And what were you thinking when you thought of us? Share your thought with us instead of just dumping another YT clip on us. Put differently, if I change the embedded clip to a link, who would want to click on it and why?
….US officials said Wednesday that Putin is angry after being shielded from the truth.
Citing US intelligence, White House Communications Director Kate Bedingfield said "he felt misled by the Russian military."
A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, described "persistent tension" between Putin and military staff, with Putin now having "mistrust" in his generals.
[As usual, your quotes are a mess. It appears you quoted from your own previous comment, but you changed the order and format of the text and didn’t use quotation marks or block quotes at all.
Unless it is something quite salient and succinct, you should simply link to your previous comment instead of another garbled copy & pasta.
To make it clearer, put the link beneath/below the quoted text, which I have done to show you what I mean plus I put the quote at the top in block quotes – Incognito]
Tom Fowdy has written another perceptive article. He's spot on that the western media has been hugely successful in framing the western intervention as merely that of a moral one, a line which plays to the self-proclaimed righteousness of the West and deceives the public under the facade of "good intent."
Navigating the minefield of 'atrocity propaganda'
"Atrocity propaganda" is a style of propaganda whereby one state demonizes another as being brutal and inhumane by making a number of accusations against the latter, usually on the premise of human rights abuses or the killing of civilians. Atrocity propaganda is conducted in both wartime and peacetime, and is used as a tool by government actors to set narratives against the opponent, build a respective debate and in turn "manufacture consent" for policies against them, which may include sanctions or war itself.
Focusing on the wartime dynamic, however, atrocity propaganda has been frequently used by the West in order to build support for interventions and regime changes, usually framing them as a humanitarian crisis premised on the need for "morale intervention" to save people. This has included wars in both Libya and Syria, which were framed as leaders slaughtering civilians.
Of course, the West's case of intervening was not presented in terms of obvious strategic or political interests, but merely that of a moral one, a line which plays to the self-proclaimed righteousness of the West and deceives the public under the facade of "good intent."
The binary notion of "good versus evil" has always been used to mislead people on causes and reality of various conflicts. In which case, those who are seeking a balanced assessment of this situation and its outbreak must be aware of what "atrocity propaganda" is and how the western narrative has abandoned any guise of objectivity or impartiality. The Ukraine conflict is not only one of the biggest wars that broke out in Europe since the end of World War II, but unprecedented in how it has opened up a new dimension in information warfare.
Right wingers from Italy and France to the USA distance themselves from the once admired strong-man V.P.
In a speech to GOP donors in New Orleans last Friday, former Vice President Mike Pence declared bluntly that “there is no room in this party for apologists for Putin.
Can I suggest that when you are talking about Vladimir Putin and former Vice-President Mike Pence in the same comment you spell out Putin's name?
I may be thick but when I read this I thought than when you said people were distancing themselves from "V.P." you meant Pence. The story of course didn't say any such thing but it took a while before the penny dropped and I realised what you meant.
I wish Pence had simply declared that there was no room for Trump directly rather than pussy-footing around
Have you even read the report or even the summary?
In July 2020, officials advised the Tourism Recovery Ministers that the economic context had changed so much that STAPP should be stopped or alternative The Tourism Recovery Ministers did not accept officials’ advice to stop STAPP or fund a small number of tourism businesses.
Instead of stopping they decided to dole out the money anyway and some businesses missed out, it seems. Luckily for them the NZ Herald allowed them their 5 minutes of grizzle and wallow in misery.
Read the report and you will find some answers there, which was the purpose of the report: ask questions, find answers, review and make recommendations. The report is there for anyone to read, so if you want to know, you’ll have to put some effort into it. For your convenience, I’ve already provided the link to website in my previous comment.
Report back here when you’re done, thanks. Until then you’re simply a biased parrot with a prejudice parroting a piece from the NZH.
"Ministers have broad discretion to make decisions. They can seek further advice from other parties and rely on their own knowledge of particular regions and tourism businesses when making decisions. However, all decisions to spend public money come with an obligation to ensure that the decision-making is consistent and transparent. We saw limited evidence explaining the reasons for the decisions. Without those records, those who have made the decisions are not able to adequately explain why funding was provided. In our view, this is not acceptable practice, regardless of the circumstances. To ensure that the public can be confident in the integrity of the decisions made, the reasons for this should be clearly explained and well documented."
Bad spending is bad spending regardless if the applicants met the criteria.
I have no idea why you quoted that particular piece of text, as it does not actually answer the question you asked @ 4.1.2.2.1 although there’s a hint of it. You’ll find some answers to that important question in the full report, trust me.
Bad spending is bad spending regardless if the applicants met the criteria.
That’s just nonsensical grizzle; the AG didn’t conclude that the spending was necessarily bad, but there were issues around the decision-making process, et cetera. Stop being a lazy dimwit and start doing some digging into the full report.
It is interesting that a report regarding sloppy process is now the political football du jour. It didn't take the self-entitled long to get into the fray. Aaron Russ of Heritage Expeditions made the most of his airplay time to do a fair amount of kicking. Looking at the prices his outfit charge, one wonders if the wealthy clients that they attract require their delicate arses to be wiped after loo-stops.
After much screaming from the tourism sector, the Government buckled to shut them up. One would have thought that 'saving the industry' to the tune of $290 million of taxpayer funding contributed by the low-paid should have meant the industry could make sure the funders got to enjoy NZ holidays that are usually out of financial reach.
In future, we should expect the Government to tell the fuckers to go to hell. If they can't survive under a capitalist structure, let them bleed.
Puzzles me why the Jessee MacKenzie types who do trolling of women in public roles and think it is ok to make derogatory comments about these women's appearance, when they themselves would never be able to make the grade in "gorgeousness".
Energy prices to go up from today,a large part of due to Government Policy changes with fixed charges increases for low users .Energy poverty will increase and the inflation component will have indirect costs increasing essentials such as food production,and health care.
The energy portfolio has been poorly managed,with regard to both energy security and pricing constraint.
After some discussion here regarding the failure of Kiwibuild, the existence of the Progress Home Ownership fund came to my attention and with it the First Home Partner shared ownership scheme:
First Home Partner is a shared ownership scheme to help aspiring first home buyers whose deposit and home loan aren’t quite enough to buy a home that meets their needs, purchase a home together with Kāinga Ora.
Administered through Kāinga Ora, this has seemingly existed since late-2019 and is a great way of helping people into housing security in a practical way. The eligibility criteria seem perfectly positioned to help a bunch different people struggling with financing, the maximum governmental share setting of 25% seem rational and fair, all round sensible policy it seems? The question is why is this not being promoted more widely? Why hasn’t the Government boasted of its successes?
Today [my italics], Kāinga Ora launched a new shared-ownership product, First Home Partner [my emphasis], through which Kāinga Ora will take an equity share in a property to assist first home buyers who can service a mortgage but need help raising their deposit.
“This phase of the PHO scheme provides additional financial support to households who don’t require the kind of intensive support to manage their finances as offered through the Provider pathway,” Megan Woods said.
Ah, that explains the lack of boasting thus far, the progressive home ownership fund was announced in late-2019 but thanks for the clarification, I’m still surprised that this hasn’t been picked up or promoted more widely. Had you or anyone else here previously heard of the scheme anywhere other than the government release? I think it’s a great idea, but are there any other issues I may be missing?
