Latest TPP News/HEADLINES
1. “U.S. Formally Proposes Carveout Of Anti-Tobacco Measures From ISDS
ATLANTA – In a move that is likely to ignite a firestorm on Capitol Hill, the Obama administration on Wednesday (Sept. 30) formally proposed language in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement that would prevent tobacco control measures from being challenged under the deal’s investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) mechanism, according to sources close to the negotiations.
Ministerial To Be Extended At Least One Day; Gaps Remain On Big 3 Issues
ATLANTA – The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) ministerial underway here will be extended at least through Friday (Oct. 2), as Mexico continues to take a hard line on the automotive rules of origin and significant gaps remain on dairy market access and the monopoly period for biologic drugs.
Trade Committee Leaders Demand USTR, Treasury Step Up TPP Consultations
The four leaders of the congressional trade committees are demanding that U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman and Treasury Secretary Jack Lew intensify their outreach to Congress and stakeholders with respect to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations to ensure an outcome that meets congressional priorities.”
Australia Says Its System Preserves Biologics Monopoly For Six Years
House Lawmakers Push Froman To Grant More Sugar Access Under TPP http://insidetrade.com/ paywall
2. The significance of the tobacco carveout is discussed in this excellent article linked below,
TPP Carve Out for Tobacco Shows Core Flaws in Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS)
“The new exception validates, rather than assuages, the concerns of those who have been criticizing ISDS systems for many years. Without express carve outs, ISDS provisions do threaten common health and safety regulations.” http://infojustice.org/archives/35107
So in summary – I request that this agreement between us should not mean that they get to visit violence on me. You tell me we can draw up an agreed list of violences that have not to be perpetrated. (For some unknowable reason I agree that we provide a list)
And when they spoon out my eyes they ‘reasonably’ point to the sub-heading marked ‘eyes’ and the fact that, whereas ‘stabbing in the yes’ was listed, spooning of the eyes wasn’t.
Latest TPP News update
U.S. Tobacco Proposal Makes ISDS Carveout Optional; Builds On Existing Language
ATLANTA – The U.S. proposal on tobacco tabled here would give countries the option to prevent tobacco companies from challenging tobacco control measures under investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS), using a concept that already exists under the U.S. investment model called “denial of benefits,” according to informed sources. http://insidetrade.com/ paywall
“Inside U.S. Trade – October 2, 2015 Inside U.S. Trade All Headlines
TPP Ministerial Likely To Stretch To Weekend Despite Auto Progress
ATLANTA —
As of press time, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) ministerial taking place here was considered increasingly likely to last beyond Friday (Oct. 2) due to continuing differences on dairy market access and monopoly protections for biologic drugs, despite key parties being close to a deal on the automotive rules of origin.”
U.S. Tobacco Proposal Makes ISDS Carveout Optional; Builds On Model BIT
As opposed to the fools who commited economic sabotage and lost a billion dollars off the price of the shares
If that was the case then National shouldn’t have sold thus National are still the economic saboteurs – as they always are as the work to enrich the rich.
Though I got more shares because of it so silver lining and all that
Ah, so you personally got to become a bigger bludger.
If I was I charge I’d be forcibly them buy them back at what you payed for them .
Nzs resources like renewable power should be for all ,not for the rich and the non residents to profit from.
I don’t give a …. Who got voted in and how. If society wants to avoid repeating the same bloody upheavals caused by wealth accumulating at the top then we need to evolve past being greedy little monkeys.
I just reread you’re reply ,nice bit of diversion.
This post /comment had nothing to do with the rightor wrong of selling them it was about the fact that these so called economic geniuses that run the country are that stupid and short sighted that they sold a productive asset to paper over the cracks of there inability to balance the books.
Early last year, Shell and partners OMV and Mitsui E&P laid out plans to drill a $200 million test well in the Great South Basin by this summer.
But this week, Shell announced it would not be drilling in 2016. The news came just one day after Shell announced it was pulling out of drilling in the Arctic off the coast of Alaska…
In waters off New Zealand’s southeast coast, Shell is one of five companies to hold seven exploration permits. Anadarko, Woodside Energy Ltd, TAG Oil, and New Zealand Oil and Gas are also permit-holders.
Key catches up with Rupert Murdoch.
They discuss the carve up of New Zelaand.
Who else is he meeting while he ‘s in New York?
The head of Merrill Lynch ?
The head of Goldman Sachs?
Merrill Lynch ceased trading in 2013. The “head” of Merrill Lynch is the CE of the Bank of America. The Merrill Lynch brand is simply a moderatley sized wealth management division of the Bank of America. Why would JK be meeting with them?
Most of Goldman Sachs work in New Zealand is corporate advisory – again why would JK be meeing with them? And even if he was, what is the problem? What is your point?
One person who he is meeting with is Helen. I was releived from her commenst yesterday that she seems to have acquired some common sense since being exposed to the UN. I concede I was surprised at her comments about the TPP, but I will take my pleasant surprises from any sources.
Srylands wishes he was part of the 0.001%, but your second guess seems the more likely to be accurate. With his pseudonym and better knowledge of the Australia (eg GST rates) than NZ, I’ve always put him down as CT spinner from across the ditch.
What is interesting is that this is only the second time he’s commented since May 14th (when his contribution was simply; “Dicks”, something to remember when he inevitably pulls out the; “There is no cause for rudeness”, line). When I saw his comment yesterday, I assumed he must have just come off a ban, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. It is telling that the reason he decided to crawl out of the woodwork was to cheer on the TPPA.
His only other contributions this year have been; April 22nd, when he was defending Key and smearing Bailey over pony-tailgate, and; February 1st when he was getting stuck into Catton.
A different opinion to yours doesn’t make someone a troll Paul but then thats your default setting isn’t it, call someone a troll and hope they get banned
Moderators will make up their own mind. And if I see words overused and out of context, I just add them to the moderated words until their use reverts to something acceptable
The government’s much hailed “investment approach” in social security and “reforms” they brought in over recent years are not what they seem. This has been noticed by Bill Rosenberg who published a paper for the CTU, which I understand Scoop already reported on.
The whole approach is flawed, and seems primarily designed to simply reduce the costs for government, without taking into consideration wider implications, like risks, costs or benefits for the individuals MSD and WINZ work with.
Here is an interesting paper on this, well worth a read, as it proves again, we are sold misguided, flawed, misrepresentation using policies, that only make things look better, but do not deliver what is claimed:
And reliable data is being withheld by the government, as this question by Carmel Sepuloni from 17 September to the Associate Minister for Social Development shows: http://www.inthehouse.co.nz/video/39670
Really surprised that Helen Clark came out in support of the TPPA no matter what she thought of it. It undermines the Labour Party’s position on the TTPA just to start with. It also undermines attempts by the present Labour Party leadership to move towards being a party more in tune with the original Labour Party ideals.
It’s 35 years since Reagan destroyed America.
Most Americans can see the effects of free trade and ‘free trade agreements’ like NAFTA.
They are desperate for a candidate not supported by the financiers and large corporates. Hopefully Sanders will be that person, but Americans are so desperate, they might take a punt on Trump.
It also means neo-liberalism, just a slightly mellower form.
I know they name their policies the third way. However, it’s really the same way, buying into the mantra of ‘there’s no alternative’ popularised by Thatcher and her acolytes.
So Helen should toe the party line despite being above politics at a national level? she should be subservient in her role as administrator of the un DEVELOPMENT agency that focuses on sustainable growth in poorer nations?
Given her legacy in our own countries politics, i was surprised that the one person who would know what benefits poorer nations would come out in support of the TPPA. so it’s a ringing endorsement.
but you think she should shut up because Labour in NZ knows better right? well done
Helen has managed to remain quiet on an awful lot of actions of this government that I am certain she is uncomfortable with. Why suddenly make a comment on a political hot button topic like the TPPA where she is actually endorsing the Prime Minister and strengthening his credibility? Especially as it doesn’t in the least part relate to her present role at the United Nations. This is what a good number of people will be asking themselves.
Just a couple of weeks ago Lisa Owen had her on the Nation and pushed her on whether nz should take more refugees. If I remember rightly Clarke said she doesn’t get involved in political issues in nz.
Just like the UK Labour Party has recently done, the New Zealand Labour Party needs to distance itself from its recent Neo-Liberal past.
Andrew Little should declare that the Labour Party disagrees with the comments of the former Prime Minister and that Labour is now moving in a different direction to that of the previous two Labour Governments.
It is time to embrace socialism and end corporatism.
That would be nice, if unlikely. This is another example of the awkwardness of Helen making a statement right now. Labour seems to be gingerly moving to the left but she has forced their hand. She should have known the position she is putting the present Labour leadership in. It’s either a major faux pas or deliberate act of sabotage. I find both options to be extraordinary.
So no evidence then, pr?
Just the usual blasé statement with no back up or support.
And then you whinge on when I call you out for worthless trolling.
You add nothing to the debate.
If you truly believe the TPPA is great for NZ, please explain why.
I don’t find it at all surprising that Helen Clark has come out in support of the TPPA.
She apparently has a wish to get the job as UN Secretary General. As a realist, and as someone who has always looked out for number 1, she is quite well aware that she hasn’t got a snow-flakes chance in Hell of even being considered unless she has the support of her own Government.
She has to do whatever John Key wishes her to do, doesn’t she? In fact he doesn’t have to tell her what to do or even mention the subject. She will be smart enough to know that she can’t get the position without the support of her own Government and that there is no way that is anything other than the current Key- led party. She has to keep him onside.
It doesn’t mean that his support can get her the job of course. Personally I think it will go to someone from Eastern Europe. His opposition will however completely kill her chances and she will kowtow to him wherever necessary.
As soon as I saw her endorsing TPPA, I thought “She’s scratching his back so that he will scratch hers in her job application.”
However, Clark didn’t really need to, as he would have endorsed her application anyway, to keep her busy and out of New Zealand. She’d be a lot more trouble to National if she came home and were active once more in politics – in any capacity.
“She’d be a lot more trouble to National if she came home”
Not nowadays, she wouldn’t.
John Key would probably have been happy to see her go when she did but that was a long time ago and the longer she has been away the more irrelevant she has become. At the beginning of 2009 she could probably have caused him some bother, as she would have known where all the bodies were buried, and the things that could have caused trouble for a new Government.
Her coming back now, and trying to take any part in politics, would be more likely to help rather than hurt him. If she said anything at all that Little doesn’t say first she is open, validly, to the charge that she is wrecking her old party.
No, after this long she is beholden to Key and would be quite helpless to revive any political career in this country. Getting involved at all would lead the Labour Party into being forced to destroy her. They can’t somehow reincarnate her as their leader, can they?
The smallest details.. like not having overseas companies sueing our Government and not having crown entity operations compromised. Those are not fricking small details! What rational thinking person would have those things up for grabs in a deal anyway.
Your opinion is usually an infantile barb, or a trite statement, hardly ever supported by any evidence or any coherent explanation.
Happy to debate the issue of the TPPA with you if you’ll actually discuss the ideas with some supporting evidence.
You acknowledge we don’t know what’s in the treaty, yet you say I should apologise when we eventually get told.
Firstly, do you really trust governments to make such a decision without us having any say in the matter?
Secondly, given the leaks we do know about, aren’t you at all concerned about the costs to medicine and the undermining of our sovereignty to the investor state clauses?
First question. Its a trade negotiation so I would expect any negotiations done to be secret.
Lets say for example something, anything came out in the negotiations and some concerned groups in NZ kicked up a fuss about it, they may not have all the facts but they complain anyway. The opposition would use that as leverage against NZ.
Second question. Its a leak ,its not confirmed so when the details come we’ll know more. However lets assume there is an extra cost to medicine thats say 5 billion more. Now imagine because of that our diary industry is opened up more and is worth 10 billion
Now the numbers arn’t important but what is important is how much we give up vs how much we set to gain
You speak of trust, I trust this government and every government in NZ to do whats best for NZ, thats why we elect them.
So I trust that NZs negotiaters will get us a favourable deal or they’ll walk away.
The numbers arn’t important, if it makes you feel better try this:
However lets assume there is an extra cost to medicine thats say 5 million more. Now imagine because of that our diary industry is opened up more and is worth 10 million
Now the numbers arn’t important but what is important is how much we give up vs how much we set to gain
Is the Dairy Industry going to pay out for the increased prescription costs of people in ill health? How nice of them, maybe we can write that into the deal too.
Do you have a reference for this claim of only 0.01% of GDP?
Current NZ GDP is about $240 billion.
Let’s assume it gets to $300 billion by 2025.
Then 0.01% of that would be about $30 million/year.
Where did your number come from?
Thank You. Now I see what he is talking about.
From the article you link to we see, after culling the verbiage
“”New Zealand’s agricultural growth will be led by gains in its output of dairy and meat products as it increases its exports of these commodities to Japan, Canada, the United States and Mexico,” the report says.
But the impact on gross domestic product would be almost imperceptible – 0.01 per cent or one-hundredth of 1 per cent.
Another modelling exercise, by I Cheong at the Asian Development Bank Institute last year, estimated the boost from the TPP agreement to New Zealand’s GDP by 2027 as nearly 1 per cent.”
The 0.01% figure quoted is the effect on the US GDP, not the NZ GDP. This is currently about $US 18 trillion. Allowing for growth to say $US 24 trillion by 2025 this would be about $US 2.4 billion or around $4 billion New Zealand dollars. That is vastly more than the implied figure of only 0.01% of the New Zealand GDP, and would be a bit more than the 1% figure derived by the ADB.
From my point of view estimating the likely GDP benefits in 10 years time is like picking who will win the football world cup. The world is facing some big challenges right now and I expect that it’s only the beginning.
And yet the European versian of this is being disclosed to people in far greater detail. I guess they don’t need to keep their bargaining positions secret.
Given we are spying on our allies and they on us (as admitted by Key) no one has a secret position anymore OR.
You need to at least think for yourself rather than just parroting key and Groser and Mapp. A comment you made above suggests you haven’t actually read any of the documents that have been revealed,s o your only basis for your opinion is what those you support have said about it? Which is your entitlement but impacts the calibre of your offerings to the discussion.
I wonder why in the USA even if it is signed this week, it still has to pass through their political process to get accepted, which includes publishing the deal for 60 days.
No automatic ratification and circumvention of the people there…
And in the USA it is the Right that object most strongly, which rather wrecks the lefty meme peddled by Mr Mapp and parroted by some here.
Oh no!
“How well students perform in the classroom will soon play a part in how much funding a school gets, says the Education Minister.
Speaking at the Post-Primary Teacher’s Association (PPTA) annual conference in Wellington on Thursday, Hekia Parata said student achievement would “absolutely” be a factor in a review of the school funding system.”
This Listener editorial from March of last year gives the arguments against this ridiculous proposal which is driven by ideology and certainly not by rational thought.
“There’s a good reason why police, lawyers and judges, for example, are not incentivised on the basis of securing convictions: it would make a mockery of the justice system. The same precautions need to apply in education.
Stumbling blocks abound. How to compare a school where all the students sit NCEA with one in which half the kids opt for Cambridge or the International Baccalaureate exams? How to compare a school where a large proportion of NCEA credits come from exams and traditional academic subjects with one that leans heavily on less-demanding vocational courses?”
What’s wrong with it Tautoko Mango Mata? They do it in the USA and we know they are the fount of all wisdom. Of course there was that case where teachers were under pressure to produce perfect results and the one who was poorest and needed the job most was found to be coaching the answers.
I think they call it a moral hazard. Or is it immoral hazard” Anyway if we don’t know about such things I am sure Parata will know all about it from personal experience.
And what happens when a kid who wants to do Calculus for career reasons but will only get an achieved whereas the school would rather she did statistics because she’d get an excellence? While this may be an obvious sign of coercion there can be subtle ones … like making kids need all “merit” credits at level 2 in a exam heavy subject in order to continue to level 3 but only achieved for internally assessed courses.
That’s an interesting insight. The different ways that policies can be twisted for unintended consequences! But when the policies have already been tested overseas with monitoring and results are known, then there is no excuse = they are definitely toxic.
Okay so schools with students not doing so well suddenly get less money – self defeating isn’t it.
Perhaps our politicians need a merit in a number of subjects before they are turned loose in cabinet. They could cram for “the cabinet exams” once they are elected and of course we would need to see marks and league tables so we could make the right judgements & incentivise with a salary only the best y’know?
Brian Rudman scathing about Key’s panda distraction.
‘It rather misses the question: should we help fund China’s attempts to save one of its endangered species – it uses the high rentals collected on panda hires for panda research at home – or should we be using that money to protect and promote our own endangered species. After all, we have a few of them.
The last count I saw listed 2788 of our native plants and animals as endangered. In his doctoral thesis, scientist Mark Seabrook-Davison calculated that only 6 per cent, or 188, of New Zealand’s recorded threatened species were being actively managed.
The Department of Conservation is grossly under-funded and is expected to seek sponsors and volunteers to assist it in its vital work. How perilous this cost-cutting is was highlighted a month ago, when amateur deerstalkers were hired to cull pukeko on Motutapu Island in the Hauraki Gulf. After two days of blasting with shotguns on this protected reserve, four priceless takahe were found dead in the pile of 600 pukeko corpses.
There are fewer than 300 takahe in the world. Yet somehow, the civil servants on an island sanctuary entrusted with a flock of 21 of them, presided over the massacre of a fifth of them.
More than a month on, no explanation or prosecution has been announced. There’s been no clamour from the government. No minister has resigned. Instead, our masters coo over giant pandas, of which there are at least 1800.’
williams you were always loose but now you are just a bowel movement
Mr Williams was asked by an audience member if there should be encouragement for more Māori culture and Te Reo use in New Zealand jails.
“My response is that New Zealand runs on English – and that’s the reality of it – we speak English,” Mr Williams replied. Mr Williams continued, saying: “[If] you want to go and get a job, don’t bowl up speaking Māori.”
Mike Williams operates literacy programmes in prisons throughout the country.
Don’t forget that Williams was in the same class at school as that notorious Māori-baiter Paul Holmes. This was not simply an inadvertent comment by Williams; he had plenty of time to consider what he would say. Williams’ foolish comments represent the ugly actuality of rural Hawkes Bay racism, which clearly hasn’t been eradicated by his decades spent in the company of Labour Party liberals.
The pity of this is that Williams usually shuts up and says nothing, except to repeat “I agree with Matthew”.[1] Why would he have imagined he was suddenly capable of opening his trap?
Morrissey, did you realise that you have begun your comment with a ‘guilt by association” argument? That needs strong condemnation, and weakens what you have said later- especially by being associated with your first argument.
Can I say to you that all of what you write is absolute tripe because you have used a faulty argument at the start, which is after all in itself ‘guilt by association’?
Morrissey, did you realise that you have begun your comment with a ‘guilt by association” argument?
If Williams had not made a stupid and incendiary dismissal of Māori language, your argument would have merit. But since Williams did exactly that, it is surely reasonable to mention his background, which includes a close friendship, first at school then later when they were both prominent public figures, with a notorious racist.
As a bit of a sidetrack, I was listening to newstalk last night and the host was getting all shitty that Tariana Turia wants Chris Brown in the country to talk to South Aucklanders about domestic violence. It was funny having a middle-aged white dude being so forthright on who might be the best messenger to Maori/Pasifika on these issues. I naturally assumed that Turia would have a much better idea on what might help than the radio jockey. A social worker in south Auckland then phoned up and said having Chris Brown here would be useful and then pointed out that we gave Tony Veitch a second chance, then the host quickly ended the call. It’s funny how people speaking the truth are dismissed so easily.
Thenit is a shame he is working so widely in our prisons. He might want to read some work from JUstice Beacroft which indicates those Maori Youth connected to Culture and Reo re-offend in much fewer numbers than those who don’t.
“The longitudinal studies have identified that an important protective factor for Māori young people is a strong sense of Māori identity and connection to their culture.”
Williams is insulting Maori by suggesting they cannot be fluent in English and Reo.
Not really. Even if Dotcom is extradited the chances of the plaintiffs getting a court victory are probably slim. Pretty sure the ‘Betamax’ precedent will be cited before its all over.
“a company was not liable for manufacturing a technology that some customers may use for copyright-infringing purposes, so long as the technology is capable of substantial “noninfringing uses.”
lol
I’m still worried – they’re running an expensive court case after an armed police raid and they still couldn’t get the paperwork together or confirm that the legal requirements had been fulfilled.
This is basic stuff that should be easily achievable off the bat, rather than frantically searching offices to find necessary paperwork or not knowing whether ministers had been informed.
Shit, I’m disorganised as fuck, but even I know to check off all the requirements and make sure I have everything before I go into a big meeting. Right up there with straightening the tie and making sure your fly is done up before you walk in the door.
Interesting that the originals were in the Judges office the whole time… and no one knew… not the Clerk… not the Judge… not the parties who must have filed them with their other documents…
When you bought your house, you knew the price.
We don’t know the price of the TPP.
It’s a secret.
Imagine if you bought the house because you trusted the vendor would do a fair deal. And only found out the cost four years later. And could do nothing about it.
Lots of leaked chapters actually.
Quite a lot of evidence that the TPP is not in NZ’s national interests.
But what’s concrete evidence when put alongside blind faith?
Is John Key looking after your property portfolio that well, pr?
I sense I’ve found your motivation for supporting Key’s form of crony capitalism.
Unbridled self interest.
Sorry, this house sale analogy doesn’t work so I FIFY..
Let’s say you (NZ Public) and I (National Cabinet) are the clients buying a house. Our salesman/negotiator, (Groser) is not providing us with the information as to exactly what is included in the “sale”(TPPA) and will tell us only after he has signed a deal that we cannot alter. We are not allowed to look at the house (proposed text) until we sign although we have been lucky enough to get a floor plan off a builder (Wikileaks) who did some work on it. We are not being told whether the furniture and kitchen silver is included ( extended patent times for biologics, etc.) What is more, it is only my decision (the Cabinet) whether to buy or not and not yours because I want that house regardless of whether you do and quite frankly, I don’t give a rat’s posterior what you think because you are breathless, uniformed and irrelevant.
Were you being spied on by the vendor so they knew what you would go to anyway? Cos that is the actually analogy PR. You can’t miss out the part where we and our allies to the proposed TPP are spying on each other, and if this deal is so crucial, spying on what positions nations are taking. I’ve put this to Mr Mapp several times and he just says nothing.
Just letting you know that Spark went public in 1990 so 25 years ago but yes Telecom certainly had better customer service than in the old post office days
I wonder if puckish rouge supports the sexual assault on females by sabin like characters in the customs department if they learn that the females are visiting Kim Dotcom……
I think his hate for the fat german would make him quite comfortable with this Sabinization of our customs department ….
Regarding his other fetish ……The TPPA is a corporate take-over of our countries laws and he’s really comfortable with that ………..
“they didn’t run a survey in the first half of this year”
What has that got to do with PR’s comment, or to the article he linked to for that matter?
Neither of them claim that it was being compared with the first half of the year. PR doesn’t mention a date and the linked article only talks about a comparison with the previous survey.
Sigh.
Paul Henry got his latest opportunity for failure in early April 2015.
In the article PR linked to (that you read so carefully) they clearly identified the survey, and report the findings:
The Mike Hosking Breakfast is a juggernaut, with an 18.7 percent share, up from 18.4 at the last survey. Radio Live’s Paul Henry show, a cross-platform programme that also screens on TV3 and streams online, has gained too, from 4.5 to 5 percent in Auckland. But it has an even bigger share in Wellington, where it has streaked ahead, from a 1.8 share to 6.8.
(my bold)
If the survey is supposed to be done biannually then maybe the launch of phs might have overlapped with the survey period. But my link clearly says “No survey in 1-2015”. So what was “the last survey” from which phs made its “gains”?
I’m surprised that neither you nor pr can spot such obvious holes in reporting – but then the lack of comprehension ability goes some way to explaining why you’re both tory fuckwits.
A few days ago the topic of the NZ Herald gaming its own comments section was raised here.
I have been watching one particular story today, so here’s what has happened so far.
Brian Rudman’s “Don’t waste takahe’s cash on panda porn” was posted at 9.24am. (Presumably too late for the print edition – will it be in that tomorrow?)
The 24 comments the Herald opted to reproduce are all denoted as having been made at c.11.48am. However, they were not actually posted till after 1pm.
I made a comment on the article sometime around 12.30 and that has not been posted. In fact it is now 5.25pm and no further comments have been added at all. That seems odd.
(The tone of the existing comments was pretty nearly 100% against the government. The usual RWNJs were absent, having decided that this one was too hot too handle.)
During the 2005 election campaign many left-leaning people complained that the photograph of Helen Clark used in the Iwi/Kiwi ads was unfair, and that it had been doctored. I never thought that it was flattering but it did appear to be just one of the photos of her that you would expect to see in a newspaper, and I never thought it was unfair or distorted.
An example is here http://www.electionads.org.nz/?p=11459
Jane Kelsey has written an article on the TPPA on The Daily Blog and attached a photo of Ms Clark.
What did Helen do to get Ms Kelsey so p*d off? http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2015/10/01/helen-clark-needs-to-heed-her-own-un-advisers-on-tppa/
I have never seen such an appalling photo. Even her worst enemies wouldn’t regard it as fair
Perhaps the anonymous ‘Editor’ responsible for today’s NZ Herald ‘Editorial’, could please provide evidence proving that I have ever stated anything that was factually inaccurate, concerning Auckland Council, or Auckland Council CCOs?
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Buzz from the Beehive Housing Minister Chris Bishop delivered news – packed with the ingredients to enflame political passions – worthy of supplanting Winston Peters in headline writers’ priorities. He popped up at the post-Cabinet press conference to promise a crackdown on unruly and antisocial state housing tenants. His ...
Ele Ludemann writes – The Reserve Bank is advertising for a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion advisor. The Bank has one mandate – to keep inflation between one and three percent. It has failed in that and is only slowly getting inflation back down to the upper limit. Will it ...
Last week former National Party leader Simon Bridges was appointed by the Government as the new chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). You can read about the appointment in Thomas Coughlan’s article, Simon Bridges to become chair of NZ Transport Agency Waka KotahiThe fact that a ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Last week former National Party leader Simon Bridges was appointed by the Government as the new chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). You can read about the appointment in Thomas Coughlan’s article, Simon Bridges to become chair of NZ Transport Agency ...
TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Gavin Jacobson talks to Thomas Piketty 10 years on from Capital in the 21st CenturyThe SalvoLocal scoop: Green MP’s business being investigated over migrant exploitation claims StuffSteve KilgallonLocal deep-dive: The commercial contractors making money from School ...
It’s a home - but Kāinga Ora tenants accused of “abusing the privilege” may lose it. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The Government announced a crackdown on Kāinga Ora tenants who were unruly and/or behind on their rent, with Housing Minister Chris Bishop saying a place in a state ...
This is a guest post by Connor Sharp of Surface Light Rail Light rail in Auckland: A way forward sooner than you think With the coup de grâce of Auckland Light Rail (ALR) earlier this year, and the shift of the government’s priorities to roads, roads, and more roads, it ...
Note: As a paid-up Webworm member, I’ve recorded this Webworm as a mini-podcast for you as well. Some of you said you liked this option - so I aim to provide it when I get a chance to record! Read more ...
TL;DR: In my ‘six-stack’ of substacks at 6.06pm on Monday, March 18:IKEA is accused of planting big forests in New Zealand to green-wash; REDD-MonitorA City for People takes a well-deserved victory lap over Wellington’s pro-YIMBY District Plan votes; A City for PeopleSteven Anastasiou takes a close look at the sticky ...
Buzz from the Beehive Here’s hoping for a lively post-cabinet press conference when the PM and – perhaps – some of his ministers tell us what was discussed at their meeting today. Until then, Point of Order has precious little Beehive news to report after its latest monitoring of the ...
David Farrar writes – We now have almost all 2023 data in, which has allowed me to update my annual table of how labour went against its promises. This is basically their final report card. The promiseThe result Build 100,000 affordable homes over 10 ...
I’m a bit worried that I’ve started a previous newsletter with the words “just when you think they couldn’t get any worse…” Seems lately that I could begin pretty much every issue with that opening. Such is the nature of our coalition government that they seem to be outdoing each ...
Geoffrey Miller writes – Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. ...
Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture ...
Last week Transport Minster Simeon Brown and Mayor Wayne Brown opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre. The new train control centre will see teams from KiwiRail, Auckland Transport and Auckland One Rail working more closely together to improve train services across the city. The Auckland Rail Operations Centre in ...
Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson said in an exit interview with Q+A yesterday the Government can and should sustain more debt to invest in infrastructure for future generations. Elsewhere in the news in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 6:36am: Read more ...
Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. It is more than just a happy ...
TL;DR: The key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to March 18 include:China’s Foreign Minister visiting Wellington today;A post-cabinet news conference this afternoon; the resumption of Parliament on Tuesday for two weeks before Easter;retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson gives his valedictory speech in Parliament; ...
New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters’s state-of-the-nation speech on Sunday was really a state-of-Winston-First speech. He barely mentioned any of the Government’s key policies and could not even wholly endorse its signature income tax cuts. Instead, he rehearsed all of his complaints about the Ardern Government, including an extraordinary claim ...
A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
“I’ve been internalising a really complicated situation in my head.”When they kept telling us we should wait until we get to know him, were they taking the piss? Was it a case of, if you think this is bad, wait till you get to know the real Christopher, after the ...
Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
.“$10 and a target that bleeds” - Bleeding Targets for Under $10!.Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.This government appears hell-bent on either scrapping life-saving legislation or reintroducing things that - frustrated critics insist - will be dangerous and likely ...
“It hardly strikes me as fair to criticise a government for doing exactly what it said it was going to do. For actually keeping its promises.”THUNDER WAS PLAYING TAG with lightning flashes amongst the distant peaks. Its rolling cadences interrupted by the here-I-come-here-I-go Doppler effect of the occasional passing car. ...
Subversive & Disruptive Technologies: Just as happened with that other great regulator of the masses, the Medieval Church, the advent of a new and hard-to-control technology – the Internet – is weakening the ties that bind. Then, and now, those who enjoy a monopoly on the dissemination of lies, cannot and will ...
Been Here Before: To find the precedents for what this Coalition Government is proposing, it is necessary to return to the “glory days” of Muldoonism.THE COALITION GOVERNMENT has celebrated its first 100 days in office by checking-off the last of its listed commitments. It remains, however, an angry government. It ...
Bob Edlin writes – And what is the world watching today…? The email newsletter from Associated Press which landed in our mailbox early this morning advised: In the news today: The father of a school shooter has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter; prosecutors in Trump’s hush-money case ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Is another Green MP on their way out? And are the Greens severely tarnished by another integrity scandal? For the second time in three months, the Green Party has secretly suspended an MP over integrity issues. Mystery is surrounding the party’s decision to ...
For the last few years, the Green Party has been the party that has managed to avoid the plague of multiple scandals that have beleaguered other political parties. It appears that their luck has run out with a second scandal which, unfortunately for them, coincided with Golraz Ghahraman, the focus ...
TL;DR: The six newsey things that stood out to me as of 6:46am on Saturday, March 16.Andy Foster has accidentally allowed a Labour/Green amendment to cut road user chargers for plug-in hybrid vehicles, which the Government might accept; NZ HeraldThomas CoughlanSimeon Brown has rejected a plea from Westport ...
What seemed a booming success a couple of years ago has collapsed into fraud convictions.I looked at the crash of FTX (short for ‘Futures Exchange’) in November 2022 to see whether it would impact on the financial system as a whole. Fortunately there was barely a ripple, probably because it ...
Anybody following the situation in Ukraine and Russia would probably have been amused by a recent Tweet on X NATO seems to be putting in an awful lot of effort to influence what is, at least according to them, a sham election in an autocracy.When do the Ukrainians go to ...
TL;DR:Shaun Baker on Wynyard Quarter's transformation. Magdalene Taylor on the problem with smart phones. How private equity are now all over reinsurance. Dylan Cleaver on rugby and CTE. Emily Atkin on ‘Big Meat’ looking like ‘Big Oil’.Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15Photo by Jeppe Hove Jensen ...
Buzz from the Beehive Finance Minister Nicola Willis had plenty to say when addressing the Auckland Business Chamber on the economic growth that (she tells us) is flagging more than we thought. But the government intends to put new life into it: We want our country to be a ...
The Transport and Infrastructure Committee has reported back on the Road User Charges (Light Electric RUC Vehicles) Amendment Bill, basicly rubberstamping it. While there was widespread support among submitters for the principle that EV and PHEV drivers should pay their fair share for the roads, they also overwhelmingly disagreed with ...
Peter Dunne writes – This week’s government bailout – the fifth in the last eighteen months – of the financially troubled Ruapehu Alpine Lifts company would have pleased many in the central North Island ski industry. The government’s stated rationale for the $7 million funding was that it ...
See if you can spot the difference. An Iranian born female MP from a progressive party is accused of serial shoplifting. Her name is leaked to the media, which goes into a pack frenzy even before the Police launch an … Continue reading → ...
Ele Ludemann writes – The government is omitting general Treaty references from legislation : The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last Government in a bid to get greater coherence in the public service on Treaty ...
What was that judge thinking?Peter Williams writes – That Golriz Ghahraman and District Court Judge Maria Pecotic were once lawyer colleagues is incontrovertible. There is published evidence that they took at least one case to the Court of Appeal together. There was a report on ...
TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read:Climate Scorpion – the sting is in the tail. Introducing planetary solvency. A paper via the University of Exeter’s Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.Local scoop:Kāinga Ora starts pulling out of its Auckland projects and selling land RNZ ...
Wellington’s massively upzoned District Plan adds the opportunity for tens of thousands of new homes not just in the central city (such as these Webb St new builds) but also close to the CBD and public transport links. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Wellington gave itself the chance of ...
It’s Friday and we’re halfway through March Madness. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt asked how we can get better event trains and an option for grade separating Morningside Dr. On Tuesday Matt looked into ...
Something you might not know about me is that I’m quite a stubborn person. No, really. I don’t much care for criticism I think’s unfair or that I disagree with. Few of us do I suppose.Back when I was a drinker I’d sometimes respond defensively, even angrily. There are things ...
Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:PM Christopher Luxon said the reversal of interest deductibility for landlords was done to help renters, who ...
It was not so much the Labour Party but really the Chris Hipkins party yesterday at Labour’s caucus retreat in Martinborough. The former Prime Minister was more or less consistent on wealth tax, which he was at best equivocal about, and social insurance, which he was not willing to revisit. ...
Buzz from the BeehiveThe text reproduced above appears on a page which records all the media statements and speeches posted on the government’s official website by Melissa Lee as Minister of Media and Communications and/or by Jenny Marcroft, her Parliamentary Under-secretary. It can be quickly analysed ...
For forty years, Robert Muldoon has been a dirty word in our politics. His style of government was so repulsive and authoritarian that the backlash to it helped set and entrench our constitutional norms. His pig-headedness over forcing through Think Big eventually gave us the RMA, with its participation and ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Is the new government reducing tax on rental properties to benefit landlords or to cut the cost of rents? That’s the big question this week, after Associate Finance Minister David Seymour announced on Sunday that the Government would be reversing the Labour Government’s removal ...
Saudi Arabia is rarely far from the international spotlight. The war in Gaza has brought new scrutiny to Saudi plans to normalise relations with Israel, while the fifth anniversary of the controversial killing of Jamal Khashoggi was marked shortly before the war began on October 7. And as the home ...
Questions need to be asked on both sides of the worldPeter Williams writes – The NRL Judiciary hands down an eight week suspension to Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu , an Auckland-born Samoan, after he calls Ezra Mam, Sydney-orn but of Aboriginal and Torres Strait ...
Ele Ludemann writes – Contrary to what many headlines and news stories are saying, residential landlords are not getting a tax break. The government is simply restoring to them the tax deductibility of interest they had until the previous government removed it. There is no logical reason ...
I can't remember when it was goodMoments of happiness in bloomMaybe I just misunderstoodAll of the love we left behindWatching our flashbacks intertwineMemories I will never findIn spite of whatever you becomeForget that reckless thing turned onI think our lives have just begunI think our lives have just begunDoes anyone ...
Michael Bassett writes – At first reading, a front-page story in the New Zealand Herald on 13 March was bizarre. A group of severely intellectually limited teenagers, with little understanding of the law, have been pleading to the Justice Select Committee not to pass a bill dealing with ram ...
How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is: (a) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was ...
TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read:Jonathon Porritt calling bullshit in his own blog post on mainstream climate science as ‘The New Denialism’.Local scoop:The Wellington City Council’s list of proposed changes to the IHP recommendations to be debated later today was leaked this ...
TL;DR:Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Tom Toro Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in Playboy, the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. Related: What 10 EV lovers ...
The business section of the NZ Herald is full of opinion. Among the more opinionated of all is the ex-Minister of Transport, ex-Minister of Railways, ex MP for Auckland Central (1975-93, Labour), Wellington Central (1996-99, ACT, then list-2005), ex-leader of the ACT Party, uncle to actor Antonia, the veritable granddaddy ...
Hi,Just quickly — I’m blown away by the stories you’ve shared with me over the last week since I put out the ‘Gary’ podcast, where I told you about the time my friend’s flatmate killed the neighbour.And you keep telling me stories — in the comments section, and in my ...
The first season of Rings of Power was not awful. It was thoroughly underwhelming, yes, and left a lingering sense of disappointment, but it was more expensive mediocrity than catastrophe. I wrote at length about the series as it came out (see the Review section of the blog, and go ...
Buzz from the Beehive Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden told Auckland Business Chamber members they were the first audience to hear her priorities as a minister in a government committed to cutting red tape and regulations. She brandished her liberalising credentials, saying Flexible labour markets are the ...
Chris Trotter writes – TO UNDERSTAND WHY NEWSHUB FAILED, it is necessary to understand how TVNZ changed. Up until 1989, the state broadcaster had been funded by a broadcasting licence fee, collected from every citizen in possession of a television set, supplemented by a relatively modest (compared ...
Bob Edlin writes – The Māori Party has been busy issuing a mix of warnings and threats as its expresses its opposition to interest deductibility for landlords and the plans of seabed miners. It remains to be seen whether they follow the example of indigenous litigants in Australia, ...
The Government has accepted Labour’s change to the Road User Charge (RUC) discount for hybrid vehicles, meaning there will still be some incentive for people to buy greener vehicles. ...
Kicking the most vulnerable people out of state housing and pushing them towards homelessness will result in a proliferation of poverty and trauma across our most vulnerable communities. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader and MP for Waiariki, Rawiri Waititi has penned a letter asking MPs to support his members bill to remove GST from all food. The bill is expected to go through its first reading in parliament this Wednesday. “I’m calling on all political parties to support my ...
This year is about getting real with Kiwis and discussing the tough issues, as the National Government exacerbates inequality and divides New Zealand, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said ...
The Government adding Significant Natural Areas (SNAs) to its already roaring environmental policy bonfire is an assault on the future of wildlife that makes Aotearoa unique. ...
After 12 years of fighting to protect our moana we are finding ourselves back at square one and back at court. Today, the Environmental Protection Agency is sitting in Hawera to reconsider an application from Trans-Tasman Resources to dig up 50 million tonnes of the seabed in South Taranaki. This ...
Minister Shane Jones’ decision to step away from a seabed mining project is evidence of the murky waters surrounding the Government’s fast-track legislation. ...
The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last government in a bid to get greater coherence in the publicservice on Treaty matters. When ministers first considered the need for tighter oversight in 2021, there ...
The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last government in a bid to get greater coherence in the publicservice on Treaty matters. When ministers first considered the need for tighter oversight in 2021, there ...
The Coalition Government’s miscalculation saga continues as it has forgotten an eyewatering $90 million gap in its interest deductibility cost figures, say Labour Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds and Revenue Spokesperson Deborah Russell. ...
He Pou a Rangi Climate Change Commission has today released advice that says if the Government doesn’t act now New Zealand is at risk of not meeting its climate goals. ...
The Coalition Government has today confirmed it is abandoning first home buyers who are struggling to get ahead, says Labour Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds. ...
The New Zealand public voted for a change in direction at the 2023 general election and that is exactly what this coalition government has been delivering in its first 100 days. There was an immediate focus on the economy, easing the cost of living, cracking down on law and order ...
The Government has left the health system as an afterthought, announcing half-baked targets at the last minute of their 100-day plan, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
Kiwis are still waiting for their promised cost of living support after 100 days of a National Government that is taking us backwards, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The National Government has spent its first 100 days stopping, cutting and reversing. They have scrapped stuff for stuff for the sake of it, without putting up any solutions of their own – and it’s hardworking New Zealanders who will pay for it. ...
100 days of National taking NZ backwardsThe National Government has spent its first 100 days stopping, cutting and reversing. They have scrapped stuff for stuff for the sake of it, without putting up any solutions of their own – and it’s hardworking New Zealanders who will pay for it. ...
The Government must commit to funding free and healthy school lunches, as thousands of people sign the petition to keep them, education spokesperson Jan Tinetti says. ...
If the Government was serious about moving families into public housing, they would build more houses so there is actually somewhere for people to go. ...
The free and healthy school lunches programme feeds our kids, helps them to learn, and saves families money – but it is at risk under this Government, education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. ...
The Government’s proposed changes to Firearms Prohibition Orders (FPO) add almost nothing new and are merely an attempt to distract from its plans to loosen gun laws, police spokesperson Ginny Andersen and justice spokesperson Dr Duncan Webb said. ...
The great Victorian era English politician Lord Macauley stood in the British House of Parliament and said, "The gallery in which the reporters sit has become a fourth estate of the realm".He understood and outlined even way back then, the significant role and influence media have in a democracy. ...
"The Government is moving quickly to realise an additional $46 million in tariff savings in the EU market this season for Kiwi exporters,” Minister for Trade and Agriculture, Todd McClay says. Parliament is set, this week, to complete the final legislative processes required to bring the New Zealand – European ...
New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
Cabinet has agreed to a reduced road user charge (RUC) rate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. Owners of PHEVs will be eligible for a reduced rate of $38 per 1,000km once all light electric vehicles (EVs) move into the RUC system from 1 April. ...
Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay, says that today’s opening of Riverland Foods manufacturing plant in Christchurch is a great example of how trade access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand. Speaking at the official opening of this state-of-the-art pet food factory the Minister noted that exports ...
Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships. “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland Acknowledgements and opening Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says. “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024 Acknowledgements and opening Morena, Nga Mihi Nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country. “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week. “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
The Government is proud to support the 10th edition of Crankworx Rotorua as the Crankworx World Tour returns to Rotorua from 16-24 March 2024, says Minister for Economic Development Melissa Lee. “Over the past 10 years as Crankworx Rotorua has grown, so too have the economic and social benefits that ...
Legislation implementing coalition Government tax commitments and addressing long-standing tax anomalies will be progressed in Parliament next week, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The legislation is contained in an Amendment Paper to the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill issued today. “The Amendment Paper represents ...
Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard has today announced that the Government has agreed to suspend the requirement for councils to comply with the Significant Natural Areas (SNA) provisions of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity for three years, while it replaces the Resource Management Act (RMA).“As it stands, SNAs ...
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has classified the drought conditions in the Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts as a medium-scale adverse event, acknowledging the challenging conditions facing farmers and growers in the district. “Parts of Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts are in the grip of an intense dry spell. I know ...
The Government is helping farmers eradicate the significant impact of facial eczema (FE) in pastoral animals, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. “A $20 million partnership jointly funded by Beef + Lamb NZ, the Government, and the primary sector will save farmers an estimated NZD$332 million per year, and aims to ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has completed a successful visit to India, saying it was an important step in taking the relationship between the two countries to the next level. “We have laid a strong foundation for the Coalition Government’s priority of enhancing New Zealand-India relations to generate significant future benefit for both countries,” says Mr Peters, ...
Cabinet has agreed to provide $7 million to ensure the 2024 ski season can go ahead on the Whakapapa ski field in the central North Island but has told the operator Ruapehu Alpine Lifts it is the last financial support it will receive from taxpayers. Cabinet also agreed to provide ...
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
Lower fruit and vegetable prices are welcome news for New Zealanders who have been doing it tough at the supermarket, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Stats NZ reported today the price of fruit and vegetables has dropped 9.3 percent in the 12 months to February 2024. “Lower fruit and vege ...
Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all. Chair, I am honoured to address the sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all. Chair, I am honoured to address the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
The coalition Government is supporting farmers to enhance land management practices by investing $3.3 million in locally led catchment groups, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. “Farmers and growers deliver significant prosperity for New Zealand and it’s vital their ongoing efforts to improve land management practices and water quality are supported,” ...
Good evening everyone and thank you for that lovely introduction. Thank you also to the Honourable Simon Bridges for the invitation to address your members. Since being sworn in, this coalition Government has hit the ground running with our 100-day plan, delivering the changes that New Zealanders expect of us. ...
Recommendations from the Climate Change Commission for New Zealand on the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction and unit limit settings for the next five years have been tabled in Parliament, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “The Commission provides advice on the ETS annually. This is the third time the ...
The coalition Government is beginning its fight to lower building costs and reduce red tape by exempting minor building work from paying the building levy, says Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk. “Currently, any building project worth $20,444 including GST or more is subject to the building levy which is ...
Proposed changes to tax legislation to prevent the over-taxation of low-earning trusts are welcome, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The changes have been recommended by Parliament’s Finance and Expenditure Committee following consideration of submissions on the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill. “One of the ...
Assalaamu alaikum. السَّلَام عليكم In light of the holy month of Ramadan, I want to extend my warmest wishes to our Muslim community in New Zealand. Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, renewed devotion, perseverance, generosity, and forgiveness. It’s a time to strengthen our bonds and appreciate the diversity ...
Former Transport Minister and CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber Hon Simon Bridges has been appointed as the new Board Chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) for a three-year term, Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced today. “Simon brings extensive experience and knowledge in transport policy and governance to the role. He will ...
Good morning all, it is a pleasure to be here as Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology. It is fantastic to see how connected and collaborative the life science and biotechnology industry is here in New Zealand. I would like to thank BioTechNZ and NZTech for the invitation to address ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says he is looking forward to the day when three key water projects in Northland are up and running, unlocking the full potential of land in the region. Mr Jones attended a community event at the site of the Otawere reservoir near Kerikeri on Friday. ...
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Latest TPP News/HEADLINES
1. “U.S. Formally Proposes Carveout Of Anti-Tobacco Measures From ISDS
ATLANTA – In a move that is likely to ignite a firestorm on Capitol Hill, the Obama administration on Wednesday (Sept. 30) formally proposed language in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement that would prevent tobacco control measures from being challenged under the deal’s investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) mechanism, according to sources close to the negotiations.
Ministerial To Be Extended At Least One Day; Gaps Remain On Big 3 Issues
ATLANTA – The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) ministerial underway here will be extended at least through Friday (Oct. 2), as Mexico continues to take a hard line on the automotive rules of origin and significant gaps remain on dairy market access and the monopoly period for biologic drugs.
Trade Committee Leaders Demand USTR, Treasury Step Up TPP Consultations
The four leaders of the congressional trade committees are demanding that U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman and Treasury Secretary Jack Lew intensify their outreach to Congress and stakeholders with respect to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations to ensure an outcome that meets congressional priorities.”
Australia Says Its System Preserves Biologics Monopoly For Six Years
House Lawmakers Push Froman To Grant More Sugar Access Under TPP
http://insidetrade.com/ paywall
2. The significance of the tobacco carveout is discussed in this excellent article linked below,
TPP Carve Out for Tobacco Shows Core Flaws in Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS)
“The new exception validates, rather than assuages, the concerns of those who have been criticizing ISDS systems for many years. Without express carve outs, ISDS provisions do threaten common health and safety regulations.”
http://infojustice.org/archives/35107
The ‘carve outs’.
So in summary – I request that this agreement between us should not mean that they get to visit violence on me. You tell me we can draw up an agreed list of violences that have not to be perpetrated. (For some unknowable reason I agree that we provide a list)
And when they spoon out my eyes they ‘reasonably’ point to the sub-heading marked ‘eyes’ and the fact that, whereas ‘stabbing in the yes’ was listed, spooning of the eyes wasn’t.
Does that kind of cover it off?
Latest TPP News update
U.S. Tobacco Proposal Makes ISDS Carveout Optional; Builds On Existing Language
ATLANTA – The U.S. proposal on tobacco tabled here would give countries the option to prevent tobacco companies from challenging tobacco control measures under investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS), using a concept that already exists under the U.S. investment model called “denial of benefits,” according to informed sources.
http://insidetrade.com/ paywall
Any further updates?
“Inside U.S. Trade – October 2, 2015 Inside U.S. Trade All Headlines
TPP Ministerial Likely To Stretch To Weekend Despite Auto Progress
ATLANTA —
As of press time, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) ministerial taking place here was considered increasingly likely to last beyond Friday (Oct. 2) due to continuing differences on dairy market access and monopoly protections for biologic drugs, despite key parties being close to a deal on the automotive rules of origin.”
U.S. Tobacco Proposal Makes ISDS Carveout Optional; Builds On Model BIT
http://insidetrade.com/
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/285835/have-asset-sale-funds-gone-where-promised
Now I reckon that if a farm manager sold off a few paddocks to fix the woolshed roof he’d be down the road pretty quick, and yet these inept fools are still running our country.
As opposed to the fools who commited economic sabotage and lost a billion dollars off the price of the shares
Though I got more shares because of it so silver lining and all that
If that was the case then National shouldn’t have sold thus National are still the economic saboteurs – as they always are as the work to enrich the rich.
Ah, so you personally got to become a bigger bludger.
I got more shares because the left tried to derail the process so thanks I guess
Bragging about this makes pr look a fool.
You’re the ones that allowed me to make more money so if you don’t like then have a look in the mirror and blame the person looking back
If I was I charge I’d be forcibly them buy them back at what you payed for them .
Nzs resources like renewable power should be for all ,not for the rich and the non residents to profit from.
If I was in charge I’d say that were going to have partial privitisation before an upcoming election and then let the people of NZ decide
We did – 70% against the sales according to the referendum. The sale of those shares were, essentially, legalised theft.
National said what it would do before the election, it gave the voters of NZ plenty of time to think about and voters voted accordingly
Thats democracy for you
No, that’s elected dictatorship. Democracy is when the people actually get a say in the policies.
The people spoke, well enough people anyway, and National got re-elected
I guess for people like you democracy is only good when the people you support get elected
I don’t give a …. Who got voted in and how. If society wants to avoid repeating the same bloody upheavals caused by wealth accumulating at the top then we need to evolve past being greedy little monkeys.
I just reread you’re reply ,nice bit of diversion.
This post /comment had nothing to do with the rightor wrong of selling them it was about the fact that these so called economic geniuses that run the country are that stupid and short sighted that they sold a productive asset to paper over the cracks of there inability to balance the books.
Some good news (as far as it goes):
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/357925/jubilation-and-disappointment
http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/sep/28/shell-ceases-alaska-arctic-drilling-exploratory-well-oil-gas-disappoints
Key catches up with Rupert Murdoch.
They discuss the carve up of New Zelaand.
Who else is he meeting while he ‘s in New York?
The head of Merrill Lynch ?
The head of Goldman Sachs?
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11522286
Merrill Lynch ceased trading in 2013. The “head” of Merrill Lynch is the CE of the Bank of America. The Merrill Lynch brand is simply a moderatley sized wealth management division of the Bank of America. Why would JK be meeting with them?
Most of Goldman Sachs work in New Zealand is corporate advisory – again why would JK be meeing with them? And even if he was, what is the problem? What is your point?
One person who he is meeting with is Helen. I was releived from her commenst yesterday that she seems to have acquired some common sense since being exposed to the UN. I concede I was surprised at her comments about the TPP, but I will take my pleasant surprises from any sources.
My points.
1. Once a bankster, always a bankster.
2. It is interesting that Key catches up with Murdoch, don’t you think.
You support of the TPPA is noted.
You seem to agree with all the agenda of the 0.001%.
Either you are a member of that destructive group or you are a shill for them.
Paul
Srylands wishes he was part of the 0.001%, but your second guess seems the more likely to be accurate. With his pseudonym and better knowledge of the Australia (eg GST rates) than NZ, I’ve always put him down as CT spinner from across the ditch.
What is interesting is that this is only the second time he’s commented since May 14th (when his contribution was simply; “Dicks”, something to remember when he inevitably pulls out the; “There is no cause for rudeness”, line). When I saw his comment yesterday, I assumed he must have just come off a ban, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. It is telling that the reason he decided to crawl out of the woodwork was to cheer on the TPPA.
His only other contributions this year have been; April 22nd, when he was defending Key and smearing Bailey over pony-tailgate, and; February 1st when he was getting stuck into Catton.
These trolls are very tiresome.
A different opinion to yours doesn’t make someone a troll Paul but then thats your default setting isn’t it, call someone a troll and hope they get banned
Moderators will make up their own mind. And if I see words overused and out of context, I just add them to the moderated words until their use reverts to something acceptable
The government’s much hailed “investment approach” in social security and “reforms” they brought in over recent years are not what they seem. This has been noticed by Bill Rosenberg who published a paper for the CTU, which I understand Scoop already reported on.
The whole approach is flawed, and seems primarily designed to simply reduce the costs for government, without taking into consideration wider implications, like risks, costs or benefits for the individuals MSD and WINZ work with.
Here is an interesting paper on this, well worth a read, as it proves again, we are sold misguided, flawed, misrepresentation using policies, that only make things look better, but do not deliver what is claimed:
http://union.org.nz/sites/union.org.nz/files/Investment%20Approach%20is%20not%20an%20investment%20approach%20-%20Rosenberg_0.pdf
And reliable data is being withheld by the government, as this question by Carmel Sepuloni from 17 September to the Associate Minister for Social Development shows:
http://www.inthehouse.co.nz/video/39670
Others asked questions before, how the evaluation of reforms and outcomes was going:
http://publicaddress.net/speaker/how-is-government-evaluating-its-welfare/
https://nzsocialjusticeblog2013.wordpress.com/2015/04/10/mental-health-and-sole-parent-employment-services-msd-withholds-o-i-a-information-that-may-prove-their-trials-a-failure/
Really surprised that Helen Clark came out in support of the TPPA no matter what she thought of it. It undermines the Labour Party’s position on the TTPA just to start with. It also undermines attempts by the present Labour Party leadership to move towards being a party more in tune with the original Labour Party ideals.
Helen Clark
a) set the Urewera raids in motion
b) did not undo neoliberalism
What did you expect?
+1
Clark is as much Third Way as Blair and that means free-trade at all costs.
Even Donald Trump is saying “free trade” is damaging the US of A and that they need to move away from that to “fair trade”
Of course the Republican Party despise him, as hes not going by the agenda.
Tho Trump in charge of the button, with Ben Carson for running mate could appeal to a lot of US voters who dont trust Mrs Clinton.
It’s 35 years since Reagan destroyed America.
Most Americans can see the effects of free trade and ‘free trade agreements’ like NAFTA.
They are desperate for a candidate not supported by the financiers and large corporates. Hopefully Sanders will be that person, but Americans are so desperate, they might take a punt on Trump.
It also means neo-liberalism, just a slightly mellower form.
I know they name their policies the third way. However, it’s really the same way, buying into the mantra of ‘there’s no alternative’ popularised by Thatcher and her acolytes.
+1
Must admit my disappointment in Helen. Doesn’t seem like the Helen I voted for but I guess people change as their circumstances change.
So Helen should toe the party line despite being above politics at a national level? she should be subservient in her role as administrator of the un DEVELOPMENT agency that focuses on sustainable growth in poorer nations?
Given her legacy in our own countries politics, i was surprised that the one person who would know what benefits poorer nations would come out in support of the TPPA. so it’s a ringing endorsement.
but you think she should shut up because Labour in NZ knows better right? well done
Helen has managed to remain quiet on an awful lot of actions of this government that I am certain she is uncomfortable with. Why suddenly make a comment on a political hot button topic like the TPPA where she is actually endorsing the Prime Minister and strengthening his credibility? Especially as it doesn’t in the least part relate to her present role at the United Nations. This is what a good number of people will be asking themselves.
Just a couple of weeks ago Lisa Owen had her on the Nation and pushed her on whether nz should take more refugees. If I remember rightly Clarke said she doesn’t get involved in political issues in nz.
Helen got the role at the UN for services performed on behalf of [ ] in the interest of [ ]
The UN was founded and funded by [ ] and functions to ensure the continuation of [ ]
Helen The Insider
Yup pretty obvious to those not blinded by ideology and/or money.
Just like the UK Labour Party has recently done, the New Zealand Labour Party needs to distance itself from its recent Neo-Liberal past.
Andrew Little should declare that the Labour Party disagrees with the comments of the former Prime Minister and that Labour is now moving in a different direction to that of the previous two Labour Governments.
It is time to embrace socialism and end corporatism.
That would be nice, if unlikely. This is another example of the awkwardness of Helen making a statement right now. Labour seems to be gingerly moving to the left but she has forced their hand. She should have known the position she is putting the present Labour leadership in. It’s either a major faux pas or deliberate act of sabotage. I find both options to be extraordinary.
Just consider that the two most popular prime ministers of the mmp era both endorse TPPA
TPPA will be good for NZ
Please explain how it will be good for New Zealand.
Please provide evidence to support this statement as well.
Otherwise it’s worthless.
When the details come out I’ll accept your apology Paul
So no evidence then, pr?
Just the usual blasé statement with no back up or support.
And then you whinge on when I call you out for worthless trolling.
You add nothing to the debate.
If you truly believe the TPPA is great for NZ, please explain why.
I’ve explained why there shouldn’t be any details and all you’ve done is point to a leaked document that isn’t the final draft
But hey if its supported by John Key it must be bad
I’ll ignore that attempt to divert.
I don’t sign contracts without first reading the wording. Do you?
And the leaked draft would highlight some serious concerns for anyone who cares about the independence and sovereignty of this country.
If another party was in charge, would you be happy if they said trust us…..it’s in the best interests of the country?
Depends on the circumstances as always
“TPPA will be good for NZ”
How do you know? Are you privileged to some information the rest of New Zealand isn’t?
I don’t find it at all surprising that Helen Clark has come out in support of the TPPA.
She apparently has a wish to get the job as UN Secretary General. As a realist, and as someone who has always looked out for number 1, she is quite well aware that she hasn’t got a snow-flakes chance in Hell of even being considered unless she has the support of her own Government.
She has to do whatever John Key wishes her to do, doesn’t she? In fact he doesn’t have to tell her what to do or even mention the subject. She will be smart enough to know that she can’t get the position without the support of her own Government and that there is no way that is anything other than the current Key- led party. She has to keep him onside.
It doesn’t mean that his support can get her the job of course. Personally I think it will go to someone from Eastern Europe. His opposition will however completely kill her chances and she will kowtow to him wherever necessary.
As soon as I saw her endorsing TPPA, I thought “She’s scratching his back so that he will scratch hers in her job application.”
However, Clark didn’t really need to, as he would have endorsed her application anyway, to keep her busy and out of New Zealand. She’d be a lot more trouble to National if she came home and were active once more in politics – in any capacity.
“She’d be a lot more trouble to National if she came home”
Not nowadays, she wouldn’t.
John Key would probably have been happy to see her go when she did but that was a long time ago and the longer she has been away the more irrelevant she has become. At the beginning of 2009 she could probably have caused him some bother, as she would have known where all the bodies were buried, and the things that could have caused trouble for a new Government.
Her coming back now, and trying to take any part in politics, would be more likely to help rather than hurt him. If she said anything at all that Little doesn’t say first she is open, validly, to the charge that she is wrecking her old party.
No, after this long she is beholden to Key and would be quite helpless to revive any political career in this country. Getting involved at all would lead the Labour Party into being forced to destroy her. They can’t somehow reincarnate her as their leader, can they?
I read the articles fairly carefully and was left very unsure as to what Helen Clarke had said directly to journalists and in what context.
And what John Key had said Helen said – which is only his memory / say so and may be well out of context
when you say – “no matter what she thought of it” – you infer that she may not be in agreement.
Do you not understand that people with a greater knowledge than you or I on the mater actually know that this is a good idea.
The people of NZ (the lefties anyway) feel that when negotiating a deal they should be told in the smallest detail whats happening
They also miss the obvious that this is a damn stupid idea
The smallest details.. like not having overseas companies sueing our Government and not having crown entity operations compromised. Those are not fricking small details! What rational thinking person would have those things up for grabs in a deal anyway.
Is that confirmed or a rumour?
It’s a leak, pr.
I would have thought you knew that.
Again I ask, why the blind faith and trust in government?
In totalitarianism all you’ve got is blind faith.
So not confirmed then, just a rumour
A leak, pr.
Your opinion is usually an infantile barb, or a trite statement, hardly ever supported by any evidence or any coherent explanation.
Happy to debate the issue of the TPPA with you if you’ll actually discuss the ideas with some supporting evidence.
You acknowledge we don’t know what’s in the treaty, yet you say I should apologise when we eventually get told.
Firstly, do you really trust governments to make such a decision without us having any say in the matter?
Secondly, given the leaks we do know about, aren’t you at all concerned about the costs to medicine and the undermining of our sovereignty to the investor state clauses?
First question. Its a trade negotiation so I would expect any negotiations done to be secret.
Lets say for example something, anything came out in the negotiations and some concerned groups in NZ kicked up a fuss about it, they may not have all the facts but they complain anyway. The opposition would use that as leverage against NZ.
Second question. Its a leak ,its not confirmed so when the details come we’ll know more. However lets assume there is an extra cost to medicine thats say 5 billion more. Now imagine because of that our diary industry is opened up more and is worth 10 billion
Now the numbers arn’t important but what is important is how much we give up vs how much we set to gain
You speak of trust, I trust this government and every government in NZ to do whats best for NZ, thats why we elect them.
So I trust that NZs negotiaters will get us a favourable deal or they’ll walk away.
10 billion benefit??? Don’t make figures up.
The US Govt says max benefit to NZ agriculture from #TPP is 0.01% GDP in 2025.
The numbers arn’t important, if it makes you feel better try this:
However lets assume there is an extra cost to medicine thats say 5 million more. Now imagine because of that our diary industry is opened up more and is worth 10 million
Now the numbers arn’t important but what is important is how much we give up vs how much we set to gain
Is the Dairy Industry going to pay out for the increased prescription costs of people in ill health? How nice of them, maybe we can write that into the deal too.
Do you have a reference for this claim of only 0.01% of GDP?
Current NZ GDP is about $240 billion.
Let’s assume it gets to $300 billion by 2025.
Then 0.01% of that would be about $30 million/year.
Where did your number come from?
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11370439
Thank You. Now I see what he is talking about.
From the article you link to we see, after culling the verbiage
“”New Zealand’s agricultural growth will be led by gains in its output of dairy and meat products as it increases its exports of these commodities to Japan, Canada, the United States and Mexico,” the report says.
But the impact on gross domestic product would be almost imperceptible – 0.01 per cent or one-hundredth of 1 per cent.
Another modelling exercise, by I Cheong at the Asian Development Bank Institute last year, estimated the boost from the TPP agreement to New Zealand’s GDP by 2027 as nearly 1 per cent.”
The 0.01% figure quoted is the effect on the US GDP, not the NZ GDP. This is currently about $US 18 trillion. Allowing for growth to say $US 24 trillion by 2025 this would be about $US 2.4 billion or around $4 billion New Zealand dollars. That is vastly more than the implied figure of only 0.01% of the New Zealand GDP, and would be a bit more than the 1% figure derived by the ADB.
From my point of view estimating the likely GDP benefits in 10 years time is like picking who will win the football world cup. The world is facing some big challenges right now and I expect that it’s only the beginning.
And yet the European versian of this is being disclosed to people in far greater detail. I guess they don’t need to keep their bargaining positions secret.
Given we are spying on our allies and they on us (as admitted by Key) no one has a secret position anymore OR.
You need to at least think for yourself rather than just parroting key and Groser and Mapp. A comment you made above suggests you haven’t actually read any of the documents that have been revealed,s o your only basis for your opinion is what those you support have said about it? Which is your entitlement but impacts the calibre of your offerings to the discussion.
“they may not have all the facts but they complain anyway. ”
whereas you dont seem to have read any documents that have been revealled but support it anyway cos Mr Key and Mr Groser have told you to trust them.
remember Mr key may be well liked but polls suggest he is not ell trusted/believed…
Just today we see that he was VERY wrong to trust the defence force and to impugn Mr Stephenson. His judgment is not good PR.
I wonder why in the USA even if it is signed this week, it still has to pass through their political process to get accepted, which includes publishing the deal for 60 days.
No automatic ratification and circumvention of the people there…
And in the USA it is the Right that object most strongly, which rather wrecks the lefty meme peddled by Mr Mapp and parroted by some here.
Oh no!
“How well students perform in the classroom will soon play a part in how much funding a school gets, says the Education Minister.
Speaking at the Post-Primary Teacher’s Association (PPTA) annual conference in Wellington on Thursday, Hekia Parata said student achievement would “absolutely” be a factor in a review of the school funding system.”
Fraught with problems and another Parata U-turn.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/72605207/student-achievement-to-be-used-to-fund-schools-under-new-model
This Listener editorial from March of last year gives the arguments against this ridiculous proposal which is driven by ideology and certainly not by rational thought.
“There’s a good reason why police, lawyers and judges, for example, are not incentivised on the basis of securing convictions: it would make a mockery of the justice system. The same precautions need to apply in education.
Stumbling blocks abound. How to compare a school where all the students sit NCEA with one in which half the kids opt for Cambridge or the International Baccalaureate exams? How to compare a school where a large proportion of NCEA credits come from exams and traditional academic subjects with one that leans heavily on less-demanding vocational courses?”
http://www.listener.co.nz/commentary/editorial/editorial-dealing-to-deciles/
What’s wrong with it Tautoko Mango Mata? They do it in the USA and we know they are the fount of all wisdom. Of course there was that case where teachers were under pressure to produce perfect results and the one who was poorest and needed the job most was found to be coaching the answers.
I think they call it a moral hazard. Or is it immoral hazard” Anyway if we don’t know about such things I am sure Parata will know all about it from personal experience.
And what happens when a kid who wants to do Calculus for career reasons but will only get an achieved whereas the school would rather she did statistics because she’d get an excellence? While this may be an obvious sign of coercion there can be subtle ones … like making kids need all “merit” credits at level 2 in a exam heavy subject in order to continue to level 3 but only achieved for internally assessed courses.
That’s an interesting insight. The different ways that policies can be twisted for unintended consequences! But when the policies have already been tested overseas with monitoring and results are known, then there is no excuse = they are definitely toxic.
another friday dumping…
Okay so schools with students not doing so well suddenly get less money – self defeating isn’t it.
Perhaps our politicians need a merit in a number of subjects before they are turned loose in cabinet. They could cram for “the cabinet exams” once they are elected and of course we would need to see marks and league tables so we could make the right judgements & incentivise with a salary only the best y’know?
Brian Rudman scathing about Key’s panda distraction.
‘It rather misses the question: should we help fund China’s attempts to save one of its endangered species – it uses the high rentals collected on panda hires for panda research at home – or should we be using that money to protect and promote our own endangered species. After all, we have a few of them.
The last count I saw listed 2788 of our native plants and animals as endangered. In his doctoral thesis, scientist Mark Seabrook-Davison calculated that only 6 per cent, or 188, of New Zealand’s recorded threatened species were being actively managed.
The Department of Conservation is grossly under-funded and is expected to seek sponsors and volunteers to assist it in its vital work. How perilous this cost-cutting is was highlighted a month ago, when amateur deerstalkers were hired to cull pukeko on Motutapu Island in the Hauraki Gulf. After two days of blasting with shotguns on this protected reserve, four priceless takahe were found dead in the pile of 600 pukeko corpses.
There are fewer than 300 takahe in the world. Yet somehow, the civil servants on an island sanctuary entrusted with a flock of 21 of them, presided over the massacre of a fifth of them.
More than a month on, no explanation or prosecution has been announced. There’s been no clamour from the government. No minister has resigned. Instead, our masters coo over giant pandas, of which there are at least 1800.’
More here…..
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11522248
So we can say that no Minister or Civil servant was harmed by this slaughter. I guess the National Party’s verdict on that would be manslaughter!
the Wanganui Chronicle has a good article about Key’s fading star too
williams you were always loose but now you are just a bowel movement
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/285865/'you-want-to-get-a-job,-don't-bowl-up-speaking-maori‘
Don’t forget that Williams was in the same class at school as that notorious Māori-baiter Paul Holmes. This was not simply an inadvertent comment by Williams; he had plenty of time to consider what he would say. Williams’ foolish comments represent the ugly actuality of rural Hawkes Bay racism, which clearly hasn’t been eradicated by his decades spent in the company of Labour Party liberals.
The pity of this is that Williams usually shuts up and says nothing, except to repeat “I agree with Matthew”.[1] Why would he have imagined he was suddenly capable of opening his trap?
[1] http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-28092015/#comment-1075674
Morrissey, did you realise that you have begun your comment with a ‘guilt by association” argument? That needs strong condemnation, and weakens what you have said later- especially by being associated with your first argument.
Can I say to you that all of what you write is absolute tripe because you have used a faulty argument at the start, which is after all in itself ‘guilt by association’?
Morrissey, did you realise that you have begun your comment with a ‘guilt by association” argument?
If Williams had not made a stupid and incendiary dismissal of Māori language, your argument would have merit. But since Williams did exactly that, it is surely reasonable to mention his background, which includes a close friendship, first at school then later when they were both prominent public figures, with a notorious racist.
As a bit of a sidetrack, I was listening to newstalk last night and the host was getting all shitty that Tariana Turia wants Chris Brown in the country to talk to South Aucklanders about domestic violence. It was funny having a middle-aged white dude being so forthright on who might be the best messenger to Maori/Pasifika on these issues. I naturally assumed that Turia would have a much better idea on what might help than the radio jockey. A social worker in south Auckland then phoned up and said having Chris Brown here would be useful and then pointed out that we gave Tony Veitch a second chance, then the host quickly ended the call. It’s funny how people speaking the truth are dismissed so easily.
I thought that about Veitch too…
Thenit is a shame he is working so widely in our prisons. He might want to read some work from JUstice Beacroft which indicates those Maori Youth connected to Culture and Reo re-offend in much fewer numbers than those who don’t.
“The longitudinal studies have identified that an important protective factor for Māori young people is a strong sense of Māori identity and connection to their culture.”
Williams is insulting Maori by suggesting they cannot be fluent in English and Reo.
http://www.rethinking.org.nz/assets/JustSpeak/JustSpeak%20-%20Maori%20and%20the%20Criminal%20Justice%20System%20-%20A%20Youth%20Perspective.pdf
Backers of Al Qaeda, ISIS and Al Nusra
say RUSSIA is ‘throwing gasoline on fire’
Outrageous Hypocrisy ALERT!
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/30/russia-launches-first-airstrikes-against-targets-in-syria-says-us?CMP=EMCNEWEML6619I2
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/285802/dotcom-case-crown-finds-original-extradition-notices
Just in case people were worried
Not really. Even if Dotcom is extradited the chances of the plaintiffs getting a court victory are probably slim. Pretty sure the ‘Betamax’ precedent will be cited before its all over.
http://blog.legalsolutions.thomsonreuters.com/legal-research/today-1984-supreme-court-decides-sony-betamax-case/
“a company was not liable for manufacturing a technology that some customers may use for copyright-infringing purposes, so long as the technology is capable of substantial “noninfringing uses.”
I don’t care if hes prosecuted or not i just want the guy out of NZ
What an asinine comment. I want you out of NZ too. Regrettably however you seemingly have every much as right to be here as he does.
Well no he has permanant residence status which can be revoked and the sooner it is the better
I mean yes he did do National a big favour with his internet party thing but the funs over and now he has to leave
lol
I’m still worried – they’re running an expensive court case after an armed police raid and they still couldn’t get the paperwork together or confirm that the legal requirements had been fulfilled.
This is basic stuff that should be easily achievable off the bat, rather than frantically searching offices to find necessary paperwork or not knowing whether ministers had been informed.
Shit, I’m disorganised as fuck, but even I know to check off all the requirements and make sure I have everything before I go into a big meeting. Right up there with straightening the tie and making sure your fly is done up before you walk in the door.
In pr’s world the boss having his fly done up just slows down his chances of promotion.
That actually made me laugh, well done 🙂
Interesting that the originals were in the Judges office the whole time… and no one knew… not the Clerk… not the Judge… not the parties who must have filed them with their other documents…
Anne Tolley: ‘We need to talk’ and it might get uncomfortable
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/72598810/anne-tolley-we-need-to-talk-and-it-might-get-uncomfortable
Next steps for CYF overhaul
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/next-steps-cyf-overhaul
Anne Tolley isn’t very popular if the comments below her article are anything to go by.
Indeed.
And here is the flaw in her approach:
http://union.org.nz/sites/union.org.nz/files/Investment%20Approach%20is%20not%20an%20investment%20approach%20-%20Rosenberg_0.pdf
Probably by the same people that cry eugenics at the drop of a hat
Still waiting your evidence that the TPP will benefit NZ.
Or are you just dipping in, here there and everywhere with your smart Alec comments?
I’ve explained my position, all you have is a leaked draft.
When i was negotiating the purchase of my first house I didn’t pay what the seller was asking, the seller didn’t accept my first offer either.
The house plans for my first new home at the start were different to the end plans.
Get it?
Your analogy fails.
When you bought your house, you knew the price.
We don’t know the price of the TPP.
It’s a secret.
Imagine if you bought the house because you trusted the vendor would do a fair deal. And only found out the cost four years later. And could do nothing about it.
That’s the TPP.
Lots of leaked chapters actually.
Quite a lot of evidence that the TPP is not in NZ’s national interests.
But what’s concrete evidence when put alongside blind faith?
Is John Key looking after your property portfolio that well, pr?
I sense I’ve found your motivation for supporting Key’s form of crony capitalism.
Unbridled self interest.
https://wikileaks.org/tpp-enviro/pressrelease.html
http://www.politico.com/agenda/story/2015/06/tpp-deal-leaked-pharma-000126
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2015/07/new-leaked-tpp-chapter-reveals-countries-converging-anti-user-copyright
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Qrngk_0WHY
Sorry, this house sale analogy doesn’t work so I FIFY..
Let’s say you (NZ Public) and I (National Cabinet) are the clients buying a house. Our salesman/negotiator, (Groser) is not providing us with the information as to exactly what is included in the “sale”(TPPA) and will tell us only after he has signed a deal that we cannot alter. We are not allowed to look at the house (proposed text) until we sign although we have been lucky enough to get a floor plan off a builder (Wikileaks) who did some work on it. We are not being told whether the furniture and kitchen silver is included ( extended patent times for biologics, etc.) What is more, it is only my decision (the Cabinet) whether to buy or not and not yours because I want that house regardless of whether you do and quite frankly, I don’t give a rat’s posterior what you think because you are breathless, uniformed and irrelevant.
And the clincher “I also don’t give a toss because you are goimg to be living in it not meeee.”
Were you being spied on by the vendor so they knew what you would go to anyway? Cos that is the actually analogy PR. You can’t miss out the part where we and our allies to the proposed TPP are spying on each other, and if this deal is so crucial, spying on what positions nations are taking. I’ve put this to Mr Mapp several times and he just says nothing.
Privatisation really improves customer service.
Spark presently have over a 2 hour wait on answering the phone!
Moutter has slashed via several redundancy waves to keep profits at an unsustainable level.
Alot of knowledge and capability has been happy to depart an organisation they perceive as heading towards the rocks.
It’s just a logo and marketing fluff now, Chorus and others actually run the network.
Just letting you know that Spark went public in 1990 so 25 years ago but yes Telecom certainly had better customer service than in the old post office days
Really?
Nah, not really.
But it’s a myth he likes to put around.
I wonder if puckish rouge supports the sexual assault on females by sabin like characters in the customs department if they learn that the females are visiting Kim Dotcom……
I think his hate for the fat german would make him quite comfortable with this Sabinization of our customs department ….
Regarding his other fetish ……The TPPA is a corporate take-over of our countries laws and he’s really comfortable with that ………..
What are you on or what are you talking about? An answer to either question would be sufficient
You support the TPPA without question.
His faith in Key resembles the blind hero worship of the brown shirts.
I know everyone here will be glad to see Paul Henry making a good go on the radio, no doubt it will lead over to the tv part of the show 🙂
http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/72647583/paul-henry-a-surprise-winner-in-radio-survey
An increase from 1 to 7% in wellington?
But according to the surveyors they didn’t run a survey in the first half of this year…
“they didn’t run a survey in the first half of this year”
What has that got to do with PR’s comment, or to the article he linked to for that matter?
Neither of them claim that it was being compared with the first half of the year. PR doesn’t mention a date and the linked article only talks about a comparison with the previous survey.
Sigh.
Paul Henry got his latest opportunity for failure in early April 2015.
In the article PR linked to (that you read so carefully) they clearly identified the survey, and report the findings:
(my bold)
If the survey is supposed to be done biannually then maybe the launch of phs might have overlapped with the survey period. But my link clearly says “No survey in 1-2015”. So what was “the last survey” from which phs made its “gains”?
I’m surprised that neither you nor pr can spot such obvious holes in reporting – but then the lack of comprehension ability goes some way to explaining why you’re both tory fuckwits.
But then the show he replaced didn’t beam to radio and henry already had a radio audience… so it’s not apples with apples.
A few days ago the topic of the NZ Herald gaming its own comments section was raised here.
I have been watching one particular story today, so here’s what has happened so far.
Brian Rudman’s “Don’t waste takahe’s cash on panda porn” was posted at 9.24am. (Presumably too late for the print edition – will it be in that tomorrow?)
The 24 comments the Herald opted to reproduce are all denoted as having been made at c.11.48am. However, they were not actually posted till after 1pm.
I made a comment on the article sometime around 12.30 and that has not been posted. In fact it is now 5.25pm and no further comments have been added at all. That seems odd.
(The tone of the existing comments was pretty nearly 100% against the government. The usual RWNJs were absent, having decided that this one was too hot too handle.)
During the 2005 election campaign many left-leaning people complained that the photograph of Helen Clark used in the Iwi/Kiwi ads was unfair, and that it had been doctored. I never thought that it was flattering but it did appear to be just one of the photos of her that you would expect to see in a newspaper, and I never thought it was unfair or distorted.
An example is here
http://www.electionads.org.nz/?p=11459
Jane Kelsey has written an article on the TPPA on The Daily Blog and attached a photo of Ms Clark.
What did Helen do to get Ms Kelsey so p*d off?
http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2015/10/01/helen-clark-needs-to-heed-her-own-un-advisers-on-tppa/
I have never seen such an appalling photo. Even her worst enemies wouldn’t regard it as fair
…and that was what struck you most about the article? Fair enough I suppose.
get over ‘looks’ dick – it is irrelevant at best – you are so judgmental it makes me realise how insecure you must be
Perhaps the anonymous ‘Editor’ responsible for today’s NZ Herald ‘Editorial’, could please provide evidence proving that I have ever stated anything that was factually inaccurate, concerning Auckland Council, or Auckland Council CCOs?
Penny Bright
‘Anti-corruption WHISTLE-BLOWER’
2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate.