it reads as if it is an intro to a much longer, more detailed piece that got truncated becuase it was veering off the pre-set editorial highway and risked hitting a lightpole of reality.
Yes more of that ‘see look here we aren’t bias’ from granny. However this type of article should fill granny everyday as this corrupt nasty gov’t has plenty that could be written up about it.
It’s like they give it up for some limited balance on weekends then back come oshillivan, Johnny wannabe key Armstrong and daudrey etc weekdays to go with their radio equivalents of Leighton, larry, mikey, etc to keep that constant pro NACT push in the MSM.
My feeling that Joyce is not the man to run run Mobie because he has not the expertise with all of his money-making ability coming from building a web of commercial radio is strengthened the more I road here. We can’t get through to a really experienced businessman – we are fobbed off with someone who has managed to find a niche where he could attach his money IV bag to his veins. Yet he has so much gravitas. Is this justified? I think, looking at the results, we are being hornswggled.
It was run on a Sunday, but one of the questions here can give us an idea of the demographics of people who visit stuff, and therefore the type of people that vote on their online polls:
Which of these groups does your total household income come into. Please include the income before tax from everyone in your household, from all sources
7% – Up to 20,000 a year 385 a week
13% – 20,001 to 40,000 a year 386 to 770 a week
25% – 40,001 – 70,000 a year 771 to 1345 a week
20% – 70,001 – 100,000
34% – More than 100,000
An overwhelming majority living on more than half of all NZanders. What a surprise. Do you think they’ll mention the demographically skewed sample, and its effect on the reliability of the results, next time they publish one of their polls, now that they have conclusive proof?
And an indictment on the intelligence and/or taste of the better off in reading the most shallow of the main msm
The idea of household income is interesting as there are many families where adult children earning low incomes are still resident with parents. 6 adults living in one household all earning minimum wage are over that magic $100K as a household. No-one is well off individually but by pooling resources everyone is managing, just. It is too easy to make all kinds of assumptions without enough data and to just have the total figure without knowing how many people are contributing to it renders any conclusions meaningless.
Actually 6 adults on minimum wage pooling their money completely freely would be better off than 2 adults on higher wages earning the same amount, since the people on minimum wage would be paying quite a bit less tax.
This isn’t taking into account the realities of running a household: with 6 people there’d be more cooking, cleaning and general chores required than in a 2 person household, however if we’re assuming 40 hrs/week for each individual then I don’t think their homelife would really be worse off at all in terms of being able to get the chores done.
Actually I just realised how stupid that comment was, I really wasn’t thinking:
With 3x the number of people you need 3x the amount of food. You’d likely need to run at least 3 cars, probably more like 4-5 for everyone to work. You’d also likely use much more electricity than 2 people. So all of that would likely gobble up any tax savings.
There are inconveniences but you can divide up the chores and organising a bit better – more like communal living. What you can’t have is 6 people living as fully separate independent units because in that scenario you are correct, many costs just multiply.
Someone who is not working full time devotes a couple of hours a day looking after the vege patch. You only have one car between the entire household (less practical in Auckland admittedly).
Showers limited to 5 minutes wet time and group cooking holds power costs down signficantly. You can’t have each person heating up their own bedroom with a spaceheater.
An insight into Tory thinking – from the UK but I’m sure it’s equally relevant here:
“The defence secretary, Philip Hammond, has warned that he will resist further cuts to the armed forces in George Osborne’s forthcoming spending review.
He told the Daily Telegraph that other Tory cabinet ministers believed the greatest burden of any cuts should fall on the welfare budget.
[…]
Hammond said the “first priority” for the government should be “defending the country and maintaining law and order” and that further defence cuts were not possible while meeting stated security objectives.”
Apart from the obvious inanity as to exactly who he thinks the UK needs defending from – needing multi-billion pound nuclear submarines and aircraft carriers to do it with – and the rather sinister suggestion that ‘maintaining law and order’ is ultimately a matter for the military, the idea that a Government exists merely to defend the borders leaving the citizenry within them free to make their own provision for food, shelter, health, education &tc as best they can and the devil take the hindmost is pure Laissez-faire thinking any Eighteenth Century Government would have been comfortable with.
Mind you, I expect the dozen or so readers of the Torygraph he was addressing were all nodding happily in the leather arm-chairs of their London Clubs chumbling ‘hear-hear’ into their brandy-and-sodas.
Thumbs down to the NZDF for their enabling of anti gay culture in our military.
I note they refused to answer reporters questions such as, “As per the inquiry recommendation, has the NZDF reviewed its policies for providing support to homosexual personnel? What came out of that? “, but the NZDF refused to answer on privacy grounds.
As always it’s a sad story when some dies in this way, a tragedy. I do have sympathy for the NZDF and the personnel involved, having faced a similar situation in a ‘normal’ workplace and how complex that was I would think that having it happen on a active forward patrol base in a war zone where you live 24 hours a day would be incredibly difficult for everyone.
Had Hughes not been singled out he may still be alive.
“… witch hunt…” is not going to bring him back. A healthy culture toward gay personnel is going to prevent a person from being bullied and treated with contempt.
I really love the way “witch hunt” has been appropriated by privileged groups to demonise any investigation of how their privilege harms other people. Because actual witch hunts were usually all about entrenched religious power structures maintaining their authority through fear and misogyny.
But I would say that as a neo-anarcho-Marxo-deconstructiono-fluffy-bunny-radical feminist-authoritarian-jiggery-pokery-noodle-head, wouldn’t I?
Herald declares welfare numbers “swell” under Bennett:
Quote:
When it comes to the worst DPB, sickness, and invalid
benefit numbers, these have all been since 2010 and under
Paula Bennett,” Ardern said. “Interestingly, the two highest
figures for the DPB were both after the introduction of
Bennett’s welfare reforms, which mostly targeted DPB
recipients by increasing their work obligations.”
Once her new welfare reforms go through, the benefit categories we have now will be reduced down to just three: supported living, job seeker, and sole-parent support. This will essentially make it impossible to compare the impact of the welfare reforms.
Ahhh, yes! The real reason to change computer systems, stationary (how many thousands is THAT going to cost?), and confuse the already befuddled frontline staff.
