The Standard

Nats to cut 500 teachers

James Henderson — Wed, 16 May 2012 19:30:22 +0000

If there was any doubt that National has an anti-teacher, anti-education agenda, it's gone. Increasing class sizes will 'save' $43m a year by reducing the number of teachers that would otherwise be required by 500. National standards will be used for performance pay. It's a cut to the frontline, a cut to our kids' learning. And Parata's comments suggest more to come.

Open mike 17/05/2012

The Standard — Wed, 16 May 2012 18:00:53 +0000

Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the link to Policy in the banner). Step right up to the mike…

The smell of corruption

Mike Smith — Wed, 16 May 2012 11:23:57 +0000

The Jackal raised the issue of corruption in relation to John Banks in a comment here and has written more about it on his blog. It appears on the evidence of DotCom's lieutenant that when he was a Member of Parliament Banks was offering to accept a financial consideration in respect of any act to be done by him in his capacity as a member of Parliament. This makes Philip Field look like a Good Samaritan. Banks has to go.

Countdown: 36 days to go

Ben Clark — Wed, 16 May 2012 03:36:41 +0000

There are 72 days to the Olympics, which is what many people are counting down to - but the planet will be much more interested in the Rio+20 conference in 36 days. This is the chance for world leaders to put global society on a sustainable path.

Money for Nothing (and it’s Tax Free)

Rupert the Beer — Wed, 16 May 2012 02:53:55 +0000

The Herald recently carried a story about an Auckland couple – Simon Mabin and Chantelle Joseph – who bought a 970 square metre vacant section in Parnell two years ago, and sold it last month for $2m – more than twice as much as what they paid for it. They did absolutely nothing to the ...

Why we should save TVNZ7

Guest post — Tue, 15 May 2012 22:19:34 +0000

TVNZ7, in its current form, will stop broadcasting on the 30th of June and will be changed to a plus one channel along the same lines as TV3 Plus One. Now I don’t know about you, but I could live without seeing another repeat of Come Dine with Me.

Emails reveal Key & Banks’ Dotcom links

Eddie — Tue, 15 May 2012 19:52:40 +0000

John Key might be regretting his moan about the media yesterday. His reward has been to be shown to be lying in the banks.com affair. Key has previously claimed he first heard of Dotcom the day before he was arrested. A new email, however, shows Dotcom's staff met with Key personally months earlier over his attempt to purchase the Crisco mansion.

Better late than never

Anthony R0bins — Tue, 15 May 2012 19:12:12 +0000

His policies (such that they are) aren't working, his government is now being questioned, his economy is stuck in the doldrums, so naturally Key is looking for someone to blame. The media!

Open mike 16/05/2012

The Standard — Tue, 15 May 2012 18:00:17 +0000

Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the link to Policy in the banner). Step right up to the mike…

Brooks charged with perverting justice

Mike Smith — Tue, 15 May 2012 10:03:08 +0000

Rebekah and Charlie Brooks have been charged with perverting the course of justice in relation to the News International phone-hacking affair. Now it's in the courts, this albatross will hang around Cameron's neck through to the next election.

Much ado about nothing

Zetetic — Tue, 15 May 2012 00:23:00 +0000

So, Cunliffe was invited on The Nation. He said, yup but not if leadership nonsense is raised. Garner agreed. Then the leader office said it should be Parker as Finance spokesperson this close to the Budget. Cunliffe agreed. And this is meant to be some huge ado? Get real.

Life is what happens

Guest post — Mon, 14 May 2012 23:03:13 +0000

A short, poignant guest post.

Wage cuts for doing your job?

James Henderson — Mon, 14 May 2012 21:48:12 +0000

Sometimes during union bargaining that has hit a wall, workers will vote to 'work to rule' - ie not do extras beyond the terms of you contract. It's perfectly legal. In fact, it should be what we all do every day. Working beyond rule is gifting time and effort to the boss for no compensation. But National wants employers to be able to cut your pay for doing your job.

Brighter future (still) just around the corner

Eddie — Mon, 14 May 2012 20:22:22 +0000

Unemployment's up, wages are flat, retail and export prices in freefall. Last budget National promised 4% this year - it's 1%. But never fear, the brighter future is just around the corner - again. Key says growth will be strong in 2013/14 -2 years from now. Does anyone still believe him?

I’d love to see wages drop

IrishBill — Mon, 14 May 2012 19:32:54 +0000

Remember when John Key said he'd love to see wages drop? Yep? How about when Bill English claimed our low wages were our competitive advantage. Uh-huh.

Well the changes they're bringing in to undermine working Kiwis' bargaining power will do exactly that.