Could the next airline flight you catch be piloted by an All Black?
You are not feeling well. And you need to see a medical professional about your health. Would you be happy to see a top flight netball player instead?
You are in trouble with the law. Would you choose to be represented by a squash player, even one with a newly minted honorary doctorate?
I didn’t think so.
Nobody would be criminally stupid enough to use sporting prowess as a measure of competency for the above roles.
But if, the airlines and health boards ditched their standard selection guidelines, for the revolutionary selection criteria used by Judith Collins, to select the Race Relations Commissioner……
Abandoning the written guidelines, a former All Black, and a net ball player, were Judith Collins first choices for the position of race relations Commissioner, before she settled on a well known squash player.
“He has vast experience in the law at a local and international level, years of community service and engagement with some of our more challenged communities, and a real desire to do the job.
All factors that seemed in accord with the written guidelines that are meant to govern the appointment. But Mr Lovegrove was told, five months after he applied for the position and had heard nothing, that he didn’t make the shortlist because there wasn’t one. Two weeks later he was told there was a shortlist but he didn’t get on it and despite repeated requests for some guidance as to why not he has heard nothing more……”
“…….All I wanted to know was what process was used to appoint Dame Susan Devoy who, by her own admission, was shoulder tapped for the job and never applied.
We also understand she was third choice behind former All Black Michael Jones and netballer Irene Van Dyk”.
Would you be happy to see a top flight netball player instead?
Only if she had a medical qualification – but I’d definitely let Bernice Mene teach my kids. Heck, I’d even elect a double national player to Parliament.
I’m highly critical of Devoy’s appointment, and I’m very suspicious of the fact that Michael Jones and Irene van Dyk were also offered it, but let’s not make this about “sports players are automatically idiots”, shall we?
Felix.
Apparently Susan Devoy has “a spine” So,if you have a spine you can expect a phone call from a ghost offering you a really good job. Brilliant,everybody should be employed very shortly. Really annoyed with devoy on Campbell Live with her snide arrogance saying that she did not know who rang her and shoulder tapped her. Following the party line of not knowing anything about anything but everything is “above board” Silly simpering woman!
Campbell Live should run a poll asking – whose identity do you think Susan Devoy is hiding when she said she did not know who rang her?
A. Her crony cabinet minister
B. The Prime Minister
C. Baldrick’s turnip
D. Her creative truth-telling telephone which rang itself
E. Her neighbour Tony who was had been talking to the responsible minister
Glad to see this waiter excelling in performing his duties, he should be commended for his actions. http://m.alcohol.org.nz/sites/default/files/useruploads/Resourcepdfs/Wheres_the_line.pdf
It’s illegal to serve alcohol to a person who is or has become intoxicated.
It’s also illegal to let an intoxicated person onto a licensed premise.
Finally, it is against the law to serve a patron in such as way that leads them to become intoxicated.
FYI….. Worth checking out RNZ Sunday this morning:
0840 Sandra Gray Dissent and Democracy and
10:06 Ideas: The Public Service – Past, Present and Future
The former – the obvious democracy deficit we’re in the middle of.
The latter – (In my view) the way in which corporatiation of the PS has simply meant PS Senior Managers and CEO’s operate with LESS accountability, and run their various depts as little feifdoms. The real Public Servants under those Snr Managers and CEOs do their work IN SPITE of their overlords rather than BECAUSE of their ‘leadership’ . We were promised the exact opposite.
“Can’t we have a “Labour representative” who actually says what the party thinks?”
Not sure I like our chances MS. It’ll probably come some time AFTER we get a “From the Left ….. and From the Right” on Nine to Noon, and a change to the FOX News approach on “The Panel”
What does “the party” think micky? IMHO this is the key problem, “the party” is dysfunctional serving itself to the detriment of its founding principles, it’s supporters and its members. What exactly do Labour stand for? How are its values expressed in its policies and how does being unthinking opposition constitute a political force worth supporting?
Saying that Labour doesn’t stand for anything burt just shows that you’re ignorant… However the issue here isn’t that Labour may or may not have an opinion, it’s that interested parties aren’t being giving the opportunity to express an opinion to counter the right wing theme that pervades programs like Q+A.
I was pretty disappointed with today’s lopsided program as well… Not only in terms of yet another puff piece for Peter Dunne, but also in terms of the criticism of bitcoins that was largely based on an inaccurate account from Kirk Hope.
The New Zealand Bankers’ Association CEO clearly has a vested interest in criticizing bitcoins, because the banks haven’t yet figured out how to take their pound of flesh. The panel didn’t question any of his claims, even though many of them were clearly false.
There’s relevant legislation here that should have been adhered to… Under the Broadcasting Act 1989 (PDF) there’s a responsibility of broadcasters to be fair, accurate and give people the opportunity to hear both sides of the story:
(d) the principle that when controversial issues of public importance are discussed, reasonable efforts are made, or reasonable opportunities are given, to present significant points of view either in the same programme or in other programmes within the period of current interest.
In my opinion, Q+A is a long way away from adhering to those rules. That doesn’t just make for biased broadcasting, it makes for boring broadcasting as well. Only a truly ignorant person could enjoy the dross that Susan Wood seems determined to serve up each weekend on Q+A.
But she does not criticise him for supporting asset sales.
In fact, she went so far as to praise him for always being above-board in how he voted on things.
I keep trying to get into watching Q&A regularly, as a politically-minded Kiwi, but inevitably I get 5 minutes in (or fast-forward to the panel and get 5 minutes into that) and have to bail out to save my brain from excess headdesking.
But mickysavage she’s photogenic, and has long black hair which looks good on the telly. That’s more important than what Labour Party members think!!! We’ve already seen what the TV media think of ordinary Labour Party members. In short, we don’t count.
Oh dear war is so costly. The citizens will just have to cut down on what they think of as necessities which are in fact luxuries, so that the machinery that protects our wonderful country and each cherished person within it, can keep functioning.
Better hide your turnips to ensure you last the winter folks.
Well it is Sunday TRP, someone gave me this DVD that was shot over 3 nights in Texas, and edited non chronologically. The other band members all have various costume changes but Keith Richards has the same satin shirt, jeans and boots on in every take.
it only has a couple of Steadman’s illustrations, but that makes finding the others that much more enjoyable, look for ‘Gonzo, The Art’ for the full collection
Housing New Zealand bids up price to purchase ahead of first home buyer.
And?
Labour Party spokesman on Housing Phil Twyford said, “It makes no sense for HNZ to be buying houses on the open market when they could be building new ones.
Actually, it does. They buy the house, knock it down and build apartments on the site.
Sean Bignell of Housing NZ said the housing agency was redeveloping sites around Auckland to build more houses on the land for state, social and private housing.
This makes me really angry.
The freaking Labour Party objecting to Housing NZ buying property to provide homes for the homeless and those in dire straits because home buyers might be adversely affected.
Not content with their policy of building 10,00 subsidised homes for the middle-class, Phil Twyford’s Labour Party is now actively oppsosing HNZ assistance for those whose housing needs are greatest. Fuck you Phil Twyford.
Housing NZ buying property to provide homes for the homeless and those in dire straits
Except the amount of state houses has dramatically declined under this National government. Between 2008 and 2011, the amount of vacant state houses increased by a whopping 471 and the overal state houses available declined by 171 in the same time period. 256 houses were demolished.
That makes your claim that HNZ is providing homes for the homeless and those in dire straits by outbidding a few first-home buyers at auctions entirely incorrect.
Labour Party is now actively oppsosing HNZ assistance for those whose housing needs are greatest. Fuck you Phil Twyford.
Labour has actually said that they will reverse National’s anti-state housing regime by increasing the amount of state houses that are available for people in need. That makes your statement entirely inaccurate just saying.
Except the amount of state houses has dramatically declined under this National government. Between 2008 and 2011, the amount of vacant state houses increased by a whopping 471 and the overal state houses available declined by 171 in the same time period. 256 houses were demolished.
Yup, and yet right now Labour is complaining about the help HNZ is attempting to provide to those with the greatest housing needs….
…….Which makes Labour’s so-called committment to increasing housing for those most in need pretty freaking dubious, in my humble opinion Jackal.
The only commitment Twyford was talking about today was Labour’s commitment to provide 10,000 subsidised homes for those that can afford them, and he talked about this commitment in the context of complaining about HNZ buying property to house the poor.
You’re comparing a single property with the 171 that National got rid of and saying that; “HNZ is attempting to provide to those with the greatest housing needs.” C’mon just saying, they aren’t proving shit to people in need, hence the 171 less state houses between 2008 and 2011.
The only commitment Twyford was talking about today was Labour’s commitment to provide 10,000 subsidised homes.
The number of state houses increased under the last Labour government. If reelected, the’ve also said they will increase the number of state houses over and above the 10,000 subsidized homes… Despite those facts you somehow think that National is more committed to helping people in need of a state house?
Phil Twyford’s Labour Party is now actively oppsosing HNZ assistance for those whose housing needs are greatest.
Which is complete bullshit! It’s even a bigger pile of bullshit when you understand that National is dismantling the state housing sector piece by piece.
I didn’t mention National at all. A criticism of a Labour MP is not an endorsement of the government.
You said that HNZ was:
Buying property to provide homes for the homeless and those in dire straits.
HNZ isn’t providing for people in need, because there are at least 171 less state houses available since 2008. National has instructed HNZ to reduce costs by having less state houses… Or do you think that HNZ somehow operates autonomously from the government just saying?
It could have been a property developer outbidding buyers, or an investment group, or even just a rich person who liked the light and the soil and decided to buy up the whole neighbourhood to build a giant silver-framed geodesic dome. And no-one would have complained. It would have been accepted as just the way things are. You got the money – you buy what you want, as long as its legal, and often even if its not if you’re rich enough.
