GCSB is off the hook? Meanwhile, Key has been claiming he is “honest and upfront”. [Update – Key’s announced changes to the GCSB outrageous & undemocratic]
Networks of influence
Written By: - Date published: 8:45 am, April 14th, 2013 - 57 comments
John Key is into networking and schmoozing with the wealthy & influential. He’s given special attention to the entertainment industries, GCSB, intellectual property & commerce. He crossed paths with Warner’s people the year before the Hobbit dispute, but never played golf with Dotcom.
The stealthy dismantling of democracy
Written By: - Date published: 9:44 am, April 12th, 2013 - 27 comments
John Key’s government has been gradually dismantling NZ’s democratic processes. Various activities this week are a major part of a frightening shift: a Bill enabling mining conservation land; punitive social security Act; Key’s control over NZ’s “intelligence community”.
The Key-Fletcher trail
Written By: - Date published: 11:36 am, April 11th, 2013 - 77 comments
The PM, Fletcher, the GCSB – questions need answering: why, when, where, who? It’s all about intellectual property, global commerce and international networks. From London to Aus 2009, to NZ 2010, then down the rabbit hole to Dotcom, Hobbits & uncertain links with complex global money mazes.
Security: social, financial, personal, digital
Written By: - Date published: 9:05 am, April 10th, 2013 - 18 comments
Yesterday more planks in the NAct raft amounting to major changes, were before the House. These undermine democracy, fairness, the security and rights of individuals, and increase hardship for those on low incomes. Ardern on Social Security. Cunliffe on child support, privacy breaches & trust.
I thank Margaret Thatcher …
Written By: - Date published: 9:03 am, April 9th, 2013 - 314 comments
… for her major contribution to my political education: of the need to combat the extensive, destructive power of the “neoliberal” elites. I lived in London during the entire time Thatcher was prime minister. It was a time of major change; of political activism; of hope; of disillusionment.
Kiwis at centre of money maze: Hager
Written By: - Date published: 8:03 am, April 7th, 2013 - 107 comments
Today a Nicky Hager article puts Kiwis are at the centre of the global money maze exposed by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists. He traces developments after Wine Box, the involvement of lawyers (including one ACT-aligned blogger), and some BNZ & ANZ staff… and more.
Investigative journalism is not dead
Written By: - Date published: 8:46 am, April 6th, 2013 - 21 comments
Congratulations to Duncan Campbell, Nicky Hager, et al involved in the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists for doing such a great job on the Gobal Offshore Money Maze. The maze includes NZ & Aussie. The investigation used sophisticated digital technologies.
Fletcher GCSB Change manager – and QLD
Written By: - Date published: 10:38 am, April 5th, 2013 - 87 comments
Key & a government source responded to Ferguson’s criticisms by attacking Labour & Ferguson. They claimed Fletcher was the best person to “change manage” the GCSB. Yet, in Queensland Fletcher was publicly criticised for the management of his department. [Updated]
Rennie: Key vetoed the shortlist?
Written By: - Date published: 2:58 pm, April 4th, 2013 - 115 comments
Rennie now says it was ultimately Key’s decision to scrap the original shortlist for head of the GCSB. Has Key misled the House and the country, or has he successfully employed the science of obfuscation?
More pay for them; bigger bills for us
Written By: - Date published: 1:09 pm, April 4th, 2013 - 24 comments
Ryall has announced that Might River Power top brass will be receiving massive pay rises, in relation to the sale of the powercos. The directors have multiple positions, and questions have been raise about the past of one or two of them. They benefit; we pay.
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