The story is a jack up by socialist Cindy http://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2013/03/welfare_numbers.html
The moment I saw this story, I had a fair idea of what the actual data would show. Yes more people on those benefits between those two dates, but not a linear pattern. Of course Jan 2009 was as the GFC was in full force, and hence job losses occurring. Also the comparison stops 12 months ago. Why?
Letâs look at the actual data, in terms of increase or decrease each year. For DPB they are
âą 2008 +2,128
âą 2009 +9,007
âą 2010 +3,576
âą 2011 +1,365
âą 2012 -5,112
I think we now understand why Jacinda left the 2012 figures off. What I donât know if why the Herald on Sunday did.
Letâs do the same with Invalidâs Benefit numbers.
âą 2008 +3,419
âą 2009 +1,537
âą 2010 +67
âą 2011 -1,062
âą 2012 -472
And for those interested in the Unemployment Benefit.
âą 2008 +7,760
âą 2009 +35,820
âą 2010 +756
âą 2011 -7,120
âą 2012 -6,217
They all show the same thing. The increase in benefit numbers started in 2008 (under Labour) and worsened in 2009 as the Global Financial Crisis struck. Despite patchy economic growth since 2009, benefit numbers in all three categories have fallen in the last two years.
đ Ok, let me put it another way. It’s not the benefit numbers that bother me, it’s the size of the debt National has foisted on us all, which requires them to change the accounting to disguise the number of people who aren’t in full-time jobs.
Government stats are joke as an indicator of anything. Stats show crime is increasing. The number of police is increased. Stats then show overall crime has reduced. The number of police is cut. So…they want overall crime to go up again. Then they’ll increase the number of police again? Fark.
You choose to highlight 2 years out 5 years of figures, hardly smart,
DPB after 4 years of National Government = +10,864,
Invalids Benefit after 4 years of National = +4489,
Unemployment benefit after 4 years of National = +30,999,
After 4 years of this National Government just in those 3 category’s of Benefits it is +46,352 more reliant on just those 3 category’s of benefit,
Hardly a victory for National and when the Official information act request comes through you will find that all of those who these figures have shown to have moved off these 3 benefits are now either being paid the same amounts ‘to train’ or industry are being paid the same amounts to ’employ’ them,
In dollar terms for this National Government then NO difference in the expenditure what-so -ever, and simply using the figures by you to trey and tell the same sort of lie that Bennett has become accustomed to…
I knew that this was in the pipeline last year. I recommend that you take the time to read and understand what this means as it may be useful for you in your dealings with govt entities from this point.
a Complimentary Sunday Roast (with Wontons along-side stuffed mushrooms)
from the box-
-“razor-wire insurers”
-“tractor” drags down the taxpayer highway (now that’s funny)”
-mundane -atemporal –lapsarian = a -sensible -lunar -orbit so buckle up and get comfortable:
(Addison, The renal tourniquet Campaign is trifling)
listened to Laidlaw this am before sallying forth;
immediately after 3pm last Wed Garner announces on Radio Live (dead) that the Supreme Court decision has upheld maori claim followed truck and trailer đ by a Herald reporter squawking the same tune…
Hahahahahaha / Holey Herald on Sunday Batman, KaPow!
so mind the Kaitangata Twitch, go Beyond The Occult, Wilson, sail after The Celestine Prophecy to God and The Evolving Universe, James (it’s The Power of Diversity, Barbara, or else)
God gave you style and gave you grace, now, put a smile on your face đ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnzXIYqkqS0
One Big Love (Tyndale was an Outlaw) Wycliffe a translator
and some desert from 1 3 17
If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has not pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? (does anybody here remember vera Lynn? how she said that we would meet again some sunny day…) Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue đ but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts and he knows everything (seed has to evolve somewhere). Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask (like the new Southern Star cycle he provided today, O Tautau’s the place to see) because we obey his commands (love the big G and your neighbour as yourself) and attempt to do what pleases him…
And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gives us (and the free lunch, very enjoyable thanks Majors).
-from the Padua of both Anthonys; Tempted? to see Pigs on The Wing! 10 Million crickets can’t be wrong by Jiminy.
There is ALWAYS a Redemption Song. I Remember You: Sebastian Bach.
Press Release from: Westmere Heritage Protection Association
Every wondered why Auckland house prices are going crazy or why you can’t even afford to buy in?
Here is the Real Oil.
I have just spoken to my contacts in the banking system and most of the properties in the (Auckland) including the Western Bays areas Ponsonby, St Mary’s Bay, Westmere, Grey Lynn and Point Chevalier are being purchased at inflated prices by two specific groups
1) Queen Street Speculators / Investors, land banking and renting the properties at high rates waiting for intensification to be instigated by the govt or council.
2) Asian Nationals (Chinese) on work or holiday permits!
What is skewing the lack of affordability of our inner city suburbs is that both these groups are buying Cash Up Front!
Ordinary home owner can not compete.
This in turn means that these people will want to capitialise on their investments and start to build multi story buildings or units to maximise their profits.
Tight controls are needed to:
To stop this sort of speculative behaviour we need to pass laws NOW to:
a) Ensure that people are NZ citizens before they can buy (which is the law in Australia see below)
b) Your first home is exempt from any tax, all other properties are subject to capitial gains and property taxes etc.
c) The law is changed so that Heritage Protection makes our inner suburbs unattractive for Developers to decimate.
We as a group are not against intensification in Brown-Fields areas, in fact we suggest it is the best way to restore our city ruined by uncontrolled industrial sprawl.
The reason we insist that the law is changed and action taken immediately is that The National government is under the influenced of the Speculator & Developer lobby and the RMA is being changed to benefit them, making the Council impotent to protect to our neighbourhoods
We encourage the Auckland Council to take the lead and curbing inappropriate develop, protect heritage and stop council officer making decisions that benefit the Speculators & Developers lobby. Re introduce the Character coalition proposal as part of the Unitary Plan.
The Australian have strict rules around who can buy a house and where and for what purpose! why don’t we?
Does anyone know of website for dealing with common right wing arguments?
Something that takes an approach like http://www.skepticalscience.com/ does for climate change.
