Keep Our Assets petition submission

Written By: - Date published: 7:25 am, March 12th, 2013 - 51 comments
Categories: activism, assets, democratic participation, privatisation, referendum - Tags:

The Keep Our Assets petition will be submitted today at 12.30 at Parliament with approximately 400,000 signatures -get along if you can for the presentation.

It is the largest petition in New Zealand history. The referendum that will follow will test National’s mandate for asset sales – clearly and unequivocally.

Well done to the thousands of collectors and all the signatories. National – stop the sales and listen.

51 comments on “Keep Our Assets petition submission ”

  1. National – stop the sales and listen.

    If only there was a chance of this happening …

    • Chris 1.1

      Lets be honest no-one really expected that this would stop the asset sales. It was always going to be an exercise to show that there is no mandate and use as a tool against National.

      Expect to see National repeatedly say that they will go ahead with the sales anyway and not to bother voting in the referendum as it will make no difference. Then when there is a huge vote against the asset sales for them to say of course because everyone who was for the asset sales ddin’t vote and look at the crap turnout (which every refendum has) and say that is proof they still have a mandate.

      While this will be obviously full of shit, the low turnout at the election has been used by many on this site as a reason why National does not have a mandate so it will just be the same argument again but from the other side.

    • Pete 1.2

      Am I the only one with Vanilla Ice stuck in my head right now?

  2. Jimmie 2

    Largest petition in history? Umm no. From memory the petition against homosexual law reform got up to 700,000 back in the 80’s.

    Well if there are enough signatures to force a CIR I hope all the paid green workers get a work bonus from the party.

    • Te Reo Putake 2.1

      The most significant thing about the 1986 anti-gay petition was that most of the names were faked. It was a fraudelent exercise perpetrated by something called the Coalition of Concerned Citizens, who then moved on to white anting the National Party in the hope of turning them away from liberalism into christian conservatism. A scheme unsuccesfully updated a decade ago by the Exclusive Brethren who cut to the chase by simply offering money, an approach more in tune with the Brash leadership’s morality.

  3. irascible 3

    KeY’s response to the announcement: “I confidently expect most of the signatures will be false.” Marks for listening… Nil. Marks for understanding and empathy with the NZ psyche: Nil.
    Will the petition be acknowledged by KeY, apart from a snide remark masquarading as humour , as a demand to be heard and a stop be placed on the privatisation campaign…. Not a chance. He and his mates are lining up to asset strip this country and reduce NZ to client state category.

    • Arthur 3.1

      KeY’s response to the announcement: “I confidently expect most of the signatures will be false.”

      I registered, have no intentions of buying. Just doing my bit to confuse the bastards. There must be many more of us.

      • xtasy 3.1.1

        Hah, by that logic of Key, we may as well counter-claim: “I confidently expect most votes cast for National last election will have been false”.

      • xtasy 3.1.2

        Arthur: Your are onto it! I suggested this to others last week.

        Just register an expression of interest, the more the better, and then have them try to bloody work out which of these expressions are authentic, sincere and will result in a purchase of shares.

        By the way someone managed to “register” under David Shearer’s name!

        So maybe also register under your dog’s and cat’s name, the cows on the paddock, the bird in the tree and what else comes to mind. Once they over-registered expressions hit 20 million the penny may drop in Key’s and Rile’s heads. That is of course, provided Key’s head is “clear” and funtional, after such an ardous South American tour, sampling all the Chilean wines and Brazilian spirits and cocktails.

    • Rogue Trooper 3.2

      as i opined on OM, might as well just have a book-burning and be over and done with it!

  4. risildowgtn 4

    They dont intend to listen or take any notice of the

    Keep Our Assets petition…..

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/8412749/Government-to-ignore-asset-sales-referendum

  5. Chris 5

    OffKey also stated sneeringly on radio that David Shearer had said he will be front of the queue to buy shares. Immediately refuted by Labour. Key just cannot help but lie.He was of course not asked where he had heard statement by DS. Dreamt it probably.

    • Pascal's bookie 5.1

      hmmm:

      https://mobile.twitter.com/MutchJessica/status/311232993257742337?p=v

      David Shearer has been registered for MRP shares but says someone else did it. He questions whether 285,000 registrations is really accurate

      • McFlock 5.1.1

        Sounds like some toryboy is playing a prank.
        The other point being whether there’s a privacy act issue here? Both in releasing personal information and in that information being incorrect? I mean, scalper Mallard might be dumb enough to register, but this would be a new one for Shearer.