It sounds to me exactly the sort of programme that many around here would like to see but I’d be interested in what other commenters think of it and what shortcomings or hooks it may entail, I am also admittedly unfamiliar, I had neither seen nor heard the October announcement!
I am referring to the newer First Home Partner policy rather than the First Home Loan scheme. In the former there isn't a cap on house price, just a maximum of 25% or $200,000, which ever comes first. I can see that as being much more helpful than the price caps but I don't know how the banks would like it.
My bad. I misunderstood (all of these policy names are too similar!)
On the face of it, it looks like a good deal. You get 25% of the value, effectively interest free from KO – if you can afford the mortgage on the other 70% and have a 5% deposit (and the banks won't lend to you, if you can't).
However, banks are increasingly cagey about lending without a cast iron income guarantee, an immaculate savings records, and ability to pay around 10% interest (not that it's that high, yet, but that's what they're assessing at).
I'm also hearing whispers from friends-looking-to-buy – that they believe house prices are headed downwards (I'm a bit agnostic on this, myself – but wait and see). Which would particularly impact on this target group – bottom quartile of the housing market.
the problem with all these schemes is they support and perpetuate the inflated (asset) prices and encourage dangerous levels of debt….and I may add are ultimately inflationary.
It will affect the "investor class" first,as they find they are unable to harvest more rent.
The increase in housing inventory in AK and WGN and weeks to sell are reasonable predictors of the rush to the exits,and there will be some elasticity in some areas as the Holiday home (aka airb nb) becomes unsustainable as Councils start enforcing the RMA requirements and commercial rates for short term rentals.
Only the blind over leveraged investors….it will hit a lot of recent first home buyers and SMEs that are required to leverage property for working capital (and more recently running costs)….and then the real pain will begin.
The negative possibilities dont make for pleasant thoughts.
Yeah, there's a lot of first home buyers who are one pay-cheque away from defaulting on their mortgage.
Most have fixed for 3 years ATM – but that period rolls around awfully quickly.
Although the banks have been testing at capacity to pay 7% interest for the last few years, and are now (i understand) testing at capacity to pay 10% interest.
So, if you've owned for a couple of years, and are prepared to weather the price dip (and the fact you may be paying more for your house than it's 'worth') – then you can ride it out; absent, of course, any personal disasters (relationship breakdown is the one that usually triggers a sale).
Sady for renters, the Tenancy Tribunal will absolutely recognize increased mortgage rates as a legitimate reason for a rent increase. So it's more whether we have actually reached the maximum that the rental market will bear….
the markets are pricing in inflation,it is not a given that it needs to happen.with say construction clearly over priced,large delays,price uncertainty's going forward,it would make sense for say councils to defer non essential work,and governments to trim a little fat off the consultant side,
This is not austerity it is common sense,if the capital investment does not enhance efficiency (ie become more sustainable) or the maintenance cost is less then its replacement,leave it.
The markets are pricing in 'short term' inflation…..that should be pause for thought.
Having said that, it dosnt require a yield curve inversion (or a series of) to realise that even before the most recent price spikes the NZ housing market was a bubble looking for a pin
It should be,they are pricing higher rates at shorter terms,where the inversion is seen to price in Recessions ( the so called 2-10)
It still does not have to be,it only happens when governments are responders and not predictors.
Both central and local government need to start thinking what is best at the moment,whilst we have the three horseman around (war,pestilence,and famine) BAU from the past is not going to happen,we need to start making the best of what we have.
Id suggest we needed to do that a decade or two ago…..and see no way of avoiding the inevitable now….we will have plenty of time to make the best of what we have (left) after the event.
Nicola Willis offered a spirited version of the bad apple defence for the young Nat guys caught harrassing left-wing female politicians ((Link here)
She wasn't asked directly about: why the bad apples were attracted to National in the first place; or whether they became bad apples only after joining; or why, in either case, they weren't detected and set on a path of correction (or exit) earlier.
These are the only questions that really matter, and the bad apple defence is an organisational staple that we can discount as formulaic PR.
A bad apple is generally understood to refer to someone who creates problems for other people, and whose actions or behaviors negatively influence the larger group. The phrase is often interpreted erroneously by implying that a bad apple is not representative of the whole, when in fact the term stems from the larger phrase "one bad apple can spoil the barrel," which suggests that the negativity is not an isolated incident.
What to think of this – so wrong on a number of points? Follow the lemmings. Investment along the same inadequate lines of the past in commodity trees – all will be vulnerable to some species specific pest. Come in to the Cabaret, we're open for business, good floor show, everything for sale.
Overseas Invessstment Office! has size 20 pants for a size 10 outfit; plenty of wiggle room with outside pockets for stowing useful items like Swiss Army knives with 30 gajits able to deal with any how-do-you-do that arises.
Went to Waikanae and back to Wellington via Transmission Gully. Very very impressed with the engineering feats and smoothness of the journey. The design is superb. Very well signposted and seamless links to off roads. Despite the cost overruns and delays this is an amazing asset for Wellington entry and exit. Some of the delays were not helped by Covid, weather, and Kaikoura earthquake.
All those traffic hold ups for years through the old SH1 and winding round Pauatahanui – those roads will now be secondary routes, which is all they are capable of.
Gerard Otto suggests he may have some paper work to catch up on. I thought Chris was a a man "that gets things done."
From Gerard facebook :
"Thursday Morning Coffee
Imagine my horror to discover that Sir John's man Luxon was lagging way behind the clock and had not completed the performance review of his MPs on time.
Just like Luxon's wife Amanda said – he never gets things done and leaves all his domestic projects unfinished. "
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Daisy Simmons Farmers who can’t sleep, worrying they’ll lose everything amid increasing drought. Youth struggling with depression over a future that feels hopeless. Indigenous people grief-stricken over devastated ecosystems. For all these people and more, climate change is taking a clear toll ...
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Halfway up a historic tower in York, we are neither up nor down. At the top you will have views of a city steeped in antiquity, made and remade by Romans, Normans, Vikings, Tescos. Below, you will find a retired minister happy to tell you all about this most astonishing ...
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David Farrar writes – The Herald reports: KiwiRail’s seemingly endless requests for more money is damning. At one point, KiwiRail assured Robertson when he was the Finance Minister that the worst-case scenario would be an extra $300 million before requesting $1.2 billion a few months later. Not what most people ...
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Hi,I think we all made it through another week — congratulations. I’ve been digesting the new Arab Strap record, which is astonishing. In other news, I’m going to be doing a Webworm popup in Auckland, New Zealand on Saturday July 13. I’ll bring a bunch of merch, and some other ...
The Fast-Track Approvals Bill enables cabinet ministers to circumvent key environmental planning and protection processes for infrastructure projects. Its difficulties have been well canvassed. This column suggests a different way of thinking about the proposal. I am going to explore the Bill from the perspective of its proponents with their ...
New Zealand First Cabinet Minister Shane Jones has become the best advertisement against the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill. In selling the radical new resource consenting processes, in which ministers can green light any mine, dam, or other major development, Jones seems to be shooting the proposal in the foot. ...
