Does anyone in the National party agree with this:
“the [National] vote doesn’t have to narrow down to rich people and those who think they will become rich. It can appeal to regular, modestly paid people, but only if it shows some awareness of the cost of living, and accepts that just because you’re claiming benefits – in or out of work – it doesn’t mean you’re scum.”
Interested to know—because the govt drawn from that party does not seem to believe this.
“Single mothers have reacted angrily to “appalling” and “degrading” comments by Australia’s Families Minister, Jenny Macklin, who said she could survive on the A$35 ($43.81) a day Newstart allowance.
Macklin was commenting on government changes that replace single parents’ payments with lower Newstart payments once the children turn 8. Welfare groups estimate some families will be A$60 to A$100 a week worse off.
Corinna Taylor, a 43-year-old Brisbane mother of two who expects to lose A$90 a week, said it would force her to seek charity help or family loans, and make many single mothers rort the system.
“I would challenge anybody to live on A$35 a day and not in some way have to rort the system.”
The Government’s changes would put those in different circumstances in the same basket, she said. Office manager Cate Flaherty agreed.
“As a single mother who’s always worked part-time and raised polite, considerate children I’m now being treated as someone who adds no more value to society than a junkie sitting on the couch all day,” she said.
Flaherty says her budget will now be cut by A$230 a fortnight, almost double the drop of a non-working single mother. “We’ve copped a bigger hit than non-working single mothers … It’s made it harder for me to work.”
Terese Edwards, of the National Council of Single Mothers and Their Children, said Macklin’s comments were “salt in the wound for these mums who face such an uphill battle”.”
The minister misses the point entirely when she states she could survive. Anyone on a low income knows there is a big difference between surviving and living.
The minister misses the point entirely when she states she could survive.
It’s also the time period she chooses to ‘survive’. Start in winter time with high electricity bills and last long enough for the washing machine to breakdown, the kids to grow out of their shoes and an unexpected root canal.
When I first heard this news I thought she must be a Minister in a Liberal State government, but I regret to say she is a Labor minister and former deputy leader of the Federal ALP.
It would seem that Australian Labor see more votes to be gained from the ‘bash a bene brigade’ than what they would likely gain from beneficiaries themselves,
Seems that the Aussies have taken a harder line than Paula Benefit has here, that should be said with a whisper as i am sure National will be looking at the changes across the Tasman with open admiration,
Then again, after the roof-painting sickness beneficiary speech from Shearer, i wonder if there might be some admiring approval from many in the current Labour Caucus here…
The difference is that with the Australian version there seems to be a high level of public outrage, with business groups among those opposed. What is more, this outrage is reported in at least one major newspaper.
The man bent over his guitar
A shearsman of sorts. The day was green.
They said, “You have a blue guitar,
You do not play things as they are.”
The man replied, “Things as they are
Are changed upon the blue guitar.”
And they said then, “But play, you must,
A tune beyond us, yet ourselves,
A tune upon the blue guitar
Of things exactly as they are.”
-Wallace (from the Blue Hotel)
(We can’t see. But feel some awful thing)
We had fed the heart on fantasies,
The heart’s grown brutal from the fare;
More substance in our enmities
Than in our love…
Yikes, oops, Yeats
now on my way to the forum i was Way-laid; a brother from fellowship (well two actually, his father-in-law is Greco ;), and the childrens uncle’s, well, they’re padding around the ‘hood), anyway, we broke bread together over a cuppa tea before i cycled by my favourite second-hand bookshop and discussed The Sources with a socialist colleague, he’s a house painter too, since moving on from patching the bros’ through his Screen business, interestingly, another brother, same Father owns it now, anyway…make sure your’e connected, the writings on the wall. And thats the skinny 😉
Those 2 links certainly put into context the previous ‘writings’ of one David Shearer and has me pondering whether or not His ‘aid work’ for the UN was not in fact a ‘front’ for intelligence gathering on behalf of one country or another’s intelligence service,
The story, true or false???, told of Dave having an ‘idea’ while sitting on the back of a truck watching African kids scrabble in the dust for Dave’s tossed mango skins makes me also ponder whether Shearer has any empathy what-so-ever with those who find themselves living a life of less than what Dave manages…
Yes well it’s all very well sitting in comfort critiquing Shearer and his UN role. I found your post cynical to say the least. Give the guy a break after all he was out there making a difference in the third World. What are you doing? Sitting in your Y fronts at your comp with ya guts hanging out I bet lol.
Was He really, making a difference that is???, it appears from here in front of the computer, wearing shorts and T, gut suitably overhung, that the same tribal wars are still occurring and each day the same amount of Africans die of starvation, disease, and, war-fare related injuries as they have done despite Dave’s best efforts,
Then again if the diagnosis inherent in the articles linked to via the comment i previously made are in any way close to being ‘fact’ then there are plenty here in the ‘West’ who are putting one hell of an effort into ensuring that such remains the status quo…
Finding homes for orphans in Rwanda? That’s a difference made.
I’m impressed with the way that the guy has morphed from ‘too nice’ into totally evil and Machiavellian in no time at all.
Indeed B12, its a stretch to imagine that amongst the imperialist destabilisation/playing both sides, and UN complicity to genocide, including the awful crimes committed by so called UN peace-keppers in africa, corporate profiteering, private militarisation, monopolistic *racketeering*,that one David Shearer stands tall as a man of honesty/integrity, working for the benefits of the african people, against his own sponsors/employers!
Thats is effectively what we are being *asked* to believe/accept!
Edit: Skinny in case you were not being sarcastic, why should we give DS a break, we are being *asked* to believe that the new leader of the major opposition party in NZ, is something which he quite possibly is not, but should give him a *free pass*, so to speak!
What sort of difference was DS making, and for whom exactly!
Figured with the *hands down pants* comment you were not entirely serious, hard to tell over the virtual space eh.
Yeah it would be a generous individual who would give DS the benefit of any doubt thats for sure, its blatant the way he was fast tracked, just as Key was, that this was/is a done deal, and he has very powerful backing, not talking about caucus, cos they are not the power, so much as the puppets!
Hey but there is always Russel Norman waiting to pick up some votes eh, or when he get exposed, perhaps Kennedy Graham will be maneuvered (already) into position, and the greens turn out to the watermelons they obviously are!
well I’m going to ignore the stupid watermelon quip – so last year muzza – go for the upgrade mate.
I’ve heard a couple of different end-games for these “powerful backers” of key – what’s your take on it muzza? Are they going to kill off most of us and leave the rest as slaves.
Hi Marty, it my polite name for it, what would you prefer I used?
So far as any end game, IMO, the power backers simply play all sides, like any outcome based criminal would do. I don’t pretend to know what may/may not happen, but whatever has gone before, is happining/coming, I can’t honestly see what is going to prevent/stop it at the moment. People can stop, but most will not acknowledge/can’t/won’t see the threat, which makes it difficult, while others want to blow off the political situations as ineptitude etc, while refusing to entertain the notion, that just perhaps these politicians with the *back stories*, and even those who are not as prominent, are operating under another guise, while pretending to be Kiwis working for NZ. Why is that not a possibility to most, because when I see a huge mess (repeated corruptions) that NZ became some time back, I go looking for different possible explanations, which may or may not be wide of the mark…
All I would say Marty, is have a look at whats happening around the world with the wars, kinetic military actions etc in any part of the world where peoples are being killed off, resources stolen, look at the global debt, and related austerity based policies, the financial control over commodities which are killing people off, ans environmental destruction, then ask if its not already happening, the killing and the slavery I mean!
you have done lots of research and are watching this stuff avidly – is there a point to it and what is it? Obviously more of the same is an answer but why.