        • Jane 5.1.1.1

          Arggghh why didn’t he see this coming? They all should have signed up on the first morning, then in answer to 250000 registrations already story it is well 30 of those are us and we only signed up to keep an eye on them! Instead we get a whiney story about someone filling it out for him. Let’s hope the IP address doesn’t come back to a Labour party staffer at Parliment or his wife!

          • McFlock 5.1.1.1.1

            seriously?

            They should have registered to profit from looting they oppose? ALL of them? That’s much worse than some little scrote playing a prank.

  6. Brian 6

    Looking forward to watching John slither and slide around this issue when questioned.

  7. ianmac 7

    Surely it would harm a Government should it choose to ignore Referendum?
    “We will ignore all you stupid, ignorant people because we know what is best for you and the will of the people is just airy fairy rubbish!”
    It seems to me that the constant refrain will damage the brand, so keep it up Mr Key. (Unless they fear the Referendum and are trying to forestall its effect?)

  8. yeshe 8

    Such a tragic and careless strategy this was not lodged in Parliament prior to pre-registration for MRP shares as those numbers have given the Gnats a very sharp weapon to simply cut the petition. This is such an appalling government, yet I am still gobsmacked by their increasing arrogance each day.

    David Shearer will not get us out of this. I like him, but he is not the best or smartest man for the job. Let’s find a way even yet to support Cunliffe while some assets still remain ours. Please !

    • Lightly 8.1

      well, they had to get the signatures together and it took time

      You could argue that Labour could have done more to get them earlier – they collected only 115K vs Greens 215K

      • yeshe 8.1.1

        What would Cunliffe have done ? This is now my question after each Labour fail. Think it’s time I joined the Green party officially now; at least they bite with teeth and are willing to be terrier-like. Labour have become lolloppy (sp?) gummy labradors.

  9. Anne 9

    Such a tragic and careless strategy this was not lodged in Parliament prior to pre-registration for MRP shares as those numbers have given the Gnats a very sharp weapon to simply cut the petition.

    My thoughts entirely yeshe. When I heard a couple of weeks ago that the pre-registration of the shares was imminent I thought… surely the petition organisers will submit before it happens – even if they are a few signatures less. It didn’t happen and now Key, Joyce and co. can laugh at sneer at our expense. Lets face it, they must have known NAct would pull a fast one and weaken the impact of the petition. Poor strategy – yet again?

    • Jane 9.1

      I agree, this is a huge fail, instead of a narrative about the MRP registration of interest
      launch after the petition was presented and how bad it was given the referendum etc, it’s been a week of how marvelous the registration of interest is going and now there will be a side note about some petition thingy with some signatures, took ages to get them, some were paid for… etc… yawn… and now the summer weather continues…

      What a lot of effort wasted.

    • Shane Gallagher 9.2

      The KOA had to be sure of the numbers for the petition to go through otherwise it would be another 3 month delay to get the rest of the signatures – they had to do it about now. There was little room for maneuver on it. As a collector with the Greens 200k+ signatures we have had diminishing returns on our efforts – near the end lots of people who said no had already signed. This is a great effort and I am going to watch with great interest to see how National wriggles on this issue…

      • yeshe 9.2.1

        Shane I agree, it was a great effort by so many. Sadly, it seems the discussion has already turned against it .. maybe National will have to wriggle, but I fear they are already off the hook. Here’s hoping you are correct and I am wrong .. nothing could make me happier on this.

      • yeshe 9.2.2

        Shane … 1.50 pm and so far nothing on Herald website but story on MRP record registrations is #4 story; Stuff has a very small story in the bottom quarter of its page. This is a non-event which is beyond heartbreaking.

      • Pascal's bookie 9.2.3

        The petition/referendum was never going to stop the sales. Nothing is going to.

        And the first sale was always going to have the most interest. The success of the policy doesn’t depend on how many pre-registrations the first sale gets.

  10. ad 10

    This is a note of minor political joy to see my signiature, and everyone’s ollective work delivered.

    And now to the moral quandary we’re all about to ask:

    Can one both be against asset sales, and also ask for shares in those same assets?

    • QoT 10.1

      If someone has stolen my cake, and offers it for sale, and the only way I can be assured of getting back any of my cake is to buy some of it, while continuing to contest the ownership of the cake … I think so.