Buzz from the Beehive Associate Education Minister David Seymour is urging the PostPrimary Teachers Association to put learning ahead of ideology. He wants the union leaders to call off their teachers meetings around the country where they hope to muster the strength to undo the government’s plans to establish several ...
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Michael Reddell writes – I got curious yesterday about how the Australia/New Zealand real exchange rate had changed over the last decade, and so dug out the data on the changes in the two countries’ CPIs. Over the 10 years from March 2014 to March 2024, New Zealand’s ...
Graham Adams writes that 20 years after the land march, judges are quietly awarding a swathe of coastal rights to iwi. Early this month, an hour-long documentary was released by TVNZ to mark the 20th anniversary of the land-rights march to oppose Helen Clark’s Foreshore and Seabed Act. The account ...
David Farrar writes – The Herald reports: Suspended Green MP Darleen Tana has passed an unpleasant milestone: she has now been absent for as many parliamentary sitting days as she has been present for this year. Tana is on full pay while she is suspended, and will benefit from a ...
Peter Dunne writes – It is no coincidence that two Labour should-have-been MPs are making the most noise about public sector cuts. As assistant general secretary of the Public Service Association, Fleur Fitzsimons has been at the forefront of revealing where the next round of state sector job ...
Bryce Edwards writes – It’s becoming a classic case study for why lobbying deals with politicians need greater scrutiny. Former National Minister Steven Joyce runs a lobbying company with a major client – the University of Waikato. The University desperately wants $300m+ of taxpayer funding to establish a ...
This is one of the (extra) weekly columns on music or movies. Plenty of solid analyses of Possession exist online and most of them – inevitably – contain spoilers. This column is more in the way of a first-timer’s aid to getting your initial bearings. You don’t need to have ...
I am painting in oil, a portrait of a manWho has taken all the heart aches,And all the pain he can stand.I am using all the colors of blue,I have here on my stand.I am painting in oil, a portrait of a man.This has been an interesting week for me. ...
Helen Clark joins the Hoon as a special guest talking whether Aotearoa should join Aukus II, and her views on the fast track legislation and how Luxon and the new Government are performing. File Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for subscribers features co-hosts ...
With an election due in less than nine months, Britain’s embattled PM, Rishi Sunak, gave a useful speech earlier this week. He made a substantial case for his government, perhaps as compelling as is possible in the current environment. Quite an achievement. His overall theme was security, first pulling ...
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You can be all negative about these charter schools if you want, but I’m here to accentuate the positive. You can get all worked up, if you want to, by the contradiction of Luxon saying We’re going to make sure that every school in the country is teaching exactly the same ...
Losing The Room: One can only speculate about what has persuaded the Coalition Government that it will pay no electoral price for unreasonably pushing ahead with policies that are so clearly against the national interest. They seem quite oblivious to the risk that by doing so they will convince an increasing ...
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When National first proposed its Muldoonist "fast-track" law, they were warned that it would inevitably lead to corruption. And that is exactly what has happened, with Resources Minister Shane Jones taking secret meetings with potential applicants:On Tuesday, in a Newsroom story, questions were raised about a dinner Jones ...
Buzz from the Beehive One day – hopefully – we will push that Russian rascal, Vladimir Putin, beyond breaking point. Perhaps it will happen today, when he learns that Foreign Minister Winston Peters is again tightening the thumbscrews. Peters announced further sanctions, this time on 28 individuals and 14 entities ...
How Labour’s and National’s failure to move beyond neoliberalism has brought New Zealand to the brink of economic and cultural chaos.TO START LOSING, so soon after you won, requires a special kind of political incompetence. At the heart of this Coalition Government’s failure to retain, and build upon, the public ...
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It’s becoming a classic case study for why lobbying deals with politicians need greater scrutiny. Former National Minister Steven Joyce runs a lobbying company with a major client – the University of Waikato. The University desperately wants $300m+ of taxpayer funding to establish a third medical school in New Zealand, ...
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Hi all,Firstly - thank you! You guys are awesome. The response I’ve received to last night’s mail has been quite overwhelming. It’s a ghastly day outside, but there are no clouds in here.In case you didn’t read my email and are wondering what on earth I’m talking about you can ...
If there was still any doubt as to who is actually running this government – and it isn’t the buffoon from Botany – then this week’s announcement of a huge spend up on charter schools has settled the matter. While jobs and public services continue to be cut in the ...
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Hi,I wanted to check in and ask how you’re doing.This is perhaps a selfish act, of attempting to find others feeling a similar way to me — that is to say, a little hopeless at the moment.Misery loves company, that sort of deal.Some context.I wish I could say I got ...
I have hitherto been fairly quiet on the new season of Rings of Power, on the basis that the underwhelming first season did not exactly build excitement – and the rumours were fairly daft. The only real thing of substance to come out has been that they have re-cast Adar ...
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 ...
“The thing is,” Chris Luxon says, leaning forward to make his point, “this has always been my thing.”“This goes all the way back to the first multinational I worked for. I was saying exactly the same thing back then. The name of our business needs to be more clear; people ...
Buzz from the Beehive It’s been a momentous few days for Children’s Minister Karen Chhour. The Court of Appeal has overturned a High Court decision which blocked a summons order from the Waitangi Tribunal for her. And today she has announced the Government is putting children first by introducing to ...
In 2014 former Australian army lawyer David McBride leaked classified military documents about Australian war crimes to the ABC. Dubbed "The Afghan Files", the documents led to an explosive report on Australian war crimes, the disbanding of an entire SAS unit, and multiple ongoing prosecutions. The journalist who wrote the ...
Treasury officials have outlined many ways in which the Fast Track Approvals Bill is deeply flawed, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking says. ...
Green Party co-leaders Marama Davidson and Chlöe Swarbrick used this year's State of the Planet to call on the Government to prioritise people and planet as the delivery of the Budget approaches. A full transcript of their speeches can be found below. ...
Green Party co-leaders Marama Davidson and Chlöe Swarbrick have used their State of the Planet speeches to challenge the Government to prioritise people and planet over profit as the delivery of the Budget approaches. ...
The Government’s introduction of legislation that would enable landlords to end tenancies with no reason marks a dark day for the 1.4 million people who rent their home in Aotearoa. ...
The Minister for Mental Health has found the Suicide Prevention Office and mental health support for 111 calls slipping through his fingers, says Labour spokesperson for Mental Health Ingrid Leary. ...
Today’s justification from the Minister for Children for scrapping protections for our tamariki was either a case of ignorance or deliberate deception. ...
The Green Party says the Government’s misguided policy on gangs will fail, following the announcement of the establishment of a national gang unit and district gang disruption units to target gang activities. ...
“With Police pay negotiations still unresolved after six months in Government, Mark Mitchell has today rolled the Commissioner out for a rebrand of their approach to gang crime,” Labour police spokesperson Ginny Andersen said. ...
The Government bringing back 50 charter schools will not increase achievement and is a distraction from the core mission of the education system, Labour education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. ...
Te Pāti Māori is showing extreme concern over the Environment Select Committees adoption of a lucky dip draw to determine hearings for the Fast Track Approvals bill. Of the 27,000 submissions, 2,900 requested to present. All organisations will be heard; however, the remaining 2,350 submitters will be subject to a ...
