Waking up and listening to the news and Morning Report, my first thoughts were ‘Timing is everything’ and ‘Karma’.
First – the new/revised/amalgamated search powers under the Search and Surveillance Act come into force today. How appropriately timed in relation to the revelations of the last week in respect of the Kim Dotcom fiasco! Could not have been better timing if it had been planned.
Then, popped onto Stuff and the first headline/article:
I had been wondering whether Key would be going to Hawaii or elsewhere overseas during the recess and it seems a quick trip to Hollywood is on the agenda. Again, what a wonderful bit of timing!
Agreed. Interstingly, the Stuff article has been updated since I first read it and posted it here. The original was very short and simply mentioned the trip,but now covers Key defending the trip and also Key defending English for not telling him about signing the GCSB suppression order.
The latter quotes Key as saying that English only had a “30 second” conversation with the GCSB!
Key today said English had a “30 second” conversation with the spy agency about the certificate but it was not up to his deputy to tell him about it.
“I agree GCSB should have told me when I came back to New Zealand,” he told Radio Live. “Bill English wouldn’t do that. That’s not his job.”
Asked if it should have been part of an update from English, Key said: “A lot of things happen when you are away.”
“He would have assumed, and did assume rightfully so, that there would be a process where the ministry would tell me and they just didn’t.”
If this is how they do business, God help us all. Key should really stop digging the hole.
Yep. Key’s weakness is now being displayed. He is totally disorganised and does not know what is going on and it seems he does not care.
The Nats spent huge amounts of time and effort developing “nanny state”. This was an effective and ultimately successful attack on Helen Clark’s strengths. It subtly but directly attacked her for being in control and for being a childless woman.
Hi Mickey. Off topic here but Helen Clark chose not to have to children didn’t she? The term ‘childless’ refers to loss: less=loss, which could also imply grief at not having children.
The term being used now and one that I think appropriate is ‘child free’. A person or couple who choose not to have children have not lost what they did not want to start with. Another term is ‘non parenter’ but this sounds a bit naff, (to my ears) Either way its worded being child free still carries enormous stigma in our society, and you’re right, Helen Clark was stigmatised for her child free status for political gain.
It’s another example that NACTs don’t really want to allow people free-choice. They want you to conform to their vision of society and if you don’t you will be oppressed in some way.
His strengths are that he’s spent his life in the real world of currency trading and derivatives where men are real men.
Consequently he:
A) is richer than astronauts and doesn’t really need the job, which means he
B) seems relaxed about things, doesn’t mind laving a laugh, and doesn’t take the job too seriously like some of those other stuffy politicians who have been in politics for long enough to know what they’re doing.
Like David Brent, he sees himself less as a boss and more as a “chilled out entertainer.”
Problem is if you remind people constantly that he is loaded then the question gets asked – why would he want to be primeminister with the huge workload and annoying problems?
It has to be either a) he genuinely wants to make a difference and make NZ a better place or b) Its all about ego.
Most normal people come to the conclusion that if it was ego one term would have done and he would be lording it up in the sun somewhere by now.
(d) his bosses have promised him something rilly good the longer he stays the distance.
(e) his contract states that he has to stay in the job even if he screws up and looks like a complete twat (the bosses have a bigger agenda, and making NZ a better place isn’t on it. Making NZ a better place isn’t even on the same planet).
KK, the answer is b), that and his misplaced ‘ambushin’. Rember the hilarious video clip “Ambitious for New Zealand”? He was also ambushus for his busnuss mates and giving them all he can in the position on PM. The reason he’s still here and not lording it up as you suspect he might be if he was only in it for the ego is that he is stuck here. He has no choice. Who else within the Nat Party would be popular enough to be PM? He’s only here because his fading smile and wave ‘charm’ was enough to fool some major suckers at the last election. Just watch his expressions when he’s interviewed on the telly. His face his full of contempt, boredom and indifference. He’s here because he has to be, not because he wants to be.
How naive are you? It is all about ego, and being a one-term PM is not good for anyone’s ego. If you want to sit around the table with the other bigshots and lord it about that you were the PM of a small South Pacific banana republic, you can’t just say you did it for one term.
At least two, minimum. One term is a failure in politics. Three, ideally, but I don’t think Key can hang on that long. He’s publicly longing for golf courses and holidays, so he’s not much longer for being forced to defend John Banks and being bothered by the details of governing.
KK: “Problem is if you remind people constantly that he is loaded then the question gets asked – why would he want to be primeminister with the huge workload and annoying problems?
It has to be either a) he genuinely wants to make a difference and make NZ a better place or b) Its all about ego.”
Err no, those are the only two reasons you can think of.
But even if that were the case, you apparently didn’t read my comment as far as “B)”. I’m pointing to the fact that he doesn’t seem to give a shit about the job, the bit in “A)” about him not needing to be there was just a possible part explanation as to why he doesn’t seem to give a shit.
Of course yours is a typical response from a two-bit tory. As soon as I mention that someone has a few bucks you stop reading because that’s about all you could imagine being relevant.
Well he has to get “Have movie made of my life” ticked off the CV. So this is probably to arrange the hand over of Kim to the forces of evil. So he can get the movie made…
One would hope Key would suggest that Hollywood come here in order to make seriously truthful DOCUMENTARIES covering the messes under his reign – tons of work there, they could make a whole series.
Or maybe Hollywood are planing to do a modern day remake of Laurel & Hardy. Calling it John & Bill, so the phrase ” Well here’s another nice mess youve gotten me into” can be used in abundance with absolute truth and conviction.
Yesterday, Mr Meurant said he believed charges should be laid over the GCSB’s actions.
However, that would not happen, he said. A long-standing police culture of avoiding court scrutiny over serious matters had now become entrenched in other agencies, including the GCSB.
“They will avoid at all costs having to account for their actions before a court of law. They’ll put the preservation of themselves above the rule of law.
“The probability of the state being called to account for this shocking behaviour is zero.”
I think NZ may be starting to wake up to how corrupt some of our institutions actually are.
Mill- ” If Nature (red in tooth and claw-Tennyson) and Man are both the work of a Being of perfect goodness, that being intended Nature as a scheme to be AMENDED, not imitated, by man”
“that is precisely what the rabbis had in mind when they spoke of people becoming “God’s partner in the work of creation” -Sacks
The Secretary of Cabinet has been appointed to carry out a capability, governance and performance review of the Government Communications Security Bureau after it was found to be spying on Kim Dotcom illegally.
Chief executive of the department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Andrew Kibblewhite Director of the GCSB Ian Fletcher announced today that Secretary of Cabinet Rebecca Kitteridge will be seconded immediately to the GCSB for an initial period of up to three months in the new role of Associate director of the Bureau.
Ms Kitteridge will be responsible to the director of the GCSB for the immediate review.
Ms Kitteridge’s responsibilities will include:
# Review the systems, processes and capabilities underpinning the GCSB’s collection and reporting,
# Build capability and provide assurance to the GCSB director that the compliance framework has been reviewed, improved and is fit for purpose.
# She will establish new, specific approval processes for activity in support of police and other law enforcement agencies.
Ms Kitteridge was appointed as secretary of the Cabinet and clerk of the executive council in April 2008.
She is a senior public servant who is responsible for the security and integrity of the Cabinet decision-making system and the New Zealand Royal Honours systems.
She provides advice on ethics and conduct in relation to Ministers of the Crown, and is a key constitutional advisor to the Governor-General and the Prime Minister of the day.
Ms Kitteridge is a lawyer and a focus in private practice was on legal compliance for corporate entities.
Since joining the public service she has specialised in constitutional matters at both the Cabinet Office and in the legal division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. While in Cabinet Office she has advised four Prime Ministers and four Governors-General.
Sorry to quote it in full, but thought is was not too long to do so.
While Ms Ketteridge’s qualifications etc appear ideal for the job of an internal revamp of the agency, it remains to be seen as to whether this will satisfy calls for a fully independent review of the circumstances and issues leading to the review (the GCSB’s involvement in the KDC fiasco, and that of Ministers including the PM) or public reporting on these.
Absolutely, Ianmac. This is an attempt to head the latter off at the pass – I doubt that it will succeed and IMO it shouldn’t.
I usually avoid watching Key on TV but watched the Breakfast interview this morning with Key trying to make light of the whole issue – and twisting one or two points. For example, he quite deliberately (IMO) misquoted what happened when Wormald was questioned in court by stating that KDC’s lawyer asked whether the GCSB had been involved. Davidson did not – he asked whether any other agencies were involved and did not name the GCSB specifically. Although the seating arrangement was such that the two were not looking directly at the cameras, not once did Key actually look directly at the camera.
Not looking at the camera, Scared of Daemons.
Shouldn’t have done that boody w’craft aye John Key?.
Little Coven feeling a bit Headachey are they ?
How bout you Gerry?
Maybe yas should watch “The Men Who Stare At Goats” again.
I’ve had several people complain about it now. Generally they have fixed with cookie cleanups or reinstalls.
I did see it yesterday – it showed up on my workstation at home. Spent an entertaining hour trying to track down the source and what it affects.
As far as I can tell it appears to be a problem only with desktop Chrome. I tested across multiple platforms while it was showing up on the workstation. Doesn’t show up on firefox or rekong on my workstation. Didn’t show up in IE, chrome, firefox, or safari on my laptop’s vista boot. Nor on chrome or anything else on laptops ubuntu boot. Nor on iOS safari or chrome. Nor on chrome of safari on Lyn’s OS/X….
Testing with remote website test tools operating as multiple different browsers and operating systems didn’t reveal it.