  11. xtasy 11

    Next step on the agenda:
    Name and shame the buyers of the shares, once the sales start and proceed.

    “These are the ones who have – under permission by this government – “stolen” part of what belongs to all of us”.

    It may sound nasty, but then again, what is going on in the minds of those near 300,000 that have pre-registered for buying shares (the serious ones that registered I mean)?

    Here the Nats, their ACT lackey with the hollow brain (CJD sufferer) and the Done One from Ooohaairyoooh have passed a law, ignoring all opposition, the vast bulk of submissions, to basically take of the people of NZ what they have owned for generations, and put it up for sale on the yard.

    It is nothing much short of “legalised theft”, and anyone who seriously wants to buys shares is her-/himself guilty of participating in this act.

    Hence it should be fair to name ones who become known as share buyers and “investors” in these assets.

    NatACT want division, make it perfect then.

    • johnm 11.1

      Xtasy you are 100% right. It’s money grubbing and disgusting, what have we come to? Just greedy scum at the trough. Mourn New Zealand and f.ck John Yankee up the arse and get paid for it. That’s the market boys! even an arsehole has market value!

    • ad 11.2

      It’s going to happen, by May.

      The state remains a majority shareholder.

      Of the 49%, do you have any preference for one shareholder over another?

      • xtasy 11.2.1

        ad: My logic is that if nobody buys the shares, whom are they going to sell them to? Key and his lot have been trumpeting the great plan to give priority to mums and dads investors. If no mums and dads show up to buy, then they will be in a moral dilemma.

        But of course, the shares will go to the ones who have open cheque-books, and those that may buy minimum amounts of shares for a couple of grands, they are in many cases unlikely to hang onto them forever. If they are still holding them in 2 or 3 years that will be an achievement.

        So in reality it is all screwed up now anyway.

        Those that buy the shares will also buy into the damned agenda of part privatisation. It is what too many Kiwis have done for the last 2 to 3 decades: Adjust, join the crowd that has the upper hand and can’t be beaten, and try to keep up with the Joneses.

        Like also Penny Bright says, those that buy into this agenda will become part of the rotten system.

        I would rather invest in companies that sell energy neutral homes, solar panels, solar thermo heating of water and more, that use alternative energy from the start to power and heat homes, rather than rely on a grid run by semi and fully privatised energy generators, whose only interest will be to maximise profits, increase power prices again and again, and suck the living blood out of every person living here.

        Let them sell their shitty shares, and go alternative in energy generation and use, and do it in your homes, convince your landlord to consider it, and get off the fucking grid over coming years. That will deal to this nonsense.

    • Grant 11.3

      Oh my God I am so scared that you will find out my name and tell the world that I want to buy MRP power shares I just can’t handle the fear.

      • xtasy 11.3.1

        Grant: Have your shares, and make sure they get put into the coffin, when you leave this existence. I am sure they will be ticket for wholesome, enjoyable well-being in eternity.

    • Wayne 11.4

      The buyers would not be “shamed” – quite apart from their legitimate expectation of personal privacy.

      They have taken part in a legitimate government programme that was well signalled before the election and was a core part of Nationals election manifesto. Submissions to a select committee can never undo an election result and actually neither should a CIR.

      Every buyer will know that Labour and the Greens are oppossed, but they are effectively saying “so what, they are not the govt.”

      • framu 11.4.1

        “Submissions to a select committee can never undo an election result and actually neither should a CIR.”

        what the hell are you on about wayne?

        • Wayne 11.4.1.1

          I would have thought my point was pretty obvious.

          When a govt is implementing its election policy, it will often have to pass legislation. It is usual for those oppossed to the govts policy to make submissions against the main purpose of the Bill to the relevant Select Committee considering the legislation.

          But essentially if the legislation is ratifying the election result, the govt should ignore submissions that are against the legislation. The core issue of the Bill was actually decided in the election.

          Of course submissions might also show specific technical defects to a bill, and these can be taken into account.

          As you know the Govt considers the election result gives it the mandate to proceed with its policy, so that is why they will also ignore the CIR. It consider the election resolved this issue.

          • lprent 11.4.1.1.1

            Don’t be simplistic..

            By your position therefore the reverse is true. A election win based on a policy that renationalisation of assets without compensation will also ignore vehement opposition in select committees, the courts, and international tribunals. For that matter running with a policy of charging the previous government members with treason for selling the assets and passing laws to that effect would also be ok, even if it was a single ambiguous line in a minor coalition partner’s policy (ie like charter schools).