Today New Zealand First will introduce a Member’s Bill that will protect women’s spaces. The ‘Fair Access to Bathrooms Bill’ will require, primarily in the interest and safety of women and girls, that all new non-domestic publicly accessible buildings provide separate, clearly demarcated, unisex and single sex bathrooms. This Bill ...
The Green Party is welcoming Climate Change Minister Simon Watts’ continuation of Hon. James Shaw’s cross-party work on climate adaptation, now in the form of a Finance and Expenditure Committee Inquiry. ...
The National Government plans to cut 390 jobs at ACC, including roles in the areas of prevention of sexual violence, road safety and workplace safety. ...
The Government has been caught in opposition to evidence once again as it looks to usher in tried, tested and failed work seminar obligations for job-seeking beneficiaries. ...
The Green Party is welcoming the announcement by the Minister Responsible for RMA Reform Chris Bishop to approve most of the Wellington City Council’s District Plan recommendations. ...
David Seymour has failed to get the sweeping cuts he wanted to the free and healthy school lunch programme, Labour education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. ...
Hon Willie Jackson has been invited by the Oxford Union to debate the motion “This House Believes British Museums are not Very British’ on May 23rd. ...
Green Party MP Hūhana Lyndon says her Public Works (Prohibition of Compulsory Acquisition of Māori Land) Amendment Bill is an opportunity to right some past wrongs around the alienation of Māori land. ...
A senior, highly respected King’s Counsel with decades of experience in our law courts, Gary Judd KC, has filed a complaint about compulsory tikanga Māori studies for law students - highlighting the utter depths of absurdity this woke cultural madness has taken our society. The tikanga regulations will compel law ...
The Government needs to be clear with the people of the Nelson Marlborough region about the changes it is considering for the Nelson Hospital rebuild, Labour health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall said. ...
Ministers must front up about which projects it will push through under its Fast Track Approvals legislation, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
The Government is again adding to New Zealand’s growing unemployment, this time cutting jobs at the agencies responsible for urban development and growing much needed housing stock. ...
With Minister Karen Chhour indicating in the House today that she either doesn’t know or care about the frontline cuts she’s making to Oranga Tamariki, we risk seeing more and more of our children falling through the cracks. ...
The Labour Party is saddened to learn of the death of Sir Robert Martin, a globally renowned disability advocate who led the way for disability rights both in New Zealand and internationally. ...
Labour is calling for the Government to urgently rethink its coalition commitment to restart live animal exports, Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack said. ...
Today’s Financial Stability Report has once again highlighted that poverty and deep inequality are political choices - and this Government is choosing to make them worse. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to do more for our households in most need as unemployment rises and the cost of living crisis endures. ...
Unemployment is on the rise and it’s only going to get worse under this Government, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate grew to 4.3 percent in the March quarter from 4 percent in the December quarter. “This is the second rise in unemployment ...
The Coalition Government will introduce legislation this year that will enable roadside drug testing as part of our commitment to improve road safety and restore law and order, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Alcohol and drugs are the number one contributing factor in fatal road crashes in New Zealand. In ...
The Government has announced a series of immediate actions in response to the independent review of Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “Kāinga Ora is a large and important Crown entity, with assets of $45 billion and over $2.5 billion of expenditure each year. It ...
Associate Health Minister David Seymour is pleased that Pseudoephedrine can now be purchased by the general public to protect them from winter illness, after the coalition government worked swiftly to change the law and oversaw a fast approval process by Medsafe. “Pharmacies are now putting the medicines back on their ...
Tēnā koutou katoa. Da jia hao. Good morning everyone. Prime Minister Luxon, your excellency, a great friend of New Zealand and my friend Ambassador Wang, Mayor of what he tells me is the best city in New Zealand, Wayne Brown, the highly respected Fran O’Sullivan, Champion of the Auckland business ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced that the Government will make it easier for lines firms to take action to remove vegetation from obstructing local powerlines. The change will ensure greater security of electricity supply in local communities, particularly during severe weather events. “Trees or parts of trees falling on ...
Wairarapa Moana ki Pouakani were the top winners at this year’s Ahuwhenua Trophy awards recognising the best in Māori dairy farming. Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka announced the winners and congratulated runners-up, Whakatōhea Māori Trust Board, at an awards celebration also attended by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Finance Minister ...
"On the 27th of March, I sought assurances from the Chief Executive, Department of Internal Affairs, that the Department’s correct processes and policies had been followed in regards to a passport application which received media attention,” says Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden. “I raised my concerns after being ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins has announced the appointment of three new District Court Judges, to replace Judges who have recently retired. Peter James Davey of Auckland has been appointed a District Court Judge with a jury jurisdiction to be based at Whangarei. Mr Davey initially started work as a law clerk/solicitor with ...
Associate Education Minister David Seymour is calling on the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) to put ideology to the side and focus on students’ learning, in reaction to the union holding paid teacher meetings across New Zealand about charter schools. “The PPTA is disrupting schools up and down the ...
Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly today announced the appointment of Craig Stobo as the new chair of the Financial Markets Authority (FMA). Mr Stobo takes over from Mark Todd, whose term expired at the end of April. Mr Stobo’s appointment is for a five-year term. “The FMA plays ...
Surf Life Saving New Zealand and Coastguard New Zealand will continue to be able to keep people safe in, on, and around the water following a funding boost of $63.644 million over four years, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Transport Minister Matt Doocey say. “Heading to the beach for ...
New Zealand and Tuvalu have reaffirmed their close relationship, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says. “New Zealand is committed to working with Tuvalu on a shared vision of resilience, prosperity and security, in close concert with Australia,” says Mr Peters, who last visited Tuvalu in 2019. “It is my pleasure ...
New Zealand is gravely concerned about the situation in New Caledonia, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The escalating situation and violent protests in Nouméa are of serious concern across the Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says. “The immediate priority must be for all sides to take steps to de-escalate the ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon met today with Samoa’s O le Ao o le Malo, Afioga Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II, who is making a State Visit to New Zealand. “His Highness and I reflected on our two countries’ extensive community links, with Samoan–New Zealanders contributing to all areas of our national ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has announced that he has approved Waiheke Island ferry operator Island Direct to be eligible for SuperGold Card funding, paving the way for a commercial agreement to bring the operator into the scheme. “Island Direct started operating in November 2023, offering an additional option for people ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters today announced further sanctions on 28 individuals and 14 entities providing military and strategic support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “Russia is directly supported by its military-industrial complex in its illegal aggression against Ukraine, attacking its sovereignty and territorial integrity. New Zealand condemns all entities and ...
A year on from the tragedy at Loafers Lodge, the Government is working hard to improve building fire safety, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “I want to share my sincere condolences with the families and friends of the victims on the anniversary of the tragic fire at Loafers ...
Ka nui te mihi kia koutou. Kia ora and good afternoon, everyone. Thank you so much for having me here in the lead up to my Government’s first Budget. Before I get started can I acknowledge: Simon Bridges – Auckland Business Chamber CEO. Steve Jurkovich – Kiwibank CEO. Kids born ...