Marty, in the eyes of any sane human being, there is no point in the murderous, genocidal/kleptocratic policies and systems which dominate the worlds population & environment, no point or purpose!
So why does it all not just stop?
My POV, because there are too many interests which want it that way. The, why currently seems clear enough, that in chaos comes opportunity to control, of all kinds, via all systems. Efficiency, peace human/environmental well being, seem not to be a feature of the *decision makers* mind-set, because if it were, we would not have a fraction of the global/local suffering. Why is it not a feature of the mind-set, are they being blackmailed, gun to head, or are they actually *in on it*, whatever *it* might be, the choices are few, when it comes to why governments are actively working against those they are apparantly working for.
There are not that many explanations for the continued state of despair/suffering etc, or the political complicity in it, that’s what people need to start examining and trying to understand. If we ever got to a critical mass of threat awareness, then perhaps the point (if there is one) will actually have to reveal itself.
If it turned out there was no *point/agenda*, at least we would be better positioned to force/demand positive change, instead of hoping it might arrive via the ballot box. It requires people to actively start thinking about the treachery in our country, the damage its done, and the damage it will do, and consciously/actively not stand for it any longer.
Kiwi workers ripped off with yet another wet summer holiday break. Change the official holiday period to the 1st 2 weeks of Feb I say!
This is something the Labour/ Green parties could explore as a campaign policy. It’s seems to be a constant issue every year ‘wet weather.’ usually hot summer days arrive as the poor old worker returns to work. Any one agree?
Absolutely. I always work through Christmas/New Year (I’m fortunate to be in an essential service industry that doesn’t ‘shut down’) … and usually take leave in February sometime. There’s often a nice spot of weather early December, but frankly the weather around late December, early January is just too damn unreliable. It seems to have been like this for a decade or more.
The stupid part is that many people are compelled to take leave in a short window of opportunity … and if the weather is crap then there’s every reason to feel ripped off. A lot more flexibility around annual leave is well overdue in many workplaces.
Along the same lines I have a European work colleague whose pretty appalled at how understaffed most organisations are in this country. It means that people are constantly under pressure and stress to juggle unexpected changes of roster, health and family obligations.
And too many people feel uncomfortable asking for leave outside of the normal Christmas period because they’re not all that confident that being away from the job (and all the office politics) for 2-3 weeks mid-year is all that smart.
All just another symptom of the mean-spirited and narrow thinking of too many employers in this country.
Yes I agree many employee’s do feel compelled to take there summer holiday over the Xmas period.
I think in Europe they take their summer break later than we do for the obvious reason of hotter more settled weather. Certainly would help seeing through the bleak winter months if we had a later official holiday period. I feel for the campers at the moment.
RL, should we not question the following? Absolutely. I always work through Christmas/New Year (I’m fortunate to be in an essential service industry that doesn’t ‘shut down’)
Why the fekk is anything essential unless life and limb are threatened? Where do we draw the line on the commercial imperative and the human imperative on Christmas Day etc?
It may well be that kiwi workers are ripped off with another wet Xmas/New Year, but I can’t see it changing because for many, maybe most families, the chance to join the gathering of the clan and visit friends and the chance to get away for a holiday are the same thing. And that almost inevitably happens at Christmas. When it happens at all*. Travel is expensive.
*More than half of my street seem to have stayed home this Xmas. This working class suburb was a ghost town this time last year.
Unfortunately, in my experience, people want to do Christmas at Christmas. Which is a pain really. But somehow it still seems valuable to me, that we have one festival that is shared by almost everyone at the same time. Just pity about the time.
It rained every day while I was up in Auckland. Which is normal for Auckland. Still had a good time.
It seems to me that people are missing a crucial factor: the school year ends in December and starts at the beginning of February. And then a lot of workplaces close down because they figure e eryone is going on holiday…. and RNZ and all our news media think it’s time to slack off more than usual – cumulative effect.
At my workplace, a lot of people choose to take their annual leave over this period because they have school age children. My workplace only closes for the statutory days.
Hence, people like me, who work part time and have no young children, get called in to do some extra casual work over this period. I’m very happy with this, and to take some leave in February or March.
If the legislation around annual leave was brought into line with stat days – where, if agreement can’t be reached, the employee determines when the day in lieu will be taken – then the current widespread compulsion to take annual leave in late Dec would end.
So if workers wanted two weeks or whatever around Chinese NY or any other damned time they pleased in this multi-cultural country, they could.
Good point Bill certainly would get the NZ chinese votes closer to Chinese NY.
Unfortunately far too many employee’s don’t have the guts to belong to a Union. Workers rights took a hit we have never recovered from since the introduction of voluntary Unionism. introduced.
I doubt a Shearer led Labour will tamper with employment law in this regard?
Well the 2 weeks from Xmas is widely regarded as the ‘official summer holiday period.’ what planet are you from? Planet Key or something! You know what I mean smart arse lol
Will a Labour government in NZ “save us” from such woes? Politicians are, after all, politicians! So much hinges on influences the wider membership can (hopefully) bring to bear.
Bloody bingbot was slowing the site again this morning – I wish it would tell me what timezone it thinks I’m operating in. I have dialed back it’s entire time period.
Tom Lehrer’s work and wit has been one of my interests for a long time. I was just reading his Wikipedia bio and thought this was an interesting quote.
In 2003 he commented that his particular brand of political satire is more difficult in the modern world: “The real issues I don’t think most people touch. The Clinton jokes are all about Monica Lewinsky and all that stuff and not about the important things, like the fact that he wouldn’t ban land mines… I’m not tempted to write a song about George W. Bush. I couldn’t figure out what sort of song I would write. That’s the problem: I don’t want to satirise George Bush and his puppeteers, I want to vaporize them.”[13]
Gene Weingarten of the Washington Post interviewed Lehrer off the record in a February 2008 phone call. When Weingarten asked if there was anything he could print for the record, Lehrer responded, “Just tell the people that I am voting for Obama.”[23]
About 8 days ago the ‘subscriptions’ that dropped comments into my email stopped working. Just been and had a look and I’m apparently still subscribed to…well, actually all posts now and not just the ones I’ve commented on. But nothing comes through (and no, they ain’t landing in spam or junk)
One mans annoyance being another’s blessing, yeah the same happened in my email as well, but, seeing as i can’t ever remember asking to be notified every time a comment appeared in a post i had commented in i’m happy the emails stopped…
Yes, the same happened to me. Also, I lost the WYSIWYG from the reply boxes. It meant I was stimulated to learn that awkward long code for links. After a few wrong attempts, I think I have just about grasped it.
The messenger awaited a desperately long time
the long-for herald of victory or annihilation
was delayed-the tragedy was without any ending
In the background the chorus scanned dark prophecies and curses
the king-a dynastic fish-thrashed in an inconceivable net
the second indispensable person was missing-fate
The epilogue was probably known by an eagle an oak the wind
a sea wave
the spectators were half-dead breathing shallowly as stone
The Gods slept A quiet night without lightning
Finally the messenger arrived in a mask of blood dirt lamentation
uttering incomprehensible shrieks pointing with his hands
to the East
this was worse than death because there would be no pity
no fear at all
and in the last moment everyone longs to be pardoned
it’s when you want to shrug it all off:
the gross pap of warm anaesthetised brains
hotels ringing with stale tongues
the bland translations of headlines
walls everywhere
when money’s sensual brutality
chats warmly in your veins
when your possessions assert their tyranny
mocking you from corners
where is the moon’s still wash
over uncluttered landscapes?
where are your lovers’ mouths
which stopped your mouth so neatly?
in this dreamless city you put them away
now you turn to a window
which mimics you in ice
your face a marble of loss
your hair a curtain of dust:
this is the stone you work on
-Alison Croggan (from Blue Sky Mining Country; 2 Minutes To Midnight)
Phase shift…..if I work all day in the Blue Sky mine there’ll be food on the table tonight……..if the Blue Sky mine wont come to my rescue who’s gonna save me…….