            The political reality is quite different, and you’re really just spinning crap. The reality is that people vote for a raft of policies by any single party, and a range of policies from potential coalition parties. The government is not obligated by many of them, and voters usually dislike many of the policies of the largest minority party (in this case National).

            You can hardly claim a mandate for a policy when the party that issued it didn’t make a majority of registered voters, or even a majority of votes cast. They select the policies that they will push in any period and discard any that the voters voted for which were too hard – for instance as National quietly dropped the ‘policy’ of reducing the number of economic refugees to Aussie after 2008 as they let unemployment rise.

            As I said, you’re spinning a convenient line of complete crap. Besides I’ve never noticed this argument ever being apparent in the right’s thinking in previous Labour led government ‘mandates’. In fact I’d say that it only appears when it is convenient…

            • Wayne 11.4.1.1.1.1

              I didn’t say people should not put in submissions, but rather how govts should act in relation to them, if they relate to a core issue of the election. Submitters can’t really have an expectation that their submissions could override an electoral mandate.

              Of course I would expect that any govt in New Zealand would respect fundamental rights, which is why the examples you raise (nationalisation without compensation or changing the law to enable a previous govt to be charged with treason) won’t actually happen in the real world. But if they did happen, well yes I would expect vigorous opposition.

              And I might add some Nats thought the Nats were seriously overreacting when Labour brought in the ERA in 2000. After all Labour had a mandate and were implementing a specific election policy. And of course by and large the Nats ended up accepting the ERA as the basis of employment policy for NZ.

              And that is a point a number of people are making – what is a realistic level of political activity against the policy that Labour should take. Is it “die in the ditch”, or do you move to more positive things that a future Labour govt would do.

              • Colonial Viper

                Opposition to the theft of generations worth of NZers work and taxes, is not “overreacting”.

              • lprent

                I view the rather stupid asset sales as a “die in the ditch” because after it has been done for short-term benefits it is simply going to perpetuate a long term infrastructure problem. Apart from temporarily plugging the governments short sighted tax-cut revenue hole – there appears to be be no rationale for the electricity sales.

                I can’t see any particular reason to provide a subsidy to the NZ stock exchange, In fact I’d prefer to simply remove the existing legal and regulatory subsidies from it as it has long been totally ineffective at matching capital to investments. Let it fail – it makes no difference to our economy anyway.

                None of the benefits that Max Bradford and others were touting in the 1990’s from the electricity deregulation have come to fruition. From a higher security of supply, to a rational capacity funding, to an effective diversity of pricing structures, to whatever – they have *ALL* proved to be the hallucinations of those in thrall to market being “perfect” delusions. What we have wound up with is something that does the job of providing power to the rest of the economy in a more costly and less timely manner than previously. Of course there have been winners. They mostly consist of people profit taking on shares, power providers and owners (like the government) taking semi-monopolistic and/or collusive profiteering in the absence of timely regulation, and those organisations large enough to negotiate cost advantages while effectively shoving up the price to other consumers.

                In short, the whole electricity deregulation has been a frigging disaster for almost everyone except for profit takers.

                But of course it doesn’t have to be die-in-the-ditch for Labour and the Greens. In a lot of ways I’d prefer that Labour and the Greens go the whole hog and regulate as if the market has already been fully sold (because the SOE’s operate that way now) and the inevitable mergers have dropped the industry to a few semi-monopolistic in their region organisations – because that is almost certainly where it will wind up. Putting in some rather savage regulation about profit farming, reinvestment capital requirements, and above all that regulatory system operates in a timely fashion (ie no more free rides like telecom had) now will be as useful.

  12. Dogberry 12

    Certainly if tens of thousands of people who have no intention of buying MRP shares still register interest it will force the government to up the price per share, in part because it will encourage the Govt. to believe it will carry a higher price and will also discourage ‘mum and dad’ shareholders from taking too many – in this regard the Govt’s promise of 25% front-loading for pre-registers and the as-yet undisclosed ‘bonus’ shares which the Govt has to allow for while still retaining it 51% shareholding has made a rod for its own back.

    On the other hand if the price is set too high on that basis, causing the institutions to pull in their horns, the Govt. might find itself with shares it can’t sell, and end up with egg on its face.

    Re the referendum, has the question actually to be put been revealed? Lots of wriggle room there. Does anyone really believe the State should own and run an airline?

