New polls show unions have come around to labours 172 mps way of thinking.
As union representatives take up 12 of the NEC seats – about a third of the total, Corbyn’s looking weaker by the minute.
“Meanwhile, a YouGov poll for the Election Data website suggested that of 1,221 trade union members surveyed, 63% thought Mr Corbyn was doing badly as leader, compared with 33% who thought he was doing well.
Also, 76% said it was unlikely that Mr Corbyn would ever become prime minister, while 69% said it was unlikely Labour would win the next election while he was leader.
Corbyn must be aggressive in his approach and get the disloyal ring leaders de-selected at the electorate level. No compromises. The backstabbing Blairites will offer him none.
Anyone who supported that war should not be putting themselves forward as a candidate of the Labour Party.
—
“If he wins will you accept the result?”
“You have to accept the result of any democratic process” – Unless Jeremy Corbyn wins, which is highly likely. The knives were out for Corbyn from day one.
Labour’s leadership is much more complicated than a single issue like that, but even though I opposed the UK’s involvement, better her than the current unelectable one.
Suppose the B-liar-ites capture the NEC into stating that white is black and Corbyn isn’t to run against any nominee, you don’t think that will be challenged in the High Court?
I’m not sure that’s his MO. Corbyn’s instincts are pretty democratic – and in any membership ballot the PLP will be like Angela Eagle – conspicuously less attractive than Julia Gillard. He gets reaffirmed and they get blighted by fading support. He doesn’t need to wield mana-depleting electoral violence or party authority. It’s like he has electoral Aikido and they’ve got no game.
Ha! 1221 Union members polled out of a population of 63 million. Now, I don’t know how many would be members of the unions surveyed, but I’m picking there would be a few million of them at least. And what’s the bet those “1221” members were umm… carefully selected?
Of course it’s only a poll, which may or may not be truly representative, that’s a given, so go ahead and mock the statistics if you will, even if they are the only union specific ones we have so far.
Though do remember we make a big fuss over here when labour and the greens edge past national on similar small sample numbers, so let’s not be in too much of a rush to knock the figures too much we rely on to give us hope.
I’m not lying, I really do want Corbyn out and an electable leader put in his place.
On a site where labour voters routinely get rounded upon and abuse by the ultras is par for the course, there’s your honesty for you 😉
Mr Peter Swift“Meanwhile, a YouGov poll for the Election Data website suggested that of 1,221 trade union members surveyed … 69% said it was unlikely Labour would win the next election while he was leader.
Damn those neo lib, neo con, blairite union members.
I’m not lying, I really do want Corbyn out and an electable leader put in his place.”
You “inadvertently” forgot to mention, Peter, that Union members in the YouGov Poll you cite also believe any replacement Leader is Unlikely to win the next General Election for Labour.
YouGov
If Jeremy Corbyn was replaced as leader of the
Labour party, how likely or unlikely do you think it is
that they would win the next general election?
Also, as many of those Union members polled believe he should stay on as believe he should step down now – 45%/45%
Among those who voted Labour at the last Election – it’s 47%/44% in his favour.
“1221 Union members polled out of a population of 63 million.”
Still a statistically useful number polled, Anne. Bear in mind it’s more than are polled here for our political polls where 800 to 1200 is regarded as a reliable number to call.
Ironically, it’s roughly 4 times the number of people who just elected the new UK PM 😉
Mr Peter Swift“As union representatives take up 12 of the NEC seats – about a third of the total, Corbyn’s looking weaker by the minute.”
Leading Unionists strongly back Corbyn according to the New Statesman:
(1) George Eaton
“Labour’s National Executive Committee will meet at 2pm tomorrow (Tuesday) to determine the terms of the contest, including whether Corbyn is automatically on the ballot. The party’s HQ and the leader’s office have received contradictory legal advice on whether he requires 51 nominations. But it is the NEC that will ultimately decide.
Those I spoke to yesterday suggested that the 33-member body could rule that Corbyn requires nominations – if a secret vote is held. But senior Labour figures told me this afternoon that there is “no doubt” that the leader has the numbers required to prevail (“whatever the legal advice”). As well as left-wing allies on the NEC, Corbyn crucially retains the backing of the 12 trade union delegates. A senior source told me the unions’ support was “on lockdown” even in the event of a secret ballot (which would require a show of hands). “Unite are flying Martin Mayer in by plane. The TSSA delegate has cancelled her holiday,” he said.”
(2) Stephanie Boland
“With Angela Eagle expected to challenge the Labour leader imminently, Len McClusky and other union representatives have declared their support for Corbyn.
◦Len McClusky and the general secretaries of unions Unison and the GMB have come out in support of Jeremy Corbyn after news that “peace talks” had broken down, and a formal leadership challenge could be expected imminently.
McClusky called Tom Watson’s statement earlier today, in which the deputy leader said he believed there “is little to be achieved by pursuing wider conversations with our union affiliates at this time”, “deeply disigengenuous”.
Union support could be crucial in deciding whether or not Corbyn has an automatic place on the leadership ballot in the event of a challenge. The party is believed to have conflicting legal advice on the subject, with the final decision likely to be taken by Labour’s NEC, of which several seats are occupied by trade union representatives.”
I think the NZ Labour party is holding together pretty well under AL, there is a lot to like about its current direction back to its roots.
If dirty politics is any guide, with Nats losing momentum, things will be getting pretty ugly behind closed doors, just look at Joyce/Bennett v English, McCully v Key.
But NZ politics is boring tranquillity compared to the UK at the moment
Freaking ridiculous. I tell you if they wanted to put a turbine on Lion Rock in Piha I would favourably consider it because climate change is that much of a threat.
There are other ways to address climate change without screwing up the landscape micky. The guy interviewed by ryan on 9 to noon last week said completely self sufficient (battery in house) solar systems will be Cheaper than connecting to the grid by 2018. He is the Oxford Uni expert…and that is the way to go not fecken massive towers.Anton Oliver has this right.
My comment about Lion Rock was to emphasise how important the issue is. All good if there is an alternative but I am prepared for scenic desecration to stop climate change.
There are differences between the Blueskin Bay project and the Lammermoor one though. Wind is useful in ways that solar isn’t. No batteries for a start, which aren’t renewable, they’re a pollutant/waste, plus the whole night time thing. We should be looking at appropriate use of windfarms. That’s why I’m hoping the ODT will do better coverage. I’d like to know what the decision was actually based on.
Was based on fact that would wreck the lifestyle of people who have lived in blueskin bay for ages. Wind towers are ok in some places but solar technology is rapidly taking over
Think cradle to grave and what happens in all of that (same with windfarms of course). Some of the issues are solvable (eg manufacturing in NZ so we don’t enable local manufacturing pollution in countries with laxer standards). Some probably aren’t (the economics will be harder in a small country like NZ). Ultimately we should be using less power.
Even allowing for the probably bias in that last link, it’s still an interesting look at why the whole renewable thing isn’t a silver bullet even if we were to do it.
Can’t find a decent link to the battery problem. Last time I checked in NZ there wasn’t a good system for recycling. Might have changed though, that was a few years ago. Even with recycling we’re talking about levels of pollution once we get up to scale because they have to be replaced. Again, some of these problems are solvable, some not, and we should be looking at using less as our first instinct.
so your talking production carbon cost?….. fair enough but in total solar is still way ahead of internal combustion or gas….dont forget lifespan is 25 years plus
Completely agree, windfarms come with their own set of problems. Back in the day when people first started talking about renewables I would say wind and solar aren’t renewable, they use finite resources and create waste that can’t be dealt with (and think about that in a society that is hell bent on perpetual growth). Hey ho.
The deeper Green perspective works from principles of the natural world systems. Is the resource finite? What happens at the end of the life of the thing being made or used? What waste is created in between? The natural world generally has closed loops that can take those things in their stride. And above all, despite sun and wind being relatively infinite, we still live in a finite world. That’s how we should be designing.
The problem isn’t wind vs solar. It’s that people want a lifestyle that the planet simply cannot sustain. This would be true even if the pressure wasn’t on re CC.
hi weka, ironically i was catching up with a permies site that had two relevant articles. incidentally permaculture offers a lot of knowledge that may become relevant very soon.
first is the conflict between living frugally vs expectations of others:
permies.com/t/57567/frugality/frugal-life-expectations-friends-family.
this one is about a book recently published about community power schemes;
permies.com/t/57432/books/Energy-Revolution-Howard-Johns
IMO, The actual answer to that isn’t more anti-biotics but more vaccines. Teaching the body to resist these diseases is a better way than teaching the body to rely on anti-bacterial drugs to defend it.
Go look up what the most common fatal nosocomial infections are. Then ask yourself why no one has invented vaccines for these common deadly infections.
Yes, I do know how the immune system functions which is why I know that diet and exercise do nothing for it – unless your exposed to the diseases while engaging in those things. Falling off your bicycle and getting a graze and thus being exposed to tetanus or having someone cough all over you while in a swanky health food cafe and thus being exposed to the cold bacterium.
Are you naturally stupid or did you have to work at it?
Vaccines teach the immune system how to deal with pathogens whereas diet and exercise simply don’t do that. Being healthy means that the body have the strength and energy to respond which is, of course, needed and will certainly help keep you well a little bit longer if you do contract a pathogen. It might even be enough to keep you alive long enough for your immune system to learn how to respond but I wouldn’t count on it. Lots and lots of “young, otherwise healthy adults” have died over the ages due to not being able to fight off the disease.
There are numerous scientific studies fucken proving it.
So, unless you’ve got actual scientific studies proving the exact opposite of what science has been telling us for half a century or more I suggest you STFU.
Really, all you’re doing is proving your ignorance.
