Agree. But, every Country affiliated to the UN are also guilty of these mutual atrocities in Ukraine by not responding to Russian security concerns, they had the chance to avoid this conflict, but instead allowed themselves to kow tow to the Western big powers with their NATO disease of World power ambitions.
Rubbish. Do you think that countries shouldn't have the right to associate and align themselves with which ever countries they would like to?
Don't you think it is rather instructive that countries such as Poland, and now Finland and Ukraine would rather align themselves with the West than Russia that they have historic ties with?
But perhaps the current behaviour of Russia might give some rational for that position.
Well if the UN had of addressed legitimate claims of security concerns things would have been different and set a course for peace, but I can see from you post further down that you are a definite war monger type, so no need for me to respond further to you.
Not entirely. I think a country's geographical position should be a factor. Ukraine should prefer alignment with countries to the East of the Black Sea, since hostile relationships with one's neighbors make no sense. However that should not preclude them from enjoying a trading relationship with the West.
Russians going door to door dragging men out of their homes and then summarily executing them is someone else's fault?
Get a fucking grip, moron.
Maria Genkin: Pictures of some villages freed in Kyiv region, specifically Bucha, are devastating. Dead people lying outside of their houses, in what can only have been a “zachistka” – systemic execution of the men of each house. One body in front of every house.
Yea well I think your word of ‘Moron’ describes you much better, you totally misread my comment , but that is typical of you who only get your source of bullshit from one sided view points. So you should put a prefix of GI on your handle and become the DH you really are. No further comment needed from me to you.
Well, you also misread my original comment. Had the UN addressed the concerns of Russia’s security concerns there would still be as you point out ‘murdered Ukrainians’ , that of break away states in Donbas who have suffered over 8 years of death by the murdering Ukrainian forces. But the civilians you speak of would still be alive. So I stand by my comment implicating Countries affiliated to the UN being guilty for the situation that unfolded.
Very few would not be disturbed by Russia’s Ukraine invasion and the inevitable gruesome details and general horror of armed conflict. Some small New Zealand communities still feel the effects of WWI and WWII believe it or not. It is not a video game.
But…some of us that have spent a lifetime supporting international solidarity efforts on other countries, regions, anti war and world peace campaigns, Nuke Free NZ, West Papua etc. etc. do feel frustrated at the attention on Ukraine. Invading a foreign country? well US imperialism has more than a little form in that department, Vietnam being Exhibit A, Iraq Exhibit B and Afghanistan Exhibit C.
It is not “what-a-boutism” but “as wellism” to say poisoning Palestinians water & shooting their teenagers, creating starvation and chaos in various countries like Yemen, and creating global refugee movements deserves similar attention in the media and urgent donation requests.
As far as us ordinary people can determine with online searches, Russia has 10 military bases or facilities, all on ex Soviet republic territories, and maybe 5 projected elsewhere. The USA has over 750 acknowledged military bases and associated facilities offshore.
We can't go back in time and unwind previous injustices. Hence, I think looking backwards at previous incidents is a bit pointless, other than to learn from them and ensure robust processes prevent future incidences and to recompense for damage done.
But what we can do is focus on the war crimes, and possibly genocide that is confronting us all right now. So, based on failings in the past, what should the world do right now to stop the war crimes going on in Ukraine right now?
It may not be perfect, or all-encompassing, but at least there is a process for crimes to be investigated. I doubt that Russia will submit to such a process.
Was is happening against Ukranian citizens seems so calculated, widespread, and brutal, that I think it must be bordering on genocide if it already hasn't met that threshold.
The other thing is that this sort of behaviour is very bad for Russia and its military. It will simply motivate the west to introduce harsher sanctions and provide more impactful weaponary to Ukraine.
” Victims included men, women, children, and infants. Some of the women were gang-raped and their bodies mutilated, as were children as young as 12.[1][2] Twenty-six soldiers were charged with criminal offenses, but only Lieutenant William Calley Jr., a platoon leader in C Company, was convicted. Found guilty of murdering 22 villagers, he was originally given a life sentence, but served three-and-a-half years under house arrest after President Richard Nixon commuted his sentence.”
As mentioned, at least there is a process, though I agree, far from perfect.
As I mentioned in a previous post, we now need to be learning from those lessons and ensuring that such crimes are fully prosecuted in the current conflict.
Perhaps someone can explain. The latest war porn photos were apparently taken days after the Russians left areas near Kyiv. How come there is a photo of two people lifting a body that bent in the middle, presumably long after rigor mortis would have set in? Were the victims all female or children? If not, how does 'civilian' square with all Ukrainian males between 16 and 60 being expected to fight the Russians? Is there any indication of weapons being visible in any of the 'photographic evidence' or are we looking at the reverse of the US ploy when innocents are killed, of placing weapons with bodies?
Before the accusations of being a Putin apologist start, there is no way – this questioning is because it is wisely said that 'truth is the first casualty of war' not that war crimes on any side are condoned. The personal driver is being a pacifist!
Thanks for the explanation for rigor mortis – obviously accepted the common misunderstanding.
As for passing the crimes off as staging – just about the response one would expect from a gung-ho propagandist for NATO. If you can't provide explanations and evidence, don't resort to sleazy assumptions about valid questions
Russia apologists will probably also engage in whataboutism, denial and deflection on these war crimes in Ukraine. But they have, from the perspective of Russian propaganda, a horrible logical consistancy.
The Ukraine was invaded to "de-Nazify" it. To Russians (and everyone else), Nazism is the ultimate evil and by definition not Russian (The USSR defeated the Nazis!).
The Ukraine is basically a part of Russia with a silly dialect and some strange ideas about independence and identity. Once the Nazis are rooted out the general population will welcome their Russian friends.
So when they invaded the Ukraine and the resistance was ferocious and the entire people rose up against them it was clear that the taint of Nazism was deeper and broader than realised, so the de-Nazification has to also involve a much deeper purification of the Ukraine, and "purification" means "liquidating" lots and lots of the complicit.
Sounds outlandish, but the Kremlin's apologists on here have made great play of the "Nazism" of elements of the Ukraine army. And if some people (albeit half wits) in NZ believe it, you can bet your bottom dollar a lot of Russian soldiers believe it.
Auckland Transport is making changes… removing thousands of on-street parking spots from arterial roads. But not enough to prevent another cyclist death today. 😢
Russia is about to have issues keeping its war going. That is because a lot of their military componentry required for making and replacing used or destroyed weaponary is manufactured in Ukraine:
Do you have conclusive evidence to prove that Russia wants to keep the war going?
It seems that Zelenskyy with aggressive support from NATO are more vested in avoiding a negotiated settlement from the bellicose statements emanating from those sources.
So could Ukraine. All that is required is to negotiate in good faith. That was obvious, even to blind Freddie, long before any violence occurred. Actually, about seven years ago wasn’t it?
They could pack up and leave? Where should they go? Putin wants all of Ukraine – it's only that his forces are being crushed that has stopped him.
All that is required is to negotiate in good faith.
Doesn't work with Russia – have you not noticed the routine shelling of humanitarian corridors? In Russia, good faith doesn't exist at the political level.
Get off your war-mongering band-wagon Stuart. The Ukrainians only had about seven years to negotiate instead of acting as an agent for NATO which ultimately folded to the US empire.
Facing facts does not equate to appeasement, except in the minds of those with a twisted agenda. More to the point, anything other than democracy is not despotic autocracy. In fact, one of democracy's greatest faults is that it is the tyranny of the majority!
As an observation, most 'war crimes' in your lifetime have been committed by 'democracies'.
Britain, for example, wasn't always democratic; you only need to go back to the events of 1381 to see their aristocracy thought about democracy. Democracy seems to be something that develops over a longish period, and is probably not appropriate for all counties at all times.
Strange reply to the statement,"All that is required is to negotiate in good faith. That was obvious, even to blind Freddie, long before any violence occurred."
Good faith? After the recent discovery of mass graves and evidence of Russian plans to commit genocide to solve the "Ukrainian problem"?! Surrender is unthinkable.
I think the west should aim to force an end the war with the following two steps:
Inform Russia that they must ceasefire and settle with Ukraine within an acceptable time frame (say a month), and then action their side of the agreement, and come out of this saving some face.
If they don't do this, then
a) the west will ramp up sanctions to a point that it becomes difficult for Russia to function, and:
b) the west will tool Ukraine up with the sort of heavy military equipment that will enable them to defeat Russia militarily.
I think the west has done enough now to show this isn’t an empty threat. And Ukraine has done enough to show they are a potent force with what they have now. So the message should be sent to the Kremlin loud and clear.
The soldier was grieving for his men who had died, and those who were about to die.
But it didn't suit the official narrative – so he was silenced.
As Russian truth drifts further and further from the truth on the ground, the damage the truth does will grow until the secret can no longer be contained. The last time this happened, the short victorious war, the Russian state fell to a popular revolution.
Is Red Ink the new normal.Interest rates are destined to rise unless inflationary expectations are lessened.
“The high inflation environment means that interest rates around the world will be heading up, so there will certainly be further increases in mortgage rates ahead.”
The writing is on the wall,as markets price the increases into the wholesale market,there has to be some signalling from Oligopolies such as Local and central government and utilities that efficiency,and not ideology will be the short term future.
because high inflation is a disaster.Rbnz showed constraint following the Delta outbreak,when in hindsight it should have increased the OCR,hence signalling the arrival of peak money.
At the same time media and developers were over selling demand (enhancing the FOMO) and forcing increased costs,rather then constraint.
The global consensus is that higher interest rates,reduce credit demand by reducing discretionary spending.There are 3 parts to the situation,increased liquidity due to QE,and increased demand for credit due to lower interest rates.
The third part was the involuntary saving enforced globally due to lockdowns etc from Covid constraints ( 55 billion in NZ ) around 2 trillion in the US and Europe.As spending arose following relaxation,a lot went into asset appreciation such as equities and property.As equities rose above their technical limits,the money transferred to more property and commodities.
There is only one country that does not have a property forced high inflation economy,and that is Japan.with February inflation coming in at 0.8% and the central bank not increasing their OCR.They also have a decreasing population and a cultural mindset of increased efficiency,and enhanced productivity.
Well if the OCR hits roughly those numbers that hard the RBNZ will put it back down again (like the prior 2014 tightening). They will probably have another take on inflation then, especially if the inflation rate didn't comply with the desire to lower it. Japan has been running QE like monetary policies since the 90s and seem to better understand how irrelevant cash rates are to inflation outcomes, though it might be just that their inflation rate is presently lower driving their policy.
There are arguments at present,that the low interest rates are affecting the price of the Yen (lower) which makes commodity pricing higher etc.They have sufficient idle capacity ( nuclear) that is being brought up to standby mode that will (if needed) reduce the energy component of manufacturing.
Japan does not have the housing risk,in its economy.
Now its no secret that the entertainment coming out of Hollywood recently is bad, very bad.
Lazy writing, identity politics, sequels and superhero movies galore but every now and then a movie trailer comes along that makes me think theres hope for Hollywood yet
This trailer looks good and I can't wait for it to come out:
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The Green Party says the Government’s misguided policy on gangs will fail, following the announcement of the establishment of a national gang unit and district gang disruption units to target gang activities. ...
“With Police pay negotiations still unresolved after six months in Government, Mark Mitchell has today rolled the Commissioner out for a rebrand of their approach to gang crime,” Labour police spokesperson Ginny Andersen said. ...
The Government bringing back 50 charter schools will not increase achievement and is a distraction from the core mission of the education system, Labour education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. ...
Te Pāti Māori is showing extreme concern over the Environment Select Committees adoption of a lucky dip draw to determine hearings for the Fast Track Approvals bill. Of the 27,000 submissions, 2,900 requested to present. All organisations will be heard; however, the remaining 2,350 submitters will be subject to a ...
Today New Zealand First will introduce a Member’s Bill that will protect women’s spaces. The ‘Fair Access to Bathrooms Bill’ will require, primarily in the interest and safety of women and girls, that all new non-domestic publicly accessible buildings provide separate, clearly demarcated, unisex and single sex bathrooms. This Bill ...
The Green Party is welcoming Climate Change Minister Simon Watts’ continuation of Hon. James Shaw’s cross-party work on climate adaptation, now in the form of a Finance and Expenditure Committee Inquiry. ...
The National Government plans to cut 390 jobs at ACC, including roles in the areas of prevention of sexual violence, road safety and workplace safety. ...
The Government has been caught in opposition to evidence once again as it looks to usher in tried, tested and failed work seminar obligations for job-seeking beneficiaries. ...
The Green Party is welcoming the announcement by the Minister Responsible for RMA Reform Chris Bishop to approve most of the Wellington City Council’s District Plan recommendations. ...
David Seymour has failed to get the sweeping cuts he wanted to the free and healthy school lunch programme, Labour education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. ...
Hon Willie Jackson has been invited by the Oxford Union to debate the motion “This House Believes British Museums are not Very British’ on May 23rd. ...
Green Party MP Hūhana Lyndon says her Public Works (Prohibition of Compulsory Acquisition of Māori Land) Amendment Bill is an opportunity to right some past wrongs around the alienation of Māori land. ...
A senior, highly respected King’s Counsel with decades of experience in our law courts, Gary Judd KC, has filed a complaint about compulsory tikanga Māori studies for law students - highlighting the utter depths of absurdity this woke cultural madness has taken our society. The tikanga regulations will compel law ...
The Government needs to be clear with the people of the Nelson Marlborough region about the changes it is considering for the Nelson Hospital rebuild, Labour health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall said. ...
Ministers must front up about which projects it will push through under its Fast Track Approvals legislation, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
The Government is again adding to New Zealand’s growing unemployment, this time cutting jobs at the agencies responsible for urban development and growing much needed housing stock. ...
With Minister Karen Chhour indicating in the House today that she either doesn’t know or care about the frontline cuts she’s making to Oranga Tamariki, we risk seeing more and more of our children falling through the cracks. ...
The Labour Party is saddened to learn of the death of Sir Robert Martin, a globally renowned disability advocate who led the way for disability rights both in New Zealand and internationally. ...
Labour is calling for the Government to urgently rethink its coalition commitment to restart live animal exports, Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack said. ...
Today’s Financial Stability Report has once again highlighted that poverty and deep inequality are political choices - and this Government is choosing to make them worse. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to do more for our households in most need as unemployment rises and the cost of living crisis endures. ...
Unemployment is on the rise and it’s only going to get worse under this Government, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate grew to 4.3 percent in the March quarter from 4 percent in the December quarter. “This is the second rise in unemployment ...
The Coalition Government will introduce legislation this year that will enable roadside drug testing as part of our commitment to improve road safety and restore law and order, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Alcohol and drugs are the number one contributing factor in fatal road crashes in New Zealand. In ...
The Government has announced a series of immediate actions in response to the independent review of Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “Kāinga Ora is a large and important Crown entity, with assets of $45 billion and over $2.5 billion of expenditure each year. It ...
Associate Health Minister David Seymour is pleased that Pseudoephedrine can now be purchased by the general public to protect them from winter illness, after the coalition government worked swiftly to change the law and oversaw a fast approval process by Medsafe. “Pharmacies are now putting the medicines back on their ...
Tēnā koutou katoa. Da jia hao. Good morning everyone. Prime Minister Luxon, your excellency, a great friend of New Zealand and my friend Ambassador Wang, Mayor of what he tells me is the best city in New Zealand, Wayne Brown, the highly respected Fran O’Sullivan, Champion of the Auckland business ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced that the Government will make it easier for lines firms to take action to remove vegetation from obstructing local powerlines. The change will ensure greater security of electricity supply in local communities, particularly during severe weather events. “Trees or parts of trees falling on ...
Wairarapa Moana ki Pouakani were the top winners at this year’s Ahuwhenua Trophy awards recognising the best in Māori dairy farming. Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka announced the winners and congratulated runners-up, Whakatōhea Māori Trust Board, at an awards celebration also attended by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Finance Minister ...
"On the 27th of March, I sought assurances from the Chief Executive, Department of Internal Affairs, that the Department’s correct processes and policies had been followed in regards to a passport application which received media attention,” says Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden. “I raised my concerns after being ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins has announced the appointment of three new District Court Judges, to replace Judges who have recently retired. Peter James Davey of Auckland has been appointed a District Court Judge with a jury jurisdiction to be based at Whangarei. Mr Davey initially started work as a law clerk/solicitor with ...
Associate Education Minister David Seymour is calling on the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) to put ideology to the side and focus on students’ learning, in reaction to the union holding paid teacher meetings across New Zealand about charter schools. “The PPTA is disrupting schools up and down the ...
Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly today announced the appointment of Craig Stobo as the new chair of the Financial Markets Authority (FMA). Mr Stobo takes over from Mark Todd, whose term expired at the end of April. Mr Stobo’s appointment is for a five-year term. “The FMA plays ...
Surf Life Saving New Zealand and Coastguard New Zealand will continue to be able to keep people safe in, on, and around the water following a funding boost of $63.644 million over four years, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Transport Minister Matt Doocey say. “Heading to the beach for ...
New Zealand and Tuvalu have reaffirmed their close relationship, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says. “New Zealand is committed to working with Tuvalu on a shared vision of resilience, prosperity and security, in close concert with Australia,” says Mr Peters, who last visited Tuvalu in 2019. “It is my pleasure ...
New Zealand is gravely concerned about the situation in New Caledonia, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The escalating situation and violent protests in Nouméa are of serious concern across the Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says. “The immediate priority must be for all sides to take steps to de-escalate the ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon met today with Samoa’s O le Ao o le Malo, Afioga Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II, who is making a State Visit to New Zealand. “His Highness and I reflected on our two countries’ extensive community links, with Samoan–New Zealanders contributing to all areas of our national ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has announced that he has approved Waiheke Island ferry operator Island Direct to be eligible for SuperGold Card funding, paving the way for a commercial agreement to bring the operator into the scheme. “Island Direct started operating in November 2023, offering an additional option for people ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters today announced further sanctions on 28 individuals and 14 entities providing military and strategic support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “Russia is directly supported by its military-industrial complex in its illegal aggression against Ukraine, attacking its sovereignty and territorial integrity. New Zealand condemns all entities and ...
A year on from the tragedy at Loafers Lodge, the Government is working hard to improve building fire safety, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “I want to share my sincere condolences with the families and friends of the victims on the anniversary of the tragic fire at Loafers ...
Ka nui te mihi kia koutou. Kia ora and good afternoon, everyone. Thank you so much for having me here in the lead up to my Government’s first Budget. Before I get started can I acknowledge: Simon Bridges – Auckland Business Chamber CEO. Steve Jurkovich – Kiwibank CEO. Kids born ...
New Zealand and Vanuatu will enhance collaboration on issues of mutual interest, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “It is important to return to Port Vila this week with a broad, high-level political delegation which demonstrates our deep commitment to New Zealand’s relationship with Vanuatu,” Mr Peters says. “This ...
Minister for Land Information, Chris Penk will travel to Peru this week to represent New Zealand at a meeting of trade ministers from the Asia-Pacific region on behalf of Trade Minister Todd McClay. The annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade meeting will be held on 17-18 May ...
Minister of Education Erica Stanford will head to the United Kingdom this week to participate in the 22nd Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers (CCEM) and the 2024 Education World Forum (EWF). “I am looking forward to sharing this Government’s education priorities, such as introducing a knowledge-rich curriculum, implementing an evidence-based ...
Minister of Education Erica Stanford has today thanked outgoing New Zealand Qualifications Authority Chair, Hon Tracey Martin. “Tracey Martin tendered her resignation late last month in order to take up a new role,” Ms Stanford says. Ms Martin will relinquish the role of Chair on 10 May and current Deputy ...
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and President Emmanuel Macron of France today announced a new non-governmental organisation, the Christchurch Call Foundation, to coordinate the Christchurch Call’s work to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online. This change gives effect to the outcomes of the November 2023 Call Leaders’ Summit, ...
Distinguished public servant and former diplomat Sir Maarten Wevers will lead the independent review into the disability support services administered by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. The review was announced by Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston a fortnight ago to examine what could be done to strengthen the ...
Today’s announcement by Police Commissioner Andrew Coster of a National Gang Unit and district Gang Disruption Units will help deliver on the coalition Government’s pledge to restore law and order and crack down on criminal gangs, Police Minister Mark Mitchell says. “The National Gang Unit and Gang Disruption Units will ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today expressed regret at North Korea’s aggressive rhetoric towards New Zealand and its international partners. “New Zealand proudly stands with the international community in upholding the rules-based order through its monitoring and surveillance deployments, which it has been regularly doing alongside partners since 2018,” Mr ...
Air Vice-Marshal Tony Davies MNZM is the new Chief of Defence Force, Defence Minister Judith Collins announced today. The Chief of Defence Force commands the Navy, Army and Air Force and is the principal military advisor to the Defence Minister and other Ministers with relevant portfolio responsibilities in the defence ...
Legislation to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act has been introduced to Parliament. The Bill’s introduction reaffirms the Coalition Government’s commitment to the safety of children in care, says Minister for Children, Karen Chhour. “While section 7AA was introduced with good intentions, it creates a conflict for Oranga ...
Defence Minister Judith Collins will this week travel to the UK and Italy to meet with her defence counterparts, and to attend Battles of Cassino commemorations. “I am humbled to be able to represent the New Zealand Government in Italy at the commemorations for the 80th anniversary of what was ...
The upcoming Budget will include funding for up to 50 charter schools to help lift declining educational performance, Associate Education Minister David Seymour announced today. $153 million in new funding will be provided over four years to establish and operate up to 15 new charter schools and convert 35 state ...
“The results of the public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has now been received, with results indicating over 13,000 submissions were made from members of the public,” Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says. “We heard feedback about the extended lockdowns in ...
Foreign Minister, Defence Minister, other Members of Parliament Acting Chief of Defence Force, Secretary of Defence Distinguished Guests Defence and Diplomatic Colleagues Ladies and Gentlemen, Good afternoon, tēna koutou, apinun tru It’s a pleasure to be back in Port Moresby today, and to speak here at the Kumul Leadership ...
Health, infrastructure, renewable energy, and stability are among the themes of the current visit to Papua New Guinea by a New Zealand political delegation, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “Papua New Guinea carries serious weight in the Pacific, and New Zealand deeply values our relationship with it,” Mr Peters ...
The coalition Government is launching Roads of Regional Significance to sit alongside Roads of National Significance as part of its plan to deliver priority roading projects across the country, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The Roads of National Significance (RoNS) built by the previous National Government are some of New Zealand’s ...
A high-level New Zealand political delegation in Honiara today congratulated the new Government of Solomon Islands, led by Jeremiah Manele, on taking office. “We are privileged to meet the new Prime Minister and members of his Cabinet during his government’s first ten days in office,” Deputy Prime Minister and ...
New Zealand voted in favour of a resolution broadening Palestine’s participation at the United Nations General Assembly overnight, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The resolution enhances the rights of Palestine to participate in the work of the UN General Assembly while stopping short of admitting Palestine as a full ...
Introduction Good morning. It’s a great privilege to be here at the 2024 Infrastructure Symposium. I was extremely happy when the Prime Minister asked me to be his Minister for Infrastructure. It is one of the great barriers holding the New Zealand economy back from achieving its potential. Building high ...
Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced the upcoming Budget will include new funding of $571 million for Defence Force pay and projects. “Our servicemen and women do New Zealand proud throughout the world and this funding will help ensure we retain their services and expertise as we navigate an increasingly ...
New Zealand’s ability to cope with climate change will be strengthened as part of the Government’s focus to build resilience as we rebuild the economy, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “An enduring and long-term approach is needed to provide New Zealanders and the economy with certainty as the climate ...
Jobseeker beneficiaries who have work obligations must now meet with MSD within two weeks of their benefit starting to determine their next step towards finding a job, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “A key part of the coalition Government’s plan to have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker ...
Asia Pacific Report For more than 76 years, Palestinians have resisted occupation, dispossession and ethnic cleansing, culminating in Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza. Yet in the midst of this catastrophic seven months of “hell on earth”, it is a paradox that there exists an extraordinary oasis of peace and nature. ...
You’ll never set foot in one. But its emissions still effect you. Shanti Mathias reports on a campaign to make private jet owners pay for their emissions in some way. The private jet passengers saunter down the red carpet, wearing sunglasses and heels; paparazzi cameras flash. The sky is blue, ...
Quality teachers back on the front line can only be a good thing. One of the difficult things we teach in senior English classes at secondary school is the development of an idea. This involves deepening your argument, without instead “going sideways” and merely adding examples while repeating the same ...
Opinion: As an indication of the eye-watering sums involved for the mega-prison plans announced two weeks ago by Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell, consider that $932 million has already been spent on a separate facility due to open at Waikeria next year – that’s about $1.5 million for each of the ...
Opinion: People with certain types of health conditions are more likely than others to have their symptoms dismissed, minimised or disbelieved. These conditions are diagnosed based on the patient self-report of symptoms, where there is no definitive diagnostic test that can prove the existence of disease or demonstrate structural or ...
The intensity of it, ironically, can feel like bullying. Social media activism is reaching something of a peak with the war in Gaza, using the hashtag Blockout2024. It started at this year’s MetGala when influencer and model Haley Kalil was caught on video muttering ‘let them eat cake’ – suddenly ...
It’s 2011 and I am 43 years old. My partner, Christine, and I got together when I was 36. We had been friends for about 10 years before that. One of the first things I asked Christine was whether she wanted to have kids. I had just come out of ...
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New Caledonia’s Tontouta International Airport remains closed, and Air New Zealand’s next scheduled flight is on Saturday — although it is not ruling out adding extra services. Air NZ’s Captain David Morgan said on Monday evening flights would only resume when they were assured of the security of the airport ...
Asia Pacific Report As Israel drives the Palestinians deeper into another Nakba in Gaza with its assault on Rafah, the Palestine Youth Aotearoa (PYA) and solidarity supporters in Aotearoa New Zealand tonight commemorated the original Nakba — “the Catastrophe” — of 1948. The 1948 Nakba . . . more than ...
Young people on the streets in New Caledonia are saying they will “never give up” pushing back against France’s hold on the Pacific territory, a Kanak journalist in Nouméa says. Pro-independence Radio Djiido’s Andre Qaeze told RNZ Pacific young people had said that “Paris must respect us” and what had ...
This episode of A View from Afar podcast was recorded live from 12:45pm May 20, 2024 (NZST). Political scientist Paul Buchanan and Selwyn Manning examine: The United States and how the world is engaging with it geopolitically.Specifically, Paul and Selwyn analyse what has changed in this regard in ...
Analysis - Power is not being abused, but it is not being well managed either. New Zealand democracy, unique and currently brittle, should be handled with greater care, Alexander Gillespie writes. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Lindenmayer, Professor, Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University Forest Conservation Victoria, CC BY-NC-ND Victoria’s native forest logging industry ended on January 1 this year. The news was met with jubilation from conservationists. But did logging really ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Crosby, Professor, Monash University Rose Marinelli/ShutterstockThis article is part two of The Conversation’s “Business Basics” series where we ask leading experts to discuss key concepts in business, economics and finance. How governments should manage their budgets, and how ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicole George, Associate Professor in Peace and Conflict Studies, The University of Queensland On Sunday afternoon, Australian citizens who have been trapped in New Caledonia were called to a meeting at one of the large hotels in the capital, Noumea. The ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hannah Soong, Senior Lecturer and Socio-cultural researcher, UniSA Education Futures, University of South Australia International students have come under fire from both sides of federal politics in the past week. The Albanese government introduced legislation to parliament last Thursday to put ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jake Renzella, Lecturer, Director of Studies (Computer Science), UNSW Sydney An example of shrimp Jesus.Shutterstock AI Generator If you search “shrimp Jesus” on Facebook, you might encounter dozens of images of artificial intelligence (AI) generated crustaceans meshed in various forms with ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joshua McLeod, Lecturer in Sport Management, Deakin University Being a sport administrator comes with many perks, so it’s no surprise many want to stay in their positions as long as possible. Recently, a trend has emerged whereby leaders in sport are seeking ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lauren Ball, Professor of Community Health and Wellbeing, The University of Queensland Joyisjoyful/Shutterstock If you buy your olive oil in bulk, you’ve likely been in for a shock in recent weeks. Major supermarkets have been selling olive oil for up to ...
A conversation with artist and home cook Prairie Hatchard-McGill, aka @cacioeprairie. This is an excerpt from our weekly food newsletter, The Boil Up. A few weeks ago, I spotted Prairie strolling down Ponsonby Road at sunset, a bunch of celery tucked under her arm. She was too far away for me ...
The Haka Challenge invites anyone to learn and record the Ka Mate haka as performed by the All Blacks, to show their support for "the South Pacific's greatest truth teller". ...
At the Christchurch rally in support of Palestine, he started his hunger strike and vowed to continue until the government stops supporting Israel’s genocide in Gaza. ...
With Nouméa reeling as mainly young, politically active Kanak people take to the streets and protest, a spirit that has been dormant since the 1980s has awoken. Tāmaki Makaurau-based Kanak Joseph Xulué provides some context.As reports continue to emphasise the fires burning through the streets of Nouméa (the capital ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne A national Newspoll, conducted after the May 14 budget from a sample of over 1,200 people, gave Labor a 52–48% lead over ...
A New Zealander studying at the University of New Caledonia says students have been taught to use fire extinguishers as firefighters are unlikely to come help if there is an emergency. It comes as days of unrest followed a controversial proposed constitutional amendment which would allow more French residents of ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexander Gillespie, Professor of Law, University of Waikato Getty Images There have been so many submissions on the government’s proposed Fast-track Approvals Bill – 27,000 written, with 2,900 wanting to appear before the select committee in person – that a ballot ...
We round up everything coming to streaming services this week, including Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Apple TV+, ThreeNow, Neon and TVNZ+. If you love feral robots: Atlas (Netflix, May 24)Look, if you thought This is Me…Now: A Love Story was Jennifer Lopez at her most intense, then ...
The LIVE Recording of A View from Afar podcast will begin today at 12:45pm May 20, 2024 (NZST) which is Sunday evening, 8:30pm (USEST). Today, political scientist Paul Buchanan and Selwyn Manning will examine: The United States and how the world is engaging with it geopolitically.Specifically, we will ...
After falling victim to a scam over the phone, Russell Brown spent the day with One NZ’s cyber defence and fraud prevention teams to see the work they do to stop millions of scam attempts every year.The only windows in the Cyber Defence Centre at One NZ’s Auckland headquarters ...
Treasury officials have outlined many ways in which the Fast Track Approvals Bill is deeply flawed, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking says. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marika Sosnowski, Postdoctoral research fellow, The University of Melbourne Ever since armed conflict has existed, ceasefires have been thought of as a bridge between war and peace. Consequently, their success has been measured by their ability to stop violence between warring parties ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Antonia Shand, Research Fellow, Obstetrician, University of Sydney Backgroundy/Shutterstock Oral retinoids are a type of medicine used to treat severe acne. They’re sold under the brand name Roaccutane, among others. While oral retinoids are very effective, they can have harmful effects ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alan Renwick, Professor of Agricultural Economics, Lincoln University, New Zealand This month the federal government announced a plan to ban live sheep exports, set to come into effect from May 1 2028. The announcement coincided with the release of a highly ...
Another technical answer: ‘no one really knows.’ It smells like hot fat and fish. You hug the warm bundle of newspaper, translucent with grease, swaddling it like a newborn babe. Behind the counter is a small child doing her homework, and the grumpiest Chinese lady in the world. Above you, ...
New Zealanders are being called on to give Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones “the finger” in a cheeky new campaign that aims to dramatically boost marine protection in Aotearoa. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nic Rawlence, Senior Lecturer in Ancient DNA, University of Otago Auckland Island merganser. Artistic reconstruction by J. G. Keulemans from Bullers Birds of New Zealand (1888)Bullers Birds of New Zealand, Author provided Ask a bird lover if they have heard of ...
Leaders from three of the biggest political parties addressed party faithful over the weekend, writes Stewart Sowman-Lund in this extract from The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. A weekend ...
Kia ora, welcome to Windbag, The Spinoff’s new Wellington issues column, written by me, Joel MacManus. In this first edition, I take a closer look at the first half of Tory Whanau’s term as mayor. If you want to understand Wellington’s local political landscape, you need to start in 2013 ...
A taonga going under the hammer at an Auckland auction house tonight is expected to fetch thousands. But concerns have been raised about its unclear provenance – and about the law that’s meant to protect it. Eda Tang reports. When Tamatea* received the huia feather they bought from a licensed ...
“It might feel like the country is slogging it up the hill at the moment,” Finance Minister Nicola Willis tells party faithful in Palmerston North on Sunday, “But we’re gonna get to the top of the hill, and it’s downhill on the other side. And the reason it’s downhill is ...
One issue that all the leaders of the coalition Government have agreed on is the expansion of the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme. Established in 2007, the scheme allows workers from participating Pacific countries to come to New Zealand to take up roles on a short-term basis. For the government, it’s ...
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The last person anyone expected to see at last week’s Ockham national book awards was Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. He was made to feel as welcome as a plague. He was mocked, and challenged. But good on him for coming. His presence gave the awards an edge, a tension, which ...
Sir Geoffrey Palmer, author of the seminal book Unbridled Power challenging Muldoon-era decision-making,says the Fast-Track Approvals Bill is a bigger threat to constitutional government The post A fast track to environmental degradation appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Uncertainty is an overwhelming theme for two seabed mining projects aiming to use the Government’s controversial fast-track regime The post Seabed miners: What we know and what we don’t appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Fair enough to call for war crime investigations into Russian troops.
But maybe it's time for the US mainstream media to call for the US to be subject to the ICC for their own war crimes.
I'm not seeking a kind of moral relativism. Just a global mechanism for the US military to be held to account same as everyone else.
Agree. But, every Country affiliated to the UN are also guilty of these mutual atrocities in Ukraine by not responding to Russian security concerns, they had the chance to avoid this conflict, but instead allowed themselves to kow tow to the Western big powers with their NATO disease of World power ambitions.
Rubbish. Do you think that countries shouldn't have the right to associate and align themselves with which ever countries they would like to?
Don't you think it is rather instructive that countries such as Poland, and now Finland and Ukraine would rather align themselves with the West than Russia that they have historic ties with?
But perhaps the current behaviour of Russia might give some rational for that position.
Well if the UN had of addressed legitimate claims of security concerns things would have been different and set a course for peace, but I can see from you post further down that you are a definite war monger type, so no need for me to respond further to you.
And your tacit justification of the Russian actions doesn't make you a "war monger type". Give me a break.
Not entirely. I think a country's geographical position should be a factor. Ukraine should prefer alignment with countries to the East of the Black Sea, since hostile relationships with one's neighbors make no sense. However that should not preclude them from enjoying a trading relationship with the West.
Russians going door to door dragging men out of their homes and then summarily executing them is someone else's fault?
Get a fucking grip, moron.
Maria Genkin: Pictures of some villages freed in Kyiv region, specifically Bucha, are devastating. Dead people lying outside of their houses, in what can only have been a “zachistka” – systemic execution of the men of each house. One body in front of every house.
https://twitter.com/AseyevStanislav/status/1510333593180069896
#Zachistka
Yea well I think your word of ‘Moron’ describes you much better, you totally misread my comment , but that is typical of you who only get your source of bullshit from one sided view points. So you should put a prefix of GI on your handle and become the DH you really are. No further comment needed from me to you.
Sniveling tankie called on moronic assertion that every Country affiliated to the UN are also guilty of these mutual atrocities bottles it.
/
That's the 'whataboutism' sorted, now try condemning the murder of Ukrainian civilians.
Well, you also misread my original comment. Had the UN addressed the concerns of Russia’s security concerns there would still be as you point out ‘murdered Ukrainians’ , that of break away states in Donbas who have suffered over 8 years of death by the murdering Ukrainian forces. But the civilians you speak of would still be alive. So I stand by my comment implicating Countries affiliated to the UN being guilty for the situation that unfolded.
I misread nothing, but never mind, It's an open opportunity – Feel free to condemn the murder of Ukrainian civilians whenever you're ready.
Very few would not be disturbed by Russia’s Ukraine invasion and the inevitable gruesome details and general horror of armed conflict. Some small New Zealand communities still feel the effects of WWI and WWII believe it or not. It is not a video game.
But…some of us that have spent a lifetime supporting international solidarity efforts on other countries, regions, anti war and world peace campaigns, Nuke Free NZ, West Papua etc. etc. do feel frustrated at the attention on Ukraine. Invading a foreign country? well US imperialism has more than a little form in that department, Vietnam being Exhibit A, Iraq Exhibit B and Afghanistan Exhibit C.
It is not “what-a-boutism” but “as wellism” to say poisoning Palestinians water & shooting their teenagers, creating starvation and chaos in various countries like Yemen, and creating global refugee movements deserves similar attention in the media and urgent donation requests.
As far as us ordinary people can determine with online searches, Russia has 10 military bases or facilities, all on ex Soviet republic territories, and maybe 5 projected elsewhere. The USA has over 750 acknowledged military bases and associated facilities offshore.
We can't go back in time and unwind previous injustices. Hence, I think looking backwards at previous incidents is a bit pointless, other than to learn from them and ensure robust processes prevent future incidences and to recompense for damage done.
But what we can do is focus on the war crimes, and possibly genocide that is confronting us all right now. So, based on failings in the past, what should the world do right now to stop the war crimes going on in Ukraine right now?
"Previous"?
How about sanctions in Iran, Afghanistan and Venezuela killing children, and bombings in Yemen and Somalia, right now!
But they are not “People like us”!
How does any of that help the current situation? Whataboutism isn't a solution. It only minimises current crimes against humanity.
"It only minimises current crimes against humanity."
How terrible.
Things happening right now are "the current situation".
Calling the incident 'genocide' seems an exaggeration, but then some say that in war the first casualty is truth.
The price tag for ICC prosecutions without hypocrisy is too expensive. The US will continue with the status quo.
Ad, there have been prosecutions for war crimes committed by the US military:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_war_crimes
It may not be perfect, or all-encompassing, but at least there is a process for crimes to be investigated. I doubt that Russia will submit to such a process.
Was is happening against Ukranian citizens seems so calculated, widespread, and brutal, that I think it must be bordering on genocide if it already hasn't met that threshold.
The stuff in Bucha is just harrowing:
https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/04/03/ukraine-apparent-war-crimes-russia-controlled-areas
The other thing is that this sort of behaviour is very bad for Russia and its military. It will simply motivate the west to introduce harsher sanctions and provide more impactful weaponary to Ukraine.
It is what they don't prosecute/convict that is the problem
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%E1%BB%B9_Lai_massacre
"504 unarmed people were killed by U.S. Army"
” Victims included men, women, children, and infants. Some of the women were gang-raped and their bodies mutilated, as were children as young as 12.[1][2] Twenty-six soldiers were charged with criminal offenses, but only Lieutenant William Calley Jr., a platoon leader in C Company, was convicted. Found guilty of murdering 22 villagers, he was originally given a life sentence, but served three-and-a-half years under house arrest after President Richard Nixon commuted his sentence.”
As mentioned, at least there is a process, though I agree, far from perfect.
As I mentioned in a previous post, we now need to be learning from those lessons and ensuring that such crimes are fully prosecuted in the current conflict.
War is happening against Ukranian citizens seems so calculated
But, on the other hand, the Ukrainian government seems to expect all its citizens, civilian or not, to fight in defense of the country.
Rounding up men of a village and killing them is a war crime – even prisoners of war are entitled to more than that.
Perhaps someone can explain. The latest war porn photos were apparently taken days after the Russians left areas near Kyiv. How come there is a photo of two people lifting a body that bent in the middle, presumably long after rigor mortis would have set in? Were the victims all female or children? If not, how does 'civilian' square with all Ukrainian males between 16 and 60 being expected to fight the Russians? Is there any indication of weapons being visible in any of the 'photographic evidence' or are we looking at the reverse of the US ploy when innocents are killed, of placing weapons with bodies?
Before the accusations of being a Putin apologist start, there is no way – this questioning is because it is wisely said that 'truth is the first casualty of war' not that war crimes on any side are condoned. The personal driver is being a pacifist!
"How come there is a photo of two people lifting a body that bent in the middle, presumably long after rigor mortis would have set in?"
Because rigo mortis isn't a permanent state, but disappears after a few days.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rigor_mortis
And yes, pretty much what I would have expected from you; an attempt to pass these crimes off as some sort of macabre staging.
Thanks for the explanation for rigor mortis – obviously accepted the common misunderstanding.
As for passing the crimes off as staging – just about the response one would expect from a gung-ho propagandist for NATO. If you can't provide explanations and evidence, don't resort to sleazy assumptions about valid questions
"As for passing the crimes off as staging…"
Oh goodness greatness me. My sincerest apologies. How could I ever have assumed that from you?
Now as for the arrogance – :goodness greatness me" Well, says it all!
Never going to happen. Been covering for the war machine since Korea, if not earlier.
Russia apologists will probably also engage in whataboutism, denial and deflection on these war crimes in Ukraine. But they have, from the perspective of Russian propaganda, a horrible logical consistancy.
The Ukraine was invaded to "de-Nazify" it. To Russians (and everyone else), Nazism is the ultimate evil and by definition not Russian (The USSR defeated the Nazis!).
The Ukraine is basically a part of Russia with a silly dialect and some strange ideas about independence and identity. Once the Nazis are rooted out the general population will welcome their Russian friends.
So when they invaded the Ukraine and the resistance was ferocious and the entire people rose up against them it was clear that the taint of Nazism was deeper and broader than realised, so the de-Nazification has to also involve a much deeper purification of the Ukraine, and "purification" means "liquidating" lots and lots of the complicit.
Sounds outlandish, but the Kremlin's apologists on here have made great play of the "Nazism" of elements of the Ukraine army. And if some people (albeit half wits) in NZ believe it, you can bet your bottom dollar a lot of Russian soldiers believe it.
That's as least as probable as Wonder Woman's commentary on Nazis:
"We just have to find a way to defeat them, that's all."
Wonder Woman & Wonder Girl (Debra Winger) Plot To Retake Paradise Island (Part 1) 1080P BD – YouTube
Long past time NZ cities were moving on this. Rural areas and small towns need bespoke solutions.
https://twitter.com/marcdaalder/status/1510738065639161860
Auckland Transport is making changes… removing thousands of on-street parking spots from arterial roads. But not enough to prevent another cyclist death today. 😢
Auckland road tragedy: Cyclist killed in Mt Wellington crash – NZ Herald
Russia is about to have issues keeping its war going. That is because a lot of their military componentry required for making and replacing used or destroyed weaponary is manufactured in Ukraine:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/04/01/vladimir-putin-running-missiles-parts-made-ukraine/
And the sanctions from the west aren't helping in that respect either.
Do you have conclusive evidence to prove that Russia wants to keep the war going?
It seems that Zelenskyy with aggressive support from NATO are more vested in avoiding a negotiated settlement from the bellicose statements emanating from those sources.
Russia can stop the war anytime it wants to. Just pack up and leave Ukraine.
Yes, to me the fact they haven't is conclusive evidence it wants to keep the war going.
So could Ukraine. All that is required is to negotiate in good faith. That was obvious, even to blind Freddie, long before any violence occurred. Actually, about seven years ago wasn’t it?
So could Ukraine.
They could pack up and leave? Where should they go? Putin wants all of Ukraine – it's only that his forces are being crushed that has stopped him.
All that is required is to negotiate in good faith.
Doesn't work with Russia – have you not noticed the routine shelling of humanitarian corridors? In Russia, good faith doesn't exist at the political level.
Get off your war-mongering band-wagon Stuart. The Ukrainians only had about seven years to negotiate instead of acting as an agent for NATO which ultimately folded to the US empire.
You should quit the appeasement – there is nothing whatsoever about Putin's war that Left or enlightened folk can support.
We support democracy, not despotic autocracy.
Leave the fascist fanboying to Rodney Hide.
Facing facts does not equate to appeasement, except in the minds of those with a twisted agenda. More to the point, anything other than democracy is not despotic autocracy. In fact, one of democracy's greatest faults is that it is the tyranny of the majority!
As an observation, most 'war crimes' in your lifetime have been committed by 'democracies'.
Britain, for example, wasn't always democratic; you only need to go back to the events of 1381 to see their aristocracy thought about democracy. Democracy seems to be something that develops over a longish period, and is probably not appropriate for all counties at all times.
Strange reply to the statement,"All that is required is to negotiate in good faith. That was obvious, even to blind Freddie, long before any violence occurred."
Not as strange as pretending that good faith could ever achieve anything with the Putin regime.
Blind Freddy would tell you as much, if you listened.
Good faith? After the recent discovery of mass graves and evidence of Russian plans to commit genocide to solve the "Ukrainian problem"?! Surrender is unthinkable.
I think the west should aim to force an end the war with the following two steps:
a) the west will ramp up sanctions to a point that it becomes difficult for Russia to function, and:
b) the west will tool Ukraine up with the sort of heavy military equipment that will enable them to defeat Russia militarily.
I think the west has done enough now to show this isn’t an empty threat. And Ukraine has done enough to show they are a potent force with what they have now. So the message should be sent to the Kremlin loud and clear.
Some truths cannot be spoken in Russia.
Serving army officer shut down on Russian state TV for saying soldiers are dying in Ukraine – YouTube
Not that we don't have a few of our own, but it would be funny, if it weren't tragic.
Some truths cannot be spoken in Russia.
I think it's inflammatory that cannot be spoken, actually.
Clearly you don't think at all.
The soldier was grieving for his men who had died, and those who were about to die.
But it didn't suit the official narrative – so he was silenced.
As Russian truth drifts further and further from the truth on the ground, the damage the truth does will grow until the secret can no longer be contained. The last time this happened, the short victorious war, the Russian state fell to a popular revolution.
Is Red Ink the new normal.Interest rates are destined to rise unless inflationary expectations are lessened.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/money/300557505/is-this-the-new-normal-bank-lifts-home-loan-rates-near-7-per-cent
The writing is on the wall,as markets price the increases into the wholesale market,there has to be some signalling from Oligopolies such as Local and central government and utilities that efficiency,and not ideology will be the short term future.
Why would the RBNZ think putting 20% of recent first home buyers under serviceability stress is a good policy?
because high inflation is a disaster.Rbnz showed constraint following the Delta outbreak,when in hindsight it should have increased the OCR,hence signalling the arrival of peak money.
At the same time media and developers were over selling demand (enhancing the FOMO) and forcing increased costs,rather then constraint.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/business/125970733/developers-take-new-tack-in-search-for-land-as-investors-buy-up-new-homes
So putting up the OCR will actually reduce NZ inflation then?
The global consensus is that higher interest rates,reduce credit demand by reducing discretionary spending.There are 3 parts to the situation,increased liquidity due to QE,and increased demand for credit due to lower interest rates.
The third part was the involuntary saving enforced globally due to lockdowns etc from Covid constraints ( 55 billion in NZ ) around 2 trillion in the US and Europe.As spending arose following relaxation,a lot went into asset appreciation such as equities and property.As equities rose above their technical limits,the money transferred to more property and commodities.
There is only one country that does not have a property forced high inflation economy,and that is Japan.with February inflation coming in at 0.8% and the central bank not increasing their OCR.They also have a decreasing population and a cultural mindset of increased efficiency,and enhanced productivity.
Well if the OCR hits roughly those numbers that hard the RBNZ will put it back down again (like the prior 2014 tightening). They will probably have another take on inflation then, especially if the inflation rate didn't comply with the desire to lower it. Japan has been running QE like monetary policies since the 90s and seem to better understand how irrelevant cash rates are to inflation outcomes, though it might be just that their inflation rate is presently lower driving their policy.
There are arguments at present,that the low interest rates are affecting the price of the Yen (lower) which makes commodity pricing higher etc.They have sufficient idle capacity ( nuclear) that is being brought up to standby mode that will (if needed) reduce the energy component of manufacturing.
Japan does not have the housing risk,in its economy.
Woman bankrupted in no small part due to her following "sovereign citizen" weirdness.
Obsessive folks can tear up their own lives as much as the lives of others.
The link doesn't work for me.
ah, cheers.
Looks like I pasted it twice into the field. This should work.
Try this. The link to the sovereign citizen stuff is on there.
This woman seems to be one in the group who think the 'systems' in the country and they way they work is wrong. And they have the answers.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/128257833/mayors-vengeance-she-defamed-him-now-hes-made-her-bankrupt
Then there's this unhappy sheriff.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/300557520/man-who-threatened-to-kill-pm-dragged-into-dock-by-police-after-refusal-to-move
Is this story about the former West Coast Councillor the one you mean?
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/128257833/mayors-vengeance-she-defamed-him-now-hes-made-her-bankrupt
yup
Another brave freedumb fighter (who sent death threats to the PM and Muslims) demonstrating his sovereign citizen status to get out of jail free.
https://twitter.com/Te_Taipo/status/1510781056642797571?s=20&t=4m44F5xPTWTvTIHNEbynZw
Now its no secret that the entertainment coming out of Hollywood recently is bad, very bad.
Lazy writing, identity politics, sequels and superhero movies galore but every now and then a movie trailer comes along that makes me think theres hope for Hollywood yet
This trailer looks good and I can't wait for it to come out:
Instant classic 👍🏼
Topical and entertaining, not always easy to pull off but it does
Joe Biden voice seems heavily influenced by the Kyle Dunnigan parody:
Scary isn't it:
Highly addictive:
Joe Biden vs. Joe Biden – Kyle Dunnigan – YouTube
The best satire has the most truth to it
Emotionally moving.
Also has a POC in the lead which is pretty good as well
Is the hero played by Max Keiser?