    • Pascal's bookie 12.1

      The Q for CIRs is the one on the petition.

    • felixviper 12.2

      “Does anyone really believe the State should own and run an airline?”

      You might want to think a little further about that. The first question is not about ownership but about necessity. Does NZ need an airline, whether state or privately owned?

      Actually before that you need to ask whether we need air travel at all.

  13. Brian 14

    Mistake.

  14. OK folks – it’s PEOPLE POWER TIME!

    1) Back up your signature for the asset sale referendum with a personal pledge to BOYCOTT the Mighty River Power share issue!

    DO NOT BUY ANY SHARES IN MIGHTY RIVER POWER!

    BE CONSISTENT! AND PERSISTENT!

    How can you be opposed to asset sales – then buy into the SELLOUT of Mighty River Power?

    Even if you (momentarily) dropped your principles, and got sucked into all the hype and semi-hysteria, and registered an interest in buying Mighty river Power shares – IT IS NOT TOO LATE!

    There is no requirement to purchase shares even if you have ‘registered an interest’.
    The Mighty River Power Prospectus has not even come out yet!

    2) Help drive down the price of Mighty River Power, by BOYCOTTING and switching off / from Mercury Energy (Mighty River Power’s main retailer).

    Here’s what you can do right now to help stop asset sales.
    Boycott Mercury Energy.

    Download and print this leaflet for more info:
    http://www.switchoffmercuryenergy.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Switch-off-leaflet-2013-1a.pdf

    Remember?
    In 2008, after already privatised Contact Energy doubled their Directors fees and raised prices 12% – their profits halved when 40,000 customers left in 5 months.

    Remember?
    “Let me make it quite clear. If the Government doesn’t get a good price – the Government isn’t going to sell”

    (Tony Ryall, Minister of SOE’s 17/6/2012 NBR
    http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/govt-wont-sell-assets-if-it-cant-get-good-price-ryall-ck-121435

    WHAT’S A GOOD PRICE Minister?

    How can Mighty river Power sell for a good price – if it’s losing customers and profits?

    3) There is NO MANDATE for asset sales.

    National campaigned for asset sales and got 59 out of 121 MPs.

    Peter Dunne and United Future did NOT campaign for asset sales – so arguably the Public Finance (Mixed Ownership Model) Amendment Act 2012 should have been LOST 60 -61 votes if Peter Dunne had not misled the voting public of Ohariu.

    So! HARDEN UP folks and let’s give this country a taste of PEOPLE POWER that will leave a really nasty taste in the mouths of shonky John Key and this corrupt Government.

    WILL JOHN KEY, BILL ENGLISH AND ALL NATIONAL PARTY MPS PLEDGE NOT TO BUY SHARES IN MIGHTY RIVER POWER?

    HOW ABOUT LABOUR MPS? GREEN MPS? NZ FIRST MPS?

    WHICH MPS STAND TO PERSONALLY PROFIT FROM THE SELLOUT/ SELLOFF OF MIGHTY RIVER POWER?

    HOW IS THAT NOT A CORRUPT MISUSE OF PUBLIC OFFICE FOR PRIVATE GAIN?

    Penny Bright
    A Spokesperson for the Switch Off Mercury Energy community group