“Cars are the most inefficient form of transport…”
“I used to work in technology…”
“The science tells us…”
What you lack is intelligence levels capable of rational critique, your comments say as much. They are full of fundamental inaccuracies, which you don’t even recognize. That’s a serious flaw in my opinion
So is your anger and agression, indicating how arrested your developmental pathways are
It’s no surprise you have the views and beliefs that you do. Fantasy and ego are a terrible mix for anyone
Only a few short years until it’s all completely exposed. I’ve said that before, it can’t be stopped now!
Nothing you or I say or do is going to alter that outcome
And, again, you’ve spouted off proving your ignorance.
Instead of addressing the points that I’ve made (all backed up) all you’ve done is throw ad hominem attacks at me. The sign of some one who’s lost the argument but is unwilling to let it go.
Vaccinations typically force your immune system to react to molecules that it would never normally respond to, in ways that would normally never happen in nature.
I wouldn’t accept chemicals like that into my body unless their level of tangible, real life benefit was high. Measurable increase in life expectancy etc.
Yeah, was trying to remember. Should have googled.
…most vaccines are developed to combat viral diseases, most antibiotics target bacterial infections.
Yes, I’m aware of that. The reason being that anti-biotics don’t work on viruses so we have to get the immune system to work on them thus we have vaccines. This doesn’t mean that a vaccine couldn’t be developed for various bacterium.
phage therapy seems to have the most blue sky potential. On the one hand it looks like something CV would come up with, but on the other hand what limited research there has been has also been quite promising for a range of conditions.
For seventy years antibiotics have been a magic bullet that was plentiful, so the temptation was to use only the magic bullet. In 20 years it’ll be one of several tools in the box. It’s an issue, but my cynics’ handbook on crisis assessment suggests that as soon as rich white people start getting resistant strains ofr the clap, billionswill be invested in researching alternatives… 🙂
Our political leaders are well protected by the establishment.
And NZ has a establishment which protects elites from revealing very serious nefarious activities. despite Justice Goddard claims we have no establishment.
politicians are mostly managers who answer to the global elite .1% after they pledge to do their bidding they get backed and installed.
It’s the pollies who don’t that get targeted, smeared, attacked by the msm, maligned and face constant challenges from outside and within. JC in the UK and DC here, they’ll start in on AL as the election cycle nears.
The interview this Morning Guyon V English was a great interview.
Tonight John Campbell V Paula Bennett gave a stunning example of asking the right questions and getting a great example of the Bennett worm Squirming. John tackled her at the small temporary house launch tonight.
Para phrased:
“John you should talk to Bill English as he is the Minister of Housing.”
“Oh but I am talking to the Minister of Housing Paula Bennett. Now I am confused….” http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/201807992/no-dividend-from-housing-nz,-say-nats
She is a Tory convert, like an ex smoker that hates other smokers, Tories hate where they came from. And they pull up the drawbridge to keep others down. Can you see her lasting a coup when Key has retired with his knighthood. She will need a electorate seat to keep getting at ballamys buffet table.
Are they seeing a bright future in farming, spotted a bargain, or trying to prop things up so the excreta doesn’t hit the air circulating device until very late next year…
they should be buying high country hill stations, and National assets, not proxy dairy farms in the wrong location, which use precious water supplies, that we subsidize paying for in the supermarket.
and i bet they employ immigrant labour,
The hill stations should simply have had their leases cancelled and the land transferred to DoC with enough funding for them to replant back to native forestry.
they should have a risk investment arm, to promote aquaculture,
National claim that our economy is diverse, jesus where is it,
most diversity risks are small scale,
seaweed farming has more potential that dairy,
reasoning = billions being lactose intolerant,
moo cows must be milked cheaply is Nationals mantra,
commodity prices are set n new york,
not at the farm gate,
can the standard show any employment costs rises on the back of export volumes, to prove trade claims are wonderful,
Apples should be a easy study to the Aussie market,
so it doesnt matter how hard we work to be productive,
does it
moo moo,
Interesting. I’m part way through reading this, and noted that the Federated Farmers were up to their eyeballs in it.
Robert Muldoon telephoned David Lange when it was clear he had lost the general election.
”Congratulations, Mr Lange. I’ve got some bad news for you tomorrow”, the defeated prime minister said, hanging up before Mr Lange could reply.
It was the evening of Saturday, July 14, 1984. New Zealand was standing on the edge of a precipice.
The economic boom years of the 1950s and 1960s were long gone.
A tightly regulated economy was failing to thrive.
Militant trade unionists were at loggerheads with intractable employers.
A wage and price freeze had been in place for two years in an attempt to tackle high rates of inflation and unemployment.
The country was on the verge of defaulting on its overseas debts.
Into this storm walked 41-year-old prime minister-elect Mr Lange.
”I believed in our capacity to do good,” he said of that heady time.
Mr Lange devalued the dollar by 20%. He convened an economic summit attended by all the big players and many interest groups.
And he worked with his cabinet to develop what, at the time of the election, was only a half-formed economic policy.
That blueprint for the economy was not made public until Finance Minister Roger Douglas delivered the Budget, in November.
Observing the process was Margaret Pope, Mr Lange’s speechwriter, lover and later his second wife.
Ms Pope noted the influence of Treasury on the Labour finance minister’s increasingly right-leaning economic views.
But Treasury advisers and Mr Douglas were not the only voices, she said in her 2011 biography.
”Any number of factors coloured its [Cabinet’s] decision-making – the ability and interests of its members, official advice, the advocacy of the finance ministers, the leanings of senior ministers, the prime minister’s chairmanship, the mood of the moment or the last poll result – but no outsider could accurately gauge their influence,” Ms Pope wrote.
One influential voice she did not cite was that of big business.
In July, within days of the election, a grouping of the country’s leading business sectors had written to the incoming prime minister with their vision for a new economic model.
The Top Tier Group
Assoc Prof Brian Roper knows it happened.
In 1989, while conducting research for his PhD thesis, the University of Otago political economist was given a copy of the letter.
It was addressed to Mr Lange and signed by the presidents of Federated Farmers, the Chambers of Commerce, the Employers Federation, the Manufacturers Federation and the Retailers Federation.
Collectively calling themselves the ”Top Tier Group”, they advocated for a radical restructuring of New Zealand’s economy.
Muldoonism was a horrible thing. I was trying to start a career in construction and had 8 jobs in as many years, a couple of them PEP schemes and a couple of stints on the dole or meat hunting. By the time Muldoon got the arse I was on the dam at Clyde and an active union member until Zublins said i had t wear a white hat. I was surprised by the support for the reforms from some of the union leaders, especially Kelvin Fisher, who gave a very prescient explanation of how and why the process would unfold.
It’s weird now talking about New Zealand’s journey to visitors at the shop and saying that we tried to deal with inflation in the early 80’s by outlawing it. And the subsidies. They think that we were always like we are now and are often quite stunned where we’ve come from.
I don’t want to see us as a country going back to the stupid things we did in the Muldoon years. Like our taxes / savings / govt debt saving farmers and business from their stupid lemming like decisions. And that’s what our superannuation fund buying dairy farms looks like right now.
An incoming government could turn it to a positive by turning these farms into display farms of low input ,clean green farms being farmed by young kiwis.
An international tribunal has ruled China has no legal basis to claim historic rights to disputed territory in the South China Sea.
The landmark ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague on Tuesday also said China had breached the sovereign rights of the Philippines and caused permanent damage to coral reef ecosystems.
The ruling on Tuesday is expected to further increase tensions in the region, where China’s increased military assertiveness has spread concern among its smaller neighbours and is a point of confrontation with the United States.
More to follow…
Copy/pasted the whole thing.
Now lets see how China reacts to the ruling of them trying to steal area from other nations.
The problem will be the Hague has few teeth. If the US or Russia choose to involve themselves it will likely be by intruding their own anti-local-democratic influence into the area. The Philipines have been savaged for over a century now, from the US genocides to the loss of Sabah. What’s needed is an international climate that allows them to prosper in peace.
That said, China generally avoids massive international confrontations – perhaps they will be moved to find some middle ground.
Nothing to indicate the Hague’s position on Japan’s terra nullius claims as yet either.
Buzz from the Beehive Housing Minister Chris Bishop delivered news – packed with the ingredients to enflame political passions – worthy of supplanting Winston Peters in headline writers’ priorities. He popped up at the post-Cabinet press conference to promise a crackdown on unruly and antisocial state housing tenants. His ...
Ele Ludemann writes – The Reserve Bank is advertising for a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion advisor. The Bank has one mandate – to keep inflation between one and three percent. It has failed in that and is only slowly getting inflation back down to the upper limit. Will it ...
Last week former National Party leader Simon Bridges was appointed by the Government as the new chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). You can read about the appointment in Thomas Coughlan’s article, Simon Bridges to become chair of NZ Transport Agency Waka KotahiThe fact that a ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Last week former National Party leader Simon Bridges was appointed by the Government as the new chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). You can read about the appointment in Thomas Coughlan’s article, Simon Bridges to become chair of NZ Transport Agency ...
TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Gavin Jacobson talks to Thomas Piketty 10 years on from Capital in the 21st CenturyThe SalvoLocal scoop: Green MP’s business being investigated over migrant exploitation claims StuffSteve KilgallonLocal deep-dive: The commercial contractors making money from School ...
It’s a home - but Kāinga Ora tenants accused of “abusing the privilege” may lose it. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The Government announced a crackdown on Kāinga Ora tenants who were unruly and/or behind on their rent, with Housing Minister Chris Bishop saying a place in a state ...
This is a guest post by Connor Sharp of Surface Light Rail Light rail in Auckland: A way forward sooner than you think With the coup de grâce of Auckland Light Rail (ALR) earlier this year, and the shift of the government’s priorities to roads, roads, and more roads, it ...