New Zealand and Vanuatu will enhance collaboration on issues of mutual interest, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “It is important to return to Port Vila this week with a broad, high-level political delegation which demonstrates our deep commitment to New Zealand’s relationship with Vanuatu,” Mr Peters says. “This ...
Minister for Land Information, Chris Penk will travel to Peru this week to represent New Zealand at a meeting of trade ministers from the Asia-Pacific region on behalf of Trade Minister Todd McClay. The annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade meeting will be held on 17-18 May ...
Minister of Education Erica Stanford will head to the United Kingdom this week to participate in the 22nd Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers (CCEM) and the 2024 Education World Forum (EWF). “I am looking forward to sharing this Government’s education priorities, such as introducing a knowledge-rich curriculum, implementing an evidence-based ...
Minister of Education Erica Stanford has today thanked outgoing New Zealand Qualifications Authority Chair, Hon Tracey Martin. “Tracey Martin tendered her resignation late last month in order to take up a new role,” Ms Stanford says. Ms Martin will relinquish the role of Chair on 10 May and current Deputy ...
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and President Emmanuel Macron of France today announced a new non-governmental organisation, the Christchurch Call Foundation, to coordinate the Christchurch Call’s work to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online. This change gives effect to the outcomes of the November 2023 Call Leaders’ Summit, ...
Distinguished public servant and former diplomat Sir Maarten Wevers will lead the independent review into the disability support services administered by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. The review was announced by Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston a fortnight ago to examine what could be done to strengthen the ...
Today’s announcement by Police Commissioner Andrew Coster of a National Gang Unit and district Gang Disruption Units will help deliver on the coalition Government’s pledge to restore law and order and crack down on criminal gangs, Police Minister Mark Mitchell says. “The National Gang Unit and Gang Disruption Units will ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today expressed regret at North Korea’s aggressive rhetoric towards New Zealand and its international partners. “New Zealand proudly stands with the international community in upholding the rules-based order through its monitoring and surveillance deployments, which it has been regularly doing alongside partners since 2018,” Mr ...
Air Vice-Marshal Tony Davies MNZM is the new Chief of Defence Force, Defence Minister Judith Collins announced today. The Chief of Defence Force commands the Navy, Army and Air Force and is the principal military advisor to the Defence Minister and other Ministers with relevant portfolio responsibilities in the defence ...
Legislation to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act has been introduced to Parliament. The Bill’s introduction reaffirms the Coalition Government’s commitment to the safety of children in care, says Minister for Children, Karen Chhour. “While section 7AA was introduced with good intentions, it creates a conflict for Oranga ...
Defence Minister Judith Collins will this week travel to the UK and Italy to meet with her defence counterparts, and to attend Battles of Cassino commemorations. “I am humbled to be able to represent the New Zealand Government in Italy at the commemorations for the 80th anniversary of what was ...
The upcoming Budget will include funding for up to 50 charter schools to help lift declining educational performance, Associate Education Minister David Seymour announced today. $153 million in new funding will be provided over four years to establish and operate up to 15 new charter schools and convert 35 state ...
“The results of the public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has now been received, with results indicating over 13,000 submissions were made from members of the public,” Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says. “We heard feedback about the extended lockdowns in ...
Foreign Minister, Defence Minister, other Members of Parliament Acting Chief of Defence Force, Secretary of Defence Distinguished Guests Defence and Diplomatic Colleagues Ladies and Gentlemen, Good afternoon, tēna koutou, apinun tru It’s a pleasure to be back in Port Moresby today, and to speak here at the Kumul Leadership ...
Health, infrastructure, renewable energy, and stability are among the themes of the current visit to Papua New Guinea by a New Zealand political delegation, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “Papua New Guinea carries serious weight in the Pacific, and New Zealand deeply values our relationship with it,” Mr Peters ...
The coalition Government is launching Roads of Regional Significance to sit alongside Roads of National Significance as part of its plan to deliver priority roading projects across the country, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The Roads of National Significance (RoNS) built by the previous National Government are some of New Zealand’s ...
A high-level New Zealand political delegation in Honiara today congratulated the new Government of Solomon Islands, led by Jeremiah Manele, on taking office. “We are privileged to meet the new Prime Minister and members of his Cabinet during his government’s first ten days in office,” Deputy Prime Minister and ...
New Zealand voted in favour of a resolution broadening Palestine’s participation at the United Nations General Assembly overnight, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The resolution enhances the rights of Palestine to participate in the work of the UN General Assembly while stopping short of admitting Palestine as a full ...
Introduction Good morning. It’s a great privilege to be here at the 2024 Infrastructure Symposium. I was extremely happy when the Prime Minister asked me to be his Minister for Infrastructure. It is one of the great barriers holding the New Zealand economy back from achieving its potential. Building high ...
Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced the upcoming Budget will include new funding of $571 million for Defence Force pay and projects. “Our servicemen and women do New Zealand proud throughout the world and this funding will help ensure we retain their services and expertise as we navigate an increasingly ...
New Zealand’s ability to cope with climate change will be strengthened as part of the Government’s focus to build resilience as we rebuild the economy, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “An enduring and long-term approach is needed to provide New Zealanders and the economy with certainty as the climate ...
Jobseeker beneficiaries who have work obligations must now meet with MSD within two weeks of their benefit starting to determine their next step towards finding a job, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “A key part of the coalition Government’s plan to have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker ...
Asia Pacific Report For more than 76 years, Palestinians have resisted occupation, dispossession and ethnic cleansing, culminating in Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza. Yet in the midst of this catastrophic seven months of “hell on earth”, it is a paradox that there exists an extraordinary oasis of peace and nature. ...
You’ll never set foot in one. But its emissions still effect you. Shanti Mathias reports on a campaign to make private jet owners pay for their emissions in some way. The private jet passengers saunter down the red carpet, wearing sunglasses and heels; paparazzi cameras flash. The sky is blue, ...
Quality teachers back on the front line can only be a good thing. One of the difficult things we teach in senior English classes at secondary school is the development of an idea. This involves deepening your argument, without instead “going sideways” and merely adding examples while repeating the same ...
Opinion: People with certain types of health conditions are more likely than others to have their symptoms dismissed, minimised or disbelieved. These conditions are diagnosed based on the patient self-report of symptoms, where there is no definitive diagnostic test that can prove the existence of disease or demonstrate structural or ...
The intensity of it, ironically, can feel like bullying. Social media activism is reaching something of a peak with the war in Gaza, using the hashtag Blockout2024. It started at this year’s MetGala when influencer and model Haley Kalil was caught on video muttering ‘let them eat cake’ – suddenly ...
It’s 2011 and I am 43 years old. My partner, Christine, and I got together when I was 36. We had been friends for about 10 years before that. One of the first things I asked Christine was whether she wanted to have kids. I had just come out of ...
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Opinion: As an indication of the eye-watering sums involved for the mega-prison plans announced two weeks ago by Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell, consider that $932 million has already been spent on a separate facility due to open at Waikeria next year – that’s about $1.5 million for each of the ...
New Caledonia’s Tontouta International Airport remains closed, and Air New Zealand’s next scheduled flight is on Saturday — although it is not ruling out adding extra services. Air NZ’s Captain David Morgan said on Monday evening flights would only resume when they were assured of the security of the airport ...