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    TL;DR: The global economy will be one fifth smaller than it would have otherwise been in 2050 as a result of climate damage, according to a new study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and published in the journal Nature. (See more detail and analysis below, and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    22 hours ago
  • Weekly Roundup 19-April-2024
    It’s Friday again. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week on Greater Auckland On Tuesday Matt covered at the government looking into a long tunnel for Wellington. On Wednesday we ran a post from Oscar Simms on some lessons from Texas. AT’s ...
    22 hours ago
  • Jack Vowles: Stop the panic – we’ve been here before
    New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’.  The data is from February this ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    1 day ago
  • Clearing up confusion (or trying to)
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters is understood to be planning a major speech within the next fortnight to clear up the confusion over whether or not New Zealand might join the AUKUS submarine project. So far, there have been conflicting signals from the Government. RNZ reported the Prime Minister yesterday in ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 day ago
  • How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log iPhone Without Computer
    How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log on iPhone Without a Computer: A StepbyStep Guide Losing your iPhone call history can be frustrating, especially when you need to find a specific number or recall an important conversation. But before you panic, know that there are ways to retrieve deleted call logs on your iPhone, even without a computer. This guide will explore various methods, ranging from simple checks to utilizing iCloud backups and thirdparty applications. So, lets dive in and recover those lost calls! 1. Check Recently Deleted Folder: Apple understands that accidental deletions happen. Thats why they introduced the Recently Deleted folder for various apps, including the Phone app. This folder acts as a safety net, storing deleted call logs for up to 30 days before permanently erasing them. Heres how to check it: Open the Phone app on your iPhone. Tap on the Recents tab at the bottom. Scroll to the top and tap on Edit. Select Show Recently Deleted. Browse the list to find the call logs you want to recover. Tap on the desired call log and choose Recover to restore it to your call history. 2. Restore from iCloud Backup: If you regularly back up your iPhone to iCloud, you might be able to retrieve your deleted call log from a previous backup. However, keep in mind that this process will restore your entire phone to the state it was in at the time of the backup, potentially erasing any data added since then. Heres how to restore from an iCloud backup: Go to Settings > General > Reset. Choose Erase All Content and Settings. Follow the onscreen instructions. Your iPhone will restart and show the initial setup screen. Choose Restore from iCloud Backup during the setup process. Select the relevant backup that contains your deleted call log. Wait for the restoration process to complete. 3. Explore ThirdParty Apps (with Caution): ...
    1 day ago
  • How to Factory Reset iPhone without Computer: A Comprehensive Guide to Restoring your Device
    Life throws curveballs, and sometimes, those curveballs necessitate wiping your iPhone clean and starting anew. Whether you’re facing persistent software glitches, preparing to sell your device, or simply wanting a fresh start, knowing how to factory reset iPhone without a computer is a valuable skill. While using a computer with ...
    1 day ago
  • How to Call Someone on a Computer: A Guide to Voice and Video Communication in the Digital Age
    Gone are the days when communication was limited to landline phones and physical proximity. Today, computers have become powerful tools for connecting with people across the globe through voice and video calls. But with a plethora of applications and methods available, how to call someone on a computer might seem ...
    1 day ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #16 2024
    Open access notables Glacial isostatic adjustment reduces past and future Arctic subsea permafrost, Creel et al., Nature Communications: Sea-level rise submerges terrestrial permafrost in the Arctic, turning it into subsea permafrost. Subsea permafrost underlies ~ 1.8 million km2 of Arctic continental shelf, with thicknesses in places exceeding 700 m. Sea-level variations over glacial-interglacial cycles control ...
    1 day ago
  • Where on a Computer is the Operating System Generally Stored? Delving into the Digital Home of your ...
    The operating system (OS) is the heart and soul of a computer, orchestrating every action and interaction between hardware and software. But have you ever wondered where on a computer is the operating system generally stored? The answer lies in the intricate dance between hardware and software components, particularly within ...
    1 day ago
  • How Many Watts Does a Laptop Use? Understanding Power Consumption and Efficiency
    Laptops have become essential tools for work, entertainment, and communication, offering portability and functionality. However, with rising energy costs and growing environmental concerns, understanding a laptop’s power consumption is more important than ever. So, how many watts does a laptop use? The answer, unfortunately, isn’t straightforward. It depends on several ...
    1 day ago
  • How to Screen Record on a Dell Laptop A Guide to Capturing Your Screen with Ease
    Screen recording has become an essential tool for various purposes, such as creating tutorials, capturing gameplay footage, recording online meetings, or sharing information with others. Fortunately, Dell laptops offer several built-in and external options for screen recording, catering to different needs and preferences. This guide will explore various methods on ...
    1 day ago
  • How Much Does it Cost to Fix a Laptop Screen? Navigating Repair Options and Costs
    A cracked or damaged laptop screen can be a frustrating experience, impacting productivity and enjoyment. Fortunately, laptop screen repair is a common service offered by various repair shops and technicians. However, the cost of fixing a laptop screen can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article delves into the ...
    1 day ago
  • How Long Do Gaming Laptops Last? Demystifying Lifespan and Maximizing Longevity