The reason for the complaints, for the outrage, and the reason Twyford chimed in, in my opinion, is that the poor and downtrodden aren’t believed to deserve anything that anyone else wants. That’s the society we are now. I wasn’t talking about anything outside of this instance, this example of what I believe to be a fact of our communities now. And Labour’s endorsement of it.
Twyford wasn’t saying that the “poor and downtrodden” don’t deserve to be housed just saying, he’s merely disagreeing with the way HNZ is currently acquiring new housing stock.
There’s no doubt that increasing competition will, to a degree, push up prices and make rents even less affordable. How exactly is that going to help the majority of poor people find affordable housing?
With the number of vacant state houses increasing by at least 471 since National gained power, competing on the open market isn’t going to increase the amount of people in need of housing assistance acquiring it through the HNZ. In contrast, fixing those dilapidated state houses and building more would help.
Therefore the basis of your argument is entirely flawed just saying… Not that I expect you to admit it.
We’ve actually already had this debate QoT, and without getting into the nitty gritty may I just conclude that there’s lots of land available to build new houses on in New Zealand.
In fact there are easily enough bare sections in residentially zoned areas that the government already owns for Labour’s housing policy to be realized. The only issue is that there are no longer enough sections available in Auckland for people to live the half-acre section dream… They might have to compromise and have smaller sections.
Is that perhaps what you mean by available land not being infinite?
No, Jackal, I meant that land isn’t an infinite resource. Try reading things people write and not imposing your own presumptions on them for once, would you?
underreported struggles is a monthly posting by ahni at Intercontinental Cry that details indigenous struggles around the world. It is essential reading for those interested in human rights and shows the continued battles that indigenous people are engaged in to save their lands and themselves.
new barter currency
“Esquimalt First Nation, in an effort to reform the monetary system, unveiled a new barter currency on their territory known as Tetlas. Similar to a gift certificate, the Tetla was developed by the organization Tetla Tsetsuwatil to assist economic development in the S’amuna’ Nation and other native nations, and to encourage trade with non-natives and among non-natives. So far, 35 businesses have signed on to the Tetla system, but wit the constant problems first Nations have with the Canadian economy, you can be sure there will be more.”
opposing mining
“In northern Chile, Environmental groups and indigenous Diaguita communities celebrated a court decision to suspend the controversial Pascua Lama mine owned by the world’s largest gold mining company, Barrick gold. The court suspension was in response to a legal action that was brought forth by the affected indigenous communities who warned that the mine threatens their water supply and several local glaciers. Lorenzo Soto, a lawyer representing the Diaguita, said the suspension will remain in effect until the company addresses the pollution issue and properly consults the indigenous peoples.”
just two examples from many which show the interconnectedness of our struggles
barter currency
No country will agree to ignore widespread bartering with or without cash exchange. Sooner or later there will have to be some declaration of revenue equivalence gained through bartering and something to be paid to the tax department.
Perhaps although I’m not totally convinced. I’m a member of HANDS (How about a no money system) which although small and humble is working and there is no tax issue there, but I’m sure if it got big enough they would send the men in black around.
as they say from the link, “Simply by keeping track of who receives what from whom we can dispense with the ancient idea of exchange media and the apparatus required to manage them. This helps us focus on providing and requesting what is really needed instead of chasing after money. It creates an environment of openness and transparency; it promotes equality, fairness and balance; it builds community and helps us respect our environment and appreciate the limits of our finite world.”
Good luck with that marty mars. For success it requires commitment of all members to the system with provision and purchase following each other at regular intervals.
Does anybody know anything about this and/or the effect that NZ Power or the MRP float might have on this on this market?
from the Electricity Authority:
In late 2011, new market-maker arrangements for New Zealand electricity futures trading were adopted by the ASX and the large generators. These arrangements sharply reduced the bid-ask spreads for futures contracts and substantially boosted trading volumes, providing the foundation for an increasingly active hedge market, which other parties, such as financial institutions, are expected to enter over time.
it’ll probably depress activity in this hedge market as NZ Power will significantly improve price predictability and stability. However, although their use in financialised market games will reduce, hedges will still be used for protection against the results of unexpected climate or severe events (i.e what they are designed for).
Though it’s from Wednesday, a few quotes from Pope Francis at Mass 1 May – the Feast of St Joseph the Worker, prompted also by the Bangladesh killing of over 400 workers:
A society that “does not pay a just wage”, that “does not give work” to people; a society that only looks to its balance books, that only seeks profit” is unjust and goes against God.
“Not paying a just wage, not providing work, focussing exclusively on balancing the books, only looking at making personal profit. That goes against God! The headline that impacted me so much concerning the Bangladesh tragedy, ‘Living on 38 Euros a month’: this was the payment of these people who have died … And this is called slave labour. And today there is slavery that is made with the most beautiful gift that God has given to human-kind: the ability to create, to work, to be the makers of our own dignity. How many brothers and sisters throughout the world are in t his situation because of these, economic, social, political attitudes and so on…”
“The human person is more important than the brick. If people are less important than the things that give profit to those who have political, social, economic power, what point have we come to? To the point that we are nota ware of the dignity of the person and the dignity of labour. May the figures of St Joseph and especially of Jesus, of ‘God who works” – be our model – for they teach us the way forward, through dignity.”
“The human person is more important than the brick.”
Not by much. The human person is considered to have rights, but the brick isn’t.
person:
A man considered according to the rank he holds in society, with all the rights to which the place he holds entitles him, and the duties which it imposes. 1 Bouv. Inst. no. 137. A human being considered as capable of having rights and or being charged with duties, while a “thing” is the object over which rights may be exercised. (Black’s 2nd (1910))
Man is subject to the law of his creator/creators. Law is consistent with reason, opinions about law can be wrong, especially when they are based on faith in an assumed authority.
John Key’s plan to prostrate the country before the oil industry causes disquiet, even in National’s true blue heartland.
Even in a true blue country area, in what should have been the bosom of his support. Farmers tell Key that the oil companies have too much power.
Just like a Mafia Capo addressing the ‘Made Men’ of the Gambino Family. Key demands that fealty must be paid towards the local Mafia Don. “it was in everyone’s interest” to be “respectful” to the oil companies, he said.
Farm owner Graham Robinson said he had experience of oil wells on his own land, and exploration companies could drill wherever they wanted – pointing to the land near his house.
“At the end of the day, they have got too much power,” Mr Robinson said.
Mr Key said the value of the industry to the country meant it was in everyone’s interest to form a respectful partnership with the exploration companies.
However, he promised to raise their concerns with Energy Minister Simon Bridges.
Another farmer alleged some companies were pitting farmers against one another in a bidding war and taking the lowest deal.
One company went so far as buying a farm because it was unable to get an agreement “so they have got the upper hand”.
A woman told Mr Key the money paid to farmers was widely variable. She knew of farmers paid $4000 plus compensation for the loss of productive land while others were paid $200,000 plus compensation.
Wash your load promptly and return on-line with the programme
(glanced at The Witches of Oz, yet Emeralds not fine stone)
did have the money, apprenticeship afternoons, Ruby Tuesdays
“please send me evenings and weekends, please send me evenings and weekends,
your kiss so sweet, your sweat so sour” Gladys, “Little Miss S. in a mini-dress
living it up to die (New Bohemians)
in a blink of the Public Eye”.
“We, we’re a part of your Circle of Friends
and we notice you don’t come around
We, we think it all depends
on you
Touching ground with us.
And NBR thinks Williamson will be a challenger to Brown because..
He says [Dick Quax] Mr Williamson doesn’t carry as much “baggage” as Mr Banks in the eyes of voters, particularly those in area outside the old Auckland City Council.
Going to be interesting to see who actually steps up, I think Maurice will fold his tent. 26 years in Wellington and what’s your biggest achievement? Leaky buildings. Thanks Maurice
Sometimes amongst the crap there are illustrations of kindness and good people. This compilation of positive russian dash cams bought a wee tear to my eye and reminded me that there are lots and lots of kind, good people out there everywhere.
The ‘Open Letter’ to Solicitor-General Michael Heron, requesting Crown Law to intervene and take over the prosecution of John Archibald Banks for alleged electoral fraud is available here:
The evidence that John Banks has been summonsed to attend the Auckland District Court (first appearance) on Wednesday 8 May 2013 (at 9am) is available here:
When is Prime Minister John Key going to stand down John Banks as Minister of Regulatory Reform, Minister of Small Business, Associate Minister of Education and Associate Minister of Commerce?
If National MP Aaron Gilmore is regarded as not being ‘fit for duty’ – what about Minister John Banks who is facing COURT proceedings, and will exit stage left (errr right?) immediately from the House if convicted?
Open access notables A survey of interventions to actively conserve the frozen North, van Wijngaarden et al., Climatic Change:The frozen elements of the high North are thawing as the region warms much faster than the global mean. The dangers of sea level rise due to melting glacier ice, increased ...
Bryce Edwards writes – New Zealand’s biggest-ever political donations scandal is finally at an end. But what is the conclusion? No one can really be sure. The Court of Appeal released its judgement on Tuesday about the Serious Fraud Office case against the NZ First Foundation. On ...
In 2015, then-Prime Minister John Key announced plans for a huge ocean sanctuary around the Kermadec Islands, banning fishing and mining from 15% of Aotearoa's EEZ. It was bold, it was ambitious, and it suggested that National might actually care about the environment. Except they fucked it up: Key failed ...
1. Who has just been given the accolade New Zealander of the Year?a. The Kokakob. The Cook Strait Ferryc. Fair God. Dr Jim Salinger 2. Which of these is an affront to decent society?a. Dame Edna Everageb. Mrs Doubtfire c. Dr. Frank-N-Furterd. Brian 3. Who is Penny Simmonds?a. The aspiring actress in Big ...
New Zealand’s biggest-ever political donations scandal is finally at an end. But what is the conclusion? No one can really be sure.The Court of Appeal released its judgement on Tuesday about the Serious Fraud Office case against the NZ First Foundation. On the face of it, the court found ...