Asia Pacific Report As Israel drives the Palestinians deeper into another Nakba in Gaza with its assault on Rafah, the Palestine Youth Aotearoa (PYA) and solidarity supporters in Aotearoa New Zealand tonight commemorated the original Nakba — “the Catastrophe” — of 1948. The 1948 Nakba . . . more than ...
Young people on the streets in New Caledonia are saying they will “never give up” pushing back against France’s hold on the Pacific territory, a Kanak journalist in Nouméa says. Pro-independence Radio Djiido’s Andre Qaeze told RNZ Pacific young people had said that “Paris must respect us” and what had ...
This episode of A View from Afar podcast was recorded live from 12:45pm May 20, 2024 (NZST). Political scientist Paul Buchanan and Selwyn Manning examine: The United States and how the world is engaging with it geopolitically.Specifically, Paul and Selwyn analyse what has changed in this regard in ...
Analysis - Power is not being abused, but it is not being well managed either. New Zealand democracy, unique and currently brittle, should be handled with greater care, Alexander Gillespie writes. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Lindenmayer, Professor, Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University Forest Conservation Victoria, CC BY-NC-ND Victoria’s native forest logging industry ended on January 1 this year. The news was met with jubilation from conservationists. But did logging really ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Crosby, Professor, Monash University Rose Marinelli/ShutterstockThis article is part two of The Conversation’s “Business Basics” series where we ask leading experts to discuss key concepts in business, economics and finance. How governments should manage their budgets, and how ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicole George, Associate Professor in Peace and Conflict Studies, The University of Queensland On Sunday afternoon, Australian citizens who have been trapped in New Caledonia were called to a meeting at one of the large hotels in the capital, Noumea. The ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hannah Soong, Senior Lecturer and Socio-cultural researcher, UniSA Education Futures, University of South Australia International students have come under fire from both sides of federal politics in the past week. The Albanese government introduced legislation to parliament last Thursday to put ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jake Renzella, Lecturer, Director of Studies (Computer Science), UNSW Sydney An example of shrimp Jesus.Shutterstock AI Generator If you search “shrimp Jesus” on Facebook, you might encounter dozens of images of artificial intelligence (AI) generated crustaceans meshed in various forms with ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joshua McLeod, Lecturer in Sport Management, Deakin University Being a sport administrator comes with many perks, so it’s no surprise many want to stay in their positions as long as possible. Recently, a trend has emerged whereby leaders in sport are seeking ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lauren Ball, Professor of Community Health and Wellbeing, The University of Queensland Joyisjoyful/Shutterstock If you buy your olive oil in bulk, you’ve likely been in for a shock in recent weeks. Major supermarkets have been selling olive oil for up to ...
A conversation with artist and home cook Prairie Hatchard-McGill, aka @cacioeprairie. This is an excerpt from our weekly food newsletter, The Boil Up. A few weeks ago, I spotted Prairie strolling down Ponsonby Road at sunset, a bunch of celery tucked under her arm. She was too far away for me ...
The Haka Challenge invites anyone to learn and record the Ka Mate haka as performed by the All Blacks, to show their support for "the South Pacific's greatest truth teller". ...
At the Christchurch rally in support of Palestine, he started his hunger strike and vowed to continue until the government stops supporting Israel’s genocide in Gaza. ...
With Nouméa reeling as mainly young, politically active Kanak people take to the streets and protest, a spirit that has been dormant since the 1980s has awoken. Tāmaki Makaurau-based Kanak Joseph Xulué provides some context.As reports continue to emphasise the fires burning through the streets of Nouméa (the capital ...
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 A national Newspoll, conducted after the May 14 budget from a sample of over 1,200 people, gave Labor a 52–48% lead over ...
A New Zealander studying at the University of New Caledonia says students have been taught to use fire extinguishers as firefighters are unlikely to come help if there is an emergency. It comes as days of unrest followed a controversial proposed constitutional amendment which would allow more French residents of ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexander Gillespie, Professor of Law, University of Waikato Getty Images There have been so many submissions on the government’s proposed Fast-track Approvals Bill – 27,000 written, with 2,900 wanting to appear before the select committee in person – that a ballot ...
We round up everything coming to streaming services this week, including Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Apple TV+, ThreeNow, Neon and TVNZ+. If you love feral robots: Atlas (Netflix, May 24)Look, if you thought This is Me…Now: A Love Story was Jennifer Lopez at her most intense, then ...
The LIVE Recording of A View from Afar podcast will begin today at 12:45pm May 20, 2024 (NZST) which is Sunday evening, 8:30pm (USEST). Today, political scientist Paul Buchanan and Selwyn Manning will examine: The United States and how the world is engaging with it geopolitically.Specifically, we will ...
After falling victim to a scam over the phone, Russell Brown spent the day with One NZ’s cyber defence and fraud prevention teams to see the work they do to stop millions of scam attempts every year.The only windows in the Cyber Defence Centre at One NZ’s Auckland headquarters ...
Treasury officials have outlined many ways in which the Fast Track Approvals Bill is deeply flawed, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking says. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marika Sosnowski, Postdoctoral research fellow, The University of Melbourne Ever since armed conflict has existed, ceasefires have been thought of as a bridge between war and peace. Consequently, their success has been measured by their ability to stop violence between warring parties ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Antonia Shand, Research Fellow, Obstetrician, University of Sydney Backgroundy/Shutterstock Oral retinoids are a type of medicine used to treat severe acne. They’re sold under the brand name Roaccutane, among others. While oral retinoids are very effective, they can have harmful effects ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alan Renwick, Professor of Agricultural Economics, Lincoln University, New Zealand This month the federal government announced a plan to ban live sheep exports, set to come into effect from May 1 2028. The announcement coincided with the release of a highly ...
Another technical answer: ‘no one really knows.’ It smells like hot fat and fish. You hug the warm bundle of newspaper, translucent with grease, swaddling it like a newborn babe. Behind the counter is a small child doing her homework, and the grumpiest Chinese lady in the world. Above you, ...
New Zealanders are being called on to give Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones “the finger” in a cheeky new campaign that aims to dramatically boost marine protection in Aotearoa. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nic Rawlence, Senior Lecturer in Ancient DNA, University of Otago Auckland Island merganser. Artistic reconstruction by J. G. Keulemans from Bullers Birds of New Zealand (1888)Bullers Birds of New Zealand, Author provided Ask a bird lover if they have heard of ...
Leaders from three of the biggest political parties addressed party faithful over the weekend, writes Stewart Sowman-Lund in this extract from The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. A weekend ...
Kia ora, welcome to Windbag, The Spinoff’s new Wellington issues column, written by me, Joel MacManus. In this first edition, I take a closer look at the first half of Tory Whanau’s term as mayor. If you want to understand Wellington’s local political landscape, you need to start in 2013 ...
A taonga going under the hammer at an Auckland auction house tonight is expected to fetch thousands. But concerns have been raised about its unclear provenance – and about the law that’s meant to protect it. Eda Tang reports. When Tamatea* received the huia feather they bought from a licensed ...
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The last person anyone expected to see at last week’s Ockham national book awards was Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. He was made to feel as welcome as a plague. He was mocked, and challenged. But good on him for coming. His presence gave the awards an edge, a tension, which ...