Note: As a paid-up Webworm member, I’ve recorded this Webworm as a mini-podcast for you as well. Some of you said you liked this option - so I aim to provide it when I get a chance to record! Read more ...
TL;DR: In my ‘six-stack’ of substacks at 6.06pm on Monday, March 18:IKEA is accused of planting big forests in New Zealand to green-wash; REDD-MonitorA City for People takes a well-deserved victory lap over Wellington’s pro-YIMBY District Plan votes; A City for PeopleSteven Anastasiou takes a close look at the sticky ...
Buzz from the Beehive Here’s hoping for a lively post-cabinet press conference when the PM and – perhaps – some of his ministers tell us what was discussed at their meeting today. Until then, Point of Order has precious little Beehive news to report after its latest monitoring of the ...
David Farrar writes – We now have almost all 2023 data in, which has allowed me to update my annual table of how labour went against its promises. This is basically their final report card. The promiseThe result Build 100,000 affordable homes over 10 ...
I’m a bit worried that I’ve started a previous newsletter with the words “just when you think they couldn’t get any worse…” Seems lately that I could begin pretty much every issue with that opening. Such is the nature of our coalition government that they seem to be outdoing each ...
Geoffrey Miller writes – Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. ...
Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture ...
Last week Transport Minster Simeon Brown and Mayor Wayne Brown opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre. The new train control centre will see teams from KiwiRail, Auckland Transport and Auckland One Rail working more closely together to improve train services across the city. The Auckland Rail Operations Centre in ...
Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson said in an exit interview with Q+A yesterday the Government can and should sustain more debt to invest in infrastructure for future generations. Elsewhere in the news in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 6:36am: Read more ...
Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. It is more than just a happy ...
TL;DR: The key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to March 18 include:China’s Foreign Minister visiting Wellington today;A post-cabinet news conference this afternoon; the resumption of Parliament on Tuesday for two weeks before Easter;retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson gives his valedictory speech in Parliament; ...
New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters’s state-of-the-nation speech on Sunday was really a state-of-Winston-First speech. He barely mentioned any of the Government’s key policies and could not even wholly endorse its signature income tax cuts. Instead, he rehearsed all of his complaints about the Ardern Government, including an extraordinary claim ...
A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
“I’ve been internalising a really complicated situation in my head.”When they kept telling us we should wait until we get to know him, were they taking the piss? Was it a case of, if you think this is bad, wait till you get to know the real Christopher, after the ...
Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
.“$10 and a target that bleeds” - Bleeding Targets for Under $10!.Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.This government appears hell-bent on either scrapping life-saving legislation or reintroducing things that - frustrated critics insist - will be dangerous and likely ...
“It hardly strikes me as fair to criticise a government for doing exactly what it said it was going to do. For actually keeping its promises.”THUNDER WAS PLAYING TAG with lightning flashes amongst the distant peaks. Its rolling cadences interrupted by the here-I-come-here-I-go Doppler effect of the occasional passing car. ...
Subversive & Disruptive Technologies: Just as happened with that other great regulator of the masses, the Medieval Church, the advent of a new and hard-to-control technology – the Internet – is weakening the ties that bind. Then, and now, those who enjoy a monopoly on the dissemination of lies, cannot and will ...
Been Here Before: To find the precedents for what this Coalition Government is proposing, it is necessary to return to the “glory days” of Muldoonism.THE COALITION GOVERNMENT has celebrated its first 100 days in office by checking-off the last of its listed commitments. It remains, however, an angry government. It ...
Bob Edlin writes – And what is the world watching today…? The email newsletter from Associated Press which landed in our mailbox early this morning advised: In the news today: The father of a school shooter has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter; prosecutors in Trump’s hush-money case ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Is another Green MP on their way out? And are the Greens severely tarnished by another integrity scandal? For the second time in three months, the Green Party has secretly suspended an MP over integrity issues. Mystery is surrounding the party’s decision to ...
For the last few years, the Green Party has been the party that has managed to avoid the plague of multiple scandals that have beleaguered other political parties. It appears that their luck has run out with a second scandal which, unfortunately for them, coincided with Golraz Ghahraman, the focus ...
TL;DR: The six newsey things that stood out to me as of 6:46am on Saturday, March 16.Andy Foster has accidentally allowed a Labour/Green amendment to cut road user chargers for plug-in hybrid vehicles, which the Government might accept; NZ HeraldThomas CoughlanSimeon Brown has rejected a plea from Westport ...
What seemed a booming success a couple of years ago has collapsed into fraud convictions.I looked at the crash of FTX (short for ‘Futures Exchange’) in November 2022 to see whether it would impact on the financial system as a whole. Fortunately there was barely a ripple, probably because it ...
Anybody following the situation in Ukraine and Russia would probably have been amused by a recent Tweet on X NATO seems to be putting in an awful lot of effort to influence what is, at least according to them, a sham election in an autocracy.When do the Ukrainians go to ...
TL;DR:Shaun Baker on Wynyard Quarter's transformation. Magdalene Taylor on the problem with smart phones. How private equity are now all over reinsurance. Dylan Cleaver on rugby and CTE. Emily Atkin on ‘Big Meat’ looking like ‘Big Oil’.Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15Photo by Jeppe Hove Jensen ...
Buzz from the Beehive Finance Minister Nicola Willis had plenty to say when addressing the Auckland Business Chamber on the economic growth that (she tells us) is flagging more than we thought. But the government intends to put new life into it: We want our country to be a ...
The Transport and Infrastructure Committee has reported back on the Road User Charges (Light Electric RUC Vehicles) Amendment Bill, basicly rubberstamping it. While there was widespread support among submitters for the principle that EV and PHEV drivers should pay their fair share for the roads, they also overwhelmingly disagreed with ...
Peter Dunne writes – This week’s government bailout – the fifth in the last eighteen months – of the financially troubled Ruapehu Alpine Lifts company would have pleased many in the central North Island ski industry. The government’s stated rationale for the $7 million funding was that it ...
See if you can spot the difference. An Iranian born female MP from a progressive party is accused of serial shoplifting. Her name is leaked to the media, which goes into a pack frenzy even before the Police launch an … Continue reading → ...
Ele Ludemann writes – The government is omitting general Treaty references from legislation : The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last Government in a bid to get greater coherence in the public service on Treaty ...
What was that judge thinking?Peter Williams writes – That Golriz Ghahraman and District Court Judge Maria Pecotic were once lawyer colleagues is incontrovertible. There is published evidence that they took at least one case to the Court of Appeal together. There was a report on ...
TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read:Climate Scorpion – the sting is in the tail. Introducing planetary solvency. A paper via the University of Exeter’s Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.Local scoop:Kāinga Ora starts pulling out of its Auckland projects and selling land RNZ ...
Wellington’s massively upzoned District Plan adds the opportunity for tens of thousands of new homes not just in the central city (such as these Webb St new builds) but also close to the CBD and public transport links. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Wellington gave itself the chance of ...
It’s Friday and we’re halfway through March Madness. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt asked how we can get better event trains and an option for grade separating Morningside Dr. On Tuesday Matt looked into ...
Something you might not know about me is that I’m quite a stubborn person. No, really. I don’t much care for criticism I think’s unfair or that I disagree with. Few of us do I suppose.Back when I was a drinker I’d sometimes respond defensively, even angrily. There are things ...
Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:PM Christopher Luxon said the reversal of interest deductibility for landlords was done to help renters, who ...
It was not so much the Labour Party but really the Chris Hipkins party yesterday at Labour’s caucus retreat in Martinborough. The former Prime Minister was more or less consistent on wealth tax, which he was at best equivocal about, and social insurance, which he was not willing to revisit. ...
Buzz from the BeehiveThe text reproduced above appears on a page which records all the media statements and speeches posted on the government’s official website by Melissa Lee as Minister of Media and Communications and/or by Jenny Marcroft, her Parliamentary Under-secretary. It can be quickly analysed ...
For forty years, Robert Muldoon has been a dirty word in our politics. His style of government was so repulsive and authoritarian that the backlash to it helped set and entrench our constitutional norms. His pig-headedness over forcing through Think Big eventually gave us the RMA, with its participation and ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Is the new government reducing tax on rental properties to benefit landlords or to cut the cost of rents? That’s the big question this week, after Associate Finance Minister David Seymour announced on Sunday that the Government would be reversing the Labour Government’s removal ...
Saudi Arabia is rarely far from the international spotlight. The war in Gaza has brought new scrutiny to Saudi plans to normalise relations with Israel, while the fifth anniversary of the controversial killing of Jamal Khashoggi was marked shortly before the war began on October 7. And as the home ...
Questions need to be asked on both sides of the worldPeter Williams writes – The NRL Judiciary hands down an eight week suspension to Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu , an Auckland-born Samoan, after he calls Ezra Mam, Sydney-orn but of Aboriginal and Torres Strait ...
Ele Ludemann writes – Contrary to what many headlines and news stories are saying, residential landlords are not getting a tax break. The government is simply restoring to them the tax deductibility of interest they had until the previous government removed it. There is no logical reason ...
I can't remember when it was goodMoments of happiness in bloomMaybe I just misunderstoodAll of the love we left behindWatching our flashbacks intertwineMemories I will never findIn spite of whatever you becomeForget that reckless thing turned onI think our lives have just begunI think our lives have just begunDoes anyone ...
Michael Bassett writes – At first reading, a front-page story in the New Zealand Herald on 13 March was bizarre. A group of severely intellectually limited teenagers, with little understanding of the law, have been pleading to the Justice Select Committee not to pass a bill dealing with ram ...
How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is: (a) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was ...
TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read:Jonathon Porritt calling bullshit in his own blog post on mainstream climate science as ‘The New Denialism’.Local scoop:The Wellington City Council’s list of proposed changes to the IHP recommendations to be debated later today was leaked this ...
TL;DR:Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Tom Toro Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in Playboy, the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. Related: What 10 EV lovers ...
The business section of the NZ Herald is full of opinion. Among the more opinionated of all is the ex-Minister of Transport, ex-Minister of Railways, ex MP for Auckland Central (1975-93, Labour), Wellington Central (1996-99, ACT, then list-2005), ex-leader of the ACT Party, uncle to actor Antonia, the veritable granddaddy ...
Hi,Just quickly — I’m blown away by the stories you’ve shared with me over the last week since I put out the ‘Gary’ podcast, where I told you about the time my friend’s flatmate killed the neighbour.And you keep telling me stories — in the comments section, and in my ...
The first season of Rings of Power was not awful. It was thoroughly underwhelming, yes, and left a lingering sense of disappointment, but it was more expensive mediocrity than catastrophe. I wrote at length about the series as it came out (see the Review section of the blog, and go ...
Buzz from the Beehive Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden told Auckland Business Chamber members they were the first audience to hear her priorities as a minister in a government committed to cutting red tape and regulations. She brandished her liberalising credentials, saying Flexible labour markets are the ...
Chris Trotter writes – TO UNDERSTAND WHY NEWSHUB FAILED, it is necessary to understand how TVNZ changed. Up until 1989, the state broadcaster had been funded by a broadcasting licence fee, collected from every citizen in possession of a television set, supplemented by a relatively modest (compared ...
Bob Edlin writes – The Māori Party has been busy issuing a mix of warnings and threats as its expresses its opposition to interest deductibility for landlords and the plans of seabed miners. It remains to be seen whether they follow the example of indigenous litigants in Australia, ...
Every year, in the Budget, Parliament forks out money to government agencies to do certain things. And every year, as part of the annual review cycle, those agencies are meant to report on whether they have done the things Parliament gave them that money for. Agencies which consistently fail to ...
Mike Grimshaw writes – Recent events in American universities point to an underlying crisis of coherent thinking, an issue that increasingly affects the progressive left across the Western world. This of course is nothing new as anyone who can either remember or has read of the late ...
The thing about life’s little victories is that they can be followed by a defeat.Reader Darryl told me on Monday night:Test again Dave. My “head cold” last week became COVID within 24 hours, and is still with me. I hear the new variants take a bit longer to show up ...
TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read:Angus Deaton on rethinking his economics IMFLocal scoop: The people behind Tamarind, the firm that left a $500m cleanup bill for taxpayers at Taranaki’s Tui oil well, are back operating in Taranaki under a different company name. Jonathan ...
Normally when we talk about accessing public transport it’s about improving how easy it is to get to, such as how easy is it to cross roads in a station/stop’s walking catchment, is it possible to cycle to safely, do bus connections work, or even if are there new routes/connections ...
Politicians are not renowned for telling the truth. Some tell us things that are verifiably not true. They offer statements that omit critical pieces of information. Gloss over risks, preferring to offer the best case scenario.Some not truths are quite small, others amusing in their transparency. There are those repeated ...
The pressure is mounting on the Government as it finalises its Budget Policy Statement, but yet more predicted revenue ‘goes missing’. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The Climate Commission has delivered another funding blow to the National-ACT-NZ First coalition Government’s tax-cutting plans, potentially carving $1.4 billion off the ‘climate ...
The Government now faces the prospect of having to watch another tax raise the price of petrol when, only six days ago, it abolished the Auckland Regional Fuel tax. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon argued that the regional fuel tax imposed costs on lower-income people with less fuel-efficient vehicles and that ...
Kicking the most vulnerable people out of state housing and pushing them towards homelessness will result in a proliferation of poverty and trauma across our most vulnerable communities. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader and MP for Waiariki, Rawiri Waititi has penned a letter asking MPs to support his members bill to remove GST from all food. The bill is expected to go through its first reading in parliament this Wednesday. “I’m calling on all political parties to support my ...
This year is about getting real with Kiwis and discussing the tough issues, as the National Government exacerbates inequality and divides New Zealand, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said ...
The Government adding Significant Natural Areas (SNAs) to its already roaring environmental policy bonfire is an assault on the future of wildlife that makes Aotearoa unique. ...
After 12 years of fighting to protect our moana we are finding ourselves back at square one and back at court. Today, the Environmental Protection Agency is sitting in Hawera to reconsider an application from Trans-Tasman Resources to dig up 50 million tonnes of the seabed in South Taranaki. This ...
Minister Shane Jones’ decision to step away from a seabed mining project is evidence of the murky waters surrounding the Government’s fast-track legislation. ...
The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last government in a bid to get greater coherence in the publicservice on Treaty matters. When ministers first considered the need for tighter oversight in 2021, there ...
The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last government in a bid to get greater coherence in the publicservice on Treaty matters. When ministers first considered the need for tighter oversight in 2021, there ...
The Coalition Government’s miscalculation saga continues as it has forgotten an eyewatering $90 million gap in its interest deductibility cost figures, say Labour Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds and Revenue Spokesperson Deborah Russell. ...
He Pou a Rangi Climate Change Commission has today released advice that says if the Government doesn’t act now New Zealand is at risk of not meeting its climate goals. ...
The Coalition Government has today confirmed it is abandoning first home buyers who are struggling to get ahead, says Labour Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds. ...
The New Zealand public voted for a change in direction at the 2023 general election and that is exactly what this coalition government has been delivering in its first 100 days. There was an immediate focus on the economy, easing the cost of living, cracking down on law and order ...
The Government has left the health system as an afterthought, announcing half-baked targets at the last minute of their 100-day plan, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
Kiwis are still waiting for their promised cost of living support after 100 days of a National Government that is taking us backwards, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The National Government has spent its first 100 days stopping, cutting and reversing. They have scrapped stuff for stuff for the sake of it, without putting up any solutions of their own – and it’s hardworking New Zealanders who will pay for it. ...
100 days of National taking NZ backwardsThe National Government has spent its first 100 days stopping, cutting and reversing. They have scrapped stuff for stuff for the sake of it, without putting up any solutions of their own – and it’s hardworking New Zealanders who will pay for it. ...
The Government must commit to funding free and healthy school lunches, as thousands of people sign the petition to keep them, education spokesperson Jan Tinetti says. ...
If the Government was serious about moving families into public housing, they would build more houses so there is actually somewhere for people to go. ...
The free and healthy school lunches programme feeds our kids, helps them to learn, and saves families money – but it is at risk under this Government, education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. ...
The Government’s proposed changes to Firearms Prohibition Orders (FPO) add almost nothing new and are merely an attempt to distract from its plans to loosen gun laws, police spokesperson Ginny Andersen and justice spokesperson Dr Duncan Webb said. ...
The great Victorian era English politician Lord Macauley stood in the British House of Parliament and said, "The gallery in which the reporters sit has become a fourth estate of the realm".He understood and outlined even way back then, the significant role and influence media have in a democracy. ...
The government’s attack on Māori health this week is committing tangata-whenua to a premature death, says Te Pāti Māori. “The government have begun their onslaught on Māori health with the abolishment of the Māori Health Authority and smokefree laws in the same day” said health spokesperson and co-leader, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer. ...
Today marks a tragic milestone for New Zealanders as the Coalition Government side with big tobacco to repeal the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Smoked Tobacco) Amendment Act 2022, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins and Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall said. ...
New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
Cabinet has agreed to a reduced road user charge (RUC) rate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. Owners of PHEVs will be eligible for a reduced rate of $38 per 1,000km once all light electric vehicles (EVs) move into the RUC system from 1 April. ...
Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay, says that today’s opening of Riverland Foods manufacturing plant in Christchurch is a great example of how trade access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand. Speaking at the official opening of this state-of-the-art pet food factory the Minister noted that exports ...
Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships. “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland Acknowledgements and opening Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says. “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024 Acknowledgements and opening Morena, Nga Mihi Nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country. “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week. “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
The Government is proud to support the 10th edition of Crankworx Rotorua as the Crankworx World Tour returns to Rotorua from 16-24 March 2024, says Minister for Economic Development Melissa Lee. “Over the past 10 years as Crankworx Rotorua has grown, so too have the economic and social benefits that ...
Legislation implementing coalition Government tax commitments and addressing long-standing tax anomalies will be progressed in Parliament next week, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The legislation is contained in an Amendment Paper to the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill issued today. “The Amendment Paper represents ...
Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard has today announced that the Government has agreed to suspend the requirement for councils to comply with the Significant Natural Areas (SNA) provisions of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity for three years, while it replaces the Resource Management Act (RMA).“As it stands, SNAs ...
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has classified the drought conditions in the Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts as a medium-scale adverse event, acknowledging the challenging conditions facing farmers and growers in the district. “Parts of Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts are in the grip of an intense dry spell. I know ...
The Government is helping farmers eradicate the significant impact of facial eczema (FE) in pastoral animals, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. “A $20 million partnership jointly funded by Beef + Lamb NZ, the Government, and the primary sector will save farmers an estimated NZD$332 million per year, and aims to ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has completed a successful visit to India, saying it was an important step in taking the relationship between the two countries to the next level. “We have laid a strong foundation for the Coalition Government’s priority of enhancing New Zealand-India relations to generate significant future benefit for both countries,” says Mr Peters, ...
Cabinet has agreed to provide $7 million to ensure the 2024 ski season can go ahead on the Whakapapa ski field in the central North Island but has told the operator Ruapehu Alpine Lifts it is the last financial support it will receive from taxpayers. Cabinet also agreed to provide ...