    Gaming laptops represent a significant investment for passionate gamers, offering portability and powerful performance for immersive gaming experiences. However, a common concern among potential buyers is their lifespan. Unlike desktop PCs, which allow for easier component upgrades, gaming laptops have inherent limitations due to their compact and integrated design. This ...
    1 day ago
  • Climate Change: Turning the tide
    The annual inventory report of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions has been released, showing that gross emissions have dropped for the third year in a row, to 78.4 million tons: All-told gross emissions have decreased by over 6 million tons since the Zero Carbon Act was passed in 2019. ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago
  • How to Unlock Your Computer A Comprehensive Guide to Regaining Access
    Experiencing a locked computer can be frustrating, especially when you need access to your files and applications urgently. The methods to unlock your computer will vary depending on the specific situation and the type of lock you encounter. This guide will explore various scenarios and provide step-by-step instructions on how ...
    2 days ago
  • Faxing from Your Computer A Modern Guide to Sending Documents Digitally
    While the world has largely transitioned to digital communication, faxing still holds relevance in certain industries and situations. Fortunately, gone are the days of bulky fax machines and dedicated phone lines. Today, you can easily send and receive faxes directly from your computer, offering a convenient and efficient way to ...
    2 days ago
  • Protecting Your Home Computer A Guide to Cyber Awareness
    In our increasingly digital world, home computers have become essential tools for work, communication, entertainment, and more. However, this increased reliance on technology also exposes us to various cyber threats. Understanding these threats and taking proactive steps to protect your home computer is crucial for safeguarding your personal information, finances, ...
    2 days ago
  • Server-Based Computing Powering the Modern Digital Landscape
    In the ever-evolving world of technology, server-based computing has emerged as a cornerstone of modern digital infrastructure. This article delves into the concept of server-based computing, exploring its various forms, benefits, challenges, and its impact on the way we work and interact with technology. Understanding Server-Based Computing: At its core, ...
    2 days ago
  • Vroom vroom go the big red trucks
    The absolute brass neck of this guy.We want more medical doctors, not more spin doctors, Luxon was saying a couple of weeks ago, and now we’re told the guy has seven salaried adults on TikTok duty. Sorry, doing social media. The absolute brass neck of it. The irony that the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Jones finds $410,000 to help the government muscle in on a spat project
    Buzz from the Beehive Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones relishes spatting and eagerly takes issue with environmentalists who criticise his enthusiasm for resource development. He relishes helping the fishing industry too. And so today, while the media are making much of the latest culling in the public service to ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago
  • Again, hate crimes are not necessarily terrorism.
    Having written, taught and worked for the US government on issues involving unconventional warfare and terrorism for 30-odd years, two things irritate me the most when the subject is discussed in public. The first is the Johnny-come-lately academics-turned-media commentators who … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    2 days ago
  • Despair – construction consenting edition
    Eric Crampton writes – Kainga Ora is the government’s house building agency. It’s been building a lot of social housing. Kainga Ora has its own (but independent) consenting authority, Consentium. It’s a neat idea. Rather than have to deal with building consents across each different territorial authority, Kainga Ora ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Coalition promises – will the Govt keep the commitment to keep Kiwis equal before the law?
    Muriel Newman writes – The Coalition Government says it is moving with speed to deliver campaign promises and reverse the damage done by Labour. One of their key commitments is to “defend the principle that New Zealanders are equal before the law.” To achieve this, they have pledged they “will not advance ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • An impermanent public service is a guarantee of very little else but failure
    Chris Trotter writes –  The absence of anything resembling a fightback from the public servants currently losing their jobs is interesting. State-sector workers’ collective fatalism in the face of Coalition cutbacks indicates a surprisingly broad acceptance of impermanence in the workplace. Fifty years ago, lay-offs in the thousands ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • What happens after the war – Mariupol
    Mariupol, on the Azov Sea coast, was one of the first cities to suffer almost complete destruction after the start of the Ukraine War started in late February 2022. We remember the scenes of absolute destruction of the houses and city structures. The deaths of innocent civilians – many of ...
    2 days ago
  • Babies and benefits – no good news
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – Ten years ago, I wrote the following in a Listener column: Every year around one in five new-born babies will be reliant on their caregivers benefit by Christmas. This pattern has persisted from at least 1993. For Maori the number jumps to over one in three.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Should the RBNZ be looking through climate inflation?
    Climate change is expected to generate more and more extreme events, delivering a sort of structural shock to inflation that central banks will have to react to as if they were short-term cyclical issues. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours, as of 9:16 am on Thursday, April 18 are:Housing: Tauranga residents living in boats, vans RNZ Checkpoint Louise TernouthHousing: Waikato councillor says wastewater plant issues could hold up Sleepyhead building a massive company town Waikato Times Stephen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the public sector carnage, and misogyny as terrorism
    It’s a simple deal. We pay taxes in order to finance the social services we want and need. The carnage now occurring across the public sector though, is breaking that contract. Over 3,000 jobs have been lost so far. Many are in crucial areas like Education where the impact of ...
    2 days ago
  • Meeting the Master Baiters
    Hi,A friend had their 40th over the weekend and decided to theme it after Curb Your Enthusiasm fashion icon Susie Greene. Captured in my tiny kitchen before I left the house, I ending up evoking a mix of old lesbian and Hillary Clinton — both unintentional.Me vs Hillary ClintonIf you’re ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • How extreme was the Earth's temperature in 2023
    This is a re-post from Andrew Dessler at the Climate Brink blog In 2023, the Earth reached temperature levels unprecedented in modern times. Given that, it’s reasonable to ask: What’s going on? There’s been lots of discussions by scientists about whether this is just the normal progression of global warming or if something ...
    2 days ago
  • Backbone, revisited
    The schools are on holiday and the sun is shining in the seaside village and all day long I have been seeing bunches of bikes; Mums, Dads, teens and toddlers chattering, laughing, happy, having a bloody great time together. Cheers, AT, for the bits of lane you’ve added lately around the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Ministers are not above the law
    Today in our National-led authoritarian nightmare: Shane Jones thinks Ministers should be above the law: New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of over-stepping its mandate by subpoenaing a minister for its urgent hearing on the Oranga Tamariki claim. The tribunal is looking into the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • What’s the outfit you can hear going down the gurgler? Probably it’s David Parker’s Oceans Sec...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point  of Order first heard of the Oceans Secretariat in June 2021, when David Parker (remember him?) announced a multi-agency approach to protecting New Zealand’s marine ecosystems and fisheries. Parker (holding the Environment, and Oceans and Fisheries portfolios) broke the news at the annual Forest & ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Bryce Edwards writes  – Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Matt Doocey doubles down on trans “healthcare”
    Citizen Science writes –  Last week saw two significant developments in the debate over the treatment of trans-identifying children and young people – the release in Britain of the final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review into gender healthcare, and here in New Zealand, the news that the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • A TikTok Prime Minister.
    One night while sleeping in my bed I had a beautiful dreamThat all the people of the world got together on the same wavelengthAnd began helping one anotherNow in this dream, universal love was the theme of the dayPeace and understanding and it happened this wayAfter such an eventful day ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Texas Lessons
    This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    3 days ago
  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links at 6:06 am
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours as of 6:06 am on Wednesday, April 17 are:Must read: Secrecy shrouds which projects might be fast-tracked RNZ Farah HancockScoop: Revealed: Luxon has seven staffers working on social media content - partly paid for by taxpayer Newshub ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Fighting poverty on the holiday highway
    Turning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago
  • Bernard's six-stack of substacks at 6:26 pm
    Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • At a glance – Is the science settled?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    4 days ago
  • Apposite Quotations.
    How Long Is Long Enough? Gaza under Israeli bombardment, July 2014. This posting is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...
    4 days ago
  • What’s a life worth now?
    You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • Howling at the Moon
    Karl du Fresne writes –  There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Newshub is Dead.
    I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Seymour is chuffed about cutting early-learning red tape – but we hear, too, that Jones has loose...
    Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago
  • Was Hawkesby entirely wrong?
    David Farrar  writes –  The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • PRC shadow looms as the Solomons head for election
    PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time. A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Climate Change: Criminal ecocide
    We are in the middle of a climate crisis. Last year was (again) the hottest year on record. NOAA has just announced another global coral bleaching event. Floods are threatening UK food security. So naturally, Shane Jones wants to make it easier to mine coal: Resources Minister Shane Jones ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Is saving one minute of a politician's time worth nearly $1 billion?
    Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Long Tunnel or Long Con?
    Yesterday it was revealed that Transport Minister had asked Waka Kotahi to look at the options for a long tunnel through Wellington. State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the ...
    4 days ago
  • Smoke And Mirrors.
    You're a fraud, and you know itBut it's too good to throw it all awayAnyone would do the sameYou've got 'em goingAnd you're careful not to show itSometimes you even fool yourself a bitIt's like magicBut it's always been a smoke and mirrors gameAnyone would do the sameForty six billion ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
    New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    14 hours ago
  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
    The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    16 hours ago
  • Judicial appointments announced
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    17 hours ago
  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago
  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
    A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago
  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago
  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago
  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector.    "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
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