Sir Geoffrey Palmer, author of the seminal book Unbridled Power challenging Muldoon-era decision-making,says the Fast-Track Approvals Bill is a bigger threat to constitutional government The post A fast track to environmental degradation appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Uncertainty is an overwhelming theme for two seabed mining projects aiming to use the Government’s controversial fast-track regime The post Seabed miners: What we know and what we don’t appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Thought of you…
And what were you thinking when you thought of us? Share your thought with us instead of just dumping another YT clip on us. Put differently, if I change the embedded clip to a link, who would want to click on it and why?
.
Quos Deus vult perdere, prius dementat
Jenny how to get there
30 March 2022 at 8:03 am
[deleted]
Jenny how to get there
30 March 2022 at 8:03 am
[As usual, your quotes are a mess. It appears you quoted from your own previous comment, but you changed the order and format of the text and didn’t use quotation marks or block quotes at all.
Unless it is something quite salient and succinct, you should simply link to your previous comment instead of another garbled copy & pasta.
To make it clearer, put the link beneath/below the quoted text, which I have done to show you what I mean plus I put the quote at the top in block quotes – Incognito]
Mod note
Tom Fowdy has written another perceptive article. He's spot on that the western media has been hugely successful in framing the western intervention as merely that of a moral one, a line which plays to the self-proclaimed righteousness of the West and deceives the public under the facade of "good intent."
Navigating the minefield of 'atrocity propaganda'
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2022-03-31/Navigating-the-minefield-of-atrocity-propaganda–18QlyuSlyqQ/index.html
Bloody funny and pretty apt.
That reply to Adrian's YT video
Right wingers from Italy and France to the USA distance themselves from the once admired strong-man V.P.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/putins-groupies-walk-back-tucker-carlson-donald-trump-steve-bannon-viktor-orban-josh-hawley-11646770018
Can I suggest that when you are talking about Vladimir Putin and former Vice-President Mike Pence in the same comment you spell out Putin's name?
I may be thick but when I read this I thought than when you said people were distancing themselves from "V.P." you meant Pence. The story of course didn't say any such thing but it took a while before the penny dropped and I realised what you meant.
I wish Pence had simply declared that there was no room for Trump directly rather than pussy-footing around
Adrian @1
What an idiot. A typical social media air head.
This little clip does nothing for your views but they interest me anyway.
Another Example of this Govt Covid response.
There really are some inept numpties within Labour. But don't worry it's only tax payers money.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/tourism-businesses-furious-government-reportedly-picked-favourites-for-290m-fund/QEB5LBIKHGYJJOEHRPB4RUZHLA/
Businesses weeping because they weren't first in the queue. Give me a break.
This government has directly and indirectly supported business on a per capital bases more than any other in the OECD.
Time for the remaining tourism businesses to make a go of it, or push the state's bottle of warm milk away and do something else.
How will co-governance look?
https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/300535889/pest-control-efforts-in-te-urewera-have-changed–some-conservationists-worry-about-the-fate-of-native-species
Well it sure won't look like the Te Uruwera settlement.
Have you actually read the article?
The auditor general tears the Govt a new one.
You may get a minor reshuffle inside MBIE, but that's all it deserves.
Complaining about an allocation process in response to 3conomic crisis? Please. It would need direct $$ corruption to have any damage.
Have you even read the report or even the summary?
https://oag.parliament.nz/2022/stapp/docs/summary-strategic-tourism.pdf
https://oag.parliament.nz/2022/stapp
Instead of stopping they decided to dole out the money anyway and some businesses missed out, it seems. Luckily for them the NZ Herald allowed them their 5 minutes of grizzle and wallow in misery.
My question is why did they dole out the money anyway when officials told then not to?
Read the report and you will find some answers there, which was the purpose of the report: ask questions, find answers, review and make recommendations. The report is there for anyone to read, so if you want to know, you’ll have to put some effort into it. For your convenience, I’ve already provided the link to website in my previous comment.
Report back here when you’re done, thanks. Until then you’re simply a biased parrot with a prejudice parroting a piece from the NZH.
Thank you for the Link
From the report
"Ministers have broad discretion to make decisions. They can seek further advice from other parties and rely on their own knowledge of particular regions and tourism businesses when making decisions. However, all decisions to spend public money come with an obligation to ensure that the decision-making is consistent and transparent. We saw limited evidence explaining the reasons for the decisions. Without those records, those who have made the decisions are not able to adequately explain why funding was provided. In our view, this is not acceptable practice, regardless of the circumstances. To ensure that the public can be confident in the integrity of the decisions made, the reasons for this should be clearly explained and well documented."
Bad spending is bad spending regardless if the applicants met the criteria.
I have no idea why you quoted that particular piece of text, as it does not actually answer the question you asked @ 4.1.2.2.1 although there’s a hint of it. You’ll find some answers to that important question in the full report, trust me.
That’s just nonsensical grizzle; the AG didn’t conclude that the spending was necessarily bad, but there were issues around the decision-making process, et cetera. Stop being a lazy dimwit and start doing some digging into the full report.
Where's the evidence that it's bad spending?
Did people on the funded tourism companies keep their jobs? Yes
Did the funded tourism businesses stay in business? Yes
Did the funding go to tourism businesses? Yes
Did the mortgages and rent of those workers who kept their jobs get paid? Yes
Yes they did.
The objectives of the fund were achieved.
At very most the A-G report will require a smack for some errant bureaucrat. The fund will close since it's time is up.
Job done.
You seem confused about who tells whom what to do in that relationship.
It is interesting that a report regarding sloppy process is now the political football du jour. It didn't take the self-entitled long to get into the fray. Aaron Russ of Heritage Expeditions made the most of his airplay time to do a fair amount of kicking. Looking at the prices his outfit charge, one wonders if the wealthy clients that they attract require their delicate arses to be wiped after loo-stops.
After much screaming from the tourism sector, the Government buckled to shut them up. One would have thought that 'saving the industry' to the tune of $290 million of taxpayer funding contributed by the low-paid should have meant the industry could make sure the funders got to enjoy NZ holidays that are usually out of financial reach.
In future, we should expect the Government to tell the fuckers to go to hell. If they can't survive under a capitalist structure, let them bleed.
Russian joke:
Why do Russian vehicles in the Ukraine use a "Z" on them?
Because a contractor stole the other arm of the swastika.
Energy prices to go up from today,a large part of due to Government Policy changes with fixed charges increases for low users .Energy poverty will increase and the inflation component will have indirect costs increasing essentials such as food production,and health care.
The energy portfolio has been poorly managed,with regard to both energy security and pricing constraint.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/128235367/price-of-power-to-rise-up-to-1000-a-year-for-some-households-consumer-nz-warns
After some discussion here regarding the failure of Kiwibuild, the existence of the Progress Home Ownership fund came to my attention and with it the First Home Partner shared ownership scheme:
Administered through Kāinga Ora, this has seemingly existed since late-2019 and is a great way of helping people into housing security in a practical way. The eligibility criteria seem perfectly positioned to help a bunch different people struggling with financing, the maximum governmental share setting of 25% seem rational and fair, all round sensible policy it seems? The question is why is this not being promoted more widely? Why hasn’t the Government boasted of its successes?