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
Lower fruit and vegetable prices are welcome news for New Zealanders who have been doing it tough at the supermarket, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Stats NZ reported today the price of fruit and vegetables has dropped 9.3 percent in the 12 months to February 2024. “Lower fruit and vege ...
Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all. Chair, I am honoured to address the sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all. Chair, I am honoured to address the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
The coalition Government is supporting farmers to enhance land management practices by investing $3.3 million in locally led catchment groups, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. “Farmers and growers deliver significant prosperity for New Zealand and it’s vital their ongoing efforts to improve land management practices and water quality are supported,” ...
Good evening everyone and thank you for that lovely introduction. Thank you also to the Honourable Simon Bridges for the invitation to address your members. Since being sworn in, this coalition Government has hit the ground running with our 100-day plan, delivering the changes that New Zealanders expect of us. ...
Recommendations from the Climate Change Commission for New Zealand on the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction and unit limit settings for the next five years have been tabled in Parliament, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “The Commission provides advice on the ETS annually. This is the third time the ...
The coalition Government is beginning its fight to lower building costs and reduce red tape by exempting minor building work from paying the building levy, says Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk. “Currently, any building project worth $20,444 including GST or more is subject to the building levy which is ...
Proposed changes to tax legislation to prevent the over-taxation of low-earning trusts are welcome, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The changes have been recommended by Parliament’s Finance and Expenditure Committee following consideration of submissions on the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill. “One of the ...
Assalaamu alaikum. السَّلَام عليكم In light of the holy month of Ramadan, I want to extend my warmest wishes to our Muslim community in New Zealand. Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, renewed devotion, perseverance, generosity, and forgiveness. It’s a time to strengthen our bonds and appreciate the diversity ...
Former Transport Minister and CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber Hon Simon Bridges has been appointed as the new Board Chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) for a three-year term, Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced today. “Simon brings extensive experience and knowledge in transport policy and governance to the role. He will ...
Good morning all, it is a pleasure to be here as Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology. It is fantastic to see how connected and collaborative the life science and biotechnology industry is here in New Zealand. I would like to thank BioTechNZ and NZTech for the invitation to address ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says he is looking forward to the day when three key water projects in Northland are up and running, unlocking the full potential of land in the region. Mr Jones attended a community event at the site of the Otawere reservoir near Kerikeri on Friday. ...
Associate Finance Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government has agreed to restore deductibility for mortgage interest on residential investment properties. “Help is on the way for landlords and renters alike. The Government’s restoration of interest deductibility will ease pressure on rents and simplify the tax code,” says ...
Sport and Recreation Minister Chris Bishop will travel to Switzerland today to attend an Executive Committee meeting and Symposium of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Mr Bishop will then travel on to London where he will attend a series of meetings in his capacity as Infrastructure Minister. “New Zealanders believe ...
This year’s Pacific Language Weeks celebrate regional unity and the contribution of Pacific communities to New Zealand culture, says Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti. Dr Reti announced dates for the 2024 Pacific Language Weeks during a visit to the Pasifika festival in Auckland today and says there’s so ...
By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific journalist Food rationing is underway in remote areas in Papua New Guinea’s Highlands following torrential rain and flash flooding. More than 20 people have been reported dead in Chimbu Province. In nearby Enga Province, the centre of last month’s massacre, a 15-year-old boy has been ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Hughes, Lecturer, Research School of Management, Australian National University After months of debate and intrigue, the AFL’s 19th and newest team, the Tasmania Devils, finally launched its jumper, logo and colours in Devonport this week. The Devils will wear green, ...
Brannavan Gnanalingam reviews the debut novel by Saraid de Silva.One of the most baffling things for children who move to a new country is what their parents’ (or grandparents’) lives were like prior to moving – for kids in particular, they’re too busy trying to fit in in their ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Gaunson, Associate Professor in Cinema Studies, RMIT University Narelle Portanier/Binge “If you don’t know who your mob are, you don’t know who you are,” Detective Andrea “Andie” Whitford (played by Leah Purcell) is told early into the new crime ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elise Klein, Associate professor, Australian National University It’s commonly accepted that women do the vast majority of caregiving in Australian society. But less appreciated is that Indigenous women do larger amounts of unpaid care than any other group. Working with the Aboriginal ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne Joe Biden and Donald Trump have both secured their parties’ nominations for the November 5 United States general election by winning a ...
Comment: There has been a striking contrast in trans-Tasman interest about Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi’s visit to New Zealand and Australia. While the Australian press has been full of articles about the visit – including his curious decision to meet with former prime minister and China booster Paul Keating ...
After years of pressuring banks and other institutions to stop investing in fossil fuels, climate campaigners are making some progress. So how does divestment work?For years, climate activists have been pushing banks and other big institutions to divest from fossil fuels. New research from climate advocacy group 350 Aotearoa ...
For Boba, Ethan and Ashley, K-pop is a place to belong, a way to express themselves, and a bridge to connect with others. The three young Polynesians are part of a K-pop fan community in Tāmaki Makaurau. It’s one of many that have sprung up worldwide as K-pop has gone ...
For Boba, Ethan and Ashley, K-pop is a place to belong, a way to express themselves, and a bridge to connect with others. This one-off documentary presents three intimate portraits of young Polynesians who are pulled into a Korean cultural phenomenon. K-POLYS is directed by Litia Tuiburelevu, Produced by Hex ...
There’s ample evidence demonstrating free school lunch programmes provide wide benefits across schools, households and communities according to public health researchers. ACT Minister David Seymour wants to reduce the spending on Aotearoa New Zealand’s ...
By Wata Shaw in Suva Fiji is facing an exodus of Fijians as many are leaving for overseas seeking employment and education and others are migrating, says Opposition MP Viliame Naupoto. Speaking in Parliament, he said: “His Excellency’s speech (Ratu Wiliame Katonivere) comes after a little over one year of ...
The Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming comments from Christopher Luxon this morning recommitting to ‘no new taxes’ as part of Budget 2024. “Mr Luxon’s refusal at the Post-Cabinet press conference yesterday to repeat the ‘no new taxes’ promise ...
SAFE is urgently calling on the Environment Committee to reject the Government’s Fast-Track Approvals Bill, and is urging New Zealanders to rally behind the call. The proposed Bill, currently under consideration with the Environment select committee, ...
Teammates who spend all their time picking fights with spectators are only helpful for the other team, writes Madeleine Chapman. Anyone who has ever played a team sport competitively, particularly as a child and particularly, for some reason, basketball, will know that there’s a lot of politics involved. While there ...
The long-running Wellington music festival is too focused on the Jim Beam-ness and not enough on the Homegrown-ness.There is something about Homegrown that’s difficult to place. A barely perceptible-ness. Like feeling a ghost is watching you from the corner of the room but when you look, there’s nothing there. ...
The latest Ipsos New Zealand Issues Monitor reveals that fewer New Zealanders believe crime / law and order is one of the top issues facing our country. In 2018, Ipsos New Zealand started tracking the key issues facing New Zealand. In this wave ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate Griffiths, Deputy Program Director, Budgets and Government, Grattan Institute Australia’s political donations rules are woefully inadequate, but donations reform is finally on the agenda. The federal government has signalled its interest in reform and will soon begin briefing MPs on its ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Patrick Taylor, Chief Environmental Scientist, EPA Victoria; Honorary Professor, School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University Naiyana Somchitkaeo/Shutterstock A recent study published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine has linked microplastics with risk to human health. The study ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Albert Van Dijk, Professor, Water and Landscape Dynamics, Fenner School of Environment & Society, Australian National University Global climate records were shattered in 2023, from air and sea temperatures to sea-level rise and sea-ice extent. Scores of countries recorded their hottest year ...
As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a teacher explains why he and his partner are in frugal mode – and how they’re making it work. Gender: Male Age: 35Ethnicity: Pākehā Role: I am an intermediate school teacher and my partner is ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sarah Bendall, Senior Lecturer, Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences, Australian Catholic University Binge Mary & George, the new British television drama series, depicts the real-life story of Mary Villiers and her son George, and their social climbing at the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jason Nassios, Associate Professor, Centre of Policy Studies, Victoria University This article is part of The Conversation’s series examining the housing crisis. Read the other articles in the series here. Australian state and federal governments spend money in many ways to ...
The finance minister is denying that there’s a $5.6b shortfall in paying for the government’s campaign promises, including tax cuts. At his post-cabinet press conference yesterday, the PM refused to rule out new taxes to pay for the cuts, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s ...
Kāinga Ora tenants abused by their neighbours are doubting the government's crackdown on disruptive tenants will make a difference on their behaviour. ...
Kāinga Ora is New Zealand’s biggest residential landlord, housing more than 180,000 vulnerable people in more than 67,000 properties. Yesterday the government announced a crackdown on its tenants who fall behind on rent. One longtime Kāinga Ora tenant shares her experience.For 18 years I lived in a 1960s standalone ...
Why does this myth persist, and what’s the real reason our skin is suffering?It’s one of the biggest international grievances New Zealanders hold, up there with the sinking of the Rainbow Warrior and 1981’s underarm incident. We’re quick to tell international travellers that the world’s pollution led to the ...
Auckland Council is opposing a fast-track development backed by Sir John Kirwan and Spark NZ, because it doesn’t meet stringent new climate adaptation requirements The post Surf-data centre faces new 3.8C climate warming rules appeared first on Newsroom. ...
When the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act was introduced in 2009 it was firmly targeted at gangs and drugs. The legislation means police no longer need a conviction to seize assets that criminals can’t prove were paid for legitimately, as long as their alleged offences are punishable by more than a ...