Buzz from the Beehive Waves of rain are set to lash much of the North Island during Easter Weekend as a low-pressure system forms east of New Zealand, according to a weather forecast published in the past day or so. Niwa was warning of a “moisture-laden” long weekend, with rain expected ...
Look around us…Nicola Willis’ promises of balancing the books, of cutting spending without reducing services, and of delivering game changing tax cuts are disappearing before her eyes.Everyday we see stories of violent crime ending in horrific injuries, or worse. The cost of living worsens, whereas the PM claimed renters would ...
TL;DR: My top six news of note on the morning of Thursday, March 28 include:The Government will have to borrow between $10 billion to $15 billion more than previously expected in order to make up for a slowing economy and to pay for $14.9 billion of tax cuts, according to ...
This story by Naveena Sadasivam and Kate Yoder was originally published by Grist and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. The long-awaited jobs board for the American Climate Corps, promised early in the Biden administration, will open next month, according to details shared exclusively ...
Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don’t think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of ...
Treasury’s first report on the economy since the change of government presents a damning indictment of Labour’s economic management. The problem for National is that it is so damning that logically, coupled with a rapidly slowing economy, Finance Minister Nicola Willis should respond to it by postponing or even cancelling ...
Budget tensions are becoming evident within the Coalition Government. Winston Peters made numerous political points in his speech to the NZF annual conference. But the attack on his own government’s fiscal policies raised issues of substance. ‘Today in the Sunday Star Times, journalist and former advisor to the Labour ...
Buzz from the Beehive The media – sure enough – have been binging on Finance Minister Nicola Willis’ release of the Budget Policy Statement and a statement headed Government announces Budget priorities This assures us – or rather, this parrots the Luxon team mantra – that the Budget “will deliver ...
The Ides of March brought me COVID followed by a bereavement. No wonder they tell you to be careful of them.I’m home now and have resumed the interrupted recuperation. Very much looking forward to getting back to regular things. Meanwhile, some thoughts…OneThis new Prime Minister guy just keeps getting more dire. ...
News that the Chinese ATP 40 cyber-hacking unit penetrated parliamentary internet networks in 2021 has renewed concerns about the PRC’s malign intentions in Aotearoa. But is the hack that significant given the length of time that has passed since its … Continue reading → ...
When Parliament passed the Intelligence and security Act in 2017, they assured us all that it was full of safeguards. Any intrusive surveillance of New Zealanders would be subject to a "triple lock", requiring the approval of the Minister and (supposedly independent) Commissioner of Intelligence Warrants, as well as post-facto ...
Eric Crampton writes – Richard Harman’s Politik newsletter provides a bit of the context that ought to have been showing up in other media reports on potential reductions in public service staffing. Media has been reporting on staffing cuts on the order of about 7%. Is that ...
Mike Grimshaw writes – It’s becoming increasingly apparent that many perceive free speech to have become the preserve of the politically right wing, the religiously conservative, the libertarian fringe, the anti-trans, the anti-Māori and…. well, just fill in with whatever groups or individuals you don’t like and don’t ...
Don Brash writes – As everybody who is not blind and deaf is aware, there is a huge political preoccupation with climate change at the moment, a widespread (though by no means unanimous) belief that global temperatures are rising mainly as a result of the greenhouse gases created ...
TL;DR: My six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy on Wednesday, March 27 include:Chris Bishop laid out his vision for filling Aotearoa-NZ’s $100 billion infrastructure deficit in a speech yesterday, emphasising user pays and private funding, but failed to say how to achieve bipartisanship on population, public borrowing and ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Former Finance Minister Grant Robertson and former Prime Minister Chris Hipkins have been conveying how unhappy they are with the tax system. Last week in his valedictory speech, Robertson called for the introduction of a wealth or capital gains tax. And this week Hipkins ...
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
Buzz from the Beehive China has loomed large in Beehive considerations over the past 24 hours, largely because of that country’s mischief-making in the cyber espionage department. Two media statements emerged on that subject hard on the heels of the PM baulking at questions put to him on RNZ’s Morning ...
Chris Trotter writes – WHY IS THE NATIONAL PARTY doing so much for landlords, property developers, trucking, and construction companies, and so little for everybody who isn’t already pretty well-off? It’s as if protecting landlords’ investments and building apartments and roads now constitute the whole of National’s ...
Bryce Edwards writes – When she was campaigning to be Minister of Finance last year, Nicola Willis pledged that she would resign from the job if she failed to deliver tax cuts in her first Budget. Now, it’s that pledge, along with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s ...
Robert MacCulloch writes – The Reserve Bank has doubled staff numbers in five years to 510, with personnel costs rising to $80 million in 2023 from $32 million in 2018 – up by a whopping 150%. I guess when you print $50 billion and flood markets with liquidity, ...
The furore. In case you didn’t notice there was a controversy in the weekend involving dolphins in a little town off the South Island. Don’t panic, they haven’t declared independence and resumed whaling, this was simply a sailing event.The problem began when racing was cancelled on the opening day of ...
For 20 years or more, the case for a meaningful capital tax gains has been mulled over and analysed to death, including by the tax working group chaired by Sir Michael Cullen. More than once, the International Monetary Fund has said a CGT would be a good idea for New ...
TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: The Public Health Communications Centre (PHCC) call for urgent preventive action and a risk assessment survey of long covid in this briefing noteLocal scoop: NZ road deaths surpass OECD rates, so why is the govt reversing safety plans? ...
This story was originally published by Grist and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. This story is part of a collaboration with Grist and WABE to demystify the Georgia Public Service Commission, the small but powerful state-elected board that makes critical decisions about everything from raising ...
This is a guest post from Robert McLachlan Global warming is accelerating; 2023 was off the charts. We need to stop burning fossil fuels. In New Zealand, transport accounts for half of all fossil fuels burnt. In the Emissions Reduction Plan, transport emissions fall 41% by 2035. As the ...
Labour productivity has been receding rapidly over the past two years, reversing a post-lockdown rise. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: My six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy as at 6:26am on Tuesday, March 26 include:Workers have been treading water in output per hour worked for 12 years, ...
TL;DR: The key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 2 include:Today, Parliament resumes sitting at 2pm for the second week of a two-week session. Officials for SIS and GCSB report their annual reviews in public to the Intelligence and Security Select Committee from 5.10pm.Tomorrow, ...
Faced with a barrage of criticism over the promised tax cuts from usually supportive commentators, Finance Minister Nicola Willis yesterday reaffirmed her intention to include them in this year’s Budget. The Government is up against it over the cuts just about every way it turns. Commentators like Fran O’Sullivan, Matthew ...
Here’s my pick of today’s substack posts as of 6:26pm on Monday, March 25: writes via his substack that Market-rate housing will make your city cheaper writes via his substack about the problems talking to double-cab ute (truck) drivers about their vehicles. today about moments of radicalisation in ...
Buzz from the Beehive Just before Christmas, Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivered something that was pitched as a mini-budget and brayed about the decisive action being taken to repair the Government books and support income tax relief in Budget 2024. In a statement headed Fiscal repair job underway. she introduced ...
My sister Belinda asked Dad yesterday what one word would describe Mum best. He said: vivacious.If you only knew her from the photos on the slideshow we've made for today,you might wonder about that, because the camera tended to lie with Mum.If ever she saw a camera pointed at her, she ...
There are two major public consultations closing in the next week, Auckland Council’s Long Term Plan (LTP), and the draft Government Policy Statement on Land Transport (GPS). Closing dates and times: LTP closes Thursday 28 February, at 11.59pm – a minute to midnight! GPS closes Tuesday 2 April, at 12pm noon – note that’s ...
From Kiwiblog’s David Farrar – Bryce Wilkinson writes: Senior Fellow Bryce Wilkinson’s analysis reveals that since March 2009, New Zealand has spent $158 billion more overseas than it has earned, but its NIIP has only fallen by $32 billion.Statistics New Zealand shows that receipts from overseas reinsurers have ...
Is she hinting that the Coalition Government will have to back down on key promises it made in Opposition? Brian Easton writes – The Minister of Finance, Nicola Willis, is telling an evolving story about her fiscal challenges. In Opposition she was confident that she could ...
Dear Nicola Willis,Right now you’ve probably got lots of competing demands coming at you. Ministers who’ve inherited quite a mess, or so you’ve told us, looking for money in the budget to improve things. I imagine that’s why they came to parliament - to make things better.You’ll have to make ...
The Local Government, Transport and Auckland Minister hasthreatened councils with intervention if they don’t merge water assets to take them off balance sheet, just as the now-repealed Three Waters plan directed. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: My six things of note this morning for Monday, March 25 include:Simeon ...
A listing of 36 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 17, 2024 thru Sat, March 23, 2024. Story of the week Thanks to John Mason having the stamina to sit down to watch "Climate - the Movie" ...
This morning the Q&A programme had Simeon Brown on to talk about National’s replacement for Three Waters. In case anyone’s forgotten the three are - drinking water, waste water, and sewerage. It’s quite important not to get them mixed up. In much the same way that you wouldn’t want to ...
Today’s newsletter comes with a mini-podcast conversation between me and my buddy Liv Tennet, talking about her time as a child actor in Lord of the Rings. It’s a conversation with a lot of giggles as she talks about falling off a horse, and becoming a meme. Read ...
The Desmog Climate Disinformation Database documents, "individuals and organisations that have helped to delay and distract the public and our elected leaders from taking needed action to reduce greenhouse gas pollution and fight global warming." It's a who's who of the organised climate change denial movement, in other words. In ...
Bob Edlin writes – A High Court judge has decided miscreants who have mana – or who claim to have mana – should be treated differently from miscreants who have none. It’s a ruling that suggests indigenous law-breakers have a better chance of securing a discharge without conviction ...
Welcome to the first, and possibly last, edition of Brickbats, Bouquets and Bull’s Wool. In which I’ll take a look at the events of the last week or so, and rate them.In such ratings the numbers usually have more to do with the opinions of the reviewer, than the actual ...