5 Oct 2021:
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/more-progressive-home-ownership-opportunities-first-home-buyers
Ah, that explains the lack of boasting thus far, the progressive home ownership fund was announced in late-2019 but thanks for the clarification, I’m still surprised that this hasn’t been picked up or promoted more widely. Had you or anyone else here previously heard of the scheme anywhere other than the government release? I think it’s a great idea, but are there any other issues I may be missing?
Sorry, I’m not very familiar with this.
It sounds to me exactly the sort of programme that many around here would like to see but I’d be interested in what other commenters think of it and what shortcomings or hooks it may entail, I am also admittedly unfamiliar, I had neither seen nor heard the October announcement!
The criticism has mostly been that in many (most) parts of the country, it's impossible to actually find a home which is cheap enough to qualify.
500K is the max allowed. And, 'do ups' don't qualify either (which actually seems insane – 'sweat equity' is one of the great levellers…..)
https://www.newsroom.co.nz/governments-first-home-loan-scheme-totally-redundant
I am referring to the newer First Home Partner policy rather than the First Home Loan scheme. In the former there isn't a cap on house price, just a maximum of 25% or $200,000, which ever comes first. I can see that as being much more helpful than the price caps but I don't know how the banks would like it.
My bad. I misunderstood (all of these policy names are too similar!)
On the face of it, it looks like a good deal. You get 25% of the value, effectively interest free from KO – if you can afford the mortgage on the other 70% and have a 5% deposit (and the banks won't lend to you, if you can't).
However, banks are increasingly cagey about lending without a cast iron income guarantee, an immaculate savings records, and ability to pay around 10% interest (not that it's that high, yet, but that's what they're assessing at).
I'm also hearing whispers from friends-looking-to-buy – that they believe house prices are headed downwards (I'm a bit agnostic on this, myself – but wait and see). Which would particularly impact on this target group – bottom quartile of the housing market.
the problem with all these schemes is they support and perpetuate the inflated (asset) prices and encourage dangerous levels of debt….and I may add are ultimately inflationary.
markets are already pricing the OCR and subsequent mortgage rates.
https://twitter.com/biancoresearch/status/1508640362721538051?cxt=HHwWhsCrndaa4u8pAAAA
Nz markets are now pricing in over a 50 point OCR increase at next Monetary policy meeting.
https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/statistics/b2
Housing will become cheaper over next 12 months.
yes it will….and all that comes with that.
It will affect the "investor class" first,as they find they are unable to harvest more rent.
The increase in housing inventory in AK and WGN and weeks to sell are reasonable predictors of the rush to the exits,and there will be some elasticity in some areas as the Holiday home (aka airb nb) becomes unsustainable as Councils start enforcing the RMA requirements and commercial rates for short term rentals.
Only the blind over leveraged investors….it will hit a lot of recent first home buyers and SMEs that are required to leverage property for working capital (and more recently running costs)….and then the real pain will begin.
The negative possibilities dont make for pleasant thoughts.
Yeah, there's a lot of first home buyers who are one pay-cheque away from defaulting on their mortgage.
Most have fixed for 3 years ATM – but that period rolls around awfully quickly.
Although the banks have been testing at capacity to pay 7% interest for the last few years, and are now (i understand) testing at capacity to pay 10% interest.
So, if you've owned for a couple of years, and are prepared to weather the price dip (and the fact you may be paying more for your house than it's 'worth') – then you can ride it out; absent, of course, any personal disasters (relationship breakdown is the one that usually triggers a sale).
Sady for renters, the Tenancy Tribunal will absolutely recognize increased mortgage rates as a legitimate reason for a rent increase. So it's more whether we have actually reached the maximum that the rental market will bear….
'Weathering' isnt an option when outgoings exceed incomings
the markets are pricing in inflation,it is not a given that it needs to happen.with say construction clearly over priced,large delays,price uncertainty's going forward,it would make sense for say councils to defer non essential work,and governments to trim a little fat off the consultant side,
This is not austerity it is common sense,if the capital investment does not enhance efficiency (ie become more sustainable) or the maintenance cost is less then its replacement,leave it.
The markets are pricing in 'short term' inflation…..that should be pause for thought.
Having said that, it dosnt require a yield curve inversion (or a series of) to realise that even before the most recent price spikes the NZ housing market was a bubble looking for a pin
It should be,they are pricing higher rates at shorter terms,where the inversion is seen to price in Recessions ( the so called 2-10)
It still does not have to be,it only happens when governments are responders and not predictors.
Both central and local government need to start thinking what is best at the moment,whilst we have the three horseman around (war,pestilence,and famine) BAU from the past is not going to happen,we need to start making the best of what we have.
Id suggest we needed to do that a decade or two ago…..and see no way of avoiding the inevitable now….we will have plenty of time to make the best of what we have (left) after the event.
Nicola Willis offered a spirited version of the bad apple defence for the young Nat guys caught harrassing left-wing female politicians ((Link here)
She wasn't asked directly about: why the bad apples were attracted to National in the first place; or whether they became bad apples only after joining; or why, in either case, they weren't detected and set on a path of correction (or exit) earlier.
These are the only questions that really matter, and the bad apple defence is an organisational staple that we can discount as formulaic PR.
The bad apple defence is also based on selective editing of the original idiom. the full context of which negates the defence!
What to think of this – so wrong on a number of points? Follow the lemmings. Investment along the same inadequate lines of the past in commodity trees – all will be vulnerable to some species specific pest. Come in to the Cabaret, we're open for business, good floor show, everything for sale.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/country/464428/overseas-investment-office-approves-austrian-aristocrat-s-farm-purchase-for-forestry-conversion
Overseas Invessstment Office! has size 20 pants for a size 10 outfit; plenty of wiggle room with outside pockets for stowing useful items like Swiss Army knives with 30 gajits able to deal with any how-do-you-do that arises.
Finally a judge that hands out a decent sentence.
Man jailed after breaking into 19 cafes, restaurants at end of Covid lockdown | Stuff.co.nz
Went to Waikanae and back to Wellington via Transmission Gully. Very very impressed with the engineering feats and smoothness of the journey. The design is superb. Very well signposted and seamless links to off roads. Despite the cost overruns and delays this is an amazing asset for Wellington entry and exit. Some of the delays were not helped by Covid, weather, and Kaikoura earthquake.
All those traffic hold ups for years through the old SH1 and winding round Pauatahanui – those roads will now be secondary routes, which is all they are capable of.
Chris Luxon hasn't been seen or heard since Tuesday I think. Is the poor chap OK?
Gerard Otto suggests he may have some paper work to catch up on. I thought Chris was a a man "that gets things done."
From Gerard facebook :
"Thursday Morning Coffee
Imagine my horror to discover that Sir John's man Luxon was lagging way behind the clock and had not completed the performance review of his MPs on time.
Just like Luxon's wife Amanda said – he never gets things done and leaves all his domestic projects unfinished. "
He's been trying to stop laughing after this happened. I understand even some Labour MP's had a chuckle.
Luxfusion's got a bit on his plate at the moment
Had to chuckle at this April Fools NewstalkZB headline.