The chrome debugger didn’t reveal the source problem – and nor did any other diagnostic tool. It was happening on many pages which tends to indicate that it was for the whole site (rather than linked to a specific image).
Cache clearing chrome on the workstation didn’t clear it. What eventually removed the problem was clearing the cookies on chrome on the workstation. I can’t tell you which one as I cleared the lot and the damn problem disappeared. Checking the new cookies did not reveal anything obvious.
The only redirection that are in the code for the site at the server level is from http://www.thestandard.org.nz to thestandard.org.nz and for the advertising. The latter is where I think that the problem probably is. But it is probably for a specific advert….
I have only seen it on one system so far so I’m waiting for it to reproduce so I can go through the cookies in more detail.
It started happening to me after I made a “Reply” comment.
It maybe something to do with scrolling to the comment in the thread after posting a Reply perhaps?
I always laugh at obituaries for capitalism and finance: they are always premature. A better way of looking at it are for signs of senescence, or a zombie state. Europe is a financial zombie.
Today Europe is a ghost train economically, lots of screamy scary unreal things in the dark…then you come out into the light and see reality, very scary indeed. Be very worried.
The giant consumer goods company Unilever has announced that it has begun employing its “third-world” marketing strategy in Europe. This is eloquent testimony to the growing social inequality now besetting the continent.
Jan Zijderveld, head of European operations, stated bluntly that the decision had been made because “poverty is returning to Europe”.
It is possible to manage the exchange rate, John Key a liar
“The primary objective of monetary policy is to ensure low inflation as a
sound basis for sustained economic growth. In Singapore, monetary policy
is centered on the management of the exchange rate, rather than money
supply or interest rates. This reflects the fact that, in the small and open
Singapore economy, the exchange rate is the most effective tool in
maintaining price stability.2”
IMF Working Paper
Asia and Pacific Department
Singapore’s Unique Monetary Policy: How Does It Work?
Prepared by Eric Parrado1
Authorized for distribution by Joshua Felman
January 2004
I believe Singapore are actively involved in managing their exchange rate, by buying and selling foreign and local currencies?
When people (John Key) say that it’s impossible to manage the exchange rate, what they really mean is “pegging the exchange rate is too expensive for a country like New Zealand”. Perhaps Singapore can do it because they started much earlier and have closer trade routes etc – certainly they’d get economy of scale for infrastructure in a way that NZ just can’t match.
Cunliffe has recently highlighted that there are many many different policy options that range from our current policy framework all the way to simple currency pegging and that using such broad language to imply nothing except our currency policy works is wrong.
Singapore considering the imposition of stricter controls on the inflow of migrant workers to reduce the impact on struggling infrastructure and to attempt to raise the wages of citizens-WSJ
While I was out and about during the weekend I heard a man talking to his young children in maori, in a shop, nothing special going on, completely unselfconscious, natural as you or anyone else uses their own dialect. Sounds considerably different to the stuff heard at official meetings or on TV. I can’t remember the last time I heard anything like it, here in the middle of Auckland. Dunno if they thought it special, maybe never considered it, but it made me feel like the world had made a change for the better.
While I was out and about during the weekend I heard a man talking to his young children in maori, in a shop, nothing special going on, completely unselfconscious, natural as you or anyone else uses their own dialect.
When I lived in the BofP decades ago, I used to hear that all the time! One on occasion, when my son and I were waiting at the bus station, we were the only people speaking English!
“1st October Press Release National Day of Action Sep 30 by againstwelfarereforms
National Day of Action Against Welfare Reforms, National Press Release
“If you are neutral in situations of injustice , you have chosen the side of the oppressor”.
Bishop Desmond Tutu
The aim of the National Day of Action against Welfare Reform on the 5th of oct 2012 is to hold The NZ National Party accountable for implementing detrimental welfare policies that stigmatise and vilify the poor also to expose the unethical tactics used to fast track legislation of these policies. In April 2012 Chief Human Rights Commissioner David Rutherford criticised the submissions process, saying “the constrained timeframe of just 11 working days undermined the principles of democracy”.
Because of this we believe they are in breach of the NZ Bill of Rights Act in May 23, this year Green MP Jan Logie made these comments
“It has been noted that the proposed welfare reforms will breach ICESCR (International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights) articles 2,3,4,6,9,10,11 and 12 and concerns have been raised by the Human Rights Commission and many others noting breaches to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Convention of Elimination of All forms of Discrimination against Women, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People.”
New Zealand deserves integrity and honesty from its leaders. We request not only an enquiry but also more dialogue and transparency from NZ Government also that the Attorney General’s Report in to these matters be released to the public as we believe the Welfare Reform Bill to be invalid not only for human rights breaches
but also for the breach of Article 2 of the Treaty
We believe the National party has utilised beneficiaries as the scapegoats of NZ which is unfair considering the tax cuts that they gave to the rich and there is already subsidised contraception available at family planning clinics the only real solution to poverty is education not vilification. Studies have proven that raising children is the equivalent of having 2 fulltime jobs.
This day is not only about dignity for all New Zealand families whether rich or poor it is also about the challenge to save ethics and humanity in New Zealand.
Just heard one of the best Radio NZ political jousts between Mike Williams and Matthew Hooton.
Red Alert!
Guess what the new Nat.strategy is…re-the undermining of the Labour Party. Hooton has given it away:
Drive a deep wedge between the Shearer and Cunliffe leadership camps by spreading false memes!!
He claimed today that Cunliffe has spent all year undermining David Shearer. It’s bull-shit, crap and anything else you may wish to call it. My observation suggests the truth is the opposite.
Matthew sweetheart… you insult the most highly intelligent member of parliament we have in this country. Is he going to be so foolish as to try on a trick like that? No, he is not.
Message to fellow Labour supporters (past and present): DON’T fall into the trap!
Can someone put the link up when it becomes available?
I dunno – methinks he doth protest too much. Act all scared of Cunliffe makes C look more like the big gun in Labour. This encourages division within labour demanding that Shearer be dumped to unleash Cunliffe (like we see here every so often).
I reckon that Labour under Shearer is making steady progress, enough so that replacing Shearer with Cunliffe might mean that Cunliffe’s possible greater skill at gathering votes still won’t make up the ground from a “redo from start” change in leadership and policy approach.
But then again, maybe Hooten really is worried about Cunliffe. Sometimes it can be so difficult to tell the difference between a stupid prick and a cunning bastard…
Anne, As I have said many a time the likes of O Sullivan, prat Hooten and the fuckwits on the right are shit scared of Cunliffe as they know he will take it to them. That is why they are “supportive” of Shearer as he is not a threat to their cosy fuckwit make belief right wing world.
“Yep. Just a cheap political stunt from Labour. Just ignore them. I ignore them and concentrate on the important stuff, like how to improve Planet Key,” smirked John Key as he boarded the Warner Brothers private jet.
And Anne. Notice how Mr Hooton managed to slip in the “Dotcom of course has some criminal convictions etc.” Suggests that even Hooton sees Mr Dotcom as a threat.
The way I see it, we have three Davids – David S, David C and David P. Each one brings to the Labour table their own particular talents. All three are exceptionately intelligent and it’s the job of the parliamentary team to harness those talents in the interest of the Party and not themselves.
In the end, it may not really matter which one is the leader. That is why I think Labour supporters – including some of the parliamentarians – need to stop airing their differences of opinion where the leadership is concerned. As evidenced by Hooton on Radio NZ today, all they are doing is playing into the hands of the Nat. strategy team.
I sincerely hope the ABC club has disbanded… never to be formed again!
Bored Unlucky 13!
Gee I always look for you and a few others so I can see something pithy well thought out interesting informative sourced etc. What about being a guest blogger from time to time about things of your particular interest and where others will involve in reasoned discussion (not on feminism and slutwalks for instance). I value getting an overview from people like you here, there are too many that just drop a short opinion with unswerving confidence in its sanctity like small gods. I thought of stopping then I thought I’ve been wasting time debating ideologies and like banging brick walls, it is so much nicer when you stop.
I’ve decided that the intention of the blog is good, the opportunity to communicate items of concern and interest on Open Mike and the authored threads is good, the moderation is good, control good without being too heavy. I don’t have a source of intelligent political conversation other than here, and I like to say a rude word now and then here which frightens the horses if I let fly on the daily round. So I thought I would continue but try to be careful on use of time. (Making a point, with accompanying links, eats up my half hours and it’s possible that no one is interested at that time on that day.)
The blog puts out ideas, explains and supports them during discussion which is great. Mummified ideas though get preserved for ever and no fresh air can enter. But the most of the commenters are people who are thoughtful and bear to look around, behind, rethink – the past, present and the possible future. People who are good to read have dropped off from blogging here for many reasons no doubt, but they are missed.
Prism agreed. Those who were the giving comments from the point of view of those opposed to the “Left”, were well worth the effort even though some hammered them for their different viewpoint. To see the World as others see it is valuable don’t you think especially for those like me who only know little bits of Life.
Bored Just a thought. I referred to guest blogging but even just dropping in regularly as BLIP and ianmac and Jim Nald do would be good. Hope to see you back in a while.
I know that feeling of time seeping away blogging (or usenet or BBS) though. It usually pays to back off for a while and think about how you’re using the systems. I do it regularly three or four times a decade.
Agreed with everyone else. I always enjoy your thought provoking independent comments. Have a break and come back when you want. Personas are built with care and should not be wasted.