Watch what happens when this pathetic old man—let’s call him “Sir Paul”—tries to harass a young black man in Florida.
At 2:41 Sir Paul snarls at the young man: “A typical punk black. That’s all you are.” Sounds just like the language that used to be heard daily around the Television New Zealand studios until 2005.
what follows is a wee awry sermon from the non MSM MSP (very funny :), i can take a roasting and laugh at myself for a while, yet it’s the future for people that makes me sad, particularly considering the climate and what follows; “roastings” becoming normal was one reason I stopped watching television comedy, life is funny enough without people clowning around at some “others” expense, and when discussing the Keiser’s “comedy” today the chap responding said one thing Max outlined Five years ago was that “They” intended to “nickle and dime” people…
(find a penny pick it up, and all day you’ll have good “luck”, well todays “penny” is a 10 cent piece and I’ve picked up three in the last three weeks, as well as quite a few butts before I broke even, to “afford” a Holiday and then, eventually, gave up Finally, (Cold Turkey; Alan Carr, Quit Smoking, or don’t, it don’t bother me none) and what today in The West is not predominantly “vanity”?
Dom
-student allowances cuts to go ahead, to be felt most by poorer students, lost potential
despite higher loan repayments and fewer borrowing (not wasted on the young)
-“Anarchy in Afghanistan”-Warlord holds the key to peace, more “civilized” than Nato?
supports segregated education, not discrimination. ANA-“yanks” buy another Uniform made by “the hands of others”.
Conclusion-Join Hands; Siouxsie
(when the “Spirit” is weak, culture, flight and fear are willing)
Aussie manufacturing land Downunder-“no manufacturing sub-sector recorded expansion activity”
Grave implications for New Zealand Made to become less “appealing”. Has the Teflon Donkey seen the price of Margerine? It’s sliding out the door.
RNZ-Enola Gay…it didn’t have to turn out this way…Could have waved goodbye to The House of The Rising Sun…;) (ahhh, the power of suggestion); We’re a Garage Band, in a garage land.
Oh Well, Heaven, Time to Stop Making Sense. Thank You For Sending Me An Angel to beat these Slippery People Burning Down The House making Flippy Floppy in the Swamp like Casual Gods.well, What A Day That Was.
-Genius Of Love (Tom Tom Club)(i’m going home now to listen to The Essential Ozzy bark at the
Moon) Bye
getta rythm…when you get the blues…getta rythm…but don’t step on my Blue sandal shoes
(if I were a carpenter…Doin My Time…As Long As I Live…They Call Me The Breeze…That Old Wheel…(wish i had A Backstage Pass)…but is there something not “Right” about The Man They Love To Hate? I don’t think so Tim, maybe he could be an Architectural Clinical Psychologist;NOT
-John (Angel And The Badman) who prays somebody sees his potential and knocks on his Caravan door. (yet “bums” are like families…everybody’s got one)
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Auckland Transport have started rolling out new HOP card readers around the network and over the next three months, all of them on buses, at train stations and ferry wharves will be replaced. The change itself is not that remarkable, with the new readers looking similar to what is already ...
Completed reads for April: The Difference Engine, by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling Carnival of Saints, by George Herman The Snow Spider, by Jenny Nimmo Emlyn’s Moon, by Jenny Nimmo The Chestnut Soldier, by Jenny Nimmo Death Comes As the End, by Agatha Christie Lord of the Flies, by ...
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
Have a story to share about St Paul’s, but today just picturesPopular novels written at this desk by a young man who managed to bootstrap himself out of father’s imprisonment and his own young life in a workhouse Read more ...
The list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill English, Simon Bridges, Steven Joyce, Roger Sowry, ...
Newsroom has a story today about National's (fortunately failed) effort to disestablish the newly-created Inspector-General of Defence. The creation of this agency was the key recommendation of the Inquiry into Operation Burnham, and a vital means of restoring credibility and social licence to an agency which had been caught lying ...
Holding On To The Present:The moment a political movement arises that attacks the whole idea of social progress, and announces its intention to wind back the hands of History’s clock, then democracy, along with its unwritten rules, is in mortal danger.IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in ...
Stuck In The Middle With You:As Christopher Luxon feels the hot breath of Act’s and NZ First’s extremists on the back of his neck and, as he reckons with the damage their policies are already inflicting upon a country he’s described as “fragile”, is there not some merit in reaching out ...
The unpopular coalition government is currently rushing to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act. The clause is Oranga Tamariki's Treaty clause, and was inserted after its systematic stealing of Māori children became a public scandal and resulted in physical resistance to further abductions. The clause created clear obligations ...
Buzz from the Beehive The government’s official website – which Point of Order monitors daily – not for the first time has nothing much to say today about political happenings that are grabbing media headlines. It makes no mention of the latest 1News-Verian poll, for example. This shows National down ...
It Takes A Train To Cry:Surely, there is nothing lonelier in all this world than the long wail of a distant steam locomotive on a cold Winter’s night.AS A CHILD, I would lie awake in my grandfather’s house and listen to the traffic. The big wooden house was only a ...
Packing A Punch: The election of the present government, including in its ranks politicians dedicated to reasserting the rights of the legislature in shaping and determining the future of Māori and Pakeha in New Zealand, should have alerted the judiciary – including its anomalous appendage, the Waitangi Tribunal – that its ...
Dead Woman Walking: New Zealand’s media industry had been moving steadily towards disaster for all the years Melissa Lee had been National’s media and communications policy spokesperson, and yet, when the crisis finally broke, on her watch, she had nothing intelligent to offer. Christopher Luxon is a patient man - but he’s not ...
Chris Trotter writes – New Zealand politics is remarkably easy-going: dangerously so, one might even say. With the notable exception of John Key’s flat ruling-out of the NZ First Party in 2008, all parties capable of clearing MMP’s five-percent threshold, or winning one or more electorate seats, tend ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is ...
Luxon will no doubt put a brave face on it, but there is no escaping the pressure this latest poll will put on him and the government. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political ...
This is a re-post from The Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler In the wake of any unusual weather event, someone inevitably asks, “Did climate change cause this?” In the most literal sense, that answer is almost always no. Climate change is never the sole cause of hurricanes, heat waves, droughts, or ...
Something odd happened yesterday, and I’d love to know if there’s more to it. If there was something which preempted what happened, or if it was simply a throwaway line in response to a journalist.Yesterday David Seymour was asked at a press conference what the process would be if the ...
Hi,From time to time, I want to bring Webworm into the real world. We did it last year with the Jurassic Park event in New Zealand — which was a lot of fun!And so on Saturday May 11th, in Los Angeles, I am hosting a lil’ Webworm pop-up! I’ve been ...
Education Minister Erica Standford yesterday unveiled a fundamental reform of the way our school pupils are taught. She would not exactly say so, but she is all but dismantling the so-called “inquiry” “feel good” method of teaching, which has ruled in our classrooms since a major review of the New ...
Exactly where are we seriously going with this government and its policies? That is, apart from following what may as well be a Truss-Lite approach on the purported economic “plan“, and Victorian-era regression when it comes to social policy.Oh it’ll work this time of course, we’re basically assured, “the ...
Hey Uncle Dave, When the Poms joined the EEC, I wasn't one of those defeatists who said, Well, that’s it for the dairy job. And I was right, eh? The Chinese can’t get enough of our milk powder and eventually, the Poms came to their senses and backed up the ute ...
Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is higher than for any other mayor ...