I just had a look at the ACT party website and took a gander at their ‘principles’. If you didn’t know anything about them you’d almost think it sounded like a nice party! Here it is…
Principles
The principal object of the ACT Party is to promote an open, progressive and benevolent society in which individual New Zealanders are free to achieve their full potential.
To this end the ACT Party upholds the following principles:
that individuals are the rightful owners of their own lives and therefore have inherent rights and responsibilities; and
that the proper purpose of government is to protect such rights and not to assume such responsibilities.
According to our constitution, the ACT Party shall promote, develop and pursue policies and proposals which:
encourage individual choice and responsibility and the pursuit of excellence in all fields of human endeavour;
enhance living standards for all New Zealanders through sustainable economic growth and international competitiveness;
enhance choice and diversity, and raise standards of achievement in education;
ensure that all New Zealanders have access to quality health care and have security in retirement;
maintain social and economic support for those unable to help themselves and who are in genuine need of assistance;
provide for the nationâs security and the protection of individual lives and property;
explore and implement practical and innovative ways to protect the natural environment;
maintain sound economic management, including (but not limited to) a balanced government budget, price stability and a free and open market economy; and
limit the involvement of central and local government to those areas where collective action is a practical necessity.
Just in case it’s important LPrent, the timing on this site is wrong at the moment. Commenters are commenting later than the actual time, according to the time stated on the comments.
As an example – the comment above says 9.23pm. It is 9.08pm right now.
Ummm. That is a problem. The time is taken off the server time at time of insertion in the database and adjusted to timezone.
I haven’t set up a NTP client so it picks the time of a timer server. So the real time clock at the server is drifting too far. I will fix tomorrow night.
Lolz, 9.32pm to be precise, noticed that reading the post on welfare, bit of a head-scratch, check the time on the phone, wonder if it isn’t the end of daylight saving,
Hmmm them computers are messin with our time now, pretty soon they will make it feel like we don’t know what day it is,
Hekia Parata and John Key.
I watched the movie “Game Change” which follows John McCain’s2008 Presisential campaign from his selection of Sarah Palin as his running mate to his ultimate defeat by Obama. A great movie.
Pailin and the McCain/Palin relationship have many parallels with Parata and her relationship with Key.
This morning on Radio NZ this USA woman was interesting. She has been thoughtful and politically aware since a young age. She said that she considers the USA to be a pluralism of wealthy groups not a democracy.
10-11am: Feature interview – Cisco Systems co-founder and Jane Austen expert Sandy Lerner
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The allure of sport transcends age, culture, and geographical boundaries. It captivates hearts, ignites passions, and provides unparalleled entertainment. Behind the spectacle, however, lies a fascinating world of financial investment and expenditure. Among the vast array of competitive pursuits, one question looms large: which sport carries the hefty title of ...
Introduction Pickleball, a rapidly growing paddle sport, has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions around the world. Its blend of tennis, badminton, and table tennis elements has made it a favorite among players of all ages and skill levels. As the sport’s popularity continues to surge, the question on ...
Abstract: Soccer, the global phenomenon captivating millions worldwide, has a rich history that spans centuries. Its origins trace back to ancient civilizations, but the modern version we know and love emerged through a complex interplay of cultural influences and innovations. This article delves into the fascinating journey of soccer’s evolution, ...
Tinting car windows offers numerous benefits, including enhanced privacy, reduced glare, UV protection, and a more stylish look for your vehicle. However, the cost of window tinting can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article provides a comprehensive guide to help you understand how much you can expect to ...
The pungent smell of gasoline in your car can be an alarming and potentially dangerous problem. Not only is the odor unpleasant, but it can also indicate a serious issue with your vehicle’s fuel system. In this article, we will explore the various reasons why your car may smell like ...
Tree sap can be a sticky, unsightly mess on your car’s exterior. It can be difficult to remove, but with the right techniques and products, you can restore your car to its former glory. Understanding Tree Sap Tree sap is a thick, viscous liquid produced by trees to seal wounds ...
The amount of paint needed to paint a car depends on a number of factors, including the size of the car, the number of coats you plan to apply, and the type of paint you are using. In general, you will need between 1 and 2 gallons of paint for ...
Jump-starting a car is a common task that can be performed even in adverse weather conditions like rain. However, safety precautions and proper techniques are crucial to avoid potential hazards. This comprehensive guide will provide detailed instructions on how to safely jump a car in the rain, ensuring both your ...
Graham Adams writes about the $55m media fund â When Patrick Gower was asked by Mike Hosking last week what he would say to the many Newstalk ZB callers who allege the Labour government bribed media with $55 million of taxpayersâ money via the Public Interest Journalism Fund â and ...
Note: this blog post has been put together over the course of the week I followed the happenings at the conference virtually. Should recordings of the Great Debates and possibly Union Symposia mentioned below, be released sometime after the conference ends, I'll include links to the ones I participated in. ...
The following was my submission made on the “Fast Track Approvals Bill”. This potential law will give three Ministers unchecked powers, un-paralled since the days of Robert Muldoon’s “Think Big” projects.The submission is written a bit tongue-in-cheek. But it’s irreverent because the FTAB is in itself not worthy of respect. ...
One Could Reduce Child Poverty At No Fiscal CostFollowing the Richardson/Shipley 1990 âredesign of the welfare stateâ â which eliminated the universal Family Benefit and doubled the rate of child poverty â various income supplements for families have been added, the best known being âWorking for Familiesâ, introduced in 2005. ...
Buzz from the Beehive A few days ago, Point of Order suggested the media must be musing âon why Melissa is muteâ. Our article reported that people working in the beleaguered media industry have cause to yearn for a minister as busy as Melissa Leeâs ministerial colleagues and we drew ...
1. What was The Curse of Jim Bolger?a. Winston Peters b. Soon after shaking his hand, world leaders would mysteriously lose office or shuffle off this mortal coilc. Could never shake off the Mother of All Budgetsd. Dandruff2. True or false? The Chairman of a Kiwi export business has asked the ...
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 yearâs 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, Labourâs 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 countryâs 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 Governmentâs Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a âget out of jail freeâ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealandâs good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National governmentâs lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for TÄmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Governmentâs democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Governmentâs proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change thatâs great for the planet and great for consumers after her memberâs bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the countryâs books after Teanau Tuionoâs membersâ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his memberâs bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Todayâs advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
The Governmentâs newly announced review of methane emissions reduction targets hints at its desire to delay Aotearoa New Zealandâs urgent transition to a climate safe future, the Green Party said. ...
The Government must commit to the Maitai School building project for students with high and complex needs, to ensure disabled students from the top of the South Island have somewhere to learn. ...
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey and his Government colleagues have made a meal of their mental health commitments, showing how flimsy their efforts to champion the issue truly are, says Labour Mental Health spokesperson Ingrid Leary. ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealandâs hydrogen future, with the opening of the countryâs first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. âI 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 Zealandâs own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealandâs energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. âThe report shows that New Zealandâs emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,â Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where heâll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Governmentâs work to restore law and order. âAttending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealandâs human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the worldâs largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. âThe reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealandâs wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin  NgÄ mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho  Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today.  I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. âOur Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealandâs overseas missions.  âOur diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealandâs interests around the world,â Mr Peters says.  âI am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. Â âOver 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. âIt is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. âOur coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
âChina remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,â Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says.  Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. âRecently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachersâ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.  âThe Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. âScience, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During todayâs meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. âThe Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in TaupĆ as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the TaupĆ International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. âAnticipation for the ITM TaupĆ Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. âThe coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. âThis project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sectorâs productivity,â Mr Jones says. âThe project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Governmentâs plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. âBenefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Governmentâs commitment to doubling New Zealandâs renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealandâs latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. âOur Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. âNew Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Governmentâs intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. âThe introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Todayâs announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Governmentâs plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. âInflation is now at 4 per ...
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sectorâs role in the export-led recovery of the economy. âI am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Governmentâs support for the revitalisation the sector.  "New Zealandâs wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. âThe inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. âMy meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singaporeâs outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.  Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpartâs almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. During todayâs meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sam Whiting, Lecturer – Creative Industries, University of South Australia Shutterstock Everyone has a favourite band, or a favourite composer, or a favourite song. There is some music which speaks to you, deeply; and other music which might be the current ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Olli Hellmann, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Waikato Getty Images When New Zealanders commemorate Anzac Day on April 25, itâs not only to honour the soldiers who lost their lives in World War I and subsequent conflicts, but also ...
A leaked document shows the Canterbury/Waitaha arm of health agency Te Whatu Ora is scurrying to save $13.3 million by July. The âfinancial sustainability targetâ, which was âallocatedâ to Waitaha, is consistent with whatâs happening in other districts, says Sarah Dalton, executive director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists. ...
A look at the state of the previous governmentâs affordable housing scheme, and what could come next.Remind me: Whatâs KiwiBuild again?First announced in 2012, KiwiBuild was a flagship policy of the Labour Party heading into both its 2014 and 2017 election campaigns. With Jacinda Ardern as prime minister, ...
Labour in opposition will be shocked to learn which party had six years in power but squandered any chance to make real change. Grant Robertsonâs valedictory speech was a predictably entertaining trip down memory lane. The acid-tongued incoming Otago University chancellor administered a sick burn to the coalition government. He ...
Taiwanâs semiconductor industry is seen some as its ‘silicon shield’ against invasion – but how will overseas expansion affect that protection? The post The state of Taiwan’s silicon shield appeared first on Newsroom. ...
There’s relief for building owners bending under the weight of earthquake strengthening rules â and costs â that came into force seven years ago. Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk has announced a scheduled 2027 review of the earthquake-prone building regulations will now start this year. Owners will also get ...
Opinion: It has been announced that nine percent of roles at Oranga Tamariki will be disestablished, presumably to help fund the tax cuts promised by the coalition Government. I am reminded of the graphics used to illustrate pandemic events, where five thousand people are standing in a field and then ...
After more than two sleepless days, running through savage terrain, Greig Hamilton didnât know if he was going to finish one of the most gruelling psychological assaults in sport. He was metres away from the finish line, a yellow gate made famous in a Netflix documentary; a race heâd dreamed ...
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The following interview with former Green Party MP Sue Kedgley came about because she features in the new memoir Hine Toa by activist NgÄhuia te AwekĆtuku; the two knew each other at the University of Auckland in the early 70s, when they were both took on leadership roles in the ...
COMMENTARY:By Murray Horton New Zealand needs to get tough with Israel. Itâs not as if we havenât done so before. When NZ authorities busted a Mossad operation in Auckland 20 years ago, the government didnât say: âOh well, Israel has the right to defend itself.â No, it arrested, prosecuted, ...
NEWSMAKERS:By Vijay Narayan, news director of FijiVillage Blessed to be part of the University of Fiji (UniFiji) faculty to continue to teach and mentor those who want to join our noble profession, and to stand for truth and justice for the people of the country. I was privileged to ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Martin, Visiting Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Three weeks from now, some of us will be presented with a mountain of budget papers, and just about all of us will get to hear about them on radio, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dan Lowry, Ice Sheet & Climate Modeller, GNS Science Hugh Chittock/Antarctica New Zealand, CC BY-SA As the climate warms and Antarcticaâs glaciers and ice sheets melt, the resulting rise in sea level has the potential to displace hundreds of millions of ...
The government's plan to reintroduce a three strikes regime is being strongly opposed by lawyers, who argue there is no evidence it reduces crime or helps people rehabilitate. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dan Jerker B. Svantesson, Professor specialising in Internet law, Bond University Do Australian courts have the right to decide what foreign citizens, located overseas, view online on a foreign-owned platform? Anyone inclined to answer âyesâ to this question should perhaps also ask ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Giovanni E Ferreira, NHMRC Emerging Leader Research Fellow, Institute of Musculoskeletal Health, University of Sydney Last week in a post on X, owner of the platform Elon Musk recommended people look into disc replacement if theyâre experiencing severe neck or back pain. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Hayward, Emeritus Professor of Public Policy, RMIT University anek.soowannaphoom/Shutterstock NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey caught the headlines yesterday, courtesy of a blistering speech condemning the latest GST carve-up. New South Wales, he claimed, would be A$11.9 billion worse off over the ...
While police are "broadly in favour", the government's proposed anti-gang laws are facing pushback from lawyers, rights groups and former gang members. ...
While police are "broadly in favour", the government's proposed anti-gang laws are facing pushback from lawyers, rights groups and former gang members. ...
By Miriam Zarriga in Port Moresby Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has arrived at Kokoda Station, Northern province, at the start of his state visit to Papua New Guinea. Both Albanese and Prime Minister James Marape will meet with the locals and the Northern Provincial government before they begin their ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Chris Wallace, Professor, School of Politics Economics & Society, Faculty of Business Government & Law, University of Canberra Shutterstock An important principle was invoked by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last week in defence of the governmentâs Future Made in Australia industry ...
A poll last August found that just 16% of New Zealanders oppose bringing back the âThree Strikesâ law. The nationwide poll of 1,000 New Zealanders was commissioned by Family First NZ and carried out by Curia Market Research. ...
The solo show from Ana Scotney is both sprawling and intimate, and a must-see, writes Mad Chapman. In the opening moments of Scattergun: After the Death of RĆ«aumoko, writer and performer Ana Scotney lays out the groundwork, literally. Silently moving around the square stage, Scotney is not so much dancing ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate Burridge, Professor of Linguistics, Monash University Who makes the words? Why are trees called trees and why are shoes called shoes and who makes the names? – Elliot, age 5, Eltham, Victoria Good question Elliot! Letâs start with ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Duckett, Honorary Enterprise Professor, School of Population and Global Health, and Department of General Practice and Primary Care, The University of Melbourne at amRawpixel.com/Shutterstock Roles of health professionals are still unfortunately often stuck in the past. That is, before the ...
COMMENTARY:By Malcolm Evans Last weekâs leaked New York Times staff directive, as to what words can and cannot be used to describe the carnage Israel is raining on Palestinians, is proof positive, since those reports are published verbatim here in New Zealand, that our understanding of the conflict is ...
In the case of New Zealand, the results confirm that there is no popular support for the vicious austerity program being imposed by the National Party-led government, which is backed in all fundamental respects by the opposition Labour Party. ...
The âVampireâ singer has never visited our part of the world, but that might all be about to change. We assess the evidence.Olivia Rodrigoâs Guts World Tour is pulling in massive crowds as it whips around the US and Europe, even helping to catapult regular supporting act Chappell Roan ...
Testing of drinking water in rural Canterbury over the weekend by Greenpeace revealed that several public town supplies were reaching levels of nitrate above 5 mg/L - the threshold which a growing body of scientific evidence has linked to increased ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rohan Fisher, Information Technology for Development Researcher, Charles Darwin University It may come as a surprise to hear 2023 was Australiaâs biggest bushfire season in more than a decade. Fires burned across an area eight times as big as the 2019â20 Black ...
Responding to the Governmentâs announcement of changes to resource management laws, Taxpayersâ Union Executive Director, Jordan Williams, said: âThese changes are a step in the right direction in terms of removing ideological and unworkable ...
More than two years after the Human Rights Council called for the establishment of a national human rights commission, such a body has yet to be formed. ...
Comment:An emergency management system with wide variations in performance, significant capability gaps, funding shortfalls and above all a setup that is not meeting the needs of New Zealanders at times of crisis. The Governmentâs inquiry into the response to Cyclone Gabrielle and other severe weather events in the North ...
Welcome to the whirring wonders of one brain trying to align its actions with its beliefs within a system it thinks is evil. My brain has been spiralling in a woke conundrum ever since I found out a bookshop Iâve never been to was shutting down. Good Books, a bookshop ...
We repeat our call for criminal justice policy to be based on evidence, something the three strikes regime neglects to recognise â with no evidence that it either reduces crime or assists with rehabilitation. ...
By Koroi Hawkins, RNZ Pacific editor in Honiara With only four more seats in the 50-member Parliament yet to be officially declared, there is no outright winner in the Solomon Islands elections. As of Monday, the two largest blocs in the winnerâs circle, independents and the incumbent Prime Minister Manasseh ...
Two/fiftyseven is a multi-purpose space hidden in the heart of Wellington that is paving a way for sustainable building and responsible landlording in Aotearoa and beyond.By 2060 the world is predicted to double its entire building stock, which equates to building an entire New York City every 34 days, ...
Popstars wasnât just a reality television revolution, it was also a huge moment for Y2K fashion.Itâs 25 years since girl group TrueBliss was formed on New Zealand national television, breaking new ground for both the reality television industry and the shiny clothing industry. With the first episode on NZ ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christopher Pepping, Associate Professor in Clinical Psychology, Griffith University Marvin / Shutterstock Are all single people insecure? When we think about people who have been single for a long time, we may assume itâs because single people have insecurities that make ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By William Geary, Lecturer in Quantitative Ecology & Biodiversity Conservation, The University of Melbourne Trismegist san, Shutterstock Landscapes that have escaped fire for decades or centuries tend to harbour vital structures for wildlife, such as tree hollows and large logs. But these ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rebecca Gladstone-Gallagher, Lecturer in Marine Science, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Shutterstock/S Curtis Why are we crossing ecological boundaries that affect Earthâs fundamental life-supporting capacity? Is it because we donât have enough information about how ecosystems respond to change? Or ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Matthew Crocker, PhD Student in Economics, Deakin University Hereâs something for the board of the Reserve Bank of Australia to ponder as it meets next month to set interest rates. It has pushed up rates on 13 occasions since it began its ...
As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a charity director outlines how sheâs saving for retirement and buying secondhand. Want to be part of The Cost of Being? Fill out the questionnaire here.Gender: Female Age: 45 Ethnicity: PÄkehÄ Role: Charity director, mum of ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sophie Yates, Research Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Many Australians with disability feel on the edge of a precipice right now. Recommendations from the disability royal commission and the NDIS review were released late last year. Now a ...
Itâs been called a failed experiment and a judicial straightjacket but the government says the revised three strikes law will be a more workable regime, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoffâs morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. Three ...
New Zealandâs Palestinian community and Palestinian Youth Aotearoa are voicing alarm and disappointment with the lack of factual rigour present during the Israeli Ambassadorâs appearance as a guest on TVNZâs Q+A With Jack Tame Sunday (21/04). ...
Both ACT leader David Seymour, who played a key role in drawing up the assisted dying law, and hospice leaders say it's time the legislation was changed. ...
Public submissions on proposed gang control laws are being heard today. Rising gang membership has been cited as rationale for a crackdown â but what do we actually know about how many people belong to gangs in New Zealand?Whatâs all this then?A rise in the number of gang ...
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The following korero between NgÄhuia te AwekĆtuku, author of the newly published memoir Hine Toa, one of the year’s most important books, and Dale Husband from e-tangata, was first published in October. It traverses her involvement with the activist group NgÄ Tamatoa at Auckland University in the early 1970s, her ...
In the 16 years since it was bought by the government for $690 million, KiwiRail has had several overhauls and turnaround plans worth billions of dollars. Its ambitions as a successful, profitable operator of tourism, freight and ferries have often been derailed by disasters from earthquakes to cyclones, mine explosions ...
Bernard Hickey nails “the Government’s lack of consistency and adherence to coherent strategy and its bias for doing deals with mates.”
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10868783
it reads as if it is an intro to a much longer, more detailed piece that got truncated becuase it was veering off the pre-set editorial highway and risked hitting a lightpole of reality.
Yes more of that ‘see look here we aren’t bias’ from granny. However this type of article should fill granny everyday as this corrupt nasty gov’t has plenty that could be written up about it.
It’s like they give it up for some limited balance on weekends then back come oshillivan, Johnny wannabe key Armstrong and daudrey etc weekdays to go with their radio equivalents of Leighton, larry, mikey, etc to keep that constant pro NACT push in the MSM.
My feeling that Joyce is not the man to run run Mobie because he has not the expertise with all of his money-making ability coming from building a web of commercial radio is strengthened the more I road here. We can’t get through to a really experienced businessman – we are fobbed off with someone who has managed to find a niche where he could attach his money IV bag to his veins. Yet he has so much gravitas. Is this justified? I think, looking at the results, we are being hornswggled.
This ‘alternative census’ run on Stuff last week has the results published:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/8373937/Alternative-census-what-you-told-us
It was run on a Sunday, but one of the questions here can give us an idea of the demographics of people who visit stuff, and therefore the type of people that vote on their online polls:
Ta Lanthanide.
An overwhelming majority living on more than half of all NZanders. What a surprise. Do you think they’ll mention the demographically skewed sample, and its effect on the reliability of the results, next time they publish one of their polls, now that they have conclusive proof?
And an indictment on the intelligence and/or taste of the better off in reading the most shallow of the main msm
Note – the question said “household income”. The median household income in NZ is currently in the low $60K pa range IIRC
Is there an embarrassed tag?
Will pay more attention in future.
Well it’s still true, since its’ 54% over $70k, so if the median is $60k something then it’s still higher than that.
The idea of household income is interesting as there are many families where adult children earning low incomes are still resident with parents. 6 adults living in one household all earning minimum wage are over that magic $100K as a household. No-one is well off individually but by pooling resources everyone is managing, just. It is too easy to make all kinds of assumptions without enough data and to just have the total figure without knowing how many people are contributing to it renders any conclusions meaningless.
Actually 6 adults on minimum wage pooling their money completely freely would be better off than 2 adults on higher wages earning the same amount, since the people on minimum wage would be paying quite a bit less tax.
This isn’t taking into account the realities of running a household: with 6 people there’d be more cooking, cleaning and general chores required than in a 2 person household, however if we’re assuming 40 hrs/week for each individual then I don’t think their homelife would really be worse off at all in terms of being able to get the chores done.
Actually I just realised how stupid that comment was, I really wasn’t thinking:
With 3x the number of people you need 3x the amount of food. You’d likely need to run at least 3 cars, probably more like 4-5 for everyone to work. You’d also likely use much more electricity than 2 people. So all of that would likely gobble up any tax savings.
There are inconveniences but you can divide up the chores and organising a bit better – more like communal living. What you can’t have is 6 people living as fully separate independent units because in that scenario you are correct, many costs just multiply.
Someone who is not working full time devotes a couple of hours a day looking after the vege patch. You only have one car between the entire household (less practical in Auckland admittedly).
Showers limited to 5 minutes wet time and group cooking holds power costs down signficantly. You can’t have each person heating up their own bedroom with a spaceheater.
And everyone puts in $10/week to run the still…
đ
An insight into Tory thinking – from the UK but I’m sure it’s equally relevant here:
“The defence secretary, Philip Hammond, has warned that he will resist further cuts to the armed forces in George Osborne’s forthcoming spending review.
He told the Daily Telegraph that other Tory cabinet ministers believed the greatest burden of any cuts should fall on the welfare budget.
[…]
Hammond said the “first priority” for the government should be “defending the country and maintaining law and order” and that further defence cuts were not possible while meeting stated security objectives.”
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/mar/02/defence-secretary-resist-cuts
Apart from the obvious inanity as to exactly who he thinks the UK needs defending from – needing multi-billion pound nuclear submarines and aircraft carriers to do it with – and the rather sinister suggestion that ‘maintaining law and order’ is ultimately a matter for the military, the idea that a Government exists merely to defend the borders leaving the citizenry within them free to make their own provision for food, shelter, health, education &tc as best they can and the devil take the hindmost is pure Laissez-faire thinking any Eighteenth Century Government would have been comfortable with.
Mind you, I expect the dozen or so readers of the Torygraph he was addressing were all nodding happily in the leather arm-chairs of their London Clubs chumbling ‘hear-hear’ into their brandy-and-sodas.
Ah well. Leopards and spots.
Thumbs down to the NZDF for their enabling of anti gay culture in our military.
I note they refused to answer reporters questions such as, “As per the inquiry recommendation, has the NZDF reviewed its policies for providing support to homosexual personnel? What came out of that? “, but the NZDF refused to answer on privacy grounds.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/8374534/Gay-war-heros-tragic-death
Ironic that the Oz defence forces made history yesterday by challenging anti-gay prejudice in a very, very public way:
http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/after-35-years-mardi-gras-still-breaks-down-barriers-20130302-2fd2y.html
As always it’s a sad story when some dies in this way, a tragedy. I do have sympathy for the NZDF and the personnel involved, having faced a similar situation in a ‘normal’ workplace and how complex that was I would think that having it happen on a active forward patrol base in a war zone where you live 24 hours a day would be incredibly difficult for everyone.
Being vulnerable in an environment which has a negative culture toward gay personnel makes those in charge culpable.
The witch hunt has started…
Had Hughes not been singled out he may still be alive.
“… witch hunt…” is not going to bring him back. A healthy culture toward gay personnel is going to prevent a person from being bullied and treated with contempt.
I applaud the way the SST reported it. They gave it front page and handled it fairly responsibly and sensitively.
Albi you’re mirror
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albigensian_Crusade
I really love the way “witch hunt” has been appropriated by privileged groups to demonise any investigation of how their privilege harms other people. Because actual witch hunts were usually all about entrenched religious power structures maintaining their authority through fear and misogyny.
But I would say that as a neo-anarcho-Marxo-deconstructiono-fluffy-bunny-radical feminist-authoritarian-jiggery-pokery-noodle-head, wouldn’t I?
philologists are you’re friend ’til The Birth of Tragedy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gay_Science
Herald declares welfare numbers “swell” under Bennett:
Quote:
When it comes to the worst DPB, sickness, and invalid
benefit numbers, these have all been since 2010 and under
Paula Bennett,” Ardern said. “Interestingly, the two highest
figures for the DPB were both after the introduction of
Bennett’s welfare reforms, which mostly targeted DPB
recipients by increasing their work obligations.”
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10868816
Quote:
Once her new welfare reforms go through, the benefit categories we have now will be reduced down to just three: supported living, job seeker, and sole-parent support. This will essentially make it impossible to compare the impact of the welfare reforms.
Ahhh, yes! The real reason to change computer systems, stationary (how many thousands is THAT going to cost?), and confuse the already befuddled frontline staff.
The story is a jack up by socialist Cindy
http://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2013/03/welfare_numbers.html
The moment I saw this story, I had a fair idea of what the actual data would show. Yes more people on those benefits between those two dates, but not a linear pattern. Of course Jan 2009 was as the GFC was in full force, and hence job losses occurring. Also the comparison stops 12 months ago. Why?
Letâs look at the actual data, in terms of increase or decrease each year. For DPB they are
âą 2008 +2,128
âą 2009 +9,007
âą 2010 +3,576
âą 2011 +1,365
âą 2012 -5,112
I think we now understand why Jacinda left the 2012 figures off. What I donât know if why the Herald on Sunday did.
Letâs do the same with Invalidâs Benefit numbers.
âą 2008 +3,419
âą 2009 +1,537
âą 2010 +67
âą 2011 -1,062
âą 2012 -472
And for those interested in the Unemployment Benefit.
âą 2008 +7,760
âą 2009 +35,820
âą 2010 +756
âą 2011 -7,120
âą 2012 -6,217
They all show the same thing. The increase in benefit numbers started in 2008 (under Labour) and worsened in 2009 as the Global Financial Crisis struck. Despite patchy economic growth since 2009, benefit numbers in all three categories have fallen in the last two years.
It’s not the benefit numbers that bother me it’s the size of the debt National has foisted on us all.
People who work an hour a week are clearly not unemployed though, right?
đ Ok, let me put it another way. It’s not the benefit numbers that bother me, it’s the size of the debt National has foisted on us all, which requires them to change the accounting to disguise the number of people who aren’t in full-time jobs.
Government stats are joke as an indicator of anything. Stats show crime is increasing. The number of police is increased. Stats then show overall crime has reduced. The number of police is cut. So…they want overall crime to go up again. Then they’ll increase the number of police again? Fark.
You choose to highlight 2 years out 5 years of figures, hardly smart,
DPB after 4 years of National Government = +10,864,
Invalids Benefit after 4 years of National = +4489,
Unemployment benefit after 4 years of National = +30,999,
After 4 years of this National Government just in those 3 category’s of Benefits it is +46,352 more reliant on just those 3 category’s of benefit,
Hardly a victory for National and when the Official information act request comes through you will find that all of those who these figures have shown to have moved off these 3 benefits are now either being paid the same amounts ‘to train’ or industry are being paid the same amounts to ’employ’ them,
In dollar terms for this National Government then NO difference in the expenditure what-so -ever, and simply using the figures by you to trey and tell the same sort of lie that Bennett has become accustomed to…
Is Jacinda saying that she’d be better at denying people benefits than Paula has been? I wish she’d learn to think before Mallard opens her mouth.
Can some sort of legal review be held on the grounds that “… coroner Gordon Matenga declined to open an inquest into the death.”
I would like to know what policy is in place for those who are on a deployment when there is a risk of self harm?
The sergeant was not medically quailified and the fact that the soidier was checked for a weapon tells me that the soldier was known to be upset.
I knew that this was in the pipeline last year. I recommend that you take the time to read and understand what this means as it may be useful for you in your dealings with govt entities from this point.
http://wakeup-world.com/2013/02/18/all-corporations-banks-and-governments-lawfully-foreclosed-by-oppt/
You are now essentially at the start of the path to freedom and a better world.
thats an interesting PP
All talk, no commitment! http://localbodies-bsprout.blogspot.co.nz/2013/03/breaking-promises-to-children.html
a Complimentary Sunday Roast (with Wontons along-side stuffed mushrooms)
from the box-
-“razor-wire insurers”
-“tractor” drags down the taxpayer highway (now that’s funny)”
-mundane -atemporal –lapsarian = a -sensible -lunar -orbit so buckle up and get comfortable:
(Addison, The renal tourniquet Campaign is trifling)
listened to Laidlaw this am before sallying forth;
immediately after 3pm last Wed Garner announces on Radio Live (dead) that the Supreme Court decision has upheld maori claim followed truck and trailer đ by a Herald reporter squawking the same tune…
Hahahahahaha / Holey Herald on Sunday Batman, KaPow!
so mind the Kaitangata Twitch, go Beyond The Occult, Wilson, sail after The Celestine Prophecy to God and The Evolving Universe, James (it’s The Power of Diversity, Barbara, or else)
God gave you style and gave you grace, now, put a smile on your face đ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnzXIYqkqS0
One Big Love (Tyndale was an Outlaw) Wycliffe a translator
and some desert from 1 3 17
If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has not pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? (does anybody here remember vera Lynn? how she said that we would meet again some sunny day…) Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue đ but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts and he knows everything (seed has to evolve somewhere). Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask (like the new Southern Star cycle he provided today, O Tautau’s the place to see) because we obey his commands (love the big G and your neighbour as yourself) and attempt to do what pleases him…
And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gives us (and the free lunch, very enjoyable thanks Majors).
-from the Padua of both Anthonys; Tempted? to see Pigs on The Wing! 10 Million crickets can’t be wrong by Jiminy.
There is ALWAYS a Redemption Song. I Remember You: Sebastian Bach.
Somethings going on that you know RT. Would someone plse assess?
3 March 2013
Press Release from: Westmere Heritage Protection Association
Every wondered why Auckland house prices are going crazy or why you can’t even afford to buy in?
Here is the Real Oil.
I have just spoken to my contacts in the banking system and most of the properties in the (Auckland) including the Western Bays areas Ponsonby, St Mary’s Bay, Westmere, Grey Lynn and Point Chevalier are being purchased at inflated prices by two specific groups
1) Queen Street Speculators / Investors, land banking and renting the properties at high rates waiting for intensification to be instigated by the govt or council.
2) Asian Nationals (Chinese) on work or holiday permits!
What is skewing the lack of affordability of our inner city suburbs is that both these groups are buying Cash Up Front!
Ordinary home owner can not compete.
This in turn means that these people will want to capitialise on their investments and start to build multi story buildings or units to maximise their profits.
Tight controls are needed to:
To stop this sort of speculative behaviour we need to pass laws NOW to:
a) Ensure that people are NZ citizens before they can buy (which is the law in Australia see below)
b) Your first home is exempt from any tax, all other properties are subject to capitial gains and property taxes etc.
c) The law is changed so that Heritage Protection makes our inner suburbs unattractive for Developers to decimate.
We as a group are not against intensification in Brown-Fields areas, in fact we suggest it is the best way to restore our city ruined by uncontrolled industrial sprawl.
The reason we insist that the law is changed and action taken immediately is that The National government is under the influenced of the Speculator & Developer lobby and the RMA is being changed to benefit them, making the Council impotent to protect to our neighbourhoods
We encourage the Auckland Council to take the lead and curbing inappropriate develop, protect heritage and stop council officer making decisions that benefit the Speculators & Developers lobby. Re introduce the Character coalition proposal as part of the Unitary Plan.
The Australian have strict rules around who can buy a house and where and for what purpose! why don’t we?
http://www.firb.gov.au/content/publications/buying_a_home.pdf
Regards
Lisa Prager
Co-ordinator
Westmere Heritage Protection Association
_____________________________________________________________________________
Forwarded in the public interest by Penny Bright.
So you are not against intensification unless it is in your inner-city suburb. There’s a word for that.
Not citizens penny. Permanent residents are enough. Even if you don’t meet that criteria you can still apply to purchase and it’s otter granted.
Does anyone know of website for dealing with common right wing arguments?
Something that takes an approach like http://www.skepticalscience.com/ does for climate change.
Try the Act Party website if they still have one.
I just had a look at the ACT party website and took a gander at their ‘principles’. If you didn’t know anything about them you’d almost think it sounded like a nice party! Here it is…
Principles
The principal object of the ACT Party is to promote an open, progressive and benevolent society in which individual New Zealanders are free to achieve their full potential.
To this end the ACT Party upholds the following principles:
that individuals are the rightful owners of their own lives and therefore have inherent rights and responsibilities; and
that the proper purpose of government is to protect such rights and not to assume such responsibilities.
According to our constitution, the ACT Party shall promote, develop and pursue policies and proposals which:
encourage individual choice and responsibility and the pursuit of excellence in all fields of human endeavour;
enhance living standards for all New Zealanders through sustainable economic growth and international competitiveness;
enhance choice and diversity, and raise standards of achievement in education;
ensure that all New Zealanders have access to quality health care and have security in retirement;
maintain social and economic support for those unable to help themselves and who are in genuine need of assistance;
provide for the nationâs security and the protection of individual lives and property;
explore and implement practical and innovative ways to protect the natural environment;
maintain sound economic management, including (but not limited to) a balanced government budget, price stability and a free and open market economy; and
limit the involvement of central and local government to those areas where collective action is a practical necessity.
These guys sound great!
Lol I to looked at the site to see what a party to the right had to say. I really don’t know what right wing and left wing is anymore.
You may already have seen this but here ya go:
http://deepclimate.org/2009/08/01/meet-alan-gibbs-builder-of-amphibious-humvees-and-climate-science-coalitions/
No I haven’t seen that before. It’s always nice to get fresh info on the particulars of ACT’s crookedness. Thanks, Jim.
Just in case it’s important LPrent, the timing on this site is wrong at the moment. Commenters are commenting later than the actual time, according to the time stated on the comments.
As an example – the comment above says 9.23pm. It is 9.08pm right now.
Ummm. That is a problem. The time is taken off the server time at time of insertion in the database and adjusted to timezone.
I haven’t set up a NTP client so it picks the time of a timer server. So the real time clock at the server is drifting too far. I will fix tomorrow night.
Lolz, 9.32pm to be precise, noticed that reading the post on welfare, bit of a head-scratch, check the time on the phone, wonder if it isn’t the end of daylight saving,
Hmmm them computers are messin with our time now, pretty soon they will make it feel like we don’t know what day it is,
i tho have a cunning plan, i don’t…
http://www.hbo.com/movies/game-change/index.html
Hekia Parata and John Key.
I watched the movie “Game Change” which follows John McCain’s2008 Presisential campaign from his selection of Sarah Palin as his running mate to his ultimate defeat by Obama. A great movie.
Pailin and the McCain/Palin relationship have many parallels with Parata and her relationship with Key.
This morning on Radio NZ this USA woman was interesting. She has been thoughtful and politically aware since a young age. She said that she considers the USA to be a pluralism of wealthy groups not a democracy.
10-11am: Feature interview – Cisco Systems co-founder and Jane Austen expert Sandy Lerner
on the rise
Auckland house prices
Aussie climate on “steroids”