Darn, you were always one of the commenters here that I held with higher regard than others (no skim reading at all). Proud leftwingism from a business perspective is hard to come across and you will be sorely missed. All the best for the future Bored, with a bit of luck we will cross fishing lines one day.
I want to relisten to that interview as I was otherwise preoccupied at the time but Helen stopped me in my tracks with her first comments (praising Key etc) and then went on to set out her opinions very succinctly IMO. Listening to Key subsequently trying to justify his visit to Hollywood left me with yet another Tui moment. Presumably we (NZ taxpayers) are paying for this trip including his entourage.
Shearer – would have fumbled and mumbled. Nice guy but out of his depth.
Most appropriate for the PM’s second name to be eponymous with the country’s celebrated beer brand that is known for the world-famous-in-NZ billboards.
Its strapline can, likewise, be lent to John Tui to read:
“Distracting the nation from the task at hand since 2008”
Which edit window? The tinyMCE one? If so then it is likely to be fixed in the next release of WordPress (looked at beta 1 this weekend) which will be phrasing in the latest version of tinyMCE library. Much of which is fixes for various vagaries of browsers. The ETA for that is in a few months. The main use of tinyMCE is for authors editor. The one on the comments is mostly there as a convenience.
Which version of which browser and OS? If it is Internet Explorer then you will find that I really only support version 8 or later and don’t like that much either. IE is less than 30% of the browsers us on the site at present and less than 15% for it’s most popular variant under the IE name.
By pressing one arrow key getch will push tree values into the buffer:
•’33’
•'[‘
•’A’, ‘B’, ‘C’ or ‘D’
So the code will be something like this:
if (getch() == ’33’) { // if the first value is esc
getch(); // skip the [
switch(getch()) { // the real value
case ‘A’
// code for arrow up
break;
case ‘B’:
// code for arrow down
break;
case ‘C’:
// code for arrow right
break;
case ‘D’
// code for arrow left
break;
}
}
ya should drop the ‘ around th escape code it returns an int.
the rest should be ok, from memory the other codes just go up the alphabet
If ya want to find one just use a
while(1) { printf(“%c,%c,%c”, getch();getch();getch();); }
In a sh or bash or whatever shell
pearl would do
use wisely ObiOne the above is a keyboard grabber! if ya use add check for enter
What version of what browser and what OS? Which icons are jiggling?
Almost all the JS and CSS there is direct from Facebook which changes it from their side for the recommend.. The code for the other icons has been in since 2010. It is likely that you’re getting browser problems. I’d suggest checking with Firefox.
Can’t see any problems in Chrome, Firefox, IE7, and safari on Linux, mac or windows.
ie 9.0.8 , windows 7 and the “Share this article block down below the comment window
(the whole thing disapears and re appera a couple of times)
I haven’t tried FFox since the reinstall
Just kept using IE9
Refeesh the page at the top and press the end key too see the behaviour.
Doesn’t happen in FFox
I haven’t had any reports of oddities in IE9 since the betas last year. Tested the release 9.08.something on vista over Xmas. Have you rebooted your system. IE’s JavaScript is a bit notorious for state engine issues that cure themselves after reboots.
Back to our rehabilitated panel speakers who bravely shared with the audience their unique efforts to turn their lives around. Josh from Te Ara Hou, a drug and alcohol residential treatment centre in South Auckland, makes a commitment to “walk recovery every day”. Ben, who used to “always look over the fence and wonder what it’ll be like”, is now discovering “a totally different buzz” as a peer support worker at Te Ara Hou while Ray, a recent graduate from the centre, says his strength comes from needing to find who he is. And Matt, who “didn’t think [he’d] be here today”, is now Treatment Advocate and an expert in long-term recovery programmes. The most compelling stories told were not of what these individuals did to break the law but the strength with which they willed to overcome their addictions and live a meaningful life.
Seems like a good idea. Instead of treating people as criminals treat them as people and give them the necessary support to turn their lives around.
Open access notablesIce acceleration and rotation in the Greenland Ice Sheet interior in recent decades, Løkkegaard et al., Communications Earth & Environment:In the past two decades, mass loss from the Greenland ice sheet has accelerated, partly due to the speedup of glaciers. However, uncertainty in speed derived from satellite products ...
Buzz from the Beehive A statement from Children’s Minister Karen Chhour – yet to be posted on the Government’s official website – arrived in Point of Order’s email in-tray last night. It welcomes the High Court ruling on whether the Waitangi Tribunal can demand she appear before it. It does ...
Mr Bombastic:Ironically, the media the academic experts wanted is, in many ways, the media they got. In place of the tyrannical editors of yesteryear, advancing without fear or favour the interests of the ruling class; the New Zealand news media of today boasts a troop of enlightened journalists dedicated to ...
It's hard times try to make a livingYou wake up every morning in the unforgivingOut there somewhere in the cityThere's people living lives without mercy or pityI feel good, yeah I'm feeling fineI feel better then I have for the longest timeI think these pills have been good for meI ...
In 1974, the US Supreme Court issued its decision in United States v. Nixon, finding that the President was not a King, but was subject to the law and was required to turn over the evidence of his wrongdoing to the courts. It was a landmark decision for the rule ...
Every day now just seems to bring in more fresh meat for the grinder.In their relentlessly ideological drive to cut back on the “excessive bloat” (as they see it) of the previous Labour-led government, on the mountains of evidence accumulated in such a short period of time do not ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Megan Valére SosouMarket gardening site of the Itchèléré de Itagui agricultural cooperative in Dassa-Zoumè (Image credit: Megan Valère Sossou) For the residents of Dassa-Zoumè, a city in the West African country of Benin, choosing between drinking water and having enough ...
Buzz from the Beehive Melissa Lee – as may be discerned from the screenshot above – has not been demoted for doing something seriously wrong as Minister of ...
Morning in London Mother hugs beloved daughter outside the converted shoe factory in which she is living.Afternoon in London Travelling writer takes himself and his wrist down to A&E, just to be sure. Read more ...
Mike Grimshaw writes – The recent announcement of the University Advisory Group, chaired by Sir Peter Gluckman, makes very clear where the Government’s focus and priorities lie. The remit of the Advisory Group is that Group members will consider challenges and opportunities for improvement in the university sector including: ...
Eric Crampton writes – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand desperately wants to find reasons to have workstreams in climate change. It makes little sense. They’ve run another stress test on the banks looking to see if they could find a prudential regulation case. They couldn’t. They ...
Rob MacCullough writes – Pundits from the left and the right are arguing that National’s Fast Track Bill that is designed to speed up infrastructure decisions could end up becoming mired in a cesspool of corruption. Political commentator ...
Looking at the headlines this morning it’s hard to feel anything other than pessimistic about the future of humanity.Note that I’m not speaking about the future of mankind, but the survival of our humanity. The values that we believe in seem to be ebbing away, by the day.Perhaps every generation ...
Swabbing mixed breed baby chicks to test for avian influenzaUh oh. Bird flu – often deadly to humans – is not only being transmitted from infected birds to dairy cows, but is now travelling between dairy cows. As of last Friday, Bloomberg News reports, there were 32 American dairy herds ...
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 ...
What is it with the mining industry? Its not enough for them to pillage the earth - they apparently can't even be bothered getting resource consent to do so: The proponent behind a major mine near the Clutha River had already been undertaking activity in the area without a ...
Photo # 1 I am a huge fan of Singapore’s approach to housing, as described here two years ago by copying and pasting from The ConversationWhat Singapore has that Australia does not is a public housing developer, the Housing Development Board, which puts new dwellings on public and reclaimed land, ...
Buzz from the Beehive Reactions to news of the government’s readiness to make urgent changes to “the resource management system” through a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) suggest a balanced approach is being taken. The Taxpayers’ Union says the proposed changes don’t go far enough. Greenpeace says ...
I’m starting to wonder if Anna Burns-Francis might be the best political interviewer we’ve got. That might sound unlikely to you, it came as a bit of a surprise to me.Jack Tame can be excellent, but has some pretty average days. I like Rebecca Wright on Newshub, she asks good ...
Chris Trotter writes – Willie Jackson is said to be planning a “media summit” to discuss “the state of the media and how to protect Fourth Estate Journalism”. Not only does the Editor of The Daily Blog, Martyn Bradbury, think this is a good idea, but he has also ...
Graeme Edgeler writes – This morning [April 21], the Wellington High Court is hearing a judicial review brought by Hon. Karen Chhour, the Minister for Children, against a decision of the Waitangi Tribunal. This is unusual, judicial reviews are much more likely to brought against ministers, rather than ...
Both of Parliament’s watchdogs have now ripped into the Government’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s political economy and beyond on the morning of Tuesday, April 23 are:The Lead: The Auditor General,John Ryan, has joined the ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Sarah SpengemanPeople wait to board an electric bus in Pune, India. (Image credit: courtesy of ITDP) Public transportation riders in Pune, India, love the city’s new electric buses so much they will actually skip an older diesel bus that ...
The infrastructure industry yesterday issued a “hurry up” message to the Government, telling it to get cracking on developing a pipeline of infrastructure projects.The hiatus around the change of Government has seen some major projects cancelled and others delayed, and there is uncertainty about what will happen with the new ...
Hi,Over the weekend I revisited a podcast I really adore, Dead Eyes. It’s about a guy who got fired from Band of Brothers over two decades ago because Tom Hanks said he had “dead eyes”.If you don’t recall — 2001’s Band of Brothers was part of the emerging trend of ...
Buzz from the Beehive The 180 or so recipients of letters from the Government telling them how to submit infrastructure projects for “fast track” consideration includes some whose project applications previously have been rejected by the courts. News media were quick to feature these in their reports after RMA Reform Minister Chris ...
It would not be a desirable way to start your holiday by breaking your back, your head, or your wrist, but on our first hour in Singapore I gave it a try.We were chatting, last week, before we started a meeting of Hazel’s Enviro Trust, about the things that can ...
Calling all journalists, academics, planners, lawyers, political activists, environmentalists, and other members of the public who believe that the relationships between vested interests and politicians need to be scrutinised. We need to work together to make sure that the new Fast-Track Approvals Bill – currently being pushed through by the ...
Feel worried. Shane Jones and a couple of his Cabinet colleagues are about to be granted the power to override any and all objections to projects like dams, mines, roads etc even if: said projects will harm biodiversity, increase global warming and cause other environmental harms, and even if ...
Bryce Edwards writes- The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. ...
Michael Bassett writes – If you think there is a move afoot by the radical Maori fringe of New Zealand society to create a parallel system of government to the one that we elect at our triennial elections, you aren’t wrong. Over the last few days we have ...
Without a corresponding drop in interest rates, it’s doubtful any changes to the CCCFA will unleash a massive rush of home buyers. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate on Monday, April 22 included:The Government making a ...
Sunday was a lazy day. I started watching Jack Tame on Q&A, the interviews are usually good for something to write about. Saying the things that the politicians won’t, but are quite possibly thinking. Things that are true and need to be extracted from between the lines.As you might know ...
In our Weekly Roundup last week we covered news from Auckland Transport that the WX1 Western Express is going to get an upgrade next year with double decker electric buses. As part of the announcement, AT also said “Since we introduced the WX1 Western Express last November we have seen ...
TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 29 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Stats NZ releases its statutory report on Census 2023 tomorrow.Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivers a pre-Budget speech at ...
A listing of 29 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 14, 2024 thru Sat, April 20, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week hinges on these words from the abstract of a fresh academic ...
The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. The Government says this will ...
This is a column to say thank you. So many of have been in touch since Mum died to say so many kind and thoughtful things. You’re wonderful, all of you. You’ve asked how we’re doing, how Dad’s doing. A little more realisation each day, of the irretrievable finality of ...
Identifying the engine type in your car is crucial for various reasons, including maintenance, repairs, and performance upgrades. Knowing the specific engine model allows you to access detailed technical information, locate compatible parts, and make informed decisions about modifications. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to ...
Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
Introduction Automobiles have become ubiquitous in modern society, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of economic growth and personal mobility. With countless vehicles traversing roads and highways worldwide, it begs the question: how many cars are there in the world? Determining the precise number is a ...
Maintaining a safe and reliable vehicle requires regular inspections. Whether it’s a routine maintenance checkup or a safety inspection, knowing how long the process will take can help you plan your day accordingly. This article delves into the factors that influence the duration of a car inspection and provides an ...
Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., and began producing vehicles in 1931. Mazda is primarily known for its production of passenger cars, but ...
Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the RuleIf you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
Mazda, a Japanese automotive manufacturer with a rich history of innovation and engineering excellence, has emerged as a formidable player in the global car market. Known for its reputation of producing high-quality, fuel-efficient, and driver-oriented vehicles, Mazda has consistently garnered praise from industry experts and consumers alike. In this article, ...
Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
Car registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...
Zoom is a video conferencing service that allows you to share your screen, webcam, and audio with other participants. In addition to sharing your own audio, you can also share the audio from your computer with other participants. This can be useful for playing music, sharing presentations with audio, or ...
Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
Sleep mode is a power-saving state that allows your computer to quickly resume operation without having to boot up from scratch. This can be useful if you need to step away from your computer for a short period of time but don’t want to shut it down completely. There are ...
Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
In today’s digital age, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the vast array of portable computing options available, iPads and tablet computers stand out as two prominent contenders. While both offer similar functionalities, there are subtle yet significant differences between these two devices. This ...
A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...
Voice Memos is a convenient app on your iPhone that allows you to quickly record and store audio snippets. These recordings can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as taking notes, capturing ideas, or recording interviews. While you can listen to your voice memos on your iPhone, you ...
Laptop screens are essential for interacting with our devices and accessing information. However, when lines appear on the screen, it can be frustrating and disrupt productivity. Understanding the underlying causes of these lines is crucial for finding effective solutions. Types of Screen Lines Horizontal lines: Also known as scan ...
Right-clicking is a common and essential computer operation that allows users to access additional options and settings. While most desktop computers have dedicated right-click buttons on their mice, laptops often do not have these buttons due to space limitations. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to right-click ...
Powering up and shutting down your ASUS laptop is an essential task for any laptop user. Locating the power button can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you’re new to ASUS laptops. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on where to find the power button on different ASUS laptop ...
Dell laptops are renowned for their reliability, performance, and versatility. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who needs a reliable computing device, a Dell laptop can meet your needs. However, if you’re new to Dell laptops, you may be wondering how to get started. In this comprehensive ...
Two-thirds of the country think that “New Zealand’s economy is rigged to advantage the rich and powerful”. They also believe that “New Zealand needs a strong leader to take the country back from the rich and powerful”. These are just two of a handful of stunning new survey results released ...
In today’s digital world, screenshots have become an indispensable tool for communication and documentation. Whether you need to capture an important email, preserve a website page, or share an error message, screenshots allow you to quickly and easily preserve digital information. If you’re an Asus laptop user, there are several ...
A factory reset restores your Gateway laptop to its original factory settings, erasing all data, apps, and personalizations. This can be necessary to resolve software issues, remove viruses, or prepare your laptop for sale or transfer. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to factory reset your Gateway laptop: Method 1: ...
“You talking about me?”The neoliberal denigration of the past was nowhere more unrelenting than in its depiction of the public service. The Post Office and the Railways were held up as being both irremediably inefficient and scandalously over-manned. Playwright Roger Hall’s “Glide Time” caricatures were presented as accurate depictions of ...
Roger Partridge writes – When the Coalition Government took office last October, it inherited a country on a precipice. With persistent inflation, decades of insipid productivity growth and crises in healthcare, education, housing and law and order, it is no exaggeration to suggest New Zealand’s first-world status was ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – In 2022, the Curriculum Centre at the Ministry of Education employed 308 staff, according to an Official Information Request. Earlier this week it was announced 202 of those staff were being cut. When you look up “The New Zealand Curriculum” on the Ministry of ...
Chris Bishop’s bill has stirred up a hornets nest of opposition. Photo: Lynn Grieveson for The KākāTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate from the last day included:A crescendo of opposition to the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill is ...
Monday left me brokenTuesday, I was through with hopingWednesday, my empty arms were openThursday, waiting for love, waiting for loveThe end of another week that left many of us asking WTF? What on earth has NZ gotten itself into and how on earth could people have voluntarily signed up for ...
Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.State of humanity, 20242024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?Full story Share ...
Determining the hardest sport in the world is a subjective matter, as the difficulty level can vary depending on individual abilities, physical attributes, and experience. However, based on various factors including physical demands, technical skills, mental fortitude, and overall accomplishment, here is an exploration of some of the most challenging ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
The Government’s newly announced review of methane emissions reduction targets hints at its desire to delay Aotearoa New Zealand’s urgent transition to a climate safe future, the Green Party said. ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 - ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra In the free-for-all between the Australian government and Big Tech boss Elon Musk this week, the government had to be on a winner. Most people would have little sympathy with Musk’s vociferous opposition to ...
Asia Pacific Report Chief Mandla Mandela, a member of the National Assembly of South Africa and Nelson Mandela’s grandson, has joined the Freedom Flotilla in istanbul as the ships prepare to sail for Gaza, reports Kia Ora Gaza. Mandela is also the ambassador for the Global Campaign to Return to ...
Pacific Media Watch Journalists who report on environmental issues are encountering growing difficulties in many parts of the world, reports Reporters Without Borders. According to the tally kept by RSF, 200 journalists have been subjected to threats and physical violence, including murder, in the past 10 years because they were ...
Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards, Democracy Project (https://democracyproject.nz)Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra BagzhanSadvakassov/Upsplash, CC BY-SA Australia’s inflation rate has fallen for the fifth successive quarter, and it’s now less than half of what it was back in late 2022. ...
ACT's Rural Communities and Veterans spokesman Mark Cameron responds to cancellations and protests of ANZAC Day commemorations in Wellington. He says, "These pitiful attempts to detract from ANZAC Day are not at all indicative of the feelings of mainstream ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meighen McCrae, Associate Professor of Strategic & Defence Studies, Australian National University American and Australian stretcher bearers working together near the front line during the Battle of Hamel in 1918.Australian War Memorial While the AUKUS alliance is new, the Australian-American partnership ...
Pōneke based peace activists staged a silent protest at the ANZAC day service to highlight New Zealand’s complicity in war and genocide, and urge the government to take concrete steps to stop the genocide in Palestine. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Magdalena M.E. Bunbury, Postdoctoral Researcher, James Cook University Burial with a horse at the Rákóczifalva site, Hungary (8th century AD).Sándor Hegedűs, Hungarian National Museum, CC BY How do we understand past societies? For centuries, our main sources of information have been ...
Amanda Thompson doesn’t really do Anzac Day. But what she does do is remember the people she knew who had a lifetime to remember stuff they didn’t really want to, because of a war they didn’t ask for. And she does make Anzac biscuits.First published in 2021.All my ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kathryn Willis, Postdoctoral Researcher, CSIRO Xavier Boulenger/Shutterstock In the two decades to 2019, global plastic production doubled. By 2040, plastic manufacturing and processing could consume as much as 20% of global oil production and use up 15% of the annual carbon ...
With our collective remembrance, and steadfast belief in our common humanity, we strengthen our hope and resolve to do what we can to foster dialogue and understanding, and to heal divisions in our pursuit of peace. ...
Principal reasons for the opposition is the loss of the public’s democratic right to have “a fair say” and the vital need for a government free from corruption, said Casey Cravens of Dunedin, president of the New Zealand Federation of Freshwater ...
Never mind the scoreboard – in the 2000 Bledisloe Cup decider, the real trans-Tasman battle was won before kickoff.First published in 2016. The dawn of the new millennium was a dark time for the All Blacks. Their final game pre-Y2K was a 22-18 loss to South Africa in the ...
I’m on the wrong side of 40, I never pursued creative work and now my job is killing my soul. Help! Want Hera’s help? Email your problem to helpme@thespinoff.co.nzDear Hera,May I start with the least original conversation opener you’re likely to hear around the motu at the moment, particularly in Wellington: ...
“Never again - No AUKUS” was the message of the wreath laid at this morning’s national ANZAC Day commemorative service at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park this morning by the Stop AUKUS group. ...
Until this month, Auckland swimmer Hazel Ouwehand had never met a qualifying time in an Olympic event for a New Zealand team, even as a junior. Now she’s very likely off to the Paris Olympics after swimming well under the qualifying standard in the 100m butterfly twice – both in ...
While Anzac Day has experienced a resurgence in recent years, our other day of remembrance has slowly faded from view.The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand. Original illustrations by Hope McConnell.First published in 2022.The high school’s head girl and ...
Australian and New Zealand volunteers fought together in the Waikato War, yet still its place in the Anzac tradition is unacknowledged by our defence forces or Returned Services Association.First published in 2018.When I was a boy cub I attended Anzac Day services in the South Auckland suburb of ...
A poem by Wellington writer Tayi Tibble.Hoki Mai She kisses him goodbye with her eyes still wet and alight from their last swim in the Awatere river. At the train station celebration, she leads the Kapa Haka but her voice keeps breaking under and over itself like waves. ...
A poem from Bill Manhire’s 2017 book of verse Some Things to Place in a Coffin.My World War I Poem Inside each trench, the sound of prayer. Inside each prayer, the sound of digging. Image courtesy of Auckland War Memorial Museum. ...
There are three books I have wolfed down in one sitting over the last two years. Colleen Maria Lenihan’s gorgeous and sad debut Kōhine, Noelle McCarthy’s memoir Grand about becoming her mother and then unbecoming her, and now Hine Toa, a staunch yet gentle self-portrait by living legend Ngāhuia te ...
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question?Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Thursday 25 April appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Asia Pacific Report Students and activist staff at Australia’s University of Sydney (USyd) have set up a Gaza solidarity encampment in support of Palestinians and similar student-led protests in the United States. The camp was pitched as mass graves, crippled hospitals, thousands of civilian deaths and the near-total destruction of ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James B. Dorey, Lecturer in Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong Australian teddy bear bees are cute and fluffy, but get a look at that massive (unbarbed) stinger! James Dorey Photography Most of us have been stung by a bee and we ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jen Roberts, Senior Lecturer, School of Humanities and Social Inquiry, University of Wollongong Aussie~mobs/FlickrVictor Farr, a private in the 1st Infantry Battalion, was among the first to land at Anzac Cove just before dawn on April 25 1915. Victor Farr ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Gregory Moore I had the good fortune to care for the sugar gum at The University of Melbourne’s Burnley Gardens in Victoria where I worked for ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra BagzhanSadvakassov/Upsplash, CC BY-SA Australia’s inflation rate has fallen for the fifth successive quarter, and it’s now less than half of what it was back in late 2022. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rachel Ong ViforJ, ARC Future Fellow & Professor of Economics, Curtin University Just when we think the price of rentals could not get any worse, this week’s Rental Affordability Snapshot by Anglicare has revealed low-income Australians are facing a housing crisis like ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meighen McCrae, Associate Professor of Strategic & Defence Studies, Australian National University American and Australian stretcher bearers working together near the front line during the Battle of Hamel in 1918.Australian War Memorial While the AUKUS alliance is new, the Australian-American partnership ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tracey Holmes, Professorial Fellow in Sport, University of Canberra When the news broke last weekend that 23 Chinese swimmers had tested positive to a banned drug in early 2021 and were allowed to compete at the Tokyo Olympic Games six months later ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cally Jetta, Senior Lecturer and Academic Lead; College for First Nations, University of Southern Queensland Australian War MemorialAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains names and images of deceased people, as well as sensitive historical information ...
RNZ News Melissa Lee has been ousted from New Zealand’s coalition cabinet and stripped of the Media portfolio, and Penny Simmonds has lost the Disability Issues portfolio in a reshuffle. Climate Change and Revenue Minister Simon Watts will take Lee’s spot in cabinet. Simmonds was a minister outside of cabinet. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Lindenmayer, Professor, Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University laurello/Shutterstock Some reports and popular books, such as Bill Gammage’s Biggest Estate on Earth, have argued that extensive areas of Australia’s forests were kept open through frequent burning by ...
Analysis - Christopher Luxon framing the demotion of two ministers as the portfolios getting "too complex" is a charitable way of saying they weren't up to the job. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra With Jim Chalmers’s third budget on May 14, Australians will be looking for some more cost-of-living relief – beyond the tax cuts – although they have been warned extra measures will be modest. As ...
Analysis: Melissa Lee has lost the media portfolio and her spot in Cabinet after multiple failed attempts to find solutions for a media industry in crisis. On Wednesday, the Prime Minister announced Lee would be losing her spot in Cabinet along with her media and communications ministerial portfolio. The job ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Simon Wilmot, Senior Lecturer, Film, Deakin University Among the many Australian who served during the second world war, there is a small group of people whose stories remain largely untold. These are the Muslim men and women who, while small in number, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kelly Saunders, PhD Candidate, University of Canberra There has been much analysis and praise of Justice Michael Lee’s recent judgement in Bruce Lehrmann’s defamation case against Channel Ten. Many people were openly relieved to read Lee’s “forensic” and “nuanced” application of law ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kathy Gibbs, Program Director for the Bachelor of Education, Griffith University zEdward_Indy/Shutterstock Around one in 20 people has attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It’s one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in childhood and often continues into adulthood. ADHD is diagnosed ...
The Fairer Future coalition of anti-poverty groups say Whaikaha must be properly funded going forward, and that to argue that poor financial management of the new Ministry is a red herring by the Prime Minister. ...
The Taxpayers’ Union is today congratulating Hon. Paul Goldsmith on his appointment as Minister for Media and Communications and urges him to rule out state intervention in the private media sector. ...
Asia Pacific Report The West Papuan resistance OPM leader has condemned Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Joe Biden, accusing their countries of “six decades of treachery” over Papuan independence. The open letter was released today by OPM chairman Jeffrey P Bomanak on the eve of ANZAC Day ...
Welcome to The Spinoff Books Confessional, in which we get to know the reading habits and quirks of New Zealanders at large. This week: writer and one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people of 2024, Lauren Groff.The book I wish I’d writtenIf I wish I’d written a ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Fechner, Research Fellow, Social Marketing, Griffith University mavo/Shutterstock Imagine having dinner at a restaurant. The menu offers plant-based meat alternatives made mostly from vegetables, mushrooms, legumes and wheat that mimic meat in taste, texture and smell. Despite being given that ...
“Three Strikes is a dead-end policy proposed by a dead-end government. The Three Strikes law ignores the causes of crime, instead just brutalising people already crushed by the cost of living.” ...
By Don Wiseman, RNZ Pacific senior journalist An Australian-born judge in Kiribati could well face deportation later this week after a tribunal ruling that he should be removed from his post. The tribunal’s report has just been tabled in the Kiribati Parliament and is due to be debated by MPs ...
With its clear mandate for police use, political nuances, and nuanced public trust, Denmark's insights provide valuable considerations for Australia and New Zealand. ...
Books editor Claire Mabey reviews poet Louise Wallace’s debut novel. A famous poet once said to me that he’s always suspicious when a poet publishes a novel. I never really understood why but maybe it’s something to do with cheating on your first form. Louise Wallace is a poet. She’s ...
For a few months at the turn of the millennium, TrueBliss burned bright as the biggest pop stars in the country. Alex Casey chats to two superfans who still hold the flame. During a humble backyard wedding in Nelson, 1999, one of the cordially invited guests had to excuse themselves ...
How will the recent wave of job cuts impact ethnic diversity in the media? In November last year, I was working a very busy day in the newsroom of a large online news site, interviewing whānau about their concerns over the imminent closure of one of the few puna reo ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ruth Knight, Researcher, Queensland University of Technology Have you ever felt sick at work? Perhaps you had food poisoning or the flu. Your belly hurt, or you felt tired, making it hard to concentrate and be productive. How likely would you be ...
Despite heavy criticism and an ongoing select committee process, the Police Minister says the Government will forge ahead with a ban on gang patches. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sam Whiting, Lecturer – Creative Industries, University of South Australia Shutterstock Everyone has a favourite band, or a favourite composer, or a favourite song. There is some music which speaks to you, deeply; and other music which might be the current ...
A new survey says ‘outlook not great’ for those charged with building infrastructure, while RMA changes delight farmers and depress environmentalists, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. First RMA changes announced ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Olli Hellmann, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Waikato Getty Images When New Zealanders commemorate Anzac Day on April 25, it’s not only to honour the soldiers who lost their lives in World War I and subsequent conflicts, but also ...
Waking up and listening to the news and Morning Report, my first thoughts were ‘Timing is everything’ and ‘Karma’.
First – the new/revised/amalgamated search powers under the Search and Surveillance Act come into force today. How appropriately timed in relation to the revelations of the last week in respect of the Kim Dotcom fiasco! Could not have been better timing if it had been planned.
Then, popped onto Stuff and the first headline/article:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/7749691/PMs-Hollywood-trip-will-face-close-political-scrutiny
I had been wondering whether Key would be going to Hawaii or elsewhere overseas during the recess and it seems a quick trip to Hollywood is on the agenda. Again, what a wonderful bit of timing!
The Herald cartoon this morning says it all
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10837551
So a trip back to the mansion via Hollywood to talk to his bosses.
Politics is timing and luck. And Key’s timing here is appalling.
Agreed. Interstingly, the Stuff article has been updated since I first read it and posted it here. The original was very short and simply mentioned the trip,but now covers Key defending the trip and also Key defending English for not telling him about signing the GCSB suppression order.
The latter quotes Key as saying that English only had a “30 second” conversation with the GCSB!
Key today said English had a “30 second” conversation with the spy agency about the certificate but it was not up to his deputy to tell him about it.
“I agree GCSB should have told me when I came back to New Zealand,” he told Radio Live. “Bill English wouldn’t do that. That’s not his job.”
Asked if it should have been part of an update from English, Key said: “A lot of things happen when you are away.”
“He would have assumed, and did assume rightfully so, that there would be a process where the ministry would tell me and they just didn’t.”
If this is how they do business, God help us all. Key should really stop digging the hole.
Yep. Key’s weakness is now being displayed. He is totally disorganised and does not know what is going on and it seems he does not care.
The Nats spent huge amounts of time and effort developing “nanny state”. This was an effective and ultimately successful attack on Helen Clark’s strengths. It subtly but directly attacked her for being in control and for being a childless woman.
I wonder what the Key version is?
Ninny State.
Hi Mickey. Off topic here but Helen Clark chose not to have to children didn’t she? The term ‘childless’ refers to loss: less=loss, which could also imply grief at not having children.
The term being used now and one that I think appropriate is ‘child free’. A person or couple who choose not to have children have not lost what they did not want to start with. Another term is ‘non parenter’ but this sounds a bit naff, (to my ears) Either way its worded being child free still carries enormous stigma in our society, and you’re right, Helen Clark was stigmatised for her child free status for political gain.
It’s another example that NACTs don’t really want to allow people free-choice. They want you to conform to their vision of society and if you don’t you will be oppressed in some way.
Sorry Rosie
Valid points. I used the phrase and did not even think about it.
His strengths are that he’s spent his life in the real world of currency trading and derivatives where men are real men.
Consequently he:
A) is richer than astronauts and doesn’t really need the job, which means he
B) seems relaxed about things, doesn’t mind laving a laugh, and doesn’t take the job too seriously like some of those other stuffy politicians who have been in politics for long enough to know what they’re doing.
Like David Brent, he sees himself less as a boss and more as a “chilled out entertainer.”
Distill that into meme-sized phrasing and repeat.
Problem is if you remind people constantly that he is loaded then the question gets asked – why would he want to be primeminister with the huge workload and annoying problems?
It has to be either a) he genuinely wants to make a difference and make NZ a better place or b) Its all about ego.
Most normal people come to the conclusion that if it was ego one term would have done and he would be lording it up in the sun somewhere by now.
(c) he likes playing the game.
(d) his bosses have promised him something rilly good the longer he stays the distance.
(e) his contract states that he has to stay in the job even if he screws up and looks like a complete twat (the bosses have a bigger agenda, and making NZ a better place isn’t on it. Making NZ a better place isn’t even on the same planet).
No doubt, the answer is e). He’s PM to screw NZ over for his USian masters.
One term doesn’t get you a knighthood, or ‘prove’ that you really are PM material.
KK, the answer is b), that and his misplaced ‘ambushin’. Rember the hilarious video clip “Ambitious for New Zealand”? He was also ambushus for his busnuss mates and giving them all he can in the position on PM. The reason he’s still here and not lording it up as you suspect he might be if he was only in it for the ego is that he is stuck here. He has no choice. Who else within the Nat Party would be popular enough to be PM? He’s only here because his fading smile and wave ‘charm’ was enough to fool some major suckers at the last election. Just watch his expressions when he’s interviewed on the telly. His face his full of contempt, boredom and indifference. He’s here because he has to be, not because he wants to be.
How naive are you? It is all about ego, and being a one-term PM is not good for anyone’s ego. If you want to sit around the table with the other bigshots and lord it about that you were the PM of a small South Pacific banana republic, you can’t just say you did it for one term.
At least two, minimum. One term is a failure in politics. Three, ideally, but I don’t think Key can hang on that long. He’s publicly longing for golf courses and holidays, so he’s not much longer for being forced to defend John Banks and being bothered by the details of governing.
KK: “Problem is if you remind people constantly that he is loaded then the question gets asked – why would he want to be primeminister with the huge workload and annoying problems?
It has to be either a) he genuinely wants to make a difference and make NZ a better place or b) Its all about ego.”
Err no, those are the only two reasons you can think of.
But even if that were the case, you apparently didn’t read my comment as far as “B)”. I’m pointing to the fact that he doesn’t seem to give a shit about the job, the bit in “A)” about him not needing to be there was just a possible part explanation as to why he doesn’t seem to give a shit.
Of course yours is a typical response from a two-bit tory. As soon as I mention that someone has a few bucks you stop reading because that’s about all you could imagine being relevant.
Well he has to get “Have movie made of my life” ticked off the CV. So this is probably to arrange the hand over of Kim to the forces of evil. So he can get the movie made…
One would hope Key would suggest that Hollywood come here in order to make seriously truthful DOCUMENTARIES covering the messes under his reign – tons of work there, they could make a whole series.
Or maybe Hollywood are planing to do a modern day remake of Laurel & Hardy. Calling it John & Bill, so the phrase ” Well here’s another nice mess youve gotten me into” can be used in abundance with absolute truth and conviction.
Speaking of the Dotcom case:
I think NZ may be starting to wake up to how corrupt some of our institutions actually are.
Mill- ” If Nature (red in tooth and claw-Tennyson) and Man are both the work of a Being of perfect goodness, that being intended Nature as a scheme to be AMENDED, not imitated, by man”
“that is precisely what the rabbis had in mind when they spoke of people becoming “God’s partner in the work of creation” -Sacks
Kaitiakitanga
(Tino rangitiratanga; Te mauri ora)
He!
BREAKING NEWS
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10837715
The Secretary of Cabinet has been appointed to carry out a capability, governance and performance review of the Government Communications Security Bureau after it was found to be spying on Kim Dotcom illegally.
Chief executive of the department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Andrew Kibblewhite Director of the GCSB Ian Fletcher announced today that Secretary of Cabinet Rebecca Kitteridge will be seconded immediately to the GCSB for an initial period of up to three months in the new role of Associate director of the Bureau.
Ms Kitteridge will be responsible to the director of the GCSB for the immediate review.
Ms Kitteridge’s responsibilities will include:
# Review the systems, processes and capabilities underpinning the GCSB’s collection and reporting,
# Build capability and provide assurance to the GCSB director that the compliance framework has been reviewed, improved and is fit for purpose.
# She will establish new, specific approval processes for activity in support of police and other law enforcement agencies.
Ms Kitteridge was appointed as secretary of the Cabinet and clerk of the executive council in April 2008.
She is a senior public servant who is responsible for the security and integrity of the Cabinet decision-making system and the New Zealand Royal Honours systems.
She provides advice on ethics and conduct in relation to Ministers of the Crown, and is a key constitutional advisor to the Governor-General and the Prime Minister of the day.
Ms Kitteridge is a lawyer and a focus in private practice was on legal compliance for corporate entities.
Since joining the public service she has specialised in constitutional matters at both the Cabinet Office and in the legal division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. While in Cabinet Office she has advised four Prime Ministers and four Governors-General.
Sorry to quote it in full, but thought is was not too long to do so.
While Ms Ketteridge’s qualifications etc appear ideal for the job of an internal revamp of the agency, it remains to be seen as to whether this will satisfy calls for a fully independent review of the circumstances and issues leading to the review (the GCSB’s involvement in the KDC fiasco, and that of Ministers including the PM) or public reporting on these.
To look at and recommend improvements is good dueto.
But the elephant to us, the inquiry into recent events.
Absolutely, Ianmac. This is an attempt to head the latter off at the pass – I doubt that it will succeed and IMO it shouldn’t.
I usually avoid watching Key on TV but watched the Breakfast interview this morning with Key trying to make light of the whole issue – and twisting one or two points. For example, he quite deliberately (IMO) misquoted what happened when Wormald was questioned in court by stating that KDC’s lawyer asked whether the GCSB had been involved. Davidson did not – he asked whether any other agencies were involved and did not name the GCSB specifically. Although the seating arrangement was such that the two were not looking directly at the cameras, not once did Key actually look directly at the camera.
Not looking at the camera, Scared of Daemons.
Shouldn’t have done that boody w’craft aye John Key?.
Little Coven feeling a bit Headachey are they ?
How bout you Gerry?
Maybe yas should watch “The Men Who Stare At Goats” again.
Thos cats were onto it M8!
It sounds like she is well qualified to get the Job done.
As long as she’s not trying/forced too plaster over ShonKeys crap.
Brilliant cartoon! Someone shared it on Facebook….
Hi LPrent, There seems to be another problem with the site. I’ve been getting an error message:
Clearing cookies does seem to fix it, but I have to do it every day to be able to visit the Standard. Would appreciate you looking into it. Thanks.
yes, me too; thx jackal, thought it was only me !
Is anyone else having trouble with the smilies? I posted in another thread and they didn’t work, but they do in this one…
🙄 😕
[lprent: See my note on http://thestandard.org.nz/a-vision-for-manufacturing/comment-page-1/#comment-528571. In this one you put the roll before the ‘:-?’ which BTW looks like this 😕 ]
😀
Me too. Only happens with Chrome. Gone back to Safari for now.
I’ve had several people complain about it now. Generally they have fixed with cookie cleanups or reinstalls.
I did see it yesterday – it showed up on my workstation at home. Spent an entertaining hour trying to track down the source and what it affects.
As far as I can tell it appears to be a problem only with desktop Chrome. I tested across multiple platforms while it was showing up on the workstation. Doesn’t show up on firefox or rekong on my workstation. Didn’t show up in IE, chrome, firefox, or safari on my laptop’s vista boot. Nor on chrome or anything else on laptops ubuntu boot. Nor on iOS safari or chrome. Nor on chrome of safari on Lyn’s OS/X….
Testing with remote website test tools operating as multiple different browsers and operating systems didn’t reveal it.
The chrome debugger didn’t reveal the source problem – and nor did any other diagnostic tool. It was happening on many pages which tends to indicate that it was for the whole site (rather than linked to a specific image).
Cache clearing chrome on the workstation didn’t clear it. What eventually removed the problem was clearing the cookies on chrome on the workstation. I can’t tell you which one as I cleared the lot and the damn problem disappeared. Checking the new cookies did not reveal anything obvious.
The only redirection that are in the code for the site at the server level is from http://www.thestandard.org.nz to thestandard.org.nz and for the advertising. The latter is where I think that the problem probably is. But it is probably for a specific advert….
I have only seen it on one system so far so I’m waiting for it to reproduce so I can go through the cookies in more detail.
Thx lprent .. jst confirming, mine was Chrome. Got back here via IE9.
I have kicked Chrome too. Was stuffing my system up by trying to take over.
I haven’t seen a report that wasn’t chrome yet.
It started happening to me after I made a “Reply” comment.
It maybe something to do with scrolling to the comment in the thread after posting a Reply perhaps?
You should just scroll the comment being replied to into view+200px instead maybe.
So how about that financial collapse we were warned about in September?
http://thestandard.org.nz/nats-try-to-muscle-the-waitangi-tribunal/comment-page-1/#comment-501820
Oh well, I guess there’s always next September.
I always laugh at obituaries for capitalism and finance: they are always premature. A better way of looking at it are for signs of senescence, or a zombie state. Europe is a financial zombie.
Today Europe is a ghost train economically, lots of screamy scary unreal things in the dark…then you come out into the light and see reality, very scary indeed. Be very worried.
http://theautomaticearth.com/Finance/youre-dreaming-if-you-think-the-euro-crisis-is-resolved.html
http://www.scoopit.co.nz/story.php?title=%E2%80%9Cpoverty-is-returning-to-europe%E2%80%9D
Yeah I would say that’s a strong indicator Bored!
Yep Muzza
Lanth, don’t be mean. Poor Ev was just about to explain how HAARP is being used to bolster market confidence.
Lanthanide – how about the on-going moral collapse under National?
What about it?
It is possible to manage the exchange rate, John Key a liar
“The primary objective of monetary policy is to ensure low inflation as a
sound basis for sustained economic growth. In Singapore, monetary policy
is centered on the management of the exchange rate, rather than money
supply or interest rates. This reflects the fact that, in the small and open
Singapore economy, the exchange rate is the most effective tool in
maintaining price stability.2”
IMF Working Paper
Asia and Pacific Department
Singapore’s Unique Monetary Policy: How Does It Work?
Prepared by Eric Parrado1
Authorized for distribution by Joshua Felman
January 2004
http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/wp/2004/wp0410.pdf
I believe Singapore are actively involved in managing their exchange rate, by buying and selling foreign and local currencies?
When people (John Key) say that it’s impossible to manage the exchange rate, what they really mean is “pegging the exchange rate is too expensive for a country like New Zealand”. Perhaps Singapore can do it because they started much earlier and have closer trade routes etc – certainly they’d get economy of scale for infrastructure in a way that NZ just can’t match.
Cunliffe has recently highlighted that there are many many different policy options that range from our current policy framework all the way to simple currency pegging and that using such broad language to imply nothing except our currency policy works is wrong.
Singapore considering the imposition of stricter controls on the inflow of migrant workers to reduce the impact on struggling infrastructure and to attempt to raise the wages of citizens-WSJ
The Monetary Future?
http://www.deloitte.com/view/en_GX/global/press/global-press-releases-en/e160ad190c2c7310VgnVCM1000001956f00aRCRD.htm?
Spend some time in the desert; Muslim women held, tortured and raped by the Assad regime.
Feargal Keane, BBC
While I was out and about during the weekend I heard a man talking to his young children in maori, in a shop, nothing special going on, completely unselfconscious, natural as you or anyone else uses their own dialect. Sounds considerably different to the stuff heard at official meetings or on TV. I can’t remember the last time I heard anything like it, here in the middle of Auckland. Dunno if they thought it special, maybe never considered it, but it made me feel like the world had made a change for the better.
🙂
When I lived in the BofP decades ago, I used to hear that all the time! One on occasion, when my son and I were waiting at the bus station, we were the only people speaking English!
Have folks seen this?
“1st October Press Release National Day of Action Sep 30 by againstwelfarereforms
National Day of Action Against Welfare Reforms, National Press Release
“If you are neutral in situations of injustice , you have chosen the side of the oppressor”.
Bishop Desmond Tutu
The aim of the National Day of Action against Welfare Reform on the 5th of oct 2012 is to hold The NZ National Party accountable for implementing detrimental welfare policies that stigmatise and vilify the poor also to expose the unethical tactics used to fast track legislation of these policies. In April 2012 Chief Human Rights Commissioner David Rutherford criticised the submissions process, saying “the constrained timeframe of just 11 working days undermined the principles of democracy”.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10800260
The ministry of justice has also admitted that the welfare reforms are discriminatory
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10800260
Because of this we believe they are in breach of the NZ Bill of Rights Act in May 23, this year Green MP Jan Logie made these comments
“It has been noted that the proposed welfare reforms will breach ICESCR (International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights) articles 2,3,4,6,9,10,11 and 12 and concerns have been raised by the Human Rights Commission and many others noting breaches to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Convention of Elimination of All forms of Discrimination against Women, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People.”
http://blog.greens.org.nz/2012/05/23/government-on-the-way-to-making-human-rights-a-cliche/
New Zealand deserves integrity and honesty from its leaders. We request not only an enquiry but also more dialogue and transparency from NZ Government also that the Attorney General’s Report in to these matters be released to the public as we believe the Welfare Reform Bill to be invalid not only for human rights breaches
but also for the breach of Article 2 of the Treaty
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tino_rangatiratanga
and the breach of the UNDRIP which was endorsed by government in 2010
http://posttreatysettlements.org.nz/long-standing-implications-the-undrip-and-nz/
We believe the National party has utilised beneficiaries as the scapegoats of NZ which is unfair considering the tax cuts that they gave to the rich and there is already subsidised contraception available at family planning clinics the only real solution to poverty is education not vilification. Studies have proven that raising children is the equivalent of having 2 fulltime jobs.
This day is not only about dignity for all New Zealand families whether rich or poor it is also about the challenge to save ethics and humanity in New Zealand.
The Peoples Collective NZ
The.Peoples.Collective.NZ@gmail.com “
Just heard one of the best Radio NZ political jousts between Mike Williams and Matthew Hooton.
Red Alert!
Guess what the new Nat.strategy is…re-the undermining of the Labour Party. Hooton has given it away:
Drive a deep wedge between the Shearer and Cunliffe leadership camps by spreading false memes!!
He claimed today that Cunliffe has spent all year undermining David Shearer. It’s bull-shit, crap and anything else you may wish to call it. My observation suggests the truth is the opposite.
Matthew sweetheart… you insult the most highly intelligent member of parliament we have in this country. Is he going to be so foolish as to try on a trick like that? No, he is not.
Message to fellow Labour supporters (past and present): DON’T fall into the trap!
Can someone put the link up when it becomes available?
Ooops… I forgot to mention the best bit.
Hooton called for Cunliffe to be sacked!
Wow… they must be so scared of him.
I dunno – methinks he doth protest too much. Act all scared of Cunliffe makes C look more like the big gun in Labour. This encourages division within labour demanding that Shearer be dumped to unleash Cunliffe (like we see here every so often).
I reckon that Labour under Shearer is making steady progress, enough so that replacing Shearer with Cunliffe might mean that Cunliffe’s possible greater skill at gathering votes still won’t make up the ground from a “redo from start” change in leadership and policy approach.
But then again, maybe Hooten really is worried about Cunliffe. Sometimes it can be so difficult to tell the difference between a stupid prick and a cunning bastard…
Anne, As I have said many a time the likes of O Sullivan, prat Hooten and the fuckwits on the right are shit scared of Cunliffe as they know he will take it to them. That is why they are “supportive” of Shearer as he is not a threat to their cosy fuckwit make belief right wing world.
FranKey goes to Hollywood………”Relax don’t do it……..Scheme those schemes………Dream those dreams”.
PrimeMincerMan is a preposterous, illiterate arsehole on the scale of George Bush and his vacations.
Uncomfortable as it feels I want to invoke Paul Henry.
We need a REAL Kiwi for PM, not some plastic boxed-up Ken doll you’d find in the discount basement at JC Penney.
Maybe it was really Cuniliffe that was behind the dotcom debacle.
Yeah… that might be the next meme. 🙂
Awesome, bring it on DC must be quaking in his boots, especially fearful of Mr Shouty Hooten.
Oohh look out here comes blubber and the fatman, you’ll know it’s done the rounds if shills like armstrong, franny etc run it.
North, hit me with those laser beeeeeeeeeeams.
“Yep. Just a cheap political stunt from Labour. Just ignore them. I ignore them and concentrate on the important stuff, like how to improve Planet Key,” smirked John Key as he boarded the Warner Brothers private jet.
And Anne. Notice how Mr Hooton managed to slip in the “Dotcom of course has some criminal convictions etc.” Suggests that even Hooton sees Mr Dotcom as a threat.
ianmac 😀
The way I see it, we have three Davids – David S, David C and David P. Each one brings to the Labour table their own particular talents. All three are exceptionately intelligent and it’s the job of the parliamentary team to harness those talents in the interest of the Party and not themselves.
In the end, it may not really matter which one is the leader. That is why I think Labour supporters – including some of the parliamentarians – need to stop airing their differences of opinion where the leadership is concerned. As evidenced by Hooton on Radio NZ today, all they are doing is playing into the hands of the Nat. strategy team.
I sincerely hope the ABC club has disbanded… never to be formed again!
Its Monday at 1.30ish..and I have decided there is a “problem”. It has symptoms that manifest as:
too much time wasted blogging at work instead of making the dosh which needs to get redistributed to those who need it.
too much time blogging which I can use directly to help others.
too much blogging on this site by myself (and others) in which things are said we would not dare face to face.
too many bloggers on this site acting as commissars and using it for show trials.
too many “?leftist?” bloggers on this site driving me into the arms of the RWNJs…heaven forbid.
To cure the problem is simple, I will take responsibility for the problem and “fekk off”. For good.
Inspiration for this, Prism a month ago (thanks P, I have been dwelling on it).
Bored is officially retired, gone. If you want reminder of my name QOT has it “beefhooked” in lights on the ego wall of her blog.
Goodbye.
another one bites the dust…..
Sad to see you go, Bored.
Bored Unlucky 13!
Gee I always look for you and a few others so I can see something pithy well thought out interesting informative sourced etc. What about being a guest blogger from time to time about things of your particular interest and where others will involve in reasoned discussion (not on feminism and slutwalks for instance). I value getting an overview from people like you here, there are too many that just drop a short opinion with unswerving confidence in its sanctity like small gods. I thought of stopping then I thought I’ve been wasting time debating ideologies and like banging brick walls, it is so much nicer when you stop.
I’ve decided that the intention of the blog is good, the opportunity to communicate items of concern and interest on Open Mike and the authored threads is good, the moderation is good, control good without being too heavy. I don’t have a source of intelligent political conversation other than here, and I like to say a rude word now and then here which frightens the horses if I let fly on the daily round. So I thought I would continue but try to be careful on use of time. (Making a point, with accompanying links, eats up my half hours and it’s possible that no one is interested at that time on that day.)
The blog puts out ideas, explains and supports them during discussion which is great. Mummified ideas though get preserved for ever and no fresh air can enter. But the most of the commenters are people who are thoughtful and bear to look around, behind, rethink – the past, present and the possible future. People who are good to read have dropped off from blogging here for many reasons no doubt, but they are missed.
Prism agreed. Those who were the giving comments from the point of view of those opposed to the “Left”, were well worth the effort even though some hammered them for their different viewpoint. To see the World as others see it is valuable don’t you think especially for those like me who only know little bits of Life.
Bored Just a thought. I referred to guest blogging but even just dropping in regularly as BLIP and ianmac and Jim Nald do would be good. Hope to see you back in a while.
Sorry to see your exit Bored. How about a Born Again event and you could come back as “Angelic” or the “Optimist?”
ditto…
I know that feeling of time seeping away blogging (or usenet or BBS) though. It usually pays to back off for a while and think about how you’re using the systems. I do it regularly three or four times a decade.
Bored, I’m sorry to see you go too, and hope that this might be a break rather than a finality. All the best.
Is that an honour? I must check out her blog… 😀
(She hates me so much – surely she condemns me somewhere?) 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀
No, Vicky. I just quote you. Which is pretty condemning, I admit.
Link please! (It’s not that I don’t trust you so much as – oh, frak it, I don’t trust you! )
😀
All the best Bored, you input will be missed.
It has been good reading yer comments. Will miss ya.
Agreed with everyone else. I always enjoy your thought provoking independent comments. Have a break and come back when you want. Personas are built with care and should not be wasted.
Your not leavin are ya? …… we just sprayed for Gnats’ M8!
Darn, you were always one of the commenters here that I held with higher regard than others (no skim reading at all). Proud leftwingism from a business perspective is hard to come across and you will be sorely missed. All the best for the future Bored, with a bit of luck we will cross fishing lines one day.
WOW, Great Big Applause For LPRENT!
(*clap**clap**clap**clap**clap**clap* ……)
This site seems to be so fast, it makes me knees go weak 🙂
Just that jittery reply thingy left , I got some javascript that may help ?
In all honesty u should jst default the hights to a static number that’s appropriate, but ….
SubMenuObj.height = SubMenuObj.contentWindow.document.body.scrollHeight < 1000 ? 1000 : SubMenuObj.contentWindow.document.body.scrollHeight;
It's an immediate if , which u may have known about, but bloody handy for IE problem I described.
The 1000 is effectiverly the default height, u should use 4000+- for the comment frame
PS SubMenu is a frame
Helen Kelly nails John Key on his latest Hollywood Film Studio Holiday
I wonder what points Shearer would have made, given the same 5 minutes on the topic.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/2534217/ctu-fears-more-deals-to-undermine-labour-laws-with-key-visit
I want to relisten to that interview as I was otherwise preoccupied at the time but Helen stopped me in my tracks with her first comments (praising Key etc) and then went on to set out her opinions very succinctly IMO. Listening to Key subsequently trying to justify his visit to Hollywood left me with yet another Tui moment. Presumably we (NZ taxpayers) are paying for this trip including his entourage.
Shearer – would have fumbled and mumbled. Nice guy but out of his depth.
Most appropriate for the PM’s second name to be eponymous with the country’s celebrated beer brand that is known for the world-famous-in-NZ billboards.
Its strapline can, likewise, be lent to John Tui to read:
“Distracting the nation from the task at hand since 2008”
Message For LPRent: u broke the uparrow in the edit window.
Which edit window? The tinyMCE one? If so then it is likely to be fixed in the next release of WordPress (looked at beta 1 this weekend) which will be phrasing in the latest version of tinyMCE library. Much of which is fixes for various vagaries of browsers. The ETA for that is in a few months. The main use of tinyMCE is for authors editor. The one on the comments is mostly there as a convenience.
Which version of which browser and OS? If it is Internet Explorer then you will find that I really only support version 8 or later and don’t like that much either. IE is less than 30% of the browsers us on the site at present and less than 15% for it’s most popular variant under the IE name.
Yeah it would be tinyMCE, the rss one’s fine
It’s iexplore 9.0.8, win 7
A snippet from msdn bing search …
By pressing one arrow key getch will push tree values into the buffer:
•’33’
•'[‘
•’A’, ‘B’, ‘C’ or ‘D’
So the code will be something like this:
if (getch() == ’33’) { // if the first value is esc
getch(); // skip the [
switch(getch()) { // the real value
case ‘A’
// code for arrow up
break;
case ‘B’:
// code for arrow down
break;
case ‘C’:
// code for arrow right
break;
case ‘D’
// code for arrow left
break;
}
}
ya should drop the ‘ around th escape code it returns an int.
the rest should be ok, from memory the other codes just go up the alphabet
If ya want to find one just use a
while(1) { printf(“%c,%c,%c”, getch();getch();getch();); }
In a sh or bash or whatever shell
pearl would do
use wisely ObiOne the above is a keyboard grabber! if ya use add check for enter
ciao
Howdy 🙂
Ya know it’s this bleedin “Share this Article” thng down here thats jigglin?
What version of what browser and what OS? Which icons are jiggling?
Almost all the JS and CSS there is direct from Facebook which changes it from their side for the recommend.. The code for the other icons has been in since 2010. It is likely that you’re getting browser problems. I’d suggest checking with Firefox.
Can’t see any problems in Chrome, Firefox, IE7, and safari on Linux, mac or windows.
ie 9.0.8 , windows 7 and the “Share this article block down below the comment window
(the whole thing disapears and re appera a couple of times)
I haven’t tried FFox since the reinstall
Just kept using IE9
Refeesh the page at the top and press the end key too see the behaviour.
Doesn’t happen in FFox
I haven’t had any reports of oddities in IE9 since the betas last year. Tested the release 9.08.something on vista over Xmas. Have you rebooted your system. IE’s JavaScript is a bit notorious for state engine issues that cure themselves after reboots.
The Hug-A-Thug Courts
Seems like a good idea. Instead of treating people as criminals treat them as people and give them the necessary support to turn their lives around.
Ae
Check out the video here of Assoc. Professor Peter O’connor of Auckland University on the Charter schools policy –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9XNG-S7uFQ