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question?Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Tuesday 19 March appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Bob’s relationship with certain members of Lincoln’s academic staff continued to deteriorate in the 1990s. Others supported him publicly, though articles such as Roland Clark’s 1993 piece in Growing Today cannot have pleased the university management. Clark wrote that Bob was selling onions from the Biological Husbandry Unit to a ...
SailGP’s races feature in-your-face action, with agile, hydro-foiling catamarans tacking and jibing for the title over several days. However, public comments ahead of the global series’ return to New Zealand have left this past year’s controversy in the shadows, as a key appointment attracts criticism from dolphin advocates. A year ...
Opinion: We are fast approaching a fundamental change in prisons. As the number of people on custodial remand looks set to overtake the number of sentenced prisoners, the main function of prisons in New Zealand may become incarcerating un-sentenced people who may not be guilty of offending. We have already ...
A huge seven months lies in store for the White Ferns, beginning this week with the visit of England and culminating with the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh in September and October. Starting on Tuesday in Dunedin, the world ranked No. 2 visitors will play five T20s and three ODIs, ...
Opinion: In a move that has shocked road safety advocates across the country, the new Minister of Transport, Simeon Brown, is poised to abandon the previous government’s speed limit reduction policy, particularly around schools. Even more alarmingly, he wants school speed limits to be variable rather than full-time, arguing ...
The letters, which were published last week, were addressed to Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) Chairperson Megawati Sukarnoputri, National Democrat Party (NasDem) Chairperson Surya Paloh, National Awakening Party (PKB) Chairperson Muhaimin Iskandar, Justice and Prosperity Party (PKS) President Ahmad Syaikhu and United Development Party (PPP) Chairperson Muhammad Mardiono. In ...
Evicting more people from state housing is ignorant to the consequences of poverty, the Greens say, but the Housing Minister says it's a privilege that can be taken away if abused. ...
Evicting more people from state housing is ignorant to the consequences of poverty, the Greens say, but the Housing Minister says it's a privilege that can be taken away if abused. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emerald L King, Lecturer in Humanities, University of Tasmania IMDB Between Netflix’s 2023 live-action version of One Piece, and its latest take on Avatar: The Last Airbender, fans are once again asking: why are live-action anime adaptations so tricky to ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emerald L King, Lecturer in Humanities, University of Tasmania IMDB Between Netflix’s 2023 live-action version of One Piece, and its latest take on Avatar: The Last Airbender, fans are once again asking: why are live-action anime adaptations so tricky to ...
The government says it still intends to deliver tax cuts by July, but will not lock them in until they have got them past their coalition partners. ...
Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII has hosted members of the Green Party Caucus at Tuurangawaewae Marae in Ngaaruawahia. The audience follows the King’s Hui-aa-Motu on 20 January, where more than 10,000 people gathered to discuss national ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dr Rachael Potter, Research Associate and Lecturer in Work and Organisational Psychology, University of South Australia Ground Picture/Shutterstock Pregnant women and workers with children are often unfairly treated by their bosses and colleagues, despite laws to protect against workplace discrimination ...
Reacting to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s refusal to rule out introducing new taxes at the budget, Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said: “Today’s refusal to rule out new taxes suggests the Government is nothing more ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Duckett, Honorary Enterprise Professor, School of Population and Global Health, and Department of General Practice and Primary Care, The University of Melbourne Aila Images/Shutterstock Aged-care workers will receive a significant pay increase after the Fair Work Commission ruled they ...
He’s bringing ‘Sophie’ back, yeah. Goodshirt’s ‘Sophie’ music video is one of the most instantly recognisable New Zealand music videos of all time. Featuring a woman listening to the song on headphones while her entire house is burgled behind her, the video won the New Zealand music award for Best ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Blaxland, Professor, Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Australian National University A year ago, the AUKUS agreement was formally announced between Australian and UK Prime Ministers Anthony Albanese and Rishi Sunak and US President Joe Biden. The agreement mapped out the “optimal ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andreas Helwig, Associate Professor, Electro-Mechanical Engineering, University of Southern Queensland SmartS/Shutterstock Steam locomotives clattering along railway tracks. Paddle steamers churning down the Murray. Dreadnought battleships powered by steam engines. Many of us think the age of steam has ended. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Carrie Leonetti, Associate Professor of Law, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Victims who experience family violence in Aotearoa New Zealand are treated differently, depending on which part of the justice system they turn to for help. But a new member’s bill ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Tesch, Visiting Fellow at the ANU Centre for European Studies, Australian National University In perhaps the least surprising news of the year, Vladimir Putin has triumphed at the Russian ballot box and been enthroned for the fifth time as president. He ...
The Papua New Guinea Supreme Court has stopped a byelection for the Madang Open seat being held until an appeal filed by former MP Bryan Kramer is concluded. Kramer had appealed to the Supreme Court over a National Court decision not to review his application of the Leadership Tribunal decision ...
By Miriam Zarriga in Port Moresby Despite a “historic” ceasefire agreement in Papua New Guinea between Enga authorities and tribal leaders after months of bitter warfare, a young woman has been found brutally killed near Kaekin village, Wapenamanda. Despite the peace agreement and signing concluded in Port Moresby last Thursday ...
The second season of Ryan Murphy’s Feud is a sadder and slower entry into his canon of true story-telling, leaning heavily on a verdict about the cost of a single work of art. Hollywood heavyweight Ryan Murphy has had a bit of “ick” about him in the last few years. ...
Are you deeply passionate about sharing Māori stories? We’re on the hunt for an experienced writer/editor to lead coverage in our Ātea section.Ātea is a deeply valued section of The Spinoff site, offering Māori perspectives and insights across politics, current affairs and culture. We are thrilled to be looking ...
By Aisha Azeemah in Suva With the lights on one of his sneakers blinking as he ran through the gallery, a little boy looked up at several works of art. One of them was a sculpture of his grandfather: the man who changed how we see the Pacific — Epeli ...
WHAT: Uber drivers are holding a rally outside the Court of Appeal in Wellington tomorrow, as the company begins its appeal against 2022’s Employment Court verdict (in a case taken jointly by FIRST Union and E tū) that four drivers were permanent ...
RNZ Pacific The Fiji Meteorological Service has a heavy rain warning still in place for the whole of the country after a weekend of flooding, although some floodwaters have receded. Flood and flash flood warnings and alerts are also in place, including a warning for all flash flood-prone areas, small ...
Responding to Grant Robertson’s recent admission on a Q+A with Jack Tame that his only regret from his time in office was that he didn’t take on more debt, Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson, Alex Murphy, said: “Grant Robertson has now admitted that he ...
New polls show unions have come around to labours 172 mps way of thinking.
As union representatives take up 12 of the NEC seats – about a third of the total, Corbyn’s looking weaker by the minute.
http://election-data.co.uk/poll-of-trade-union-members
“Meanwhile, a YouGov poll for the Election Data website suggested that of 1,221 trade union members surveyed, 63% thought Mr Corbyn was doing badly as leader, compared with 33% who thought he was doing well.
Also, 76% said it was unlikely that Mr Corbyn would ever become prime minister, while 69% said it was unlikely Labour would win the next election while he was leader.
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-36770627
Damn those neo lib, neo con, blairite union members.
Corbyn must be aggressive in his approach and get the disloyal ring leaders de-selected at the electorate level. No compromises. The backstabbing Blairites will offer him none.
That’s looking increasingly unlikely. He’s looking toasted with these latest numbers.
But you can dream on, bro.
One simple question from Andrew Neil leaves Labour coup leader Angela Eagle floundering.
Interviewing Angela Eagle MP about her leadership bid against Jeremy Corbyn, Andrew Neil had a simple question:
http://www.thecanary.co/2016/07/11/simple-question-andrew-neil-leaves-labour-coups-angela-eagle-floundering/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifldzS_9oHg
She is no Helen Clark.
—
Anyone who supported that war should not be putting themselves forward as a candidate of the Labour Party.
—
“If he wins will you accept the result?”
“You have to accept the result of any democratic process” – Unless Jeremy Corbyn wins, which is highly likely. The knives were out for Corbyn from day one.
Eagle or seagull.. Crap either way. Just one cliche after another, like Cameron and certainly, certainly is no Helen Clark.
A labour leader who supported the invasion of Iraq. How do you feel about that Peter?
Labour’s leadership is much more complicated than a single issue like that, but even though I opposed the UK’s involvement, better her than the current unelectable one.
I felt OK with having a Labour leader here who as a young MP supported the party’s dodgy economic reforms. Helen turned out great.
You’re dreaming.
Suppose the B-liar-ites capture the NEC into stating that white is black and Corbyn isn’t to run against any nominee, you don’t think that will be challenged in the High Court?
Now who’s dreaming?
I’m not sure that’s his MO. Corbyn’s instincts are pretty democratic – and in any membership ballot the PLP will be like Angela Eagle – conspicuously less attractive than Julia Gillard. He gets reaffirmed and they get blighted by fading support. He doesn’t need to wield mana-depleting electoral violence or party authority. It’s like he has electoral Aikido and they’ve got no game.
Ha! 1221 Union members polled out of a population of 63 million. Now, I don’t know how many would be members of the unions surveyed, but I’m picking there would be a few million of them at least. And what’s the bet those “1221” members were umm… carefully selected?
Of course it’s only a poll, which may or may not be truly representative, that’s a given, so go ahead and mock the statistics if you will, even if they are the only union specific ones we have so far.
Though do remember we make a big fuss over here when labour and the greens edge past national on similar small sample numbers, so let’s not be in too much of a rush to knock the figures too much we rely on to give us hope.
They Have Crossed the Rubicon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Z6ZLs1X_9s
Must say George Galloway immeasurably more satisfying than Peter Swift’s polemics. There appears an honesty in the former.
I’m not lying, I really do want Corbyn out and an electable leader put in his place.
On a site where labour voters routinely get rounded upon and abuse by the ultras is par for the course, there’s your honesty for you 😉
Mr Peter Swift “Meanwhile, a YouGov poll for the Election Data website suggested that of 1,221 trade union members surveyed … 69% said it was unlikely Labour would win the next election while he was leader.
Damn those neo lib, neo con, blairite union members.
I’m not lying, I really do want Corbyn out and an electable leader put in his place.”
You “inadvertently” forgot to mention, Peter, that Union members in the YouGov Poll you cite also believe any replacement Leader is Unlikely to win the next General Election for Labour.
YouGov
If Jeremy Corbyn was replaced as leader of the
Labour party, how likely or unlikely do you think it is
that they would win the next general election?
Entire sample and by Individual Unions
………………..ALL…..UNITE…..OTHER….CWU….GMB….UNISON….USDAW
Likely ……….34%……29%………33%…….34%……37%…….35%……..39%
Unlikely ……49%……55%………55%…….55%……47%…….45%……..44%
Also, as many of those Union members polled believe he should stay on as believe he should step down now – 45%/45%
Among those who voted Labour at the last Election – it’s 47%/44% in his favour.
“1221 Union members polled out of a population of 63 million.”
Still a statistically useful number polled, Anne. Bear in mind it’s more than are polled here for our political polls where 800 to 1200 is regarded as a reliable number to call.
Ironically, it’s roughly 4 times the number of people who just elected the new UK PM 😉
get away with you, trp. that’s a foolish statement , and you know it.
Which statement? And how so?
Mr Peter Swift “As union representatives take up 12 of the NEC seats – about a third of the total, Corbyn’s looking weaker by the minute.”
Leading Unionists strongly back Corbyn according to the New Statesman:
(1) George Eaton
“Labour’s National Executive Committee will meet at 2pm tomorrow (Tuesday) to determine the terms of the contest, including whether Corbyn is automatically on the ballot. The party’s HQ and the leader’s office have received contradictory legal advice on whether he requires 51 nominations. But it is the NEC that will ultimately decide.
Those I spoke to yesterday suggested that the 33-member body could rule that Corbyn requires nominations – if a secret vote is held. But senior Labour figures told me this afternoon that there is “no doubt” that the leader has the numbers required to prevail (“whatever the legal advice”). As well as left-wing allies on the NEC, Corbyn crucially retains the backing of the 12 trade union delegates. A senior source told me the unions’ support was “on lockdown” even in the event of a secret ballot (which would require a show of hands). “Unite are flying Martin Mayer in by plane. The TSSA delegate has cancelled her holiday,” he said.”
(2) Stephanie Boland
“With Angela Eagle expected to challenge the Labour leader imminently, Len McClusky and other union representatives have declared their support for Corbyn.
◦Len McClusky and the general secretaries of unions Unison and the GMB have come out in support of Jeremy Corbyn after news that “peace talks” had broken down, and a formal leadership challenge could be expected imminently.
McClusky called Tom Watson’s statement earlier today, in which the deputy leader said he believed there “is little to be achieved by pursuing wider conversations with our union affiliates at this time”, “deeply disigengenuous”.
Union support could be crucial in deciding whether or not Corbyn has an automatic place on the leadership ballot in the event of a challenge. The party is believed to have conflicting legal advice on the subject, with the final decision likely to be taken by Labour’s NEC, of which several seats are occupied by trade union representatives.”
New Jonathan Pie, freaking out over UK political chaos.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5c7RDuSMvi0
Yet the blokes who created the tipping point (Farage and Johnson) are nowhere to be seen.
Hope the electorate remembers these opportunists that had no plan or the guts to stay around and clean up their mess.
Ouch!!
Tories want a new Thatcher and Labour wants a new Blair.
Brilliant. He’s right. The country’s fucked up. Can’t wait for the movie so long as it’s not out of Hollywood.
Great work Jonathon. Thanks Ropata. Do you think our parties are equally dislocated?
I think the NZ Labour party is holding together pretty well under AL, there is a lot to like about its current direction back to its roots.
If dirty politics is any guide, with Nats losing momentum, things will be getting pretty ugly behind closed doors, just look at Joyce/Bennett v English, McCully v Key.
But NZ politics is boring tranquillity compared to the UK at the moment
Windfarm at Bluekin Bay is denied consent. ODT article is very light for such an important issue, hopefull there will be in tomorrow
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/390093/no-wind-farm-blueskin-bay
Freaking ridiculous. I tell you if they wanted to put a turbine on Lion Rock in Piha I would favourably consider it because climate change is that much of a threat.
There are other ways to address climate change without screwing up the landscape micky. The guy interviewed by ryan on 9 to noon last week said completely self sufficient (battery in house) solar systems will be Cheaper than connecting to the grid by 2018. He is the Oxford Uni expert…and that is the way to go not fecken massive towers.Anton Oliver has this right.
My comment about Lion Rock was to emphasise how important the issue is. All good if there is an alternative but I am prepared for scenic desecration to stop climate change.
There are differences between the Blueskin Bay project and the Lammermoor one though. Wind is useful in ways that solar isn’t. No batteries for a start, which aren’t renewable, they’re a pollutant/waste, plus the whole night time thing. We should be looking at appropriate use of windfarms. That’s why I’m hoping the ODT will do better coverage. I’d like to know what the decision was actually based on.
Was based on fact that would wreck the lifestyle of people who have lived in blueskin bay for ages. Wind towers are ok in some places but solar technology is rapidly taking over
“Was based on fact that would wreck the lifestyle of people who have lived in blueskin bay for ages”
That’s the superficial story. I’d like more detail.
Solar has inherent pollutant issues.
what inherent pollution issues does solar have?
Think cradle to grave and what happens in all of that (same with windfarms of course). Some of the issues are solvable (eg manufacturing in NZ so we don’t enable local manufacturing pollution in countries with laxer standards). Some probably aren’t (the economics will be harder in a small country like NZ). Ultimately we should be using less power.
https://www.mysolarquotes.co.nz/blog/renewable-energy/preventing-environmental-damage-by-recycling-solar-power-panels
http://www.worldwatch.org/node/5650
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/energy/2014/11/141111-solar-panel-manufacturing-sustainability-ranking/
http://www.lowtechmagazine.com/2008/03/the-ugly-side-o.html
Even allowing for the probably bias in that last link, it’s still an interesting look at why the whole renewable thing isn’t a silver bullet even if we were to do it.
Can’t find a decent link to the battery problem. Last time I checked in NZ there wasn’t a good system for recycling. Might have changed though, that was a few years ago. Even with recycling we’re talking about levels of pollution once we get up to scale because they have to be replaced. Again, some of these problems are solvable, some not, and we should be looking at using less as our first instinct.
so your talking production carbon cost?….. fair enough but in total solar is still way ahead of internal combustion or gas….dont forget lifespan is 25 years plus
I’m talking pollution cradle to grave. All of it.
What’s the lifespan of a wind turbine?
Hi weka, re pollution probs with solar: any thoughts on the embedded energy contained in the cement to hold a turbine tower in place.?
I will check some numbers but from memory it was 150 cubic metres per tower for the Te Apiti wind farm here on the tararuas/ruahines.
Solar solar solar, no moving parts.
Completely agree, windfarms come with their own set of problems. Back in the day when people first started talking about renewables I would say wind and solar aren’t renewable, they use finite resources and create waste that can’t be dealt with (and think about that in a society that is hell bent on perpetual growth). Hey ho.
The deeper Green perspective works from principles of the natural world systems. Is the resource finite? What happens at the end of the life of the thing being made or used? What waste is created in between? The natural world generally has closed loops that can take those things in their stride. And above all, despite sun and wind being relatively infinite, we still live in a finite world. That’s how we should be designing.
The problem isn’t wind vs solar. It’s that people want a lifestyle that the planet simply cannot sustain. This would be true even if the pressure wasn’t on re CC.
hi weka, ironically i was catching up with a permies site that had two relevant articles. incidentally permaculture offers a lot of knowledge that may become relevant very soon.
first is the conflict between living frugally vs expectations of others:
permies.com/t/57567/frugality/frugal-life-expectations-friends-family.
this one is about a book recently published about community power schemes;
permies.com/t/57432/books/Energy-Revolution-Howard-Johns
@gsays, agreed about permaculture! I’m working my way round to reading the threads on that forum about carbon sequestration and soil farming.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/earth/energy/windpower/9770837/Wind-farm-turbines-wear-sooner-than-expected-says-study.html
I also understand that the reinforced concrete foundations used for most wind turbines are unlikely to last longer than 50-100 years.
Probably a good place for it to. Unfortunately, I don’t thin we could get more than one up there.
It’s crumbling into the sea though? How about Devonport, the wind screams around North Head and the old gun emplacements
If there is anything that epitomises the failings of the industrial world, it’s this.
A ‘slow catastrophe’ unfolds as the golden age of antibiotics comes to an end
http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-antibiotic-resistance-20160711-snap-story.html
IMO, The actual answer to that isn’t more anti-biotics but more vaccines. Teaching the body to resist these diseases is a better way than teaching the body to rely on anti-bacterial drugs to defend it.
lol fail.
Go look up what the most common fatal nosocomial infections are. Then ask yourself why no one has invented vaccines for these common deadly infections.
Ok, looked it up, now what was your point?
Hospital infections tend to be worse because it’s strongest of the bugs around due to the over-use of anti-biotics and sterile environment.
A vaccine for every bug out there would seriously decrease the need for anti-biotics.
Of course, the big problem we have now is that anti-biotics are no longer working due to that over-use.
You still don’t get it. It’s not about the seed, it’s about the soil.
And WTF does that fucken mean?
‘Teaching’ the body using neurotoxic petro poisons…
Often the expression of those who have no idea how the immune system functions , even at an elementary level
Perhaps try nutrition, diet and exercise before reaching for alcohol,cigarettes and pharma drugs
More vaccines is not the answer, in any biologically healthy and neurologically undamaged human being
Are you naturally unhealthy?
And an anti-vaxxer pops up spouting BS and trying to sound knowledgeable.
Making Vaccines: How Are Vaccines Made?
Yes, I do know how the immune system functions which is why I know that diet and exercise do nothing for it – unless your exposed to the diseases while engaging in those things. Falling off your bicycle and getting a graze and thus being exposed to tetanus or having someone cough all over you while in a swanky health food cafe and thus being exposed to the cold bacterium.
Are you naturally stupid or did you have to work at it?
Straight to’anti vax’…oh dear lord there are some thick headed people around
“A vaccine for every bug out there…”
“Getting a graze and thus being exposed to tetanus…”
“Exposed to the cold bacterium…”
Your two comments are easily the most jumbled, confused and contradictory I’ve read on this site
Slow.hand.clap
No they’re not else you’d be able to put up an argument as to why instead of just an ad hominem.
Yes they are. In fact you could not identify the inaccuracies with your statements because you have so little knowledge and understanding
Put up an argument against the 3 statements you made, which I pointed out…..
The same posts where you believe diet and nutrition does not influence the immune system and that a cold is “bacterium”
No chance bro, you are so far wrong it is a moot point
So far, the only person who is wrong is you and you continue to prove your ignorance through your lack of argument.
“Yes, I do know how the immune system functions which is why I know that diet and exercise do nothing for it…”
You believe diet does not influence the immune system and you’re asking if I’m stupid…Have mercy
Do yourself a favour and use the internet more effectively
Vaccines teach the immune system how to deal with pathogens whereas diet and exercise simply don’t do that. Being healthy means that the body have the strength and energy to respond which is, of course, needed and will certainly help keep you well a little bit longer if you do contract a pathogen. It might even be enough to keep you alive long enough for your immune system to learn how to respond but I wouldn’t count on it. Lots and lots of “young, otherwise healthy adults” have died over the ages due to not being able to fight off the disease.
“Vaccines teach the immune system how to deal with pathogens…”
No, they do not!
Yes they do.
There are numerous scientific studies fucken proving it.
So, unless you’ve got actual scientific studies proving the exact opposite of what science has been telling us for half a century or more I suggest you STFU.
Really, all you’re doing is proving your ignorance.
You bleat the same old nonsense , Draco
“We can’t afford the rich…”
“Cars are the most inefficient form of transport…”
“I used to work in technology…”
“The science tells us…”
What you lack is intelligence levels capable of rational critique, your comments say as much. They are full of fundamental inaccuracies, which you don’t even recognize. That’s a serious flaw in my opinion
So is your anger and agression, indicating how arrested your developmental pathways are
It’s no surprise you have the views and beliefs that you do. Fantasy and ego are a terrible mix for anyone
Only a few short years until it’s all completely exposed. I’ve said that before, it can’t be stopped now!
Nothing you or I say or do is going to alter that outcome
And, again, you’ve spouted off proving your ignorance.
Instead of addressing the points that I’ve made (all backed up) all you’ve done is throw ad hominem attacks at me. The sign of some one who’s lost the argument but is unwilling to let it go.
Now you’ve even thrown in Psychological projection as the anger is obviously yours.
I won’t reply to you again as you’ve got nothing to say.
Vaccinations typically force your immune system to react to molecules that it would never normally respond to, in ways that would normally never happen in nature.
I wouldn’t accept chemicals like that into my body unless their level of tangible, real life benefit was high. Measurable increase in life expectancy etc.
The common cold is a virus, not a bacterium, most vaccines are developed to combat viral diseases, most antibiotics target bacterial infections.
Yeah, was trying to remember. Should have googled.
Yes, I’m aware of that. The reason being that anti-biotics don’t work on viruses so we have to get the immune system to work on them thus we have vaccines. This doesn’t mean that a vaccine couldn’t be developed for various bacterium.
phage therapy seems to have the most blue sky potential. On the one hand it looks like something CV would come up with, but on the other hand what limited research there has been has also been quite promising for a range of conditions.
For seventy years antibiotics have been a magic bullet that was plentiful, so the temptation was to use only the magic bullet. In 20 years it’ll be one of several tools in the box. It’s an issue, but my cynics’ handbook on crisis assessment suggests that as soon as rich white people start getting resistant strains ofr the clap, billionswill be invested in researching alternatives… 🙂
Looks interesting and certainly seems to have a great deal of potential. I like the idea that it can be used to treat the specific infection rapidly.
Have to wonder what history reveals about leaders, and why they make decisions which only possibly risk losing a election.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/tony-blair/11547808/Revealed-how-Tony-Blair-makes-his-millions.html
Our political leaders are well protected by the establishment.
And NZ has a establishment which protects elites from revealing very serious nefarious activities. despite Justice Goddard claims we have no establishment.
politicians are mostly managers who answer to the global elite .1% after they pledge to do their bidding they get backed and installed.
It’s the pollies who don’t that get targeted, smeared, attacked by the msm, maligned and face constant challenges from outside and within. JC in the UK and DC here, they’ll start in on AL as the election cycle nears.
The interview this Morning Guyon V English was a great interview.
Tonight John Campbell V Paula Bennett gave a stunning example of asking the right questions and getting a great example of the Bennett worm Squirming. John tackled her at the small temporary house launch tonight.
Para phrased:
“John you should talk to Bill English as he is the Minister of Housing.”
“Oh but I am talking to the Minister of Housing Paula Bennett. Now I am confused….”
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/201807992/no-dividend-from-housing-nz,-say-nats
she is vile.
She is a Tory convert, like an ex smoker that hates other smokers, Tories hate where they came from. And they pull up the drawbridge to keep others down. Can you see her lasting a coup when Key has retired with his knighthood. She will need a electorate seat to keep getting at ballamys buffet table.
like the boss, squeaks when caught
What happened to all that money and all that land when National cleared “unsuitable” State Houses?
notice they dont mention SOE’s or shaving playgrounds of public schools.
When public schools cnvert to charter schools it will be a tempting to do.
I wrote to Key and said be careful about public school land, most of it was donated by IWI for education.
So they have first dibs,..?
What’s going on here
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/81985156/decision-on-nz-super-funds-southland-farm-buyup-future-yet-to-be-made
Are they seeing a bright future in farming, spotted a bargain, or trying to prop things up so the excreta doesn’t hit the air circulating device until very late next year…
they should be buying high country hill stations, and National assets, not proxy dairy farms in the wrong location, which use precious water supplies, that we subsidize paying for in the supermarket.
and i bet they employ immigrant labour,
I grew up in moo moo country near Hamilton.
The hill stations should simply have had their leases cancelled and the land transferred to DoC with enough funding for them to replant back to native forestry.
they should have a risk investment arm, to promote aquaculture,
National claim that our economy is diverse, jesus where is it,
most diversity risks are small scale,
seaweed farming has more potential that dairy,
reasoning = billions being lactose intolerant,
moo cows must be milked cheaply is Nationals mantra,
commodity prices are set n new york,
not at the farm gate,
can the standard show any employment costs rises on the back of export volumes, to prove trade claims are wonderful,
Apples should be a easy study to the Aussie market,
so it doesnt matter how hard we work to be productive,
does it
moo moo,
Interesting. I’m part way through reading this, and noted that the Federated Farmers were up to their eyeballs in it.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11672504
i think we can call the federated farmers a union, not a federation,
and all the others,
i wonder if it could work in reverse for my union at work,
my labouring wages digging in electric power cables went up by half when Muldoons wage freeze finished,
we get 2% increase next year.
Muldoonism was a horrible thing. I was trying to start a career in construction and had 8 jobs in as many years, a couple of them PEP schemes and a couple of stints on the dole or meat hunting. By the time Muldoon got the arse I was on the dam at Clyde and an active union member until Zublins said i had t wear a white hat. I was surprised by the support for the reforms from some of the union leaders, especially Kelvin Fisher, who gave a very prescient explanation of how and why the process would unfold.
It’s weird now talking about New Zealand’s journey to visitors at the shop and saying that we tried to deal with inflation in the early 80’s by outlawing it. And the subsidies. They think that we were always like we are now and are often quite stunned where we’ve come from.
I don’t want to see us as a country going back to the stupid things we did in the Muldoon years. Like our taxes / savings / govt debt saving farmers and business from their stupid lemming like decisions. And that’s what our superannuation fund buying dairy farms looks like right now.
An incoming government could turn it to a positive by turning these farms into display farms of low input ,clean green farms being farmed by young kiwis.
No historic title for China over South China Sea: Court
Copy/pasted the whole thing.
Now lets see how China reacts to the ruling of them trying to steal area from other nations.
The problem will be the Hague has few teeth. If the US or Russia choose to involve themselves it will likely be by intruding their own anti-local-democratic influence into the area. The Philipines have been savaged for over a century now, from the US genocides to the loss of Sabah. What’s needed is an international climate that allows them to prosper in peace.
That said, China generally avoids massive international confrontations – perhaps they will be moved to find some middle ground.
Nothing to indicate the Hague’s position on Japan’s terra nullius claims as yet either.
all this hand wringing policy for the f()cking breeders,
listen, what about the single baby boomers, n women who will be forced to live alone, build more single accommodation,
=and when we die, students can rent it.
why is Govt building policy ignoring us loners.
=bury me when i have flies =:)