Roger Partridge writes – My earlier column this month, New Zealand’s highest court could be facing a turning point, prompted a flood of feedback from business readers and lawyers alike. A common query was what Parliament can do to restrain an overreaching judiciary. This week I discuss two steps Parliament ...
TL;DR: In today’s ‘six-stack’ of substacks at 6.16pm on Friday, March 22: writes about New Zealand's Building Boom—And What the World Must Learn From It over at his substack. challenges the Auckland Council’s use of a 3.8 degrees of warming forecast to oppose a wave-park and data centre project ...
Is she hinting that the Coalition Government will have to back down on key promises it made in Opposition?The Minister of Finance, Nicola Willis, is telling an evolving story about her fiscal challenges. In Opposition she was confident that she could deliver her promised income tax cuts. Appointed minister, she ...
Buzz from the Beehive Ministers of the Crown have drawn attention to one sector of the science sector which is unlikely to be subjected to heavy spending cuts, a state-funded broadcaster which is doing nicely, thank you, and a sporting event that had $5.4 million from the public purse puffed ...
Abbott’s Freestyle Libre sensors allow continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). The sensor is applied to the back of the patient’s arm, with a thin filament under the skin measuring glucose levels constantly. But it costs around $100 per sensor and must be replaced once every 14 days. Photo by BSIP/Universal Images ...
The Inspector General of Intelligence and Security (IGIS) recently released a report in which he exposes the existence of a foreign intelligence partner-controlled technological “capability” inside the headquarters of the GCSB, NZ’s 5 Eyes-affiliated signals intelligence collection and analysis agency. … Continue reading → ...
Peter Dunne writes – Nearly three decades after the introduction of MMP and multiparty governments there should be a greater level of understanding about their finer points than often appears to be the case. The reaction to the despicable outburst from the Deputy Prime Minister at the weekend highlights ...
The sweet kisses from fruit of summerHave slowly been turning dullerYou say, "those times"And "remember the daysWhen we went outside and there still was the shade?"Taking no reason into play…Autumn. Clear, blue days shortening to longer nights, growing colder. Aotearoa.That’s us. The temperature dropping, the looming car crash - so ...
Bryce Edwards writes – “It is often said that behind every great man is a great woman”. This is the pitch by the National Party Botany electorate branch to attend their “Ladies Afternoon Tea with Amanda Luxon”. For $110 including GST, you can turn up on Saturday 20 April ...
David Farrar writes – The Electoral Commission has published the expense returns for political parties for the 2023 election. I’ve put them in a table with how many votes a party got so we can see the spend per vote. National only spent $3.34 for every vote they got, almost ...
Winston Peters’ headline-making actions over the past week may have been a show of political power intended to strengthen his hand in Budget negotiations. It was no accident that his State of the Nation speech was as it was. He made it as New Zealand First Leader, not as Deputy ...
Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:Former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson bowed out of politics this week, giving a series of exit ...
Graham Adams writes — If you love the law or sausages, as the saying goes, best not to look too closely at how they are made. And after watching the orgy of self-pity when Newshub’s closure was announced on February 28, television journalism should definitely be added to the list of those ...
Venerable New Zealand political commentator, Chris Trotter (https://bowalleyroad.blogspot.com/), is a sad creature these days. Once one of the most reliable Leftist writers out there – Economic Left at that – Trotter seems to have absorbed the worldview of Auckland culture-war obsessives. It is not for me to categorise what he ...
The cruelty of short-term memory loss is that each time you ask where she is, you get the fresh shock and grief of the news. That was Dad's day yesterday.Comfortingly, it seems to be less so today. Last night he looked crumpled, today he seems more settled. There's a card ...
Photo by Alvan Nee on UnsplashIt’s that new day of the week (Thursday rather than Friday) when and I co-host our ‘hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm. Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream for our chat about the week’s news ...
Buzz from the Beehive One minister is talking tough while a colleague – whose ministry had acted tough and drawn a barrage of flak – has shown an official softening. Some ministers are doing what Labour was good at, which is distributing public funds to causes regarded as worthy or ...
A ballot for 4 Member's Bills was held today, and the following bills were drawn: Insurance Contracts Bill (Duncan Webb) Income Tax (Clean Transport FBT Exclusion) Amendment Bill (Julie Anne Genter) Crimes (Increased Penalties for Slavery Offences) Amendment Bill (Greg Fleming) Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) ...
One of the strongest narratives about "our" spy agencies is that they are basically institutional traitors, working for foreign powers (or just themselves), without any control or oversight by the elected government. And today, we have yet another report from the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security which explicitly confirms this. ...
“It is often said that behind every great man is a great woman”. This is the pitch by the National Party Botany electorate branch to attend their “Ladies Afternoon Tea with Amanda Luxon”. For $110 including GST, you can turn up on Saturday 20 April to meet the Prime Minister’s ...
The Coalition Government’s plan to ‘get Auckland moving’ is a cuts cover-up that will ultimately cost Aucklanders more to move around the city, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Slashing the Ministry of Pacific Peoples by 40% will have a devastating impact on pacific communities and further highlights how little this government cares about anything other than cutting taxes for the wealthiest few. ...
Labour has proposed an urgent inquiry to investigate the ever-increasing profits of supermarkets, aiming to lower costs for shoppers and food producers alike, says Labour Spokesperson for Commerce and Consumer Affairs Arena Williams and Primary Production Spokesperson Cushla Tangaere-Manuel. ...
With 14% of jobs on the line at the Ministry for Ethnic Communities, the responsible Minister Melissa Lee is failing to stand up for the very communities she’s meant to be representing. ...
COURT OF APPEAL: TRIFECTA OF VICTORY FOR NZ FIRST, TRIFECTA OF FAILURE FOR OPPONENTS For the third time since April 2020, New Zealand First has defeated the Serious Fraud Office and all those complicit in a malicious attack against a political party going about its lawful business in a lawful ...
The Green Party stands with people who live in public housing, people in dire housing need, experts and advocates in demanding better than the Government’s archaic approach to housing those who need our support the most. ...
New Zealand has recently lost the hosting rights of some major international sporting events including the America’s Cup, the Rugby Championship, Netball World Cup, and the Wellington Sevens. We are now at a huge risk of losing SailGP as well. And it won’t stop there. The recent issues with SailGP ...
A Member’s Bill drawn this week would modernise insurance law and make things fairer and more transparent for consumers, Christchurch Central MP Duncan Webb said. ...
The Minister for Disability Issues has confirmed she was aware of funding issues in mid-December and did nothing to stop it. On 14 March, she signed off on changes that were announced and implemented on 18 March without any consultation with disability communities. ...
Green Party MP Julie Anne Genter says her members' bill is an opportunity for the coalition government to plug the gap in electric vehicle incentives. ...
The National Government continues to talk about irresponsible tax cuts that will only drive up inflation, despite the country entering a technical recession. ...
The Minister for Disability Issues must act urgently to reinstate flexibility around the funding for disability support and apologise to disabled carers. ...
This story has been initiated by a leftie shill reporter who proactively sought to call a member of a former band, which disbanded twelve years ago, give their biased appraisal of what was said in my speech, and concocted a ham-fisted attempt at a story that does nothing but show ...
The Government has accepted Labour’s change to the Road User Charge (RUC) discount for hybrid vehicles, meaning there will still be some incentive for people to buy greener vehicles. ...
Many in the mainstream media have taken what was said in New Zealand First’s State of the Nation Speech in Palmerston North on Sunday and deliberately, deceitfully, and ignorantly misrepresented what I said and why I said it. The headlines and commentary on the news stated that I compared ‘co-governance ...
Kicking the most vulnerable people out of state housing and pushing them towards homelessness will result in a proliferation of poverty and trauma across our most vulnerable communities. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader and MP for Waiariki, Rawiri Waititi has penned a letter asking MPs to support his members bill to remove GST from all food. The bill is expected to go through its first reading in parliament this Wednesday. “I’m calling on all political parties to support my ...
Good afternoon. Thank you for, in your very busy lives, turning up to this meeting today. On October 14th last year New Zealanders overwhelmingly voted for change. That is exactly what this new government is bringing. New Zealand First campaigned to ‘take back our country’ and stop the disastrous economic ...
This year is about getting real with Kiwis and discussing the tough issues, as the National Government exacerbates inequality and divides New Zealand, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said ...
The Government adding Significant Natural Areas (SNAs) to its already roaring environmental policy bonfire is an assault on the future of wildlife that makes Aotearoa unique. ...
After 12 years of fighting to protect our moana we are finding ourselves back at square one and back at court. Today, the Environmental Protection Agency is sitting in Hawera to reconsider an application from Trans-Tasman Resources to dig up 50 million tonnes of the seabed in South Taranaki. This ...
Minister Shane Jones’ decision to step away from a seabed mining project is evidence of the murky waters surrounding the Government’s fast-track legislation. ...
The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last government in a bid to get greater coherence in the publicservice on Treaty matters. When ministers first considered the need for tighter oversight in 2021, there ...
The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last government in a bid to get greater coherence in the publicservice on Treaty matters. When ministers first considered the need for tighter oversight in 2021, there ...
The Coalition Government’s miscalculation saga continues as it has forgotten an eyewatering $90 million gap in its interest deductibility cost figures, say Labour Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds and Revenue Spokesperson Deborah Russell. ...
He Pou a Rangi Climate Change Commission has today released advice that says if the Government doesn’t act now New Zealand is at risk of not meeting its climate goals. ...
The Coalition Government has today confirmed it is abandoning first home buyers who are struggling to get ahead, says Labour Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds. ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the passing of legislation to move light electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) into the road user charges system from 1 April. “It was always intended that EVs and PHEVs would be exempt from road user charges until they reached two ...
New Zealand is strengthening its ability to combat illegal fishing outside its domestic waters and beef up regulation for its own commercial fishers in international waters through a Bill which had its first reading in Parliament today. The Fisheries (International Fishing and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2023 sets out stronger ...
Economists Carl Hansen and Professor Prasanna Gai have been appointed to the Reserve Bank Monetary Policy Committee, Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced today. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is the independent decision-making body that sets the Official Cash Rate which determines interest rates. Carl Hansen, the executive director of Capital ...
Apartment owners and buyers will soon have greater protections as further changes to the law on unit titles come into effect, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “The Unit Titles (Strengthening Body Corporate Governance and Other Matters) Amendment Act had already introduced some changes in December 2022 and May 2023, and ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Egypt and Europe from this weekend. “This travel will focus on a range of New Zealand’s traditional diplomatic and security partnerships while enabling broad engagement on the urgent situation in Gaza,” Mr Peters says. Mr Peters will attend the NATO Foreign ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown is encouraging all road users to stay safe, plan their journeys ahead of time, and be patient with other drivers while travelling around this Easter long weekend. “Road safety is a responsibility we all share, and with increased traffic on our roads expected this Easter we ...
About 1.4 million New Zealanders will receive cost of living relief through increased government assistance from April 1 909,000 pensioners get a boost to Superannuation, including 5000 veterans 371,000 working-age beneficiaries will get higher payments 45,000 students will see an increase in their allowance Over a quarter of New Zealanders ...
Ensuring social housing is being provided to those with the greatest needs is front of mind as the Government restarts social housing tenancy reviews, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. “Our relentless focus on building a strong economy is to ensure we can deliver better public services such as social ...
The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary will not go ahead, with Cabinet deciding to stop work on the proposed reserve and remove the Bill that would have established it from Parliament’s order paper. “The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill would have created a 620,000 sq km economic no-go zone,” Oceans and Fisheries Minister ...
Dam safety regulations are being amended so that smaller dams won’t be subject to excessive compliance costs, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on reducing costs and removing unnecessary red tape so we can get the economy back on track. “Dam safety regulations ...
The coalition Government is expanding the medium-scale adverse event classification to parts of the North Island as dry weather conditions persist, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced today. “I have made the decision to expand the medium-scale adverse event classification already in place for parts of the South Island to also cover the ...
The passing of legislation giving effect to coalition Government tax commitments has been welcomed by Finance Minister Nicola Willis. “The Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill will help place New Zealand on a more secure economic footing, improve outcomes for New Zealanders, and make our tax system ...
Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds today announced plans to transform our science and university sectors to boost the economy. Two advisory groups, chaired by Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, will advise the Government on how these sectors can play a greater ...
The Budget will deliver urgently-needed tax relief to hard-working New Zealanders while putting the government’s finances back on a sustainable track, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The Finance Minister made the comments at the release of the Budget Policy Statement setting out the Government’s Budget objectives. “The coalition Government intends ...
The coalition Government will look at options to address a zoning issue that limits how much financial support Queenstown residents can get for accommodation. Cabinet has agreed on a response to the Petitions Committee, which had recommended the geographic information MSD uses to determine how much accommodation supplement can be ...
Cabinet has agreed to a short extension to the final reporting timeframe for the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care from 28 March 2024 to 26 June 2024, Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says. “The Royal Commission wrote to me on 16 February 2024, requesting that I consider an ...
The coalition Government is delivering an $18 million boost to New Zealanders needing to travel for specialist health treatment, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says. “These changes are long overdue – the National Travel Assistance (NTA) scheme saw its last increase to mileage and accommodation rates way back in 2009. ...
The Government is recognising the innovative and rising talent in New Zealand’s growing space sector, with the Prime Minister and Space Minister Judith Collins announcing the new Prime Minister’s Prizes for Space today. “New Zealand has a growing reputation as a high-value partner for space missions and research. I am ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity, attributed to groups sponsored by the Chinese Government, targeting democratic institutions in both New ...
Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry Education Minister Erica Stanford today announced the appointment of three independent reviewers to lead the Ministerial Inquiry into the Ministry of Education’s School Property Function. The Inquiry will be led by former Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully. “There is a clear need ...
State Highway 1 across the Brynderwyns will be open for Easter weekend, with work currently underway to ensure the resilience of this critical route being paused for Easter Weekend to allow holiday makers to travel north, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Today I visited the Brynderwyn Hills construction site, where ...
Introduction Good morning to you all, and thanks for having me bright and early today. I am absolutely delighted to be the Minister for Infrastructure alongside the Minister of Housing and Resource Management Reform. I know the Prime Minister sees the three roles as closely connected and he wants me ...
New Zealand stands with the United Kingdom in its condemnation of People’s Republic of China (PRC) state-backed malicious cyber activity impacting its Electoral Commission and targeting Members of the UK Parliament. “The use of cyber-enabled espionage operations to interfere with democratic institutions and processes anywhere is unacceptable,” Minister Responsible for ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced New Zealand will provide logistics support for the upcoming Solomon Islands election. “We’re sending a team of New Zealand Defence Force personnel and two NH90 helicopters to provide logistics support for the election on 17 April, at the request ...
The European Union Free Trade Agreement Legislation Amendment Bill received Royal Assent today, completing the process for New Zealand’s ratification of its free trade agreement with the European Union. “I am pleased to announce that today, in a small ceremony at the Beehive, New Zealand notified the European Union ...
Public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has concluded, Internal Affairs Minister Hon Brooke van Velden says. “I have been advised that there were over 11,000 submissions made through the Royal Commission’s online consultation portal.” Expanding the scope of the Royal Commission of ...
Hardworking families are set to benefit from a new credit to help them meet their early childcare education (ECE) costs, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. From 1 July, parents and caregivers of young children will be supported to manage the rising cost of living with a partial reimbursement of their ...
A specialised Independent Technical Advisory Group (ITAG) tasked with preparing and publishing independent non-binding advice on the design of a "green" (sustainable finance) taxonomy rulebook is being established, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “Comprising experts and market participants, the ITAG's primary goal is to deliver comprehensive recommendations to the ...
Defence Minister Judith Collins has thanked the Chief of Army, Major General John Boswell, DSD, for his service as he leaves the Army after 40 years. “I would like to thank Major General Boswell for his contribution to the Army and the wider New Zealand Defence Force, undertaking many different ...
25 March 2024 Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders Small Business, Manufacturing, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly will travel to Australia for a series of bi-lateral meetings and manufacturing visits. During the visit, Minister Bayly will meet with his Australian counterparts, Senator Tim Ayres, Ed ...
Government commits almost $3 million for period products in schools The Coalition Government has committed $2.9 million to ensure intermediate and secondary schools continue providing period products to those who need them, Minister of Education Erica Stanford announced today. “This is an issue of dignity and ensuring young women don’t ...
Good morning, it’s great to be here. First, I would like to acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of Building Surveyors and thank you for the opportunity to be here this morning. I would like to use this opportunity to outline the Government’s ambitious plan and what we hope to ...
Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti has announced the Government’s commitment to the Auckland Secondary Schools Māori and Pacific Islands Cultural Festival, more commonly known as Polyfest. “The Ministry for Pacific Peoples is a longtime supporter of Polyfest and, as it celebrates 49 years in 2024, I’m proud to ...
Before moving onto the substance of today’s address, I want to recognise the very significant and ongoing contribution the Breast Cancer Foundation makes to support the lives of New Zealand women and their families living with breast cancer. I very much enjoy working with you. I also want to recognise ...
New Zealand has notched up a first with the launch of University of Canterbury research to the International Space Station, Science, Innovation and Technology and Space Minister Judith Collins says. The hardware, developed by Dr Sarah Kessans, is designed to operate autonomously in orbit, allowing scientists on Earth to study ...
Introduction Thank you for inviting me to speak with you today and I’m sorry I can’t be there in person. Yesterday I started in Wellington for Breakfast TV, spoke to a property conference in Auckland, and finished the day speaking to local government in Christchurch, so it would have been ...
The Coalition Government is contributing more than $1 million to support the establishment of an emergency multi-agency coordination centre in Northland. Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced the contribution today during a visit of the Whangārei site where the facility will be constructed. “Northland has faced a number ...
New Zealanders have enjoyed a broader range of voices telling the story of Aotearoa thanks to the creation of Whakaata Māori 20 years ago, says Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka. The minister spoke at a celebration marking the national indigenous media organisation’s 20th anniversary at their studio in Auckland on ...
Commercial catch limits for some fisheries have been increased following a review showing stocks are healthy and abundant, Ocean and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The changes, along with some other catch limit changes and management settings, begin coming into effect from 1 April 2024. "Regular biannual reviews of fish ...
By Anneke Smith, RNZ News political reporter A petition urging the New Zealand government to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people has been tabled in the House. More than 200 people gathered on Parliament’s forecourt today and they were met by MPs from Labour, the Greens and Te ...
Pacific Media Watch The Paris-based global media freedom watchdog RSF (Reporters Without Borders) has appealed for information about the “disappearance” of Palestinian journalist Bayan Abusultan. She was reportedly last seen on March 19 among people “sequestered” in this week’s raid and siege of Al Shifa hospital by Israeli troops in ...
EDITORIAL:The Jakarta Post It happens again and again; indigenous Papuans fall victim to Indonesian soldiers. This time, we have photographic evidence for the brutality, with videos on social media showing a Papuan man being tortured by a group of plainclothes men alleged to be the Indonesian Military (TNI) members. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robyn J. Whitaker, Director of the Wesley Centre for Theology, Ethics, and Public Policy & Associate Professor, New Testament, Pilgrim Theological College, University of Divinity A strange and eclectic range of activities takes place across these few weeks of the year. Some ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Panizza Allmark, Professor Visual & Cultural Studies, Edith Cowan University It’s Easter weekend, which means many of us will be kicking back with the greatest hits on repeat. But whether you’re a boomer, or an ‘80s or ’90s kid, you might be ...
RNZ Pacific Fiji’s Acting Public Prosecutor has filed an appeal against the sentences of former prime minister Voreqe Bainimarama and suspended police chief Sitiveni Qiliho in their corruption case. Bainimarama was granted an absolute discharge for attempting to pervert the course of justice while Qiliho received a conditional discharge with ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Arosha Weerakoon, Senior Lecturer and General Dentist, School of Dentistry, The University of Queensland Casezy idea/Shutterstock How does toothpaste work? What did people use before toothpaste was invented? – Amelia, age 7, Meanjin (Brisbane) Thanks for your ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brett Hallam, Associate professor, UNSW Sydney IM Imagery/Shutterstock Solar SunShot is well named. The Australian government announced today it would plough A$1 billion into bringing back solar manufacturing to Australia, boosting energy security, swapping coal and gas jobs for those ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Clare Dix, Research Fellow in Nutrition & Dietetics, The University of Queensland Easter is the time for chocolate. The shops are full of fantastically packaged and shiny chocolates in all shapes and sizes, making trips to the supermarket with children more challenging ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emma Felton, Adjunct Senior Researcher, University of South Australia Even in a stubborn cost-of-living crisis, it seems there’s one luxury most Australians won’t sacrifice – their daily cup of coffee. Coffee sales have largely remained stable, even as financial pressures have ...
Mining company Trans-Tasman Resources has unexpectedly withdrawn its application for a consent to suck the valuable metals vanadium and titanium from the Taranaki seafloor, as it apparently wagers on the Government’s new fast-track process. It had spent two-and-a-half days putting its case to the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision-making committee, at ...
Contrary to the Associate Minister of Education’s claims, analysis of Healthy School Lunches Programme - Ka Ora, Ka Ako assessments has revealed it provides excellent value for the taxpayer dollar, as a groundswell of public opposition to Government ...
Greenpeace says wannabe Taranaki seabed miner Trans-Tasman Resources is likely banking on Christopher Luxon’s fast-track process to side-step proper scrutiny of its Taranaki seabed mining proposal by bailing out of the Environmental Protection Agency hearing ...
Kiwis Against Seabed mining today slammed Australian owned would-be seabed miner Trans Tasman Resources (TTR) for abandoning its application to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to mine the seabed of the South Taranaki Bight. The company ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Katie Attwell, Associate Professor, School of Social Sciences, The University of Western Australia Ground Picture/Shutterstock Months after COVID vaccines were introduced in 2021, governments and private organisations mandated them for various groups. Health and aged care workers were among the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Dzurak, Scientia Professor Andrew Dzurak, CEO and Founder of Diraq, UNSW Sydney Diraq For decades, the pursuit of quantum computing has struggled with the need for extremely low temperatures, mere fractions of a degree above absolute zero (0 Kelvin or ...
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 Essential poll, conducted March 20–24 from a sample of 1,150, gave the Coalition a 50–44 lead including undecided, a reversal ...
The Taxpayers’ Union has today made a formal request under the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on Open Government Information () for information held about how New Zealand Members of Parliament are spending taxpayer ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robert Nelson, Honorary Principal Fellow, The University of Melbourne A Byzantine depiction of the Eucharist in Saint Sophia Cathedral, Kyiv.Jacek555/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA A nasty quarrel arose in the 11th century over what kind of bread should be used in holy ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Patrick Hesp, Professor, Flinders University Patrick Hesp In some parts of Australia, coastal dunes are retreating from the ocean at an alarming rate, as waves carve up the beach and wind blows the sand inland. But coastal communities are largely ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Luke Heemsbergen, Senior Lecturer, Digital, Political, Media, Deakin University With an impressive 60% of the US smartphone market, Apple is undeniably big, but not a clear monopoly. Yet, years of innovation by Apple have effectively given the company its own exclusive ...
Whether you’re facing layoffs or are just an emotional junior staffer, it’s always a good idea to scout out a good crying place before you need it. It’s an incredibly hard time for Wellington. Across the city, thousands of public servants are hearing tough news about redundancies and layoffs. Government ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Miller-Jones, Professor, Curtin University Nuclear explosions on a neutron star feed its jets. Danielle Futselaar and Nathalie Degenaar, Anton Pannekoek Institute, University of Amsterdam, CC BY-SA How fast can a neutron star drive powerful jets into space? The answer, it ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Daryl Adair, Associate Professor of Sport Management, University of Technology Sydney Earlier this week, independent MP Andrew Wilkie accused the AFL of conducting “off the books” illicit drug testing to identify players using substances of abuse, then inappropriately withdrawing them from matches ...
The Government’s announcement that it will scrap plans for a vast marine sanctuary around the Kermadec Islands is ‘shameful’ and will make it impossible for Aotearoa New Zealand to meet its international commitments, says the World Wide Fund for Nature ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Quiggin, Professor, School of Economics, The University of Queensland Shutterstock The federal government has bowed to pressure from the car industry, announcing it will relax proposed emissions rules for utes and vans and delay enforcement of the new standards ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Suzanne Rutland, Professor Emerita, University of Sydney In his latest book, Jewish Life in Medieval Spain, Jonathan Ray focuses on the tumult of the 14th century in Spain – a time of the plague, civil strife and war between the two largest ...
While creating a slate of world-class shows, Whakaata Māori also developed a generation of world-class creatives. Television is an odd word. It mixes the Ancient Greek and Latin languages, and its most literal meaning is “far-off sight”. In the contemporary and living language of te reo Māori, “whakaata” as a ...
Yesterday the UN Security Council passed a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Israel’s war on Gaza. This significant step and the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza prompted an urgent debate in the New Zealand Parliament. Leader ...
The Government’s decision to reduce access to continuous glucose monitors (CGM) not only threatens the lives of children with type 1 diabetes and increases the potential for ‘Dead in Bed’ syndrome, but also threatens the health of their parents an ...
Apples are available year-round, but the wide variety on offer involves intensive scientific research – and large-scale commercialisation. What’s beautiful, red, sweet and crunchy? Tony Martin’s favourite kind of apple: Sassy. The CEO of apple and pear breeding organisation Prevar, Martin’s fondness for Sassy represents professional success as well as ...
Family violence specialist service Shine is calling on employers to stop asking for proof of domestic violence in order for employees to access domestic violence leave. The call comes five years after the introduction of the Domestic Violence ...
The Deputy Chairperson of the Finance and Expenditure Committee is calling for public submissions on the Budget Policy Statement 2024. The Budget Policy Statement 2024 (BPS) sets out the Government's priorities for the 2024 Budget. It explains the approach ...
Brutal government spending cuts that will see the size of the Ministry for Pacific Peoples slashed by 40% will hit Pasifika communities hard, the PSA says. The Ministry has told staff that it is seeking voluntary redundancies, and to redeploy and reassign ...
I live with five people I mostly love, but our different ideas about generosity are starting to really irk me.Want Hera’s help? Email your problem to helpme@thespinoff.co.nzDear Hera,This is a bit of a random one but here goes. I’m 22 and work an OK job (OK meaning I get paid ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Maria Nicholas, Senior Lecturer in Language and Literacy Education, Deakin University Earlier this month, the New South Wales government announced it would roll out programs for gifted students in every public school in the state. This comes amid concerns gifted school ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christopher Rudge, Law lecturer, University of Sydney Massachusetts General Hospital In a world first, we heard last week that US surgeons had transplanted a kidney from a gene-edited pig into a living human. News reports said the procedure was a ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Tombs, Howard Paterson Chair of Theology and Public Issues, University of Otago The 5th-century Maskell panel showing Jesus in a loincloth.British Museum, CC BY-NC-SA When Jesus is shown on the cross, he is almost always depicted wearing a loincloth around ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Panizza Allmark, Professor Visual & Cultural Studies, Edith Cowan University Shutterstock When you think about a red object, you might picture a red carpet, or the massive ruby in the Queen’s crown. Indeed, Western monarchies and marketing from brands such ...
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Asia Pacific Report A New Zealand investigative journalist and author says the US spy system hosted by the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) appears to be a controversial intelligence system used in global capture-kill operations. Writing a commentary for RNZ News today, Nicky Hager, author of Secret Power, a 1996 ...
While Nicola Willis wouldn’t give any details on its size, she said a package of tax cuts is definitely still coming in this year’s budget, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. ...
The Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming the investigation into the Department of Internal Affairs after it was revealed that the Department’s Chief Executive personally reached out to expedite a DJs passport application. Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns ...
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On a Thursday in February, at Wellington’s Conservation House, the Conservation Authority, a statutory body advising the eponymous department and minister, Tama Potaka, opened its 195th meeting. Under consideration that afternoon was an agenda item written by Tim Bamford, chief advisor in the Department of Conservation’s biodiversity, heritage and visitors ...
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Could the next airline flight you catch be piloted by an All Black?
You are not feeling well. And you need to see a medical professional about your health. Would you be happy to see a top flight netball player instead?
You are in trouble with the law. Would you choose to be represented by a squash player, even one with a newly minted honorary doctorate?
I didn’t think so.
Nobody would be criminally stupid enough to use sporting prowess as a measure of competency for the above roles.
But if, the airlines and health boards ditched their standard selection guidelines, for the revolutionary selection criteria used by Judith Collins, to select the Race Relations Commissioner……
Abandoning the written guidelines, a former All Black, and a net ball player, were Judith Collins first choices for the position of race relations Commissioner, before she settled on a well known squash player.
Good On Sean Plunket for tackling the refusal to be accountable.
Maybe RNZ could learn from him.
Very disturbing indeed!
talking of ‘disgusting’
let the children eat grass signs off the New Zealand Ministry of Health.
Could the next airline flight you catch be piloted by an All Black?
It’s not impossible.
Would you be happy to see a top flight netball player instead?
Only if she had a medical qualification – but I’d definitely let Bernice Mene teach my kids. Heck, I’d even elect a double national player to Parliament.
I’m highly critical of Devoy’s appointment, and I’m very suspicious of the fact that Michael Jones and Irene van Dyk were also offered it, but let’s not make this about “sports players are automatically idiots”, shall we?
Yeah, the correct question is: Why does the Govt think being a sports celebrity is a relevant qualification?
And note it’s celebrity sportspeople they’re headhunting.
Felix.
Apparently Susan Devoy has “a spine” So,if you have a spine you can expect a phone call from a ghost offering you a really good job. Brilliant,everybody should be employed very shortly. Really annoyed with devoy on Campbell Live with her snide arrogance saying that she did not know who rang her and shoulder tapped her. Following the party line of not knowing anything about anything but everything is “above board” Silly simpering woman!
Campbell Live should run a poll asking – whose identity do you think Susan Devoy is hiding when she said she did not know who rang her?
A. Her crony cabinet minister
B. The Prime Minister
C. Baldrick’s turnip
D. Her creative truth-telling telephone which rang itself
E. Her neighbour Tony who was had been talking to the responsible minister
Agreed Alanz. If someone called you to offer you a job and you did not know who, would you not find out who?
This fact alone makes her too stupid for most jobs, let alone something this sensitive.
God, I bet she’d fall for “I am calling from your computer support department, please turn on your computer so I can debug it” scams too.
Good skit on this on Down the List this morning.
“Tosser” can now be added to the various words recently used to describe Aaron “Happy” Gilmore …
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10881590
Yes those higher standards the Nats bleat on about look very lofty and moral in action.
Glad to see this waiter excelling in performing his duties, he should be commended for his actions.
http://m.alcohol.org.nz/sites/default/files/useruploads/Resourcepdfs/Wheres_the_line.pdf
It’s illegal to serve alcohol to a person who is or has become intoxicated.
It’s also illegal to let an intoxicated person onto a licensed premise.
Finally, it is against the law to serve a patron in such as way that leads them to become intoxicated.
http://www.drugfoundation.org.nz/alcohol/law-and-penalities
FYI….. Worth checking out RNZ Sunday this morning:
0840 Sandra Gray Dissent and Democracy and
10:06 Ideas: The Public Service – Past, Present and Future
The former – the obvious democracy deficit we’re in the middle of.
The latter – (In my view) the way in which corporatiation of the PS has simply meant PS Senior Managers and CEO’s operate with LESS accountability, and run their various depts as little feifdoms. The real Public Servants under those Snr Managers and CEOs do their work IN SPITE of their overlords rather than BECAUSE of their ‘leadership’ . We were promised the exact opposite.
We should exhort John Key to please, please keep Aaron Gilmore on, at least for the next 18 months.
Yes yes yes
There is yet some more stuff to come out …..
Help Josie Pagani on Q&A just praised Peter Dunne and in particular his stance on paid parental leave and mondayising of Waitangi Day and Anzac Day.
But she does not criticise him for supporting asset sales.
Can’t we have a “Labour representative” who actually says what the party thinks?
“Can’t we have a “Labour representative” who actually says what the party thinks?”
Not sure I like our chances MS. It’ll probably come some time AFTER we get a “From the Left ….. and From the Right” on Nine to Noon, and a change to the FOX News approach on “The Panel”
What does “the party” think micky? IMHO this is the key problem, “the party” is dysfunctional serving itself to the detriment of its founding principles, it’s supporters and its members. What exactly do Labour stand for? How are its values expressed in its policies and how does being unthinking opposition constitute a political force worth supporting?
Saying that Labour doesn’t stand for anything burt just shows that you’re ignorant… However the issue here isn’t that Labour may or may not have an opinion, it’s that interested parties aren’t being giving the opportunity to express an opinion to counter the right wing theme that pervades programs like Q+A.
I was pretty disappointed with today’s lopsided program as well… Not only in terms of yet another puff piece for Peter Dunne, but also in terms of the criticism of bitcoins that was largely based on an inaccurate account from Kirk Hope.
The New Zealand Bankers’ Association CEO clearly has a vested interest in criticizing bitcoins, because the banks haven’t yet figured out how to take their pound of flesh. The panel didn’t question any of his claims, even though many of them were clearly false.
There’s relevant legislation here that should have been adhered to… Under the Broadcasting Act 1989 (PDF) there’s a responsibility of broadcasters to be fair, accurate and give people the opportunity to hear both sides of the story:
In my opinion, Q+A is a long way away from adhering to those rules. That doesn’t just make for biased broadcasting, it makes for boring broadcasting as well. Only a truly ignorant person could enjoy the dross that Susan Wood seems determined to serve up each weekend on Q+A.
coloured blue this morning Jackal
But she does not criticise him for supporting asset sales.
In fact, she went so far as to praise him for always being above-board in how he voted on things.
I keep trying to get into watching Q&A regularly, as a politically-minded Kiwi, but inevitably I get 5 minutes in (or fast-forward to the panel and get 5 minutes into that) and have to bail out to save my brain from excess headdesking.
refrain from damage to that unique brain Queen. stick with the agave, thats the only blue you need to rest your eyes.
Now you’re speaking my language.
But mickysavage she’s photogenic, and has long black hair which looks good on the telly. That’s more important than what Labour Party members think!!! We’ve already seen what the TV media think of ordinary Labour Party members. In short, we don’t count.
Captain Adder says you do count and what we he do without cannon fodder to send over the top ?
well, the yanks might need more turnips to process into biofuel;
The US War Machine over a Barrel
Oh dear war is so costly. The citizens will just have to cut down on what they think of as necessities which are in fact luxuries, so that the machinery that protects our wonderful country and each cherished person within it, can keep functioning.
Better hide your turnips to ensure you last the winter folks.
20 minutes to the Kentucky Derby, folks. Here’s an appropriate song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RS_yyRk_dj8
Well it is Sunday TRP, someone gave me this DVD that was shot over 3 nights in Texas, and edited non chronologically. The other band members all have various costume changes but Keith Richards has the same satin shirt, jeans and boots on in every take.
Kentucky Derby yee haa!
I’m a little concerned that Jagger appears to have a vegetable stuffed in his trousers. Very Spinal Tap!
Riding through dustlands and barren wastes
great horse races often inspire great stories, this is one of them
http://brianb.freeshell.org/a/kddd.pdf
it only has a couple of Steadman’s illustrations, but that makes finding the others that much more enjoyable, look for ‘Gonzo, The Art’ for the full collection
from the other side of the oasis
a memorable Vigjam
I bought a steadman piece not too long ago. An original from the fear and loathing collection
Housing New Zealand bids up price to purchase ahead of first home buyer. So, where’s ma house?
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10881566
And?
Actually, it does. They buy the house, knock it down and build apartments on the site.
Which seems to be HNZs plan.
This makes me really angry.
The freaking Labour Party objecting to Housing NZ buying property to provide homes for the homeless and those in dire straits because home buyers might be adversely affected.
Not content with their policy of building 10,00 subsidised homes for the middle-class, Phil Twyford’s Labour Party is now actively oppsosing HNZ assistance for those whose housing needs are greatest. Fuck you Phil Twyford.
just saying
Except the amount of state houses has dramatically declined under this National government. Between 2008 and 2011, the amount of vacant state houses increased by a whopping 471 and the overal state houses available declined by 171 in the same time period. 256 houses were demolished.
That makes your claim that HNZ is providing homes for the homeless and those in dire straits by outbidding a few first-home buyers at auctions entirely incorrect.
Labour has actually said that they will reverse National’s anti-state housing regime by increasing the amount of state houses that are available for people in need. That makes your statement entirely inaccurate just saying.
Except the amount of state houses has dramatically declined under this National government. Between 2008 and 2011, the amount of vacant state houses increased by a whopping 471 and the overal state houses available declined by 171 in the same time period. 256 houses were demolished.
Yup, and yet right now Labour is complaining about the help HNZ is attempting to provide to those with the greatest housing needs….
…….Which makes Labour’s so-called committment to increasing housing for those most in need pretty freaking dubious, in my humble opinion Jackal.
The only commitment Twyford was talking about today was Labour’s commitment to provide 10,000 subsidised homes for those that can afford them, and he talked about this commitment in the context of complaining about HNZ buying property to house the poor.
You’re comparing a single property with the 171 that National got rid of and saying that; “HNZ is attempting to provide to those with the greatest housing needs.” C’mon just saying, they aren’t proving shit to people in need, hence the 171 less state houses between 2008 and 2011.
The number of state houses increased under the last Labour government. If reelected, the’ve also said they will increase the number of state houses over and above the 10,000 subsidized homes… Despite those facts you somehow think that National is more committed to helping people in need of a state house?
Jackal, when did I say that “National is more committed to helping people in need of a state house”?
I didn’t mention National at all. A criticism of a Labour MP is not an endorsement of the government.
What you actually said was:
Which is complete bullshit! It’s even a bigger pile of bullshit when you understand that National is dismantling the state housing sector piece by piece.
You said that HNZ was:
HNZ isn’t providing for people in need, because there are at least 171 less state houses available since 2008. National has instructed HNZ to reduce costs by having less state houses… Or do you think that HNZ somehow operates autonomously from the government just saying?
Don’t you get it Jackal?
It could have been a property developer outbidding buyers, or an investment group, or even just a rich person who liked the light and the soil and decided to buy up the whole neighbourhood to build a giant silver-framed geodesic dome. And no-one would have complained. It would have been accepted as just the way things are. You got the money – you buy what you want, as long as its legal, and often even if its not if you’re rich enough.
The reason for the complaints, for the outrage, and the reason Twyford chimed in, in my opinion, is that the poor and downtrodden aren’t believed to deserve anything that anyone else wants. That’s the society we are now. I wasn’t talking about anything outside of this instance, this example of what I believe to be a fact of our communities now. And Labour’s endorsement of it.
Twyford wasn’t saying that the “poor and downtrodden” don’t deserve to be housed just saying, he’s merely disagreeing with the way HNZ is currently acquiring new housing stock.
There’s no doubt that increasing competition will, to a degree, push up prices and make rents even less affordable. How exactly is that going to help the majority of poor people find affordable housing?
With the number of vacant state houses increasing by at least 471 since National gained power, competing on the open market isn’t going to increase the amount of people in need of housing assistance acquiring it through the HNZ. In contrast, fixing those dilapidated state houses and building more would help.
Therefore the basis of your argument is entirely flawed just saying… Not that I expect you to admit it.
Sounds like a cunning plan Baldrick.
This just in, Twyford: land available to build on isn’t an infinite resource.
We’ve actually already had this debate QoT, and without getting into the nitty gritty may I just conclude that there’s lots of land available to build new houses on in New Zealand.
In fact there are easily enough bare sections in residentially zoned areas that the government already owns for Labour’s housing policy to be realized. The only issue is that there are no longer enough sections available in Auckland for people to live the half-acre section dream… They might have to compromise and have smaller sections.
Is that perhaps what you mean by available land not being infinite?
No, Jackal, I meant that land isn’t an infinite resource. Try reading things people write and not imposing your own presumptions on them for once, would you?
lolz…sometimes it’s the simplicity which stumps them.
underreported struggles is a monthly posting by ahni at Intercontinental Cry that details indigenous struggles around the world. It is essential reading for those interested in human rights and shows the continued battles that indigenous people are engaged in to save their lands and themselves.
new barter currency
“Esquimalt First Nation, in an effort to reform the monetary system, unveiled a new barter currency on their territory known as Tetlas. Similar to a gift certificate, the Tetla was developed by the organization Tetla Tsetsuwatil to assist economic development in the S’amuna’ Nation and other native nations, and to encourage trade with non-natives and among non-natives. So far, 35 businesses have signed on to the Tetla system, but wit the constant problems first Nations have with the Canadian economy, you can be sure there will be more.”
opposing mining
“In northern Chile, Environmental groups and indigenous Diaguita communities celebrated a court decision to suspend the controversial Pascua Lama mine owned by the world’s largest gold mining company, Barrick gold. The court suspension was in response to a legal action that was brought forth by the affected indigenous communities who warned that the mine threatens their water supply and several local glaciers. Lorenzo Soto, a lawyer representing the Diaguita, said the suspension will remain in effect until the company addresses the pollution issue and properly consults the indigenous peoples.”
just two examples from many which show the interconnectedness of our struggles
http://intercontinentalcry.org/underreported-struggles-73-april-2013-19405/
barter currency
No country will agree to ignore widespread bartering with or without cash exchange. Sooner or later there will have to be some declaration of revenue equivalence gained through bartering and something to be paid to the tax department.
Perhaps although I’m not totally convinced. I’m a member of HANDS (How about a no money system) which although small and humble is working and there is no tax issue there, but I’m sure if it got big enough they would send the men in black around.
https://www.community-exchange.org/
as they say from the link, “Simply by keeping track of who receives what from whom we can dispense with the ancient idea of exchange media and the apparatus required to manage them. This helps us focus on providing and requesting what is really needed instead of chasing after money. It creates an environment of openness and transparency; it promotes equality, fairness and balance; it builds community and helps us respect our environment and appreciate the limits of our finite world.”
Good luck with that marty mars. For success it requires commitment of all members to the system with provision and purchase following each other at regular intervals.
Thanks prism – the best thing about HANDS is that it works best with transactions not accumulation.
Does anybody know anything about this and/or the effect that NZ Power or the MRP float might have on this on this market?
from the Electricity Authority:
In late 2011, new market-maker arrangements for New Zealand electricity futures trading were adopted by the ASX and the large generators. These arrangements sharply reduced the bid-ask spreads for futures contracts and substantially boosted trading volumes, providing the foundation for an increasingly active hedge market, which other parties, such as financial institutions, are expected to enter over time.
http://www.ea.govt.nz/dmsdocument/12292
it’ll probably depress activity in this hedge market as NZ Power will significantly improve price predictability and stability. However, although their use in financialised market games will reduce, hedges will still be used for protection against the results of unexpected climate or severe events (i.e what they are designed for).
Though it’s from Wednesday, a few quotes from Pope Francis at Mass 1 May – the Feast of St Joseph the Worker, prompted also by the Bangladesh killing of over 400 workers:
A society that “does not pay a just wage”, that “does not give work” to people; a society that only looks to its balance books, that only seeks profit” is unjust and goes against God.
“Not paying a just wage, not providing work, focussing exclusively on balancing the books, only looking at making personal profit. That goes against God! The headline that impacted me so much concerning the Bangladesh tragedy, ‘Living on 38 Euros a month’: this was the payment of these people who have died … And this is called slave labour. And today there is slavery that is made with the most beautiful gift that God has given to human-kind: the ability to create, to work, to be the makers of our own dignity. How many brothers and sisters throughout the world are in t his situation because of these, economic, social, political attitudes and so on…”
“The human person is more important than the brick. If people are less important than the things that give profit to those who have political, social, economic power, what point have we come to? To the point that we are nota ware of the dignity of the person and the dignity of labour. May the figures of St Joseph and especially of Jesus, of ‘God who works” – be our model – for they teach us the way forward, through dignity.”
Good to hear the Pope on Mayday.
Beautiful Ad : I humbly wager a Young Man leaps to conclude their second entry of influence in temporal affairs.
“The human person is more important than the brick.”
Not by much. The human person is considered to have rights, but the brick isn’t.
person:
A man considered according to the rank he holds in society, with all the rights to which the place he holds entitles him, and the duties which it imposes. 1 Bouv. Inst. no. 137. A human being considered as capable of having rights and or being charged with duties, while a “thing” is the object over which rights may be exercised. (Black’s 2nd (1910))
man is subject to law, but not defined by law.
Man is subject to the law of his creator/creators. Law is consistent with reason, opinions about law can be wrong, especially when they are based on faith in an assumed authority.
Deep and meaningless.
What it means is that the state is lying to you about the basics.
Then
May indigestion rack their chests
And ants invade their pants and vests.
For rugged rhymes Arfamo quests
And brings bon mots back to the nest.
hidden talents to check
Kind thoughts and support to Georgina Beyer!
A courageous woman, and one who knew when the careerist bullshitters were in ascendancy.
Pushing shit uphill was never her style.
John Key’s plan to prostrate the country before the oil industry causes disquiet, even in National’s true blue heartland.
Even in a true blue country area, in what should have been the bosom of his support. Farmers tell Key that the oil companies have too much power.
Just like a Mafia Capo addressing the ‘Made Men’ of the Gambino Family. Key demands that fealty must be paid towards the local Mafia Don. “it was in everyone’s interest” to be “respectful” to the oil companies, he said.
Surprise surprise.
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2013/05/04/1000-attend-anti-Semitic-rally-in-Budapest/UPI-35021367695435/
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2013/jan/27/ukip-far-right
hard case joe, i read that Hungary article this morning and left it ’til they rally the followers a bit more.
To whom the memory remains,
(some Godley, some Cremesome Art, some Noise)
Wash your load promptly and return on-line with the programme
(glanced at The Witches of Oz, yet Emeralds not fine stone)
did have the money, apprenticeship afternoons, Ruby Tuesdays
“please send me evenings and weekends, please send me evenings and weekends,
your kiss so sweet, your sweat so sour” Gladys, “Little Miss S. in a mini-dress
living it up to die (New Bohemians)
in a blink of the Public Eye”.
“We, we’re a part of your Circle of Friends
and we notice you don’t come around
We, we think it all depends
on you
Touching ground with us.
–Spaceman
Auckland Mayor Len Brown has a serious challenger on his hands.
Millionaire businessman John Palino has thrown his hat in the ring for the mayoralty and says the campaign could cost around a million dollars.
He says Len Brown’s policies have driven him to enter politics.
Who?? Going to cost more than a million buddy, your name recognition is non existent.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10881643
And NBR thinks Williamson will be a challenger to Brown because..
He says [Dick Quax] Mr Williamson doesn’t carry as much “baggage” as Mr Banks in the eyes of voters, particularly those in area outside the old Auckland City Council.
Note to Mr Quax – you aint helping.
http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/why-len-brown-should-fear-%E2%80%98mayor-mo-nk-p-139536
Going to be interesting to see who actually steps up, I think Maurice will fold his tent. 26 years in Wellington and what’s your biggest achievement? Leaky buildings. Thanks Maurice
Sometimes amongst the crap there are illustrations of kindness and good people. This compilation of positive russian dash cams bought a wee tear to my eye and reminded me that there are lots and lots of kind, good people out there everywhere.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzBInt4zljQ
Would we stop our personal transportation device and help an elder across the road?
FYI folks! 🙂
The ‘Open Letter’ to Solicitor-General Michael Heron, requesting Crown Law to intervene and take over the prosecution of John Archibald Banks for alleged electoral fraud is available here:
http://www.dodgyjohnhasgone.com/
The evidence that John Banks has been summonsed to attend the Auckland District Court (first appearance) on Wednesday 8 May 2013 (at 9am) is available here:
http://www.dodgyjohnhasgone.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/JOHN-BANKS-Applicatio-Media-coverage-Banks-8-May-2013.pdf
This has been a LONG time coming………..
When is Prime Minister John Key going to stand down John Banks as Minister of Regulatory Reform, Minister of Small Business, Associate Minister of Education and Associate Minister of Commerce?
If National MP Aaron Gilmore is regarded as not being ‘fit for duty’ – what about Minister John Banks who is facing COURT proceedings, and will exit stage left (errr right?) immediately from the House if convicted?
Seriously?
Where’s the FUSS about John Banks?
Penny Bright
‘Anti-corruption / anti-privatisation’ campaigner
2013 Auckland Mayoral candidate
(Further background on attempts to get ‘one law for all’ to apply to ACT Leader, MP for Epsom John Banks is available here:
http://www.pennybright4epsom.org.nz
Banks attending court, away from work, on Ministerial salary and still getting paid during his absence. Thanks, taxpayers!