Buzz from the Beehive Pharmac has been given a financial transfusion and a new chair to oversee its spending in the pharmaceutical business. Associate Health Minister David Seymour described the funding for Pharmac as “its largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff”. ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its ...
TL;DR: Here’s my top 10 ‘pick ‘n’ mix of links to news, analysis and opinion articles as of 10:10am on Monday, April 29:Scoop: The children's ward at Rotorua Hospital will be missing a third of its beds as winter hits because Te Whatu Ora halted an upgrade partway through to ...
span class=”dropcap”>As hideous as David Seymour can be, it is worth keeping in mind occasionally that there are even worse political figures (and regimes) out there. Iran for instance, is about to execute the country’s leading hip hop musician Toomaj Salehi, for writing and performing raps that “corrupt” the nation’s ...
Yesterday marked 10 years since the first electric train carried passengers in Auckland so it’s a good time to look back at it and the impact it has had. A brief history The first proposals for rail electrification in Auckland came in the 1920’s alongside the plans for earlier ...
The Government is again adding to New Zealand’s growing unemployment, this time cutting jobs at the agencies responsible for urban development and growing much needed housing stock. ...
With Minister Karen Chhour indicating in the House today that she either doesn’t know or care about the frontline cuts she’s making to Oranga Tamariki, we risk seeing more and more of our children falling through the cracks. ...
The Labour Party is saddened to learn of the death of Sir Robert Martin, a globally renowned disability advocate who led the way for disability rights both in New Zealand and internationally. ...
Labour is calling for the Government to urgently rethink its coalition commitment to restart live animal exports, Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack said. ...
Today’s Financial Stability Report has once again highlighted that poverty and deep inequality are political choices - and this Government is choosing to make them worse. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to do more for our households in most need as unemployment rises and the cost of living crisis endures. ...
Unemployment is on the rise and it’s only going to get worse under this Government, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate grew to 4.3 percent in the March quarter from 4 percent in the December quarter. “This is the second rise in unemployment ...
The New Zealand Labour Party welcomes the entering into force of the European Union and New Zealand free trade agreement. This agreement opens the door for a huge increase in trade opportunities with a market of 450 million people who are high value discerning consumers of New Zealand goods and ...
The National-led Government continues its fiscal jiggery pokery with its Pharmac announcement today, Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says. “The government has increased Pharmac funding but conceded it will only make minimal increases in access to medicine”, said Ayesha Verrall “This is far from the bold promises made to fund ...
This afternoon’s interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters discussed the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and enhanced cooperation in the Pacific with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during her first official visit to New Zealand today. "New Zealand and Germany enjoy shared interests and values, including the rule of law, democracy, respect for the international system ...
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop today released his decision on four recommendations referred to him by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, opening the door to housing growth in the area. The Council’s Plan Change 92 allows more homes to be built in existing and new ...
Thank you, John McKinnon and the New Zealand China Council for the invitation to speak to you today. Thank you too, all members of the China Council. Your effort has played an essential role in helping to build, shape, and grow a balanced and resilient relationship between our two ...
The Government is modernising insurance law to better protect Kiwis and provide security in the event of a disaster, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly announced today. “These reforms are long overdue. New Zealand’s insurance law is complicated and dated, some of which is more than 100 years old. ...
The coalition Government is refreshing its approach to supporting pay equity claims as time-limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce comes to an end, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says. “Three years ago, the then-government introduced changes to the Equal Pay Act to support pay equity bargaining. The changes were ...
Structured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Being able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...
The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
Good evening – Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us. ...
From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure. The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say. “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff. “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says. “Every day, ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges. “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Genterwocky After a hard days marching, Sir Doocey calls in at the Village Tavern For a pint of ale and a pork pie. The grim villagers stare at him. “Do not be travelling on the forest road,” warns a crusty old beak. “And why is that, antique peasant?” Grins Sir ...
Political conferences after a party returns to power are usually a chance for some healthy, even unhealthy backslapping. Yet National Party president Sylvia Wood’s address to its mainland representatives on Saturday hardly contained the unalloyed delight that one might have expected following National’s escape from the wilderness of opposition. Yes, ...
Comment: Almost half the world is voting in national elections this year and artificial intelligence is the elephant in the room. There are genuine fears AI-generated or AI-edited deepfakes will potentially manipulate election outcomes not just in the US and UK, but critically in countries such as India. For that ...
Ahead of the reality franchise’s return to New Zealand, allow us to introduce the eight brides and grooms. Chuck on a veil and tie back your man bun, because it’s time to say “I do” to a new season of Married at First Sight NZ. The reality TV “social experiment” ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Norton, Professor in the Practice of Higher Education Policy, Australian National University Every year on June 1, student debt in Australia is indexed to inflation. In 2023, high inflation pushed the indexation rate to 7.1%, the highest since 1990. This ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Changes in the May 14 budget will cut the student debt of more than three million people, wiping more than $3 billion from what people owe. The government will cap the HELP indexation rate ...
Asia Pacific Report The prosecutor’s office at the International Criminal Court (ICC) has appealed for an end to what it calls intimidation of its staff, saying such threats could constitute an offence against the “administration of justice” by the world’s permanent war crimes court. The Hague-based office of ICC Prosecutor ...
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk A women’s union in New Caledonia has staged a sit-in protest this week to support senior Kanak indigenous journalist Thérèse Waia, who works for public broadcaster Nouvelle-Calédonie la Première, after a smear attack by critics. The peaceful demonstration was held on ...
New Zealand Food Safety is monitoring overseas recalls of Indian packaged spice products manufactured by MDH and Everest due to concerns over a cancer-causing pesticide. ...
By Stephen Wright and Stefan Armbruster of BenarNews Fiji’s ranking in a global press freedom index has jumped into the top tier of countries with free or mostly free media after its government last year repealed a draconian law that threatened journalists with prison for doing their jobs. Fiji’s improvement ...
We might be in Invercargill but all anyone can talk about is Gore. Specifically, Salford Street. That’s where three-year-old Lachlan Jones lived, south of the centre of town, between the A&P Showgrounds and the Mataura River. Roughly 1.2 km away from the single level home he lived in with his ...
MONDAY I lined up the latest round of civil servants from city hall against the wall, and signalled for the firing squad to drop their rifles. I stepped up onto a wooden crate to look at the office workers in the eye. But that didn’t feel right, so I found ...
Keen hiker and second-year MSc student Liam Hewson wears two hats when he’s in the great outdoors. “The scientist in me appreciates nature and goes, ‘Oh, there’s that thing and there’s another thing,’ but then the tramper and the outdoorsy person in me thinks, ‘Cool bush.’” Born and bred in ...
After a long and illustrious career as a goal kicker, Dan Carter’s favourite way to unwind is… kicking goals. Why can’t he get enough of it? And what it’s like to watch him do it for an hour straight? A semicircle of people wielding cameras and phones has formed in ...
Dame Susan Devoy takes us through her life in television, including late night ER debriefs, her proudest CTI moment and the show she watches in secret. Quite aside from her four world champion squash titles, Dame Susan Devoy will likely go down in history as one of the best Celebrity ...
Hera Lindsay Bird reveals the best places in Ōtepoti to score more for your apocalypse-prep book hoard.Sometimes I get the feeling I’ve been killed in a car crash, and this second half of my life is just the brain unspooling itself, like one of those episodes of a hospital ...
ThreeNow’s new murder mystery series takes us on a dark, damp journey into the Australian wilderness.This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. High Country is ThreeNow’s new Australian eight-part crime drama, set in a remote part of the Victorian highlands. It tells ...
Introducing a new way to read The Spinoff every weekend. After nearly 10 years of being an online magazine, we’re finally embracing the weekend liftout. Despite our best efforts to convince you otherwise, writers and editors at The Spinoff don’t work weekend. It is through the sheer power of technology ...
Tip one: let yourself be nurtured by this big old man. Tip two: don’t ask him to adopt you. So, you’ve arrived at your first session with a new therapist. He tells you to make yourself comfortable and you opt for the tweed armchair, hoping it makes you look like ...
I didn’t know books could open you back up; that there were books that stayed with you, where reading was like a chemical event. I knew nothing.The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand.Not too long ago, I was listening to the American ...
Former Olympic swimmer James Magnussen has already started training for the Enhanced games, though says he won’t start taking performance enhancing substances until about nine months out from the competition. The Australian world champion was the first athlete to be announced by Enhanced, but he says the organisation has had ...
Everyone thinks he’s dead. Every day they expect his body to be washed up along the coast. Most likely up Karitane way, the way the tide’s running. But nobody’ll be too surprised if his body’s never found. Even in death he wouldn’t have wished for such attention. He would have ...
Council members voted 21 to 4 in favour of Ahluwalia returning to the Laucala campus following a much-awaited meeting in Vanuatu this week. It comes as USP and its two unions — the Association of the University of the South Pacific Staff (AUSPS) and the Administration and Support Staff Union ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicola Henry, Professor & Australian Research Council Future Fellow, Social and Global Studies Centre, RMIT University Shutterstock Following an emergency meeting of the National Cabinet this week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a raft of measures to tackle the problem ...
Analysis - A poll showing the opposition is more popular than the government raises questions, politicians go through their 'trial by pay rise' and a Green MP loses her cool in the debating chamber. ...
The entire stretch of Tokomaru Bay on the East Coast will be subject to a joint customary marine title for two hapū, and extending up to four miles out to sea. A High Court judge has found the two groups, who during the case settled a dispute over boundaries for ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Hall, Lecturer, Media & Cultural Studies, Edith Cowan University A longstanding feud between TikTok and Universal Music Group seems to have finally reached an end, with both parties signing a deal that will see Universal-backed music returned to the social media ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Siobhan O’Dean, Postdoctoral Research Associate, The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of Sydney After several highly publicised alleged murders of women in Australia, the Albanese government this week pledged more than A$925 million over five years ...
Political parties have now fully disclosed the donations they received last year - with National getting more than double the cash of any other party. ...
A Pacific regionalism expert has called out New Zealand's Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters for withholding information from the public on AUKUS military pact. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Richard de Grijs, Professor of Astrophysics, Macquarie University Bruno Scramgnon/Pexels All systems are “go” for tonight’s launch of China’s next step in a carefully planned lunar exploration program. Placed on top of a powerful Long March 5 rocket, the Chang’e 6 ...
National returned a massive donation the day after a Newsroom story linked the donors to a property being investigated for operating unlawfully as a migrant workers’ hostel. The party’s 2023 donation filings, released on Friday, show it returned a $200,000 donation from Buen Holdings on August 23. That was the ...
Pacific Media Watch New Zealand has slumped to an unprecedented 19th place in the annual Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index survey released today on World Press Freedom Day — May 3. This was a drop of six places from 13th last year when it slipped out of its ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joshua Black, Political Historian and Administrator Officer, Australian Historical Association, Australian National University Australia has had its fair share of public record-keeping controversies in recent years. Some have been mere farce, as in the case of two formerly government-owned filing cabinets (containing ...
Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), a United Nations-affiliated organization dedicated to fostering peace through civilian-led initiatives, has issued a statement in response to the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. ...
A poem by Tessa Keenan, from AUP New Poets 10. Mātou These days we are a photograph; one of a farm strewn with cows that used to be bright harakeke or swamp. The kids point at it and say the sun sits behind a smudge (left by someone at Christmas); ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan (Faber & Faber, $25)The masterful Irish writer ...
Marriage and civil union statistics record the number of marriages and civil unions registered in New Zealand each year, and divorce statistics record the number of divorces granted in New Zealand each year. Key facts Marriages and civil unions In ...
Marriage and civil union statistics record the number of marriages and civil unions registered in New Zealand each year, and divorce statistics record the number of divorces granted in New Zealand each year. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lennon Y.C. Chang, Associate Professor of Cyber Risk and Policy, Deakin University Taiwan stands out as a beacon of democracy, innovation and resilience in an increasingly autocratic region. But this is under growing threat. In recent years, China has used a variety ...
In this excerpt from her new memoir, Dame Susan Devoy remembers her turn as star contestant on the 2022 season of Celebrity Treasure Island. The most anxious time of every day was pre-elimination, when you knew this could be your final day on the show. I felt such contradictory emotions, ...
A week that began in triumph ended in an all-too-familiar disaster for the Green Party. Duncan Greive asks if there’s something in the mission that breaks its best and brightest. A long, strange week for the Green party began with a fantastic poll result. On one level this is hardly ...
By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific journalist Vanuatu’s former prime minister and opposition MP Ishmael Kalsakau has stepped down — just two days after he confirmed he was the rightful opposition leader. Kalsakau, MP for Port Vila, confirmed to ABC’s Pacific Beat, and the Vanuatu Daily Post on Thursday that he ...
What’s to blame for the coalition’s choppy start? Six months in, and the mojo meter is in the doldrums. A new poll would put National out of power and sees its leader, Chris Luxon, sliding in popularity. How much is it about policy, how much coalition management and a perception ...
The striking report goes far beyond the proposed repeal of the Oranga Tamariki Act’s Treaty of Waitangi provision, and its impact should be felt far beyond the unique circumstances of the claim it addresses. Earlier this week, the Waitangi Tribunal released an interim report on the government’s proposed repeal of ...
The world has been experiencing a productivity slowdown, from which New Zealand has not been exempt. COVID-19 temporarily boosted labour productivity, but more recently, productivity has retreated. The overall trend since 2007 has been one of slow productivity ...
What’s more wasteful than spending $315k on syrup and machine maintenance? Trying to drum up a controversy about it.Cast your mind back to the pre-pandemic idylls of 2019. A “rat” was a disgusting rodent and not a self-administered plague test; the sixth Labour government was in power; and the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate Fitz-Gibbon, Professor of Social Sciences, Faculty of Arts, Monash University, Monash University Ken stocker/Shutterstock In the wake of numerous killings of women allegedly by men’s violence in 2024, thousands of Australians have joined rallies across the country to demand action ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Henry Cutler, Professor and Director, Macquarie University Centre for the Health Economy, Macquarie University Oleg Ivanov IL/Shutterstock Waiting times for public hospital elective surgery have been in the news ahead of this year’s federal budget. That’s the type of non-emergency surgery ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Konstantine Panegyres, McKenzie Postdoctoral Fellow, Historical and Philosophical Studies, The University of Melbourne Amna Artist/Shutterstock One of the earliest descriptions of someone with cancer comes from the fourth century BC. Satyrus, tyrant of the city of Heracleia on the Black Sea, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Rose, Professor of Sustainable Future Transport, University of Sydney LanaElcova/Shutterstock Electric vehicles are often seen as the panacea to cutting emissions – and air pollution – from transport. Is this view correct? Yes – but only once uptake accelerates. Despite the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Giselle Natassia Woodley, Researcher and Phd Candidate, Edith Cowan University There is widespread agreement Australia needs to do better when it comes to gender-based violence. Anger and frustration at the numbers of women being killed saw national rallies over the weekend and ...
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sukhmani Khorana, Associate Professor, Faculty of Arts, Design and Architecture, UNSW Sydney Netflix The new season of Heartbreak High is garnering mixed reviews. Critics are writing about the racy story lines, comparing it to other coming-of-age series about teenage relationships and ...
Bob Carr intends to launch legal action against Winston Peters and Julie Anne Genter is facing a second allegation of bullying. Both sucked the air out of an announcement on education, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in ...
In 1995, Sally Clark went out on her own in a bold and unorthodox attempt to join an illustrious group of equestrian riders conquering the world. In the days of glovebox road maps, brick cell phones, and the hit song How Bizarre, Clark refused to follow Sir Mark Todd, Blyth ...
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Does anyone in the National party agree with this:
“the [National] vote doesn’t have to narrow down to rich people and those who think they will become rich. It can appeal to regular, modestly paid people, but only if it shows some awareness of the cost of living, and accepts that just because you’re claiming benefits – in or out of work – it doesn’t mean you’re scum.”
Interested to know—because the govt drawn from that party does not seem to believe this.
(The quote is from an interesting article:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jan/02/iain-duncan-smith-polemic-politics-cynical?CMP=twt_fd
abut the UK Conservatives and the Blue Collar movement within it
Why are you asking that question here? Not like a dozen National voters are going to come to answer your question. Or was it rhetorical?
Minister’s comments on sole parent budget cut spark outrage as welfare is targeted across Australiasia.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10857049
“Single mothers have reacted angrily to “appalling” and “degrading” comments by Australia’s Families Minister, Jenny Macklin, who said she could survive on the A$35 ($43.81) a day Newstart allowance.
Macklin was commenting on government changes that replace single parents’ payments with lower Newstart payments once the children turn 8. Welfare groups estimate some families will be A$60 to A$100 a week worse off.
Corinna Taylor, a 43-year-old Brisbane mother of two who expects to lose A$90 a week, said it would force her to seek charity help or family loans, and make many single mothers rort the system.
“I would challenge anybody to live on A$35 a day and not in some way have to rort the system.”
The Government’s changes would put those in different circumstances in the same basket, she said. Office manager Cate Flaherty agreed.
“As a single mother who’s always worked part-time and raised polite, considerate children I’m now being treated as someone who adds no more value to society than a junkie sitting on the couch all day,” she said.
Flaherty says her budget will now be cut by A$230 a fortnight, almost double the drop of a non-working single mother. “We’ve copped a bigger hit than non-working single mothers … It’s made it harder for me to work.”
Terese Edwards, of the National Council of Single Mothers and Their Children, said Macklin’s comments were “salt in the wound for these mums who face such an uphill battle”.”
The minister misses the point entirely when she states she could survive. Anyone on a low income knows there is a big difference between surviving and living.
The minister misses the point entirely when she states she could survive.
It’s also the time period she chooses to ‘survive’. Start in winter time with high electricity bills and last long enough for the washing machine to breakdown, the kids to grow out of their shoes and an unexpected root canal.
When I first heard this news I thought she must be a Minister in a Liberal State government, but I regret to say she is a Labor minister and former deputy leader of the Federal ALP.
No doubt a focus group told her to say this …
It would seem that Australian Labor see more votes to be gained from the ‘bash a bene brigade’ than what they would likely gain from beneficiaries themselves,
Seems that the Aussies have taken a harder line than Paula Benefit has here, that should be said with a whisper as i am sure National will be looking at the changes across the Tasman with open admiration,
Then again, after the roof-painting sickness beneficiary speech from Shearer, i wonder if there might be some admiring approval from many in the current Labour Caucus here…
The difference is that with the Australian version there seems to be a high level of public outrage, with business groups among those opposed. What is more, this outrage is reported in at least one major newspaper.
http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/try-living-on-35-a-day-macklin-told-20130102-2c5nl.html
The Man with the Blue Guitar
(extract)
The man bent over his guitar
A shearsman of sorts. The day was green.
They said, “You have a blue guitar,
You do not play things as they are.”
The man replied, “Things as they are
Are changed upon the blue guitar.”
And they said then, “But play, you must,
A tune beyond us, yet ourselves,
A tune upon the blue guitar
Of things exactly as they are.”
-Wallace (from the Blue Hotel)
(We can’t see. But feel some awful thing)
We had fed the heart on fantasies,
The heart’s grown brutal from the fare;
More substance in our enmities
Than in our love…
Yikes, oops, Yeats
now on my way to the forum i was Way-laid; a brother from fellowship (well two actually, his father-in-law is Greco ;), and the childrens uncle’s, well, they’re padding around the ‘hood), anyway, we broke bread together over a cuppa tea before i cycled by my favourite second-hand bookshop and discussed The Sources with a socialist colleague, he’s a house painter too, since moving on from patching the bros’ through his Screen business, interestingly, another brother, same Father owns it now, anyway…make sure your’e connected, the writings on the wall. And thats the skinny 😉
Continuing with the* Who is David Shearer* theme, perhaps we can lobby Susan Rice for a personal reference!
Remilitarizing Africa for Corporate Profit
Africa: Carnage in the Congo
Murder, Mayhem and the UN
Warning – Both of the links are cut & paste to original articles, no offence, or propagation of violence/racism/stereotyping was intended!
Those 2 links certainly put into context the previous ‘writings’ of one David Shearer and has me pondering whether or not His ‘aid work’ for the UN was not in fact a ‘front’ for intelligence gathering on behalf of one country or another’s intelligence service,
The story, true or false???, told of Dave having an ‘idea’ while sitting on the back of a truck watching African kids scrabble in the dust for Dave’s tossed mango skins makes me also ponder whether Shearer has any empathy what-so-ever with those who find themselves living a life of less than what Dave manages…
Yes well it’s all very well sitting in comfort critiquing Shearer and his UN role. I found your post cynical to say the least. Give the guy a break after all he was out there making a difference in the third World. What are you doing? Sitting in your Y fronts at your comp with ya guts hanging out I bet lol.
Was He really, making a difference that is???, it appears from here in front of the computer, wearing shorts and T, gut suitably overhung, that the same tribal wars are still occurring and each day the same amount of Africans die of starvation, disease, and, war-fare related injuries as they have done despite Dave’s best efforts,
Then again if the diagnosis inherent in the articles linked to via the comment i previously made are in any way close to being ‘fact’ then there are plenty here in the ‘West’ who are putting one hell of an effort into ensuring that such remains the status quo…
Finding homes for orphans in Rwanda? That’s a difference made.
I’m impressed with the way that the guy has morphed from ‘too nice’ into totally evil and Machiavellian in no time at all.
Indeed B12, its a stretch to imagine that amongst the imperialist destabilisation/playing both sides, and UN complicity to genocide, including the awful crimes committed by so called UN peace-keppers in africa, corporate profiteering, private militarisation, monopolistic *racketeering*,that one David Shearer stands tall as a man of honesty/integrity, working for the benefits of the african people, against his own sponsors/employers!
Thats is effectively what we are being *asked* to believe/accept!
Edit: Skinny in case you were not being sarcastic, why should we give DS a break, we are being *asked* to believe that the new leader of the major opposition party in NZ, is something which he quite possibly is not, but should give him a *free pass*, so to speak!
What sort of difference was DS making, and for whom exactly!
Muzza it was a bit of both. Shearer made a truck load of money at the UN. Few people know that 🙂
He aren’t no Bill Rowling that’s for sure.
Figured with the *hands down pants* comment you were not entirely serious, hard to tell over the virtual space eh.
Yeah it would be a generous individual who would give DS the benefit of any doubt thats for sure, its blatant the way he was fast tracked, just as Key was, that this was/is a done deal, and he has very powerful backing, not talking about caucus, cos they are not the power, so much as the puppets!
Hey but there is always Russel Norman waiting to pick up some votes eh, or when he get exposed, perhaps Kennedy Graham will be maneuvered (already) into position, and the greens turn out to the watermelons they obviously are!
well I’m going to ignore the stupid watermelon quip – so last year muzza – go for the upgrade mate.
I’ve heard a couple of different end-games for these “powerful backers” of key – what’s your take on it muzza? Are they going to kill off most of us and leave the rest as slaves.
Hi Marty, it my polite name for it, what would you prefer I used?
So far as any end game, IMO, the power backers simply play all sides, like any outcome based criminal would do. I don’t pretend to know what may/may not happen, but whatever has gone before, is happining/coming, I can’t honestly see what is going to prevent/stop it at the moment. People can stop, but most will not acknowledge/can’t/won’t see the threat, which makes it difficult, while others want to blow off the political situations as ineptitude etc, while refusing to entertain the notion, that just perhaps these politicians with the *back stories*, and even those who are not as prominent, are operating under another guise, while pretending to be Kiwis working for NZ. Why is that not a possibility to most, because when I see a huge mess (repeated corruptions) that NZ became some time back, I go looking for different possible explanations, which may or may not be wide of the mark…
All I would say Marty, is have a look at whats happening around the world with the wars, kinetic military actions etc in any part of the world where peoples are being killed off, resources stolen, look at the global debt, and related austerity based policies, the financial control over commodities which are killing people off, ans environmental destruction, then ask if its not already happening, the killing and the slavery I mean!
Hey muzza
yes, but is there a point to it?
you have done lots of research and are watching this stuff avidly – is there a point to it and what is it? Obviously more of the same is an answer but why.
I guess muzza is asking a perfectly legitimate question; if democracy is such a good thing … why is it delivering such crap outcomes for most humans?
Which raises the question “is there a better system?”
Can’t think of one that’s sustainable past one or two generations.
Marty, in the eyes of any sane human being, there is no point in the murderous, genocidal/kleptocratic policies and systems which dominate the worlds population & environment, no point or purpose!
So why does it all not just stop?
My POV, because there are too many interests which want it that way. The, why currently seems clear enough, that in chaos comes opportunity to control, of all kinds, via all systems. Efficiency, peace human/environmental well being, seem not to be a feature of the *decision makers* mind-set, because if it were, we would not have a fraction of the global/local suffering. Why is it not a feature of the mind-set, are they being blackmailed, gun to head, or are they actually *in on it*, whatever *it* might be, the choices are few, when it comes to why governments are actively working against those they are apparantly working for.
There are not that many explanations for the continued state of despair/suffering etc, or the political complicity in it, that’s what people need to start examining and trying to understand. If we ever got to a critical mass of threat awareness, then perhaps the point (if there is one) will actually have to reveal itself.
If it turned out there was no *point/agenda*, at least we would be better positioned to force/demand positive change, instead of hoping it might arrive via the ballot box. It requires people to actively start thinking about the treachery in our country, the damage its done, and the damage it will do, and consciously/actively not stand for it any longer.
Indeed, strong,stable,democratic Countries are very hard to fleece of their mineral wealth for next to nothing in dividends for the Country concerned,
With the glaring exception of course being us lot via the National Government who have the ingenious policy of paying ‘them’ to take it away…
Kiwi workers ripped off with yet another wet summer holiday break. Change the official holiday period to the 1st 2 weeks of Feb I say!
This is something the Labour/ Green parties could explore as a campaign policy. It’s seems to be a constant issue every year ‘wet weather.’ usually hot summer days arrive as the poor old worker returns to work. Any one agree?
Absolutely. I always work through Christmas/New Year (I’m fortunate to be in an essential service industry that doesn’t ‘shut down’) … and usually take leave in February sometime. There’s often a nice spot of weather early December, but frankly the weather around late December, early January is just too damn unreliable. It seems to have been like this for a decade or more.
The stupid part is that many people are compelled to take leave in a short window of opportunity … and if the weather is crap then there’s every reason to feel ripped off. A lot more flexibility around annual leave is well overdue in many workplaces.
Along the same lines I have a European work colleague whose pretty appalled at how understaffed most organisations are in this country. It means that people are constantly under pressure and stress to juggle unexpected changes of roster, health and family obligations.
And too many people feel uncomfortable asking for leave outside of the normal Christmas period because they’re not all that confident that being away from the job (and all the office politics) for 2-3 weeks mid-year is all that smart.
All just another symptom of the mean-spirited and narrow thinking of too many employers in this country.
Yes I agree many employee’s do feel compelled to take there summer holiday over the Xmas period.
I think in Europe they take their summer break later than we do for the obvious reason of hotter more settled weather. Certainly would help seeing through the bleak winter months if we had a later official holiday period. I feel for the campers at the moment.
The God botherer’s would have issues though.
Always take my holidays in feb. Much nicer weather and less idiots on the roads.
Fewer idiots.
You should read Mother Tongue by Bill Bryson, great fun for language pedants.
Oh I’m no pedant, but I do think that when calling other people idiots you should try not to appear too stupid yourself.
Kinda ruins the effect.
RL, should we not question the following? Absolutely. I always work through Christmas/New Year (I’m fortunate to be in an essential service industry that doesn’t ‘shut down’)
Why the fekk is anything essential unless life and limb are threatened? Where do we draw the line on the commercial imperative and the human imperative on Christmas Day etc?
It may well be that kiwi workers are ripped off with another wet Xmas/New Year, but I can’t see it changing because for many, maybe most families, the chance to join the gathering of the clan and visit friends and the chance to get away for a holiday are the same thing. And that almost inevitably happens at Christmas. When it happens at all*. Travel is expensive.
*More than half of my street seem to have stayed home this Xmas. This working class suburb was a ghost town this time last year.
Yes but that will still happen but a month later when the weather is more likely to be better.
Unfortunately, in my experience, people want to do Christmas at Christmas. Which is a pain really. But somehow it still seems valuable to me, that we have one festival that is shared by almost everyone at the same time. Just pity about the time.
It rained every day while I was up in Auckland. Which is normal for Auckland. Still had a good time.
It seems to me that people are missing a crucial factor: the school year ends in December and starts at the beginning of February. And then a lot of workplaces close down because they figure e eryone is going on holiday…. and RNZ and all our news media think it’s time to slack off more than usual – cumulative effect.
At my workplace, a lot of people choose to take their annual leave over this period because they have school age children. My workplace only closes for the statutory days.
Hence, people like me, who work part time and have no young children, get called in to do some extra casual work over this period. I’m very happy with this, and to take some leave in February or March.
Simple solution.
If the legislation around annual leave was brought into line with stat days – where, if agreement can’t be reached, the employee determines when the day in lieu will be taken – then the current widespread compulsion to take annual leave in late Dec would end.
So if workers wanted two weeks or whatever around Chinese NY or any other damned time they pleased in this multi-cultural country, they could.
Good point Bill certainly would get the NZ chinese votes closer to Chinese NY.
Unfortunately far too many employee’s don’t have the guts to belong to a Union. Workers rights took a hit we have never recovered from since the introduction of voluntary Unionism. introduced.
I doubt a Shearer led Labour will tamper with employment law in this regard?
What exactly do you mean by official holiday period?
What makes this time of year official?
There are 4 stats but that doesn’t make those days in between any differnt from a working week in February?
Well the 2 weeks from Xmas is widely regarded as the ‘official summer holiday period.’ what planet are you from? Planet Key or something! You know what I mean smart arse lol
Plenty of workplaces insist that annual leave is taken during this period and shut down completely.
Will a Labour government in NZ “save us” from such woes? Politicians are, after all, politicians! So much hinges on influences the wider membership can (hopefully) bring to bear.
Bloody bingbot was slowing the site again this morning – I wish it would tell me what timezone it thinks I’m operating in. I have dialed back it’s entire time period.
Ta LPrent.
Always good to know when my computer or server isn’t at fault.
URGENT REQUEST
Could someone (or as many people as possible) please click on to the Media Lens site link…
http://www.medialens.org/
Could you please post up if you succeed in getting through to the page , or if the following message appears…
Forbidden
You don’t have permission to access / on this server.
I suspect this site is under attack, but it could be just my computer.
Thanks,
Morrissey.
It’s not your computer or server. Same ‘forbidden’ message here.
Thank God. Much appreciated, Bill.
I got a 403 Forbidden
You don’t have permission to access / on this server.
Hope it helps
maybe they had a bingbot issue too 🙂
Yeah and the same excessive response? I think I have quelled the frigging bing bot.
The most common reason for that response is for someone to have screwed up the permissions…
Tom Lehrer’s work and wit has been one of my interests for a long time. I was just reading his Wikipedia bio and thought this was an interesting quote.
“… I am voting for Obama.”
Just when you start to respect Lehrer, he blows it.
Morrissey 7
I get the same Forbidden message you received.
Thank you, Mr. Nose.
About 8 days ago the ‘subscriptions’ that dropped comments into my email stopped working. Just been and had a look and I’m apparently still subscribed to…well, actually all posts now and not just the ones I’ve commented on. But nothing comes through (and no, they ain’t landing in spam or junk)
Anyone else been experiencing this annoyance?
One mans annoyance being another’s blessing, yeah the same happened in my email as well, but, seeing as i can’t ever remember asking to be notified every time a comment appeared in a post i had commented in i’m happy the emails stopped…
Yes, the same happened to me. Also, I lost the WYSIWYG from the reply boxes. It meant I was stimulated to learn that awkward long code for links. After a few wrong attempts, I think I have just about grasped it.
Ah shit.. I forgot to do the mail server permissions to the gateway. Another task for today.
To Live and Let Die For The People : Suicide Not
http://books.google.co.nz/books/about/Revolutionary_Suicide.html?id=WvZPJyeUTUUC&redir_esc=y
Democracy Now
http://www.democracynow.org/
To You, From The Finks
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Finkelstein
🙂
The Messenger
The messenger awaited a desperately long time
the long-for herald of victory or annihilation
was delayed-the tragedy was without any ending
In the background the chorus scanned dark prophecies and curses
the king-a dynastic fish-thrashed in an inconceivable net
the second indispensable person was missing-fate
The epilogue was probably known by an eagle an oak the wind
a sea wave
the spectators were half-dead breathing shallowly as stone
The Gods slept A quiet night without lightning
Finally the messenger arrived in a mask of blood dirt lamentation
uttering incomprehensible shrieks pointing with his hands
to the East
this was worse than death because there would be no pity
no fear at all
and in the last moment everyone longs to be pardoned
-Herbert.
from Poland (translated by John et al;)
This is the Stone
it’s when you want to shrug it all off:
the gross pap of warm anaesthetised brains
hotels ringing with stale tongues
the bland translations of headlines
walls everywhere
when money’s sensual brutality
chats warmly in your veins
when your possessions assert their tyranny
mocking you from corners
where is the moon’s still wash
over uncluttered landscapes?
where are your lovers’ mouths
which stopped your mouth so neatly?
in this dreamless city you put them away
now you turn to a window
which mimics you in ice
your face a marble of loss
your hair a curtain of dust:
this is the stone you work on
-Alison Croggan (from Blue Sky Mining Country; 2 Minutes To Midnight)
Phase shift…..if I work all day in the Blue Sky mine there’ll be food on the table tonight……..if the Blue Sky mine wont come to my rescue who’s gonna save me…….
Sir Paul picks on a darkie in Florida
Watch what happens when this pathetic old man—let’s call him “Sir Paul”—tries to harass a young black man in Florida.
At 2:41 Sir Paul snarls at the young man: “A typical punk black. That’s all you are.” Sounds just like the language that used to be heard daily around the Television New Zealand studios until 2005.
What a charming guy that Republican voter is. He’s not even fit to become bait on the hook of that fishing rod.
Wots dis Sirs shit???????? Cheekie fekkin honkey!!!!!
What a choice for a knighthood – Sir Paul Holmes. Paul Henry will be next for the honour no doubt.
what follows is a wee awry sermon from the non MSM MSP (very funny :), i can take a roasting and laugh at myself for a while, yet it’s the future for people that makes me sad, particularly considering the climate and what follows; “roastings” becoming normal was one reason I stopped watching television comedy, life is funny enough without people clowning around at some “others” expense, and when discussing the Keiser’s “comedy” today the chap responding said one thing Max outlined Five years ago was that “They” intended to “nickle and dime” people…
(find a penny pick it up, and all day you’ll have good “luck”, well todays “penny” is a 10 cent piece and I’ve picked up three in the last three weeks, as well as quite a few butts before I broke even, to “afford” a Holiday and then, eventually, gave up Finally, (Cold Turkey; Alan Carr, Quit Smoking, or don’t, it don’t bother me none) and what today in The West is not predominantly “vanity”?
-Chatty Man
“Cold Turkey”
I bet smokers are glad they’re not sex addicts, and having to go cold sausage.
Testing re-edit yet again (bug in it when running wordpress 3.5 code)
Ok – that seems to have disappeared
Now completely quiescent. Sending the fix..
We have a boiling tar pit down here for programmers responsible for too many code bugs………fixers go straight to Heaven.
guess that’s that then?
Dom
-student allowances cuts to go ahead, to be felt most by poorer students, lost potential
despite higher loan repayments and fewer borrowing (not wasted on the young)
-“Anarchy in Afghanistan”-Warlord holds the key to peace, more “civilized” than Nato?
supports segregated education, not discrimination. ANA-“yanks” buy another Uniform made by “the hands of others”.
Conclusion-Join Hands; Siouxsie
(when the “Spirit” is weak, culture, flight and fear are willing)
Aussie manufacturing land Downunder-“no manufacturing sub-sector recorded expansion activity”
Grave implications for New Zealand Made to become less “appealing”. Has the Teflon Donkey seen the price of Margerine? It’s sliding out the door.
–
RNZ-Enola Gay…it didn’t have to turn out this way…Could have waved goodbye to The House of The Rising Sun…;) (ahhh, the power of suggestion); We’re a Garage Band, in a garage land.
Oh Well, Heaven, Time to Stop Making Sense. Thank You For Sending Me An Angel to beat these Slippery People Burning Down The House making Flippy Floppy in the Swamp like Casual Gods.well, What A Day That Was.
-Genius Of Love (Tom Tom Club)(i’m going home now to listen to The Essential Ozzy bark at the
Moon) Bye
Max
http://www.anewnz.org.nz/vision.asp?id=115
The Ford of Heaven
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2008/aug/04/china
-Ford Madox Ford (The Good Soldier)
Food For Thought
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/80202.Jesus_for_the_Non_Religious
or
Sister Morphine
http://painkiller-addict.com/
-Faithfull
Inconceivably Small
http://books.google.co.nz/books/about/Nanocosm.html?id=u43EFWVbyyIC&redir_esc=y
Big Changes
outcome?
Pray http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prey_%28novel%29
-Michaelangelo (Emmylou Harris, Wrecking Ball)
getta rythm…when you get the blues…getta rythm…but don’t step on my Blue sandal shoes
(if I were a carpenter…Doin My Time…As Long As I Live…They Call Me The Breeze…That Old Wheel…(wish i had A Backstage Pass)…but is there something not “Right” about The Man They Love To Hate? I don’t think so Tim, maybe he could be an Architectural Clinical Psychologist;NOT
-John (Angel And The Badman) who prays somebody sees his potential and knocks on his Caravan door. (yet “bums” are like families…everybody’s got one)
quietly, just saying (testing)
am i aloud to keep